December is almost upon us and although the white stuff is now piling up outside there is also a buzz of sustainable activities and events in and around the Ottawa area.

This month SMARTNet Alliance attended events supporting the Global Entrepreneurship Week (#GEWOttawa) across the Ottawa region. Last Wednesday we were present for the Pitch It event at Algonquin’s new DARE Centre of Innovation. Here, six start up businesses pitched their ideas in front of a panel of experts from Invest Ottawa and Ottawa's Impact Hub. In the end three lucky startups were funded one thousand dollars each to help the growth of their business.

Next up, we attended Student Energy Carleton’s event at Ottawa’s Impact Hub which brought together stakeholders and interested parties to discuss the SDG 7 Initiative, which aims to provide universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services by 2030. A panel discussion was held which delved deeper into the issues of sustainability and the path forward for concerned citizens. Aaron Thornell, Communications manager for the Ottawa Renewable Energy Co-op, was a panel member along with Matthew Britt, the CEO of SWITCH Energy and Jenn Schurer, co-lead of Ottawa's WiRE (Women in Renewable Energy) chapter. A lively night of discussion ensued with lots of inspiration for forward progress. 

Joe Mulhall brings to this role over 45 years of experience in the energy sector beginning with the completion of an apprenticeship program in the trade of Electrician.  For Joe, lifelong learning and applied knowledge go hand and hand.  After receiving an Honours Degree in Labour Studies Joe went on to build the Canadian Union of Skilled Workers where he served as President for almost 20 years.  Joe has also held the role of Trustee and Administrator of Union Trusts Funds, served on Boards and Advisory committees at the College and University level and served a term as Chair of the Board at the Ontario Sustainable Energy Association.  
Joe has been a part of building the vision of SMARTNet Alliance from the very beginning. The concept of assisting sustainable energy entrepreneurs through providing direction and the creation of the Entrepreneurs’ Club to working with members of local Ontario communities, as well as CUSW,  as while as working in various sustainable capacities, including Project Management and Construction, Installation and Community Power projects.  Joe is passionate about building a model for a better future and looks forward to helping grow SMARTNet Alliance in Ottawa and beyond.  
 

 
Raymonde Lemire is a seasoned entrepreneur and business services professional. With over 30 years of experience working in the corporate sector and running her own business she is well positioned to understand the needs of both employers and entrepreneurs. She has been with SMARTNet Alliance for the past 5 years and has been successful in growing the sustainability community in the Ottawa Region. Closest to Raymonde's heart is her work in nurturing the SMARTNet Alliance Members as they navigate their way through the ever changing and exciting sustainable economy.
 

 
Nick is an experienced and passionate changemaker who has been working for the past several years with nonprofit and community-based organizations to help them deliver dynamic events and campaigns around the country. His passion for renewable energy and all things green comes from a deeply rooted love of nature and the environment gained at youth. Most recently, Nick has been the Program Director for Green Energy Doors Open, one of the country’s largest renewable energy public literacy campaigns. He was instrumental in coordinating with local hosts to ensure a smooth delivery of the program. Nick is excited about the future of sustainable energy and a decentralized energy system. He looks forward to diving head first into many of Ottawa’s Sustainable initiatives and is excited to help build the SMARTNet Alliance into a thriving ecosystem of actively engaged members helping to advance Canada's sustainable economy.
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Read the full bios of the SMARTNet Alliance team here.