CUGES 2018

Theme: Living Sustainably

Date: November 18th, 2018

Speakers and Panelists:

Mathew Britt

Matthew Britt is Co-Founder and CEO of Switch Energy, Ontario’s premier solar energy education, marketing and sales company. Switch Energy’s vision is to unlock abundant solar energy for humanity. Matthew’s an experienced entrepreneur, having started several businesses prior to Switch Energy. Previously, Matthew has earned millions of dollars in the health and fitness industry. In 2017, he walked away from the industry he’d spent his last 15 years working in to pursue a solution to a problem that still impacted over a billion people, the lack of access to energy. Today, Matthew leads a movement to bring rooftop solar power plants mainstream at the same time providing energy to communities in Canada and around the world who suffer from energy poverty

Mike Brown

Michael Brown holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) and a Master of Applied Science (Sustainable Energy), both from Carleton University. Until recently he worked as a project manager to deliver the new Canadian High Arctic Research Station through feasibility, design, construction, and operation. Currently he works in the Office of Energy Research and Development at Natural Resources Canada, helping to deliver the Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities program. He lives in the dynamic and vibrant community of Queen East/Leslieville, Toronto, but enjoys any excuse he can find to visit with students at Carleton U.

Aaron Thurnell

Aaron is the Communications Manager at the Ottawa Renewable Energy Co-operative, playing an integral role in driving membership investment and impact measurement at the Co-op. He has a background in Community Development, earning a B.A. in Development Studies and History from St. Francis Xavier University. Aaron is a former OceanPath Fellow with the Coady International Institute. He is passionate about sustainable development and creating a livable world for all communities, both presently and in the future.

Paul Kealey

Paul Kealey is from EkoBuilt. He spoke about living sustainably in a passive house. After receiving a B.Sc. Degree from St. Francis Xavier University and a brief stint as a high school teacher, Paul became infatuated with sustainable home construction and furthered his education at the sustainable building and passive house institutes. When he’s not working, Paul enjoys exercising, canoeing, and spending time with his family.