Board of Directors

James A. Keech, P. Eng (Chair), Corporate Director and Former Utility Executive

Jim Keech was the President and CEO and a member of the Board of Directors of Utilities Kingston and Kingston Hydro Corp. from 2000-2022. In 2009, he was appointed to the Board of Directors for the Ontario Municipal Water Association and is currently on the Board of Directors after serving as past-Chair of the Electricity Distributors Association of Ontario. In 2025, he retired from his position as Interim President and CEO of Ontario One Call.

Heather Ferguson, Senior Vice-President Corporate Affairs, Ontario Power Generation

As OPG’s Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Heather Ferguson is responsible for all stakeholder, public and media outreach, government relations, Indigenous relations, and branding activities in support of OPG business goals.

Heather has more than twenty years’ experience in the resource development, energy and electricity sectors, which includes OPG’s VP of New Business Ventures & Electrification, VP of Environment, and Director of the Hydro Business Development Group. In these roles, she was instrumental in creating OPG’s electrification development group as well as assembling the company’s new nuclear team working to advance small modular nuclear reactors.

As the hydro business development lead, Heather and her team successfully built northern power projects in partnership with Indigenous communities. She also worked previously in the Calgary office of Golder Associates supporting clients from the mining and oil & gas sectors.

Julia McNally, Director of Climate Action, Toronto Hydro

Julia McNally is the Director of Climate Action at Toronto Hydro. In this role, Julia leads a team focused on helping Toronto Hydro’s customers to electrify their buildings and vehicles.

Julia practiced administrative law for 14 years prior to joining the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) in January 2006, where she held the role of Director of Market Transformation. With the merger of the OPA and the IESO in 2015, Julia became the Director of Strategic Engagement & Innovation in Corporate Relations, and then led the Internal Audit division where she provided regular assessments of controls through assurance, as well as consulting services to management and the Board of Directors.

Julia’s last role at the IESO was Director of Planning Projects & Sustainability, in this role Julia lead the IESO’s Pathways to Decarbonization, looking at how to make Ontario’s electricity grid zero emissions.

Currently, Julia is a member of the Board of Directors of Toronto District 2030, is a member of Steering Committee of the Building Decarbonization Alliance’s and is a co-director of the Energy and Infrastructure LLM program at Osgood Hall Law School. Mx. McNally has an MSc from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, an LLB from the University of Toronto, and an LLM from Cambridge University.

Gerry Smallegange (Past Chair), CEO, Burlington Hydro

As President and CEO of Burlington Hydro Inc., Gerry Smallegange oversees a utility recognized for customer service excellence and innovation. Burlington Hydro has consistently met or surpassed mandated standards for electricity reliability, service responsiveness and safety.

Gerry Smallegange is the founding partner and senior executive overseeing GridSmartCity, a co-operative that distils its perspectives from the viewpoints and experiences of a full spectrum of industry and utility partners.

GridSmartCity has earned international attention by showcasing distribution automation, grid modernization and renewable energy innovation.

Laurie Swami, President and CEO, Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO)

Ms. Laurie Swami is the President and CEO of the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO). She was appointed to the role in 2016 and is responsible for implementing Canada’s plan for the long-term management of used nuclear fuel.

Prior to joining the NWMO, Ms. Swami spent 30 years, primarily in nuclear operations, at Ontario Power Generation. She served as Senior Vice-President of Decommissioning and Nuclear Waste Management, overseeing the operation of nuclear waste management facilities and planning for the decommissioning of a nuclear generating facility.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Chemistry from Queen’s University and a Master of Business Administration from the Schulich School of Business. 

She is an ardent supporter of and advocate for the advancement of women to leadership positions. In recognition of this contribution, she received the Women in Nuclear Canada Leadership Award in 2016.

Joe Zenobio, President & CEO, Call2Recycle Canada

Joe Zenobio serves as the President & CEO of Call2Recycle Canada, Inc., the country’s first and largest non‑profit battery collection and recycling organization, where he leads the strategic direction, stakeholder engagement, and culture of the organization.

With extensive experience in multi‑stakeholder collaboration, government and consumer relations, and executive leadership, Joe brings a deep commitment to sustainability and the circular economy to his role.

Prior to joining Call2Recycle, he held senior leadership roles including Senior Vice‑President & Chief Solutions Officer of GS1 US and President of GS1 Canada, where he worked at the intersection of commerce, supply‑chain standards and value‑chain innovation.

Joe holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from University of Toronto and is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA).