Speakers

Get To Know The Speakers

Sonja Winkelmann

Co-host Tuesday

Chris Williams

Co-host Tuesday

Lynne Strickland

Co-host Wednesday

Andy Oding

Co-host Wednesday

Director, Net Zero Energy Housing, CHBA

Sonja has been working in the field of energy efficient homes for 19 years. She joined CHBA in 2014 as the first Director of Net Zero Energy Housing and has led the development of the Net Zero Home Labelling Program as well as the associated training courses and marketing efforts. Prior to the CHBA she was the Executive Director of the Net-Zero Energy Home Coalition. Sonja started her career in this industry at an NRCan licenced Service Organization in Alberta that delivered new home rating and certification programs such as EnerGuide, Built Green™, R-2000, and LEED for Homes, as well as NRCan’s Building Canada initiative for Western Canada. Her formal education is in Business Administration and Environmental Management, and she has received the Environmental Professional (EP) designation from ECO Canada.

CHBA Net Zero Council Management Committee Chair | Vice President, Avalon Master Builder

Chris Williams started with Avalon Master Builder, a leading builder in the NetZero Energy industry, as a partner in 2008. He works on Net Zero related committees to push the industry, and further Avalon’s Vision and Passion for building all Homes Net Zero, and lives in one of Avalon’s Net Zero Energy demonstration homes. In addition to being the Chair of the CHBA Net Zero Council Management Committee, Chris works closely with the Canada Green Building Council as a member of the Technical Advisory Sub Committee. Chris graduated from the Business program at SAIT alongside Avalon CEO Ryan Scott, a pioneer in Energy Efficient Building Construction, and has since completed a B.S. Business Administration Degree from City University of Seattle and completed the Ivey Executive Program at Richard Ivey School of Business, Ontario.

Director, Initiatives, Net Zero Energy Housing, CHBA

Lynne joined the CHBA Net Zero team early in 2022 with a multi-disciplinary background in the built environment, from indoor air and environmental quality to design and construction. Lynne works on initiatives that strive for scalable Net Zero solutions such as the NRCan funded national applied RD&D projects “Towards cost-effective net-zero energy ready residential renovations” and “Affordable, Replicable, and Marketable Net Zero Ready MURBs”.
Lynne’s work has spanned commercial, institutional and residential sectors as an indoor environmental consultant as well as project and program manager. Prior to joining CHBA, she worked as a Senior Construction Project Manager on Parliament Hill with the Centre Block Rehabilitation Program overseeing Heritage removals, BIM recording of the building and Designated Substance abatement.

CHBA Net Zero Council Management Committee Member | Vice President, Director of Building Science, Building Knowledge Canada Inc.

With an extensive background as a builder for 20+ years Andrew brings a real-life practicality to building science principles and their in-field applications. As a recognized building science trainer by the government of Canada-Office of Energy Efficiency, Building Science Specialist (University of Toronto), and HVAC designer, Andrew is working closely with the development of the new National Building Code of Canada: Standing Committee on Energy Efficiency in Housing and Building, the re-development of ASHRAE 90.2 SSPC Energy efficiency standard for low-rise residential buildings. 90.2 and many advanced building programs (i.e. ENERGY STAR®, Net Zero, LEED for Homes™, etc.) across North America.

Angela Bustamante

Director of Technical and Builder Services, Building Knowledge Canada

Ben Miller

Vice President, Operations, Big Block Construction

Bertine Stelzer

Program Manager, New Construction Market Transformation, BC Hydro

Brett Cass

Technical Manager, Net Zero Housing, CHBA

Technical Manager, Net Zero Energy Housing, CHBA

Brett has been with the CHBA since April 2019 and is the Technical Manager for CHBA’s Net Zero Energy Housing team. Brett has a B.A. in Environmental Science with a Minor in Business from Robert Morris University. After graduation he began his career in the renewable energy industry as a renewable energy system designer. Brett continues to develop his education in green building practises and energy management; he is a Certified Energy Manager (CEM), through the Association of Energy Engineers and he has his accreditation as a LEED Green Associate from the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC).

Daman Gill

Advisor Residential Technologies, Enbridge

Dan Sandink

Director of Research, Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction

Director of Research, Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction

Dan has authored or co-authored more than 60 technical reports and peer-reviewed articles on topics related to protecting Canadians and their property from the impacts of extreme rainfall/urban flooding, high wind, wildland-urban interface fire, and hail. Dan is currently ICLR’s manager of the PIEVC Program (www.pievc.ca), is Co-Chair of Canada’s national Infrastructure and Buildings Working Group, is a member of NRCan’s Adaptation Plenary, and served on the Built Environment Advisory Table for Canada’s National Adaptation Strategy.

Dave Silburn

Director, SHIFT Environmental Design and Consulting Inc.

Derek Satnik

Vice President of Technology, s2e

Ericha Moores

Senior Policy Analyst, Infrastructure Canada

Frank Lohmann

Senior Director, Building Science, CHBA

Senior Director, Building Science, CHBA

Frank Lohmann, Director, Building Science, became a certified journeyman carpenter and cabinetmaker in 1989 in Germany. After his graduation as building science engineer in 1996, he worked for 23 years at the National Research Council Canada—first on window and wall research and then on the development of the national construction codes. Since 2020, Frank has been the Director, Building Science at CHBA’s National office where he makes sure builders’ and renovators’ interests are represented on codes and standards committees. Frank complements CHBA’s technical team by advising CHBA’s Modular Construction Council and working on many files related to climate change. His role for this initiative will be that of a project advisor on regulatory sustainability aspects, supporting the overall initiative.

Gilles Lesage

Owner, Total Home Solutions Inc.

Haitao Yu

Lead, Research and Development, Landmark Group

Janette Meyrick

Evaluation Officer, Canadian Construction Materials Centre, NRC

Jay Wilson

Director, Net Zero and Electrification, Electricity Canada

Joe Geluch

President, Naikoon Contracting Ltd.

President, Naikoon Contracting Ltd. 

Born on Haida Gwaii, Joe became immersed in construction from a young age. He started his construction career as a laborer on construction sites with his father’s company and has moved through almost all ranks and positions in the construction business. He is a proud Red Seal Carpenter, a Gold Seal Project Manager, a Certified Housing Professional and a born businessman who has spent over 25 years in the industry. Presently, Joe is the President of Naikoon Contracting Ltd, a boutique, full-service construction management firm specializing in a diverse range of residential and commercial projects throughout BC. Joe has led the Naikoon team to over 45 local, provincial, and national awards and has been personally recognized with numerous achievements including environmental, community, and entrepreneurial awards. Joe’s industry impact includes serving as a founding member of Canada’s Net Zero Energy Housing Council, chairing the CHBA-BC Technical Research Committee, and sitting on the CHBA-BC's Executive Committee. Joe is a sought after thought leader, presenting at various industry conferences and trade schools.

Kevin Lee

Chief Executive Officer, CHBA

CEO, CHBA

Kevin Lee is a Professional Engineer with a Masters in Architecture, and has worked in the housing industry for over 30 years. With his experience in both the public and private sectors, Kevin brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in housing policy, technology and business to the CEO position at CHBA. Kevin began his career in housing in the trades as a mason, deck builder, and construction site supervisor. Since then, he has run his own housing consulting business, and has been an executive in both the public and private sectors. Kevin has a true passion for housing.

Keith Herring

Director, Modular & Construction Systems, CHBA

Director, Modular & construction Systems, CHBA

Keith Herring works as the Director of Modular Construction for CHBA. Keith has over 10 years' experience as an executive in the construction industry, including work as an independent consultant for the Federal Government. Additionally, Keith has served on several not-for-profit board of directors for builders and construction associations, housing and business/economic development. Keith is a project management professional and certified management consultant with a Masters degree in Accounting and Tax. He is a proven advocate for changes to regulations and process at all levels of government.

Laureen Chung

Senior Manager, Low Carbon Homes Task Force, Homes and Communities Division, Office of Energy Efficiency, Natural Resources Canada

Senior Manager, Low Carbon Homes Task Force, Homes and Communities Division, Office of Energy Efficiency, Natural Resources Canada, Government of Canada

Laureen Chung is a professional engineer and Senior Manager of the Low Carbon Homes Team with the Office of Energy Efficiency, Natural Resources Canada. She is a motivated and engaged leader with over 20 years of policy, regulatory, and program design/delivery experience. Laureen has held leadership positions in both the public and private sector, with Natural Resources Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Infrastructure Canada, Transport Canada, World Bank/United Nations, and private engineering consulting firms. She currently works at the intersection of affordability, decarbonisation, and energy efficiency in developing policy, program, and technical solutions for Canada’s built environment.

Leigh St. Hilaire

Executive Director, Volta Research

Mark Rosen

Director of Building Science, Building Knowledge Canada

Dr. Michal Bartko

Research Officer, Natural Resources Canada

Research Officer, Natural Resources Canada

Dr. Michal Bartko is a Research Officer with the Building Envelope and Materials group at the Construction Research Center of National Research Council Canada. Since joining the NRC in 2014, Michal has led and conducted research related to high performance building envelope assemblies, including their airtightness, where he has been a lead researcher in on-site and laboratory airtightness testing for several NRC projects.

Dr. Bartko has experience with energy simulation studies, focused on effects of passive cooling measures on overheating in residential buildings where airtightness plays a significant role. He also works on whole building LCA methodology, strongly advocates for accelerated practise of low (zero) carbon construction and concentrates on research of low carbon building envelope materials. Prior to working at the NRC, he worked in academia as well as the third sector in several institutions in the US, Japan, South Korea and his native Slovakia.

Mike Schmidt

President, Auto Construct Incorporated

President, Auto Construct Incorporated

As a former automotive executive, Mike started his career as a journeyman Tool & Die Maker and holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. Mike entered the residential construction space in 2012 as the General Manager for ACQBUILT Inc., a state-of-the-art, industry leading, panelized construction company. He subsequently expanded his career working with Brookfield Residential, a major land developer and homebuilder, and led a province-wide initiative to boost production efficiency through the implementation of panelized construction methods. In 2017, Mike established Auto Construct Incorporated (ACI) to accelerate the industrialization of residential construction, specializing in the conversion from stick-built to panelized construction. With a focus on practical, cost-effective solutions, ACI provides education, guidance, and implementation support in the areas of business development, manufacturing systems, and technology selection. With a relentless focus on creating value, Mike has led and facilitated the growth of several companies to become dominant players in their respective fields. ACI is a management consulting firm serving a broad range of land developers, construction firms, homebuilders, and manufacturing companies throughout Canada and the United States.

Philippe St-Jean

NRCan OERD, Deputy Portfolio Director for Buildings and Communities Portfolio, Office of Energy Research and Development, Natural Resources Canada

Robert Lepage

Founding Principal & Climate Resilience Specialist, Climes Group Engineering Inc.

Sam Zirnhelt

Owner, Zirnhelt Timber Frames

Sean Mason

Founder, Sean Mason Homes

Sneha Bernard

Project Lead, LEEP, CanmetENERGY, Natural Resources Canada

Project Lead, Local Energy Efficiency Partnerships (LEEP), CanmetENERGY, Natural Resources Canada

Sneha works with builders, trades, and other industry stakeholders to promote higher performance homes and buildings. Previously, Sneha worked in the utility and electricity industry, managing cross-functional teams to design & deliver large-scale conservation and demand-response initiatives across the residential and commercial sector.

Stefanie Coleman

Sustainable and Resilient Housing Industry Lead, LEEP, CanmetENERGY-Ottawa, Natural Resources Canada

Tyler Willson

Principal Investigator, Green Building Technologies, Applied Research and Innovation Services (ARIS), SAIT Polytechnic

Wil Beardmore

President and Founder, Bluewater Energy

Wilma Leung

Senior Manager, Technical Research & Education, BC Housing