History of Power Speaker Series

About Joan Frain

Joan is a civil engineer specializing in water resources. During her career at Ontario Hydro/Ontario Power Generation, she gained experience in hydroelectric operations, hydraulic studies and modelling, policy development, and power and energy projects. In her previous position as senior manager of water resources for OPG, Joan lead a group that provided engineering operational support for hydroelectric generation; conducted climate change studies to support river system operation adaptation; developed and applied inflow forecasting tools for real-time operations; developed strategies for water management planning, including industry self-regulation; carried out agreement negotiations; and managed the payments required to ensure continuing generation rights. Joan has also participated in numerous external water control boards and committees.

About Kathleen Cieslak

Kathleen is a community engagement and public consultation professional with a focus on Indigenous relations management, stakeholder management and real estate/land asset management in the Ontario energy industry. Kathleen has more than 15 years of experience in community engagement. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in Urban, Economic and Social Geography, and Social Cultural Anthropology, as well as a master of arts in Conflict Analysis and Management. Through her work, Kathleen has supported numerous projects that span across hydroelectric, solar, and nuclear industries. While sitting on the Board of Directors for Wigwamen, a non-profit organization that serves as Ontario’s largest urban Aboriginal housing provider, she stays grounded and involved in the community. Kathleen enjoys making connections with the individuals she meets and the opportunity to learn about new and diverse perspectives.

About Kathleen Vukovics

Kathleen is a senior environmental and social impact specialist with over 17 years of professional experience in environmental science and consulting. A life-long resident of the Niagara Region, Kathleen attended Brock University obtaining an honours degree in Human Geography. Since joining Hatch’s Niagara Falls office in 2006, she has specialized in environmental impact assessment, regulatory compliance, regulatory and stakeholder consultation, as well as Indigenous engagement for development projects in the energy, infrastructure and mining sectors. Kathleen is the Ontario Regional Director of Hatch’s Environmental Services Group and the Niagara Falls Office Operations Manager. Recently, she has also been serving a lead role in undertaking carbon emissions accounting and climate change risk assessment for various projects in the energy sector, evaluating and reporting on contributions to sustainable design. Kathleen will share insights on how someone with a social sciences background can carve out a leadership pathway in a professional services firm, dominated by engineers.

About Nina Warrier

Nina is an engineer-in-training within the geotechnical team at Hatch. She joined Hatch in 2018, shortly after completing her undergraduate degree in Geological Engineering at the University of Waterloo. Within the energy sector, she has taken part in efforts including geotechnical investigations, dam design using 2D and 3D numerical models, dam inspections and quality assurance and quality control of embankment construction projects. Nina is passionately involved in the Diversity and Inclusion committee at Hatch’s Mississauga offices and has an avid interest in community involvement and outreach.

About Mary Morrone

Mary joined Hatch in 2010 following a successful 20-year career in the legal sector, including a role as law clerk for the City of Niagara Falls. In her role as pursuit manager with Hatch’s Client Action Team, Mary supports business development by identifying potential business opportunities and strategies in the energy sector. She leads and facilitates focus groups to identify technologies and innovations that further the mission and vision of Hatch. Mary is a thought leader in developing and deploying programs, tools and workshops with a variety of stakeholders in various industries.

About Jim Schooley

Jim started his career with OPG in 1982 as a mechanical maintenance apprentice in the company’s Nuclear Generation Division. Since then, Jim has supported OPG’s endeavours in research and development, power systems operations: transmission and distribution, hydroelectric generation, water management and regional health and safety. In his current role as operations manager at the International Niagara Control Works (INCW), Jim is responsible for overseeing the regulation of the water that flows over Niagara Falls to maximize hydroelectric generating resources for Ontario Power Generation and the New York Power Authority.

About Michele Sokol

Michele is a certified project management professional with over 25 years of experience. She began her career in IT as an instructor in the mid 1980s, later moving into systems management in the engineering and nuclear industry in the early 1990s. By 2000, Michele was a senior project manager delivering solutions across Canada and the United States. During her time with Ontario Power Generation, Michele has provided project support, managed smaller projects and specialized on large generator projects. She is currently a project leader at OPG.

About Marcelo Gruosso

Marcelo is Niagara Parks’ senior director of engineering, parking and transportation. He has been with Niagara Parks for over 10 years, leading significant projects including the integration of Niagara’s WEGO bus management system, restoration of Niagara Parks’ 1812 heritage sites, the installation of a new funicular railway, the revitalization of the iconic Table Rock Centre, and most recently, the rehabilitation of the century-old Niagara Parks Power Station. Marcelo graduated from McMaster University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and holds an MBA from the University of Guelph. Along with being a strong business development professional, he is an accomplished director of engineering with extensive experience in the leisure, travel and tourism industries, as well as the automotive industry. Marcelo lives in Niagara with his wife Sandra and their three boys Mateo, Marco and Maximo.

About Ron Carpenter

Ron is Niagara Parks' senior project manager of engineering. Since 2012, he has led significant projects including the revitalization of Table Rock Centre, restoration of the century-old Niagara Parks Power Station, restoration of Oakes Garden Theatre pergola and connectivity of bike paths and repairs stations throughout Niagara Parks.

Ron holds a Project Management Professional designation, is a member of the Canada Green Building Council (CAGBC) and LEAN certified. Along with construction and project management, he also has extensive knowledge in the mechanical (HVAC) industry with over 35 years of experience.