Panel on Powering a Net-Zero Future

Carla Carmichael is a senior leader with more than 30 years of experience in diverse areas including financial and commercial oversight, project risk management, and strategic planning. She is a strong advocate of clean energy technology and its value to climate-change solutions and the socio-economic fabric of Ontario.

In her current role leading the Centre for Canadian Nuclear Sustainability as Vice-President (VP), Nuclear Decommissioning Strategy at Ontario Power Generation (OPG), Carla oversees the program for safe, cost-effective, environmentally and socially responsible decommissioning of OPG's nuclear assets by focusing on innovative solutions in planning the $5 billion decommissioning of the Pickering Nuclear Station.

Carla is passionate about social responsibility, including diversity and inclusion, specifically with regards to empowering women in the workplace. She is an active participant with Women in Nuclear (WiN) Canada. In 2020, she received the Harriet Brooks Award, which honours a WiN Canada member who has made an outstanding leadership contribution to the success of the organization.

Appointed Dean of the Faculty of Energy Systems and Nuclear Science, Dr. Tokuhiro has over 20 years of diverse nuclear engineering experience in academia and industry to Ontario Tech. Most recently he served as Senior Principal Engineer of NuScale Power LLC. In this role, he developed the technical basis of the Emergency Planning Zone of the NuScale Small Modular Reactor, which led the company to complete the first-ever submission of the Design Certification Application to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC) in January 2017.

From 2007 to 2014, he served as Professor of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, and Director of the Nuclear Engineering Graduate Program at the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho. Previously, he was an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas; as well as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Nuclear Engineering, and Director and USNRC Senior Reactor Operator of the research reactor at the University of Missouri in Rolla, Missouri.

Dr. Tokuhiro has earned numerous awards for contributions to his field, and for his mentorship of graduate students.

Sandra Austin leads the creative development and implementation of several strategic policy initiatives at the Region of Durham, including the Strategic Plan, environmental sustainability, accessibility and inclusion, intelligent communities, innovation and research, government and community relations.

An award-winning communicator and change champion, Sandra previously held roles in partnership development and relationship management in the federal and provincial governments, as well as senior positions in the public opinion research industry. Sandra is a trained negotiator and facilitator with demonstrated success in identifying opportunities, 'linking the thinking', leading high performing teams and managing complex interjurisdictional relationships.

Chief Emily Whetung grew up in Curve Lake First Nation and left only to pursue a higher education at Trent University and Osgoode Hall Law School. She married a Mohawk from Wahta and convinced him to build a life on the Chemong side of Curve Lake. She returned to Curve Lake 10 years ago when she secured a position to practice Real Estate Law in Peterborough and started to work on the next generation of Whetungs, raising two lovely little boys.

During her time as Chief, Emily has advocated for clean drinking water to be available to Curve Lake First Nation residents and First Nations across Canada. Chief Whetung is passionate about the rights of First Nations people and has worked to build relationships and partnerships to ensure that Treaty Rights are protected, economic advancements occur in a sustainable manner, and that education regarding traditions and culture reach a broader audience in an authentic manner. Chief Emily has worked to advance relations with municipal, provincial and federal governments and sits on many committees and working groups with the Mississauga Nation Chiefs, the Chief’s of Ontario and the Anishinabek Nation. She continues to use her expertise and knowledge to ensure that voices of Indigenous people are heard and respected.