Our Nominees
Courtenay Boyda
As Environment, Health, Safety & Sustainability (EHS&S) Regional Delivery Manager, Courtenay has responsibility for several key environmental regulatory portfolios for Dow Chemical Canada ULC’s (Dow’s) Alberta Operations and multiple sustainability initiatives advancing Dow’s ambitious Sustainability Goals right here in Alberta. Courtenay utilizes her strengths as a relationship builder to develop strong well-established relationships with provincial and federal environmental regulatory agencies, as well as a broad network of industry, vendor, community, and stakeholder relationships. As a sustainability leader in the province of Alberta, Courtenay plays a critical role supporting Dow’s existing assets, while also supporting Dow’s proposed Fort Saskatchewan Path2Zero expansion project, which will create the world’s first net-zero carbon emissions integrated ethylene cracker and derivatives site with respect to scope 1 and 2 carbon dioxide emissions.
Courtenay joined Dow in 2007, where she spent the first eight years of her career in various manufacturing roles supporting production, projects, and major turnarounds. She joined EHS&S in 2015. Prior to working at Dow, Courtenay brings a broad range of international work experience in a variety of areas, such as Human Resources, Non-profits, and Consulting. Courtenay holds a Bachelors of Applied Science in Chemical Engineering and is a Professional Engineer (P. Eng.) in the province of Alberta. Courtenay is an active volunteer both at Dow and in her community, with a focus on sustainability and environmental programs, as well as inclusion, diversity & equity (ID&E) initiatives. She is currently undergoing BoardSource Certification.
Dow has been a member of APRA since the beginning, and Courtenay is proud to have served on the Board of Directors and the Executive of APRA since April 2022. During this short time, Courtenay has taken an active role in APRA’s operations serving on the Executive as Vice-President, acting as Executive Lead for the Communications committee, promoting APRA in government and academia, and co-leading negotiations for new program implementation at APRA. Courtenay states, “APRA has worked to create such influential change in the province of Alberta in the past year, and I am happy to be a part of the execution of this strategy. It would be an honour and a privilege to continue to advance the Plastics Circular Economy in Alberta with another term on the Board of Directors.” Courtenay is based in the Greater Edmonton area.
Wendy Wright
I have worked for NOVA Chemicals Corporation, Alberta’s largest resin producer, for over 20 years in a variety of leadership roles. In my current role as Strategic Ventures Manager- Circular Solutions, I focus on leading Circular Economy initiatives across NOVA. This work recognizes the value in post-use plastics and works to extend the lifecycle of plastics products and packaging through innovative practices and initiatives. This includes mechanical and advanced (chemical) recycling.
During my tenure at NOVA, I have worked in multiple areas of the company including Finance, Operations, Commercial and Sustainability. I previously served on the Board of Directors of the Joffre Cogen Joint Venture for over 10 years, representing NOVA in overseeing the operations of Canada’s largest cogeneration power plant.
My education includes Bachelor of Commerce and Master of Business Administration degrees from the University of Calgary. I am also a Chartered Accountant and a Project Management Professional.
I joined the APRA Board in August 2021 and became President in January 2022. Under my leadership along with my fellow Board members, APRA has increased its membership, completed multiple submissions to Government on plastics recycling policies, created strong relationships with the Alberta Government as well as other national trade associations and successfully hosted multiple industry networking events along with the highly successful first annual Alberta Circular Plastics Day. I look forward to continuing my work with APRA to help APRA and its members to continue to thrive and grow as together we advance the circular economy in Alberta.
Stephanie Hamblin
I am a regulatory, environment and sustainability leader with over 16 years of experience working on energy, manufacturing and infrastructure projects in Canada. I am currently the Regulatory Compliance Officer with Inter Pipeline (IPL). I have an MBA in Finance and an MSc in Geography specializing in water management and environmental site assessment.
As a senior leader with a unique background in environmental science and finance, as well as a variety of different board experiences, I would welcome the opportunity to continue serving the APRA community as an engaged board member.
Professional Experience
Within my scope of accountabilities as the Regulatory Compliance Officer at IPL is the overall compliance of regulatory and environmental related activities associated with all of our assets. Additionally, I work closely with our corporate team to support initiatives in ESG, Indigenous Affairs and government relations. I have been with Inter Pipeline for nearly 6 years, and have excellent and well respected relationships with my colleagues across all business units and at all levels of the organization. In my time with IPL I have been in the roles Manager, ESG Integration and Regulatory Specialist.
Since 2021, I have also worked as a sessional instructor with the Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary, where I developed and teach a Sustainable Finance course. I typically teach this course once per year.
Prior to working at IPL, I worked in environmental and regulatory consulting for 8 years, where I worked on a multitude of projects, including oil and gas exploration, midstream processing and transportation, downstream processing and manufacturing, renewable energy projects, as well as other infrastructure projects such as electrical utility, road ways and more.
I began my career in research in academia, specializing and water and soil science, and worked on data collection and analysis, presenting and publishing research across various mediums.
Board Experience
I have been engaged in various boards over the last ten years. I currently represent IPL in the following capacities:
1. Director, Alberta Plastics Recycling Association (March 2022 – Present)
2. Director, Industrial Power Consumers Association of Alberta (March 2022 – Present)
3. Director and President, Milk River Pipeline Ltd – (September 2022 – Present)
Additionally I have also worked in a volunteer capacity for the following boards:
1. Director, Alexandra Centre Society (November 2020 – September 2023)
2. Director, Alberta
Dan Zembal
Over 25 years of active involvement in the recycling industry with the last 4 years focused on plastics recycling.
Jerry Bechtold
Jerry Bechtold is a seasoned executive with over 25 years of experience in various executive positions across Electronic Manufacturing, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Manufacturing, and Industrial Manufacturing. Currently serving as the President and CEO of Industrial Container Recycling and Reconditioning, I am a passionate advocate for innovative approaches that promote Circular Economy solutions and contribute to a better environment. Born and raised in Alberta, with a residence in Calgary, rural Alberta, and Leduc Alberta.
Experience:
President and CEO – Industrial Container Recycling and Reconditioning (Current)
• Leading the organization in recycling and reconditioning industrial containers, with a focus on sustainable practices and Circular Economy solutions.
Core Competencies:
• Circular Economy Expertise: Pioneering innovative approaches to promote Circular Economy solutions, driving sustainable practices within the industries I’ve served.
• Environmental Impact: Motivated by a genuine desire to improve the environment and contribute to a better world through sustainable and responsible business practices.
• Strategic Leadership: Proven ability to lead organizations, make informed strategic decisions, and drive teams towards achieving common goals.
• Entrepreneurial Spirit: A serial entrepreneur, always seeking better solutions and opportunities to enhance operations and positively impact the industry and society at large.
Recycling efforts should be a collaborative approach, through win win solutions we can build a network of companies and individuals whom recycle plastics with a creative solutions to making a positive impact and reduce the environmental impact and reduce the waste to landfill.
Gabriel Hennessey
I graduated as a Mechanical Engineer and always worked in manufacturing. I started my journey in the plastics world in 2013 when I started working for Hood Packaging, a world-class packaging supplier, as the Operations Manager at their Calgary Plastics facility; I took the General Manager role about three years ago. Over the years, I participated in various programs and associations (APRA, OCS, CPIA, WPA, PCR, etc.) to stay informed on how space was evolving and to share the views from a manufacturer’s point of view. I want to join APRA’s Board of Directors to continue to do this at a higher level and help define and share the correct narrative for the plastics producers/users in Alberta.
Peter Olorundimu
Served in leadership role at Harvest Recycling for 13 years and still ongoing. Currently ceo at Harvest Recycling.
My passion to see waste put to a good purpose is why I want to be a director. I hope my experience with waste collection will provide much needed information to APRA in moving forward with proper policies.