Category: Article

Celebrating Women Driving the Green Economy

March 8 marks International Women’s Day, a global celebration of the achievements of women and a reminder of the importance of advancing equity across all sectors. From science and policy, to entrepreneurship and community leadership, women have played a vital role in shaping the world we live in today.

In the green economy, women are helping lead the transition toward a more sustainable future. Across industries and communities, women are advancing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives, developing innovative climate solutions, and championing sustainable practices that support both people and the planet. Research continues to show that organizations with greater gender diversity are more innovative and better equipped to address complex challenges. Inclusive leadership is therefore an important part of building a resilient green economy.

At econext, we see this impact firsthand. Women play a major role in shaping econext’s work, representing nearly half of our Board and the majority of our leadership team and staff. Their leadership, expertise, and perspectives help guide our programs, partnerships, and initiatives across the province. We are committed to continuing to build the green economy as a diverse, inclusive, and accessible sector that benefits from a wide range of experiences, ideas, and perspectives.

This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the women who are helping lead the transition to a greener economy, both within our organization and across our network.

Stories from Women in the Green Economy

Below, you can read stories from some of the women helping shape the green economy. Their experiences highlight the many pathways into sustainability careers and the important role women continue to play in driving innovation, collaboration, and climate action.

 

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Heather Murphy, Senior Fisheries Biologist, Minnow Environmental & econext Board of Directors Vice-Chair

 

Can you share how your journey led you to working within the green economy?

My interest in the green economy started long before I entered the workforce. I was fortunate to have professors who encouraged curiosity and exploration early in my academic journey. They saw potential in the questions I asked, and their enthusiasm helped shape my understanding of how science can be used to protect ecosystems and support sustainable economies.

Another part of my journey was learning to say “yes” whenever I was invited to the table. Whether it was a research opportunity, conferences, field project, or a conversation with people working in areas I wanted to understand better. Each “yes” opened doors, strengthened my skills, and connected me with mentors and colleagues who showed me how science and sustainability intersect in practical, meaningful ways.

Those experiences naturally led me toward fisheries biology and environmental stewardship, where every decision has both ecological and economic consequences. Working in the green economy became a way to align my curiosity, my values, and my desire to contribute to solutions that support both the environment and the economy.

Have you faced any barriers in your career? If so, how did you overcome them?

I’ve certainly faced barriers, and one of the most important lessons I learned early on was to be honest about my abilities. Instead of pretending to know everything, I made it a habit to ask questions, seek guidance, and invite feedback from my teammates, mentors and senior leaders whose perspective I respect and appreciate.

Being transparent about what I didn’t yet know didn’t hold me back though. It helped me learn and advance faster in my career. It also built trust within my teams, because people knew I was committed to doing the work well and not just appearing confident. And now, 16 years into my career, I still take this same approach. The learning is never done. Every challenge, conversation, and project adds something new, and staying curious and communicative has been one of the most reliable ways to move past obstacles and continue growing.

Another key lesson was realizing that no one overcomes barriers alone. The best progress happens when you lean on a team. Barriers are overcome when you collaborate, share knowledge, and support each other through the challenges. Recognizing that helped me navigate tough situations with more resilience and far less hesitation.

What message do you think is important for young women entering the green economy?

One of the most important things young women should know is that your voice is a powerful tool! Communication is foundational in the green economy. Whether you’re sharing scientific findings, collaborating across disciplines, or engaging with communities, the ability to communicate clearly and confidently will amplify your impact.

Say yes to opportunities to speak up, ask questions, and contribute to discussions. Even when you feel uncertain, your perspective brings value, and the only way to grow those communication muscles is through practice.

Remember that you don’t have to know everything at the start. What matters is staying curious, being willing to learn, and showing openness in your conversations with mentors, peers, and partners. And just as importantly, understand that progress in this field rarely happens alone. Strong communication within a team, being transparent, listening actively, and sharing knowledge helps turn challenges into collaborative solutions. The green economy thrives on diverse voices working together and yours deserves to be heard.

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Ashley Noseworthy, CEO Edgewise Environmental

 

Have you faced any barriers in your career? If so, how did you overcome them?

The marine and industrial sectors and even entrepreneurship have historically been male-dominated, and as a female scientist, founder and CEO, I’ve certainly navigated my share of “only woman in the room” scenarios. Early on, the biggest barrier was often credibility. Whether it was securing investment or leading technical training, there was an unspoken pressure to prove I was twice as capable just to be seen as equal.

I overcame these hurdles by focusing on unapologetic competence and community. I leaned into my expertise, let the results of Edgewise speak for themselves, and sought out mentors, who valued innovation over tradition. I learned that you don’t need to fit the existing mold, instead being outside the mold is exactly where I wanted to be.

What message do you think is important for young women entering the green economy?

To the young women considering a profession in the green economy: don’t wait for an invitation. This sector is being built right now, which means there is a unique opportunity to design the rules of the game. We need your perspective, your problem-solving skills, and your leadership to solve the climate crisis. The “green economy” isn’t just one thing, it’s engineering, policy, biology, marketing, economics, and entrepreneurship (and so much more). Find the intersection of what you love and what the planet needs, and go after it with everything you’ve got.

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Audrey Parnell, Manager, Circular Economy, econext

 

Can you share how your journey led you to working within the green economy?

I have always loved the outdoors since I was a child which led me to my BS and MS degrees in Geology – I can get a degree in hiking?! With geology I was able to go from working in Oil&Gas, to climate consulting, and now work at econext in exploring the opportunities to find value in waste. Being a part of the world and thinking about the planet has always been a core part of my life and I am excited to be at this inflection point where we can transform industry towards sustainability.

What message do you think is important for young women entering the green economy?

I think it’s critical for women to have an active role in shaping the green economy to ensure our voices are amplified and reflected in the products and services that we have access to. Women are central to shaping a low emission future through working as engineers to find clean power to as designers developing reusable products.

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Sara Jafari, Community Sustainability Lead, econext

 

Can you share how your journey led you to working within the green economy?

My journey into the green economy began with my background in geomorphology and climate studies, followed by a master’s in urban planning, where I focused on the environmental aspects of sustainable urban growth and development. Earlier in my career, I worked in the cleantech and renewable energy sector, which strengthened my interest in sustainable solutions and project management. After moving to Canada and studying MBA at MUN, I had to rebuild my career from scratch. Working with econext allowed me to reconnect my planning and environmental background with climate action, particularly through initiatives like the Net-Zero Communities Accelerator, where I collaborate with NL municipalities and industry partners to support more sustainable and resilient communities.

Have you faced any barriers in your career? If so, how did you overcome them?

As an immigrant woman building a career in Newfoundland and Labrador, one of the biggest challenges was rebuilding my professional network and establishing credibility in a new environment where my previous experience was not always immediately recognized. In smaller communities, professional networks can be tight-knit, which can make career development more challenging for newcomers. I overcame these barriers by continuing to strengthen my expertise, building meaningful professional connections, actively contributing to my projects, and staying focused on the impact I wanted to create. At the same time, I was fortunate to receive support and encouragement from generous colleagues and community members along the way. That support made a real difference, and today I try to pay it forward by supporting and mentoring others whenever I can.

What message do you think is important for young women entering the green economy?

The transition to a sustainable and low-carbon economy requires purpose-driven and solution-oriented people. My message to women entering the green economy is to approach this work with a problem-solving mindset and a strong sense of purpose. Climate action is complex, long-term, and often challenging because the required changes are systemic. But the goal is clear: protecting our environment while building stronger, more sustainable economies and communities. This work can feel like an endless journey, but we do it because we have a responsibility to future generations. We only have one planet, and we all have a role to play in protecting it. Women’s leadership, perspectives, and resilience will be essential in shaping that future.

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Ashley Smith, Owner, Fundamental Inc.

 

Can you share how your journey led you to working within the green economy?

I’ve always been interested in ‘environmental’ things, it’s been clear to me since my late teens that we need to do a better job of interacting with nutrient and energy cycles of the planet. I got a Bachelor’s degree in population genetics with a minor in chemistry, that led me to work in the area of ‘environmental science’ generally, which led me to become the sustainability coordinator for an urban planning and architecture firm, which led me to LEED and energy efficiency, then I got a Master’s degree in civil and municipal engineering, which led me to construction. I started my own firm when I was pregnant with my first child. I wanted to be the change I wanted to see with respect to action on climate change. And now I’ve been succesffully running Fundamental Inc for 10 years, with each year growing to new clients and new exciting projects. I’m very proud of our B Corporation Status, of the $33Mil in funding we’ve brought to the province for our clients, and that we’ve decoupled our GHG emissions from Fundamental’s economic growth – our 2024 emissions were 32% lower than our 2019 emissions despite our annual revenue being 2.5 times higher. (2025 stats will be ready soon!)

Have you faced any barriers in your career? If so, how did you overcome them?

There are always barriers. A struggle is hard to deal with at the time – but it does build character; and I have learned more, and faster, from my ‘failures’ than I have from the majority of the ‘good times’. Most of what I would call success in life has been finding ways to deal constructively with adversity. I am not a confrontational person – in fact, I will go seventeen ways from Sunday to avoid open conflict whenever possible – but, when push comes to shove, I will stand firm and hold my ground with respect and kindess (or solid preparation, evidence, and determination – as the situation warrants). I’m a firm believer that what you get out of life is directly proportional to what you put into it. In my experience owning and running a business – you have to see the hard work as a given, be primarily motivated by something deeper than accolades and money, and hope that you get a few lucky breaks. I am a profoundly pragmatic person – when you know something isn’t right, it isn’t – acknowedge it (freak out in a safe place if you need to), get over it (breathe – this too shall pass), and move towards what works (stopping every now and again to hug your family and smell the roses).

What message do you think is important for young women entering the green economy?
I would say this is true for all disciplines and industries, and all humans in general really – care enough about the thing you’re doing to do the work needed to get good at it. Short cuts are trouble. Take responsiblity for your actions and what you bring to the table. Lean into helping others around you – especially in NL where the market is small enough that relationships really matter. Abandon ‘protectionist’ notions and remember that a rising tide really does lift all ships. I tell my kids all the time – teamwork really does make the dream work.

Dear econext community,

During my first few days serving as your CEO, I’d like to thank the econext board and team for placing your trust in me to carry the baton from Kieran’s accomplished hands.

To our members: Thank you for your work, every day, minimizing environmental impact, maximizing economic prosperity, and developing our green economy. Newfoundland and Labrador has the natural resources, the skilled workers, and the political will to make great things happen here. econext is here to support you in your important work.

We’re seeing a sharper focus at the provincial and national levels on climate action, advancing Indigenous peoples, and progressing environmentally sustainable economic development. This presents a unique opportunity for econext to carve out a niche and deliver meaningful value to our members and stakeholders like never before

Over the coming weeks and months, I will be focused on gathering your input for a new strategic plan which will help us differentiate our organization, create value for members and partners, and help us achieve organizational sustainability into the future. I very much look forward to your input.

Thank you,

Laura

In our travels to different parts of the world, leading trade missions and helping to facilitate international partnerships for our members, those that we meet are very interested to hear that Newfoundland and Labrador’s electricity grid is derived from 90+% renewable sources.

This is not just a fortuitous circumstance for our province from an environmental perspective, it is a powerful investment attraction asset that is leading to all sorts of economic development opportunities and inquiries from businesses and industries interested in the low-carbon production of goods and services.

The thing is, though, that there is not a whole lot of extra electricity that we can provide. The demand for electricity in NL has been steadily increasing – driven in no small part by efforts to electrify heating, transportation, and other aspects of our economy to reduce GHGs (and in many cases – save money). The myth that we will have oodles of extra energy thanks to Muskrat Falls has been busted. These trends aren’t going anywhere, and are expected to continue to drive increased electricity demand for many years to come.

Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro’s 2024 Reliability and Resource Adequacy Study Review concludes that – at minimum – the province needs at least 385MW of additional capacity and 1.4TWh of new energy by 2034 to address load growth and reliability needs. While 2034 sounds like a long ways away, it’s less than ten years from today. This is a blink of an eye when it comes to electricity planning.

For our part, econext‘s assessment is that the demand forecast used in this analysis is conservative; based on the level of interest that we see in NL’s clean electricity, we believe that there is the potential for much greater demand to materialize. The wrench in those economic development opportunities is that electricity utilities will typically not build generation infrastructure that is over and above what has been determined to be absolutely necessary. There’s good reasons for this – namely ensuring that ratepayers aren’t on the hook for investment into assets that are not immediately necessary. That’s risky! Therefore, electricity utilities won’t build in anticipation of growth that could happen, they will build for growth that they are certain will happen.

From an economic development and diversification perspective, therein lies the chicken-and-the-egg scenario. A utility won’t build capacity for an industrial customer until it can guarantee offtake. But an industrial customer will struggle to obtain financing or make final investment decisions for its proposed activities until it can guarantee access to the clean electricity it needs. As it stands, one party would need to make an unreasonable leap of faith to crack the egg.

So… if clean electricity is a powerful investment attraction asset, how does NL deal with the increased interest in its electricity when it doesn’t have a lot to currently give?

I don’t have a clear answer to that question, but believe that how we make decisions about electricity infrastructure in this province is going to be a key part of it.

In my recent experience as Chair of NL’s Net Zero Advisory Council, I had the opportunity to learn quite a bit about how electricity projects come to be. The reality is that it takes a long time for them to be conceived, analyzed, proposed, scrutinized, built, and operational. I can say that if we need at least 385MW of additional capacity by 2034, we are going to have to be swift in our decision making in order to make that happen.

And that’s just to meet our minimum needs in a business-as-usual scenario. The reality is that in the years ahead our regulators are going to be entertaining all sorts of different projects that are going to be ‘new’ to them from a decision-making perspective. I anticipate that regulators will be considering more interconnectivity with other major clean energy projects (i.e., large wind-to-hydrogen projects); various energy storage technologies (i.e., via compressed air in salt domes); and proposed projects that test the value of environmental sustainability versus mandates and directives to choose the ‘lowest cost’ options.

These are all very complex discussions, but we won’t have the luxury of a whole lot of time to consider them. On the one hand, the global push towards net zero GHGs is accelerating clean energy demands and also economic development opportunities for NL to an unprecedented level. On the other hand, the threat of disruption due to the actions of the United States are creating an urgent need to diversify our economy.

Our clean electricity is a solution to both of these pressures. To meet the moment, we need to be open to new ideas. Regulators need to adequately resourced to deal with what is going to be coming. And it will be important for our decision-making to be nimble and flexible. Analysis, engagement, and decision-making need not be lengthy to be robust.

NL’s electricity clean grid is key to Newfoundland and Labrador’s economic development and diversification. Whether or not we can capitalize on this will depend on our ability to see the forest from the trees and make sure our processes are fit for purpose in a world that is changing at great speed.

// Kieran Hanley

In the face of extreme tariffs, we need to consider alternatives to the US products and services that we are purchasing.

There are many developments and opportunities to be excited about in 2025, but with the seeming probability of the Americans applying a 25% tariff to its Canadian imports in the days ahead – it is not lost on us that many of econext‘s members are going to be directly and potentially severely impacted. Indeed, many of Newfoundland and Labrador’s industries will be challenged – along with the entirety of Canada’s economy.

Businesses in Newfoundland and Labrador are going to need our help. And while we are confident that our Provincial and Federal governments will do everything in their power to help businesses and their workers through this turbulence, there are decisions that we all make on a daily basis that can be helpful too.

We should be doing our best to buy as local as we possibly can.

Are there products and services that you are sourcing from the United States that can be displaced by Newfoundland and Labrador alternatives? If you cannot source what you need within the province, can you get them from somewhere else in Canada? And if not Canada, what about from nations more friendly to Canada?

These are questions that every business can ask itself and act upon. The bottom line is that Canadians need to strongly reconsider spending money on products and services from a country that seems intent on causing harm to our own. The irony is not lost on me that this message will be spread on social media platforms owned by those who are indifferent or highly supportive of the punitive trade action being pursued. This is a problem.

And so it is incumbent on all of us think through what we have the means to do in our own work. This week econext will be reviewing the products and services that it procures to see where it can shift. If many Canadian organizations, corporations, and individuals do the same – we can mitigate some of the damage that is to come and also strengthen our domestic economy long-term.

A call to action: take some time this week to think about where you are buying from. The added benefit of buying more local? You will reduce the environmental footprint of your business.

// Kieran Hanley
CEO

Help chart the course for NL’s future offshore wind industry

If you are interested in the future of offshore wind in Newfoundland and Labrador – whether that be from a technical, policy, socio-economic, developer, or environmental perspective – time is running out to provide your feedback on work completed on a regional assessment.

The Committee for the Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador has released its draft final report which can be downloaded here.

The main purpose of the regional assessment is to contribute to the efficiency and effectiveness of future impact assessments for specific projects. The report covers a wide range of topics from environmental impacts (i.e., acoustics, marine habitats, ocean life), to potential for conflict with other ocean users (i.e., fisheries, transportation, parks), to icebergs and sightlines. The report also makes recommendations on what areas are most appropriate for future licensing.

While the recommendations stemming from the report are not binding, they will certainly be taken seriously by federal/provincial regulators of a future offshore wind industry in the province. With this in mind, it is important for all interested parties to take a look at it through the lens of their expertise and make comment.

For its part, econext will be making a submission based on comments that we have received from our members through the life of the regional assessment. As you review, if you come across something that you strongly believe needs to be considered or adjusted, please let us know so that we can incorporate this into our own feedback.

As a heads up, you’ll need to set aside some time. The report is a hefty document sitting at 828 pages. Responses are due before midnight on November 29. For more information on how to provide feedback on the report, visit the regional assessment website.

// Kieran Hanley
CEO

On behalf of econext, I would like to wish our members and partners a Happy New Year.

Our team is already off to the races on what is sure to be a big year for the green economy in Newfoundland and Labrador. I’d like to highlight a few of the things that we will be up to in Q1 of this year.

On the policy front we will busy putting our best foot forward in providing ideas for the provincial government’s development of new climate change action plans, and responding to the federal government’s planned emissions cap for the oil and gas industry (which, among other things, we believe has the potential to create new carbon offsets opportunities for our province). We are also in the beginning stages of exploring innovative approaches to regulatory frameworks to help enable efficient processes that are also highly effective in protecting the environment.

We have two ideathons in the works for the Winter across the province, and will be helping SMEs to understand why they should be thinking about ESG and how they can get started developing strategies through a new course that we have developed. We have two exciting webinars within the next two weeks – one on the 11th about Newfoundland and Labrador’s clean technology tax credit, and another on the 16th highlighting clean technologies coming from Iceland.

We are on the heels of facilitating a series of technology demonstrations of our members’ capabilities at The Launch, and will as a result have some exciting footage to share with the world about the cleantech expertise that Newfoundland and Labrador has as it relates to the ocean. Related to all of that, we are helping students explore careers in the green and blue economies and facilitating internships and co-op placements… contact us if you’re interested in hosting!

Meanwhile we are doing some exciting work related to skills and training for the clean energy industry, and finishing our work developing net zero pathways for our offshore oil and gas industry.

This is just the tip of iceberg of what we expect will be a banner year for econext; we have an incredible team in place which I know is going to have a very tangible impact on accelerating clean growth in Newfoundland and Labrador in 2024.

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These folks are going to be busy and through 2023 we planted many seeds that we expect to sprout in the months ahead. Stay tuned.

Indeed, Newfoundland and Labrador’s clean growth future really began to take shape in 2023. Even since my last note in July, there has been a long list of developments that will help shape activity in the province 2024 and long after. From the release of critical minerals plans provincially and programming nationally, to the advancement of wind-to-hydrogen projects through the province’s crown lands process and the introduction federally of draft legislation for clean hydrogen tax credits, to the launch of a new provincial CCUS Innovation Challenge, to new bilateral energy agreements with other provinces and the federal government… Newfoundland and Labrador is not just well positioned to be a green leader – the train has left the station.

And this is just a sample of some of the developments this past Fall. The speed at which these things is happening can be difficult to keep track of – not to mention to understand how they may create opportunities for your business! econext is here to help. Are you a member and would like to meet with our team to help you explore or identify opportunities? Please get in touch. Whether you want to explore international markets, identify better uses for your waste streams, understand how you should be adapting to climate change, or see how you can become more productive and innovative – we’ve got someone on the team here who can help.

Lastly, but no less important, this year econext is committed to doing a better job of highlighting the successes of our members – either from a business or environmental perspective. So when you’ve accomplished something that you want to share, please send along your good news to us and we will do our part.

Wishing you a successful 2024,

// Kieran Hanley
CEO

As we enter into the thick of Summer, it is worthwhile reflecting on the enormous activity that we have seen in Newfoundland and Labrador’s clean energy industry over the past month and a half.

There is a competitive process underway to access crown land for the purpose of wind energy development, and some of the interested players have recently made some big moves.

On June 1st, World Energy GH2 announced that it had successfully closed the acquisition of the Port of Stephenville. Managing Director and CEO Sean Leet said that “the Port of Stephenville is the cornerstone of our project and will position the Bay St. George area as a green energy hub.” This announcement was just days after the company announced a large investment from SK ecoplant into their Project Nujio’qonik which aims to produce green hydrogen in 2025.

On June 5th, the Port of Argentia, Pattern Energy, & Argentia Capital announced that they have reached an agreement on a planned renewable energy to green fuels project at the port. The port’s CEO Scott Penney said that “Pattern Energy is taking a Lease Option on some 6,000 acres of industrial and forest lands owned by the Port. Should it exercise its Option and proceed with the Project, it will construct a 300-megawatt wind energy facility designed to power the production of Green Ammonia for export to global markets.”

These are just two of the bids received by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador from 19 companies on March 23. Exciting weeks and months are ahead for the clean energy industry as we learn which projects will have the opportunity to advance. And the world is watching. Proof of global interest on what is happening here in this province was evident again with a recent agreement signed between the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands to cooperate on green hydrogen opportunities.

Update: The first phase of the competition was announced as complete shortly after this piece was published, with the process now expected to be finished by August.

While much of the focus has been on land, not to be forgotten is the wealth of wind resources available for development in Newfoundland and Labrador’s offshore. Amendments were moved forward in Canada’s House of Commons to put important enabling conditions in place to allow for investment into offshore wind in the province.

And flying under the radar were important changes introduced to the province’s Electricity Power Control Act (EPCA) which will allow for utilities and the regulator to consider the environment as a factor in their decision-making. This will mean that decisions are not made solely based on cost and reliability – important because the most environmentally sound solutions are not always the cheapest ones. Our grid is inching close to being 100% clean, and we need to protect and capitalize on this great advantage.

Oh yes, and the Department of Industry, Energy, and Technology announced the launch of its $100 million Green Transition Fund. Learn about it in our webinar next week.

This list barely scratches the surface of the activity underway, and this is only within the past couple of months! econext has been busy working on workforce development, R&D and innovation, and economic development initiatives related to clean energy in the province, and we’ll have a lot more to say about that in the coming months.

… and clean energy is just one of our key priority areas. Luckily our team is growing to meet the demands and help NL seize its green economy opportunities, and if you follow us on LinkedIn you’ll get to know them all in the days ahead.

Suffice it to say that there’s lots to chat about, and we hope you’ll join us at our Summer Social next week to do just that!

Sincerely,

// Kieran Hanley
CEO