Elisa Obermann
Executive Director
Elisa joined Marine Renewables Canada in 2012, first as the Atlantic Director and then as executive director in 2015. In this role she works to facilitate technology innovation in the sector by advocating for supportive policies, identifying international business development opportunities, and enhancing the capacity of the local supply chain. Elisa has also designed and led numerous engagement and outreach activities to grow knowledge and support for marine renewable energy development.
Elisa is a founding member of the Canadian Council on Renewable Electricity (CanCORE) and Electricity Alliance Canada (EAC) and is currently Canada’s alternate delegate on the International Energy Agency’s Ocean Energy Systems executive committee. She has also served as an advisory board member for the National Research Council’s Ocean, Coastal and River Engineering Research Centre and a director on the Offshore Energy Research Association’s Board. Elisa has worked at several other organizations, focused on clean technology, tidal energy, and the broader renewable energy sector including Sustainable Development Technology Canada, the Fundy Ocean Research Center for Energy (FORCE), and Nova Scotia Department of Energy.
Elisa holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Masters in Public Administration from Dalhousie University.
Halifax, Nova Scotia | [email protected]
Amanda White
Operations Director
As Operations Director for Marine Renewables Canada, Amanda is responsible for membership development and services, operational and logistical support, trade development and supply chain growth and advancing seminars, missions and conferences.
Amanda began her career in the energy industry in 2002 when she first joined OTANS (now The Maritimes Energy Association) as an Event Coordinator, then moved into the Manager of Events & Member Services in 2004 and Trade Mission and Membership Manager in 2010. In these previous roles, Amanda managed all local events and conferences as well as national and international trade missions including OTC in Houston, All-Energy in Scotland, Rio Oil & Gas in Brazil, CanWEA Wind Energy Conference in Canada and the Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum. She was also responsible for all member relations and communications. Prior to her time at The Maritimes Energy Association, Amanda worked for the Halifax Chamber of Commerce, allowing her the initial experience in working for a member based, not-for-profit association.
Amanda is a native Nova Scotian and began her career after graduating from Dalhousie University with a Bachelor of Science Degree with an Advanced Major in Psychology.
Halifax, Nova Scotia | [email protected]
Lisen Bassett
Policy and Communications Lead
The most recent addition to the team, Lisen joined Marine Renewables Canada in 2022 as the Policy and Communications Lead. Bringing together her background in law and the NGO sector, she is responsible for monitoring and analyzing the legal and regulatory landscape governing marine renewable energy, developing policy input and recommendations that foster growth for the industry, and implementing effective outreach and communications strategies.
Prior to joining Marine Renewables Canada, Lisen practiced administrative law and litigation at Miller Thomson LLP and subsequently worked as in-house counsel for Energy Performance Services (EPS), an energy efficiency consulting firm in Montréal. There, she provided legal advice and support to all business units and lead strategic operations and organizational planning initiatives. Lisen also has extensive experience working with NGOs, having begun her career with the Canadian branch of Al Gore’s organization, the Climate Reality Project Canada in 2012. There, she worked on policy as well as strategic communications and engagement. She has acted as Secretary of the Board of Directors since 2014 and was elected as a full member of the Board in 2022.
Lisen has an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy with a minor in Environmental Studies, a Juris Doctor, and a Bachelor of Civil Laws from McGill University.
Montréal, Quebec | [email protected]
Riley Richardson
Regional Advisor, British Columbia
Riley joined Marine Renewables Canada (MRC) in June 2023 as a Regional Advisor. In this role Riley works as a representative for the organization in British Columbia, attending relevant events and meetings on behalf of MRC. He is also responsible for providing insight on issues and areas of opportunity for marine energy in British Columbia and providing advice on potential actions MRC can take to support its members.
Riley has been involved in marine renewable energy academically and professionally for over five years. He has worked in his primary occupation as a Research Scientist at the Pacific Regional Institute for Marine Energy Discovery (PRIMED) since 2021. Riley manages engagement at PRIMED while also helping with field work activities and working on a range of research topics spanning GIS spatial analysis, economic assessments, and regulatory/policy guidance.
Riley has a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Geography and a Master of Science in Geography from the University of Victoria.
Vancouver, British Columbia | [email protected]