Celebrating the Women of MRC on International Women’s Day
This International Women’s Day, Marine Renewables Canada (MRC) proudly celebrates the women who contribute to the advancement of marine renewable energy in Canada. As an organization with an all-women team and strong female representation on our board, we are committed to fostering diversity, inclusion, and leadership in the sector and accelerating action.
MRC’s team is made up of four dedicated women working to support the growth and success of the marine renewable energy industry. Additionally, our board includes four accomplished women, two of whom serve on the executive committee, bringing invaluable expertise and leadership to our organization. Recognizing the importance of accelerating action and gender balance in decision-making, MRC is taking active steps to further enhance diversity at the board level. By ensuring a gender-balanced and diverse board, we aim to create a more dynamic and inclusive environment that benefits from a range of perspectives and experiences.
Meet the Women of MRC
MRC’s strength stems from a full team of women who play a crucial role in driving our organization. Our staff—Elisa Obermann (Executive Director), Amanda White (Senior Director, Operations & Member Services), Lisen Bassett (Policy Manager), and Chelsi Bennett (Communications & Event Coordinator)— support the sector through advocacy, communications, sector education, and member engagement. Additionally, we are fortunate to have four female board directors guiding our efforts and shaping the future of marine renewables in Canada:
Anne-Marie Belliveau, Projectable Consulting
With over a decade of experience in marine renewable energy, Anne-Marie has held key leadership roles in tidal and offshore wind energy development and now leads Projectable Consulting, providing strategic project development services. She is a strong advocate for young women pursuing careers in STEM and is actively involved in mentorship programs.
“Attaining net zero by 2050 is the biggest challenge facing our generation. It will require bold, forward-thinking, and revolutionary innovation from Canadians. The only way to reach this essential goal is to include everyone in the fight—women, people of all races, sexual identities, religions, and cultures.
The energy sector has historically been male-dominated, but this challenge has created an opportunity for women to take a leading role in driving Canada towards net zero. So let’s #AccelerateAction and encourage more women to join the fight against climate change!”
Barb Bryden, DP Energy
Bringing over 35 years of experience in environmental and stakeholder engagement, Barb is a vital force in advancing offshore wind and marine renewables. She has played a significant role in both public and private sector initiatives and continues to contribute her expertise to shaping sustainable energy projects.
“Follow your passion and never stop. Should you face barriers, we are here to help. Let’s keep moving forward together.”
Dawn MacDonald, AECOM
As the Global Offshore Wind Market Sector Lead at AECOM, Dawn is a driving force behind offshore wind development worldwide. With a career spanning over 20 years, she has led major projects across North America and Europe, bringing global insights to Canada’s marine renewable energy landscape.
“We’re living in demanding times, and to address the economic, social and climate challenges ahead of us, it is imperative, in my view to bring as many voices and perspectives to the table as possible. The energy sector has made great strides over the course of my lifetime – I’m heartened to see so many fantastic examples of women in leadership, but there remains work to be done. International Womens’ Day is a great reminder for all of us try to ensure all opinions are considered and to amplify marginalized voices as we set the course for the future of our industry.”
Mary Lou Lauria, Worley
Dr. Mary Lou Lauria is the Senior Vice President, Environment & Sustainability, Worley Consulting, Global, with 30 years’ post graduate experience —25 of those years with Worley—She provides strategic advice to clients on sustainability, development, and regulatory advocacy. She has led global teams to achieve strong environmental and social outcome, emphasizing Indigenous and community engagement. With a background in Marine Biology, and a PhD focused on biophysical interactions in estuarine systems, she is passionate about the redefining success, advocating for diversity and inclusion in business, and ensuring industrial projects contribute positively to communities, biodiversity, air and water.
“Everyday actions all count, and our collective efforts create a change movement. Being intentional in our inclusivity strategies and bringing together an array of perspectives continue to drive business resilience. Let’s call out the successes of women advancing in the workplace, take action to remain inclusive and not forget that diverse teams are unstoppable.”
Looking to the Future
At MRC, we recognize that diverse perspectives bring strength and innovation to the marine renewable energy sector. We are proud to celebrate the women shaping this industry today and remain committed to supporting efforts that expand opportunities for women to contribute, lead, and drive progress.
This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the progress made, the women leading the way, and the work still to be done to ensure an equitable and sustainable future for our industry.