About
The Ontario Waterpower Association (OWA) is a not-for-profit, member-based organization promoting the sustainable development of waterpower resources in Ontario. Since 2001, the OWA has been representing the common and collective interests of the waterpower industry.
To date, membership has grown to over 160 organizations. Our membership includes generators, engineering firms, environmental consultants, equipment suppliers, manufacturers, legal, project financing and insurance firms, Indigenous communities, and other organizations, all sharing the common interest of advancing waterpower in Ontario.
Vision of the Industry
Waterpower is at the heart of Ontario’s electrification for another century: Affordable, reliable and sustainable.
Mission of the OWA
The collective voice for Ontario’s waterpower industry, the OWA accelerates opportunities for members to build what we need and sustain what we have in the communities where they invest.
Foundation
The OWA is committed to providing exceptional service to its members, to being a trustworthy ally to its partners and to offering insight to those who look to the OWA for leadership, direction and guidance.
The OWA is committed to continuing its operational efficiency and effectiveness, organizational resilience and fiscal prudence.
The OWA will continue to take a leadership role to advance good corporate governance practices that build confidence and trust in the organization by its members, government and regulatory agencies, partners, municipalities and communities.
Our Strategic Plan
Our Staff
The OWA’s 2025-2027 Strategic Plan “Accelerating Ontario’s Electrification” speaks to a new urgency for the organization that reflects the new era of opportunity for waterpower in accelerating Ontario’s electrification. This is an unprecedented time in Ontario’s electricity sector to advance waterpower as a solution to our emergent and enduring energy needs and decarbonization goals.
The OWA looks forward, with the support of the membership, to putting this Strategic Plan into action.
Staff
Paul Norris
President
Paul Norris
President
- Phone:705-743-1500 ext. 22
- Email:info@owa.ca
Jessica Worosz
Director, Conference and Events
Jessica Worosz
Director, Conference and Events
- Phone:289-685-3035
- Email:jworosz@owa.ca
Hailey McFadden
Manager, Member Engagement and Operations
Hailey McFadden
Manager, Member Engagement and Operations
- Phone:705-743-1500 ext.23
- Email:hmcfadden@owa.ca
Janelle Fonseca
Director, Communications
Janelle Fonseca
Director, Communications
- Phone:705-743-1500 ext. 25
- Email:jfonseca@owa.ca
Eric Ashbury
Policy and Market Trends Analyst
Eric Ashbury
Policy and Market Trends Analyst
- Email:eashbury@owa.ca
Board
Nicholas Pender
Chair
Nicholas Pender
Chair
Nick leads a 1,300-person, multi-disciplinary team that manages operations, public and dam safety, asset reliability and a large capital investment program. Nick’s oversight spans RG's fleet, which includes one solar facility, two thermal stations, and 66 hydroelectric stations with 239 dams across 24 river systems, collectively generating 35 TWh of power from 10,000 MW of capacity. Prior to this role, Nick had accountability for power-generating facilities as the Vice President (VP) of Niagara Operations, including the flagship Sir Adam Beck Complex in Niagara, and hydro facilities in the St. Catharines, Gravenhurst and Campbellford regions. In previous roles at OPG, Nick was the VP of Energy Markets and had responsibility for the strategy and performance of all energy market activities in Ontario, the 24/7 power control centre for the fleet and trading activities in the US Northeast. Nick has broad strategic, energy market, contract and operations experience with leading UK, European and Canadian generators. Nick currently chairs the Board of Ontario Water Association, is on the board for several First Nation Partnership generating assets and supports his local community through a not-for-profit board with Skate Oakville.
Annie Merritt
Vice-Chair
Annie Merritt
Vice-Chair
Annie Merritt is the Specialist in Community and Government Relations at Innergex Renewable Energy, where her portfolio includes Ontario, Saskatchewan, and the Atlantic provinces. In this role she oversees engagement and relationship-building with Indigenous communities, strategic partners, and all levels of government. With 12 years of experience supporting First Nations governance, economic development, and strategic planning, Annie has a well-established track record in bridging industry, stakeholder, and rights holders’ interests to build upon shared priorities.
James Carter
Treasurer
James Carter
Treasurer
James Carter has more than 28 years of experience in the independent power industry. He has focused primarily on the development, permitting, construction, and operations of hydroelectric generating facilities. He has also participated in the development and acquisition of wind and solar facilities in North and South America, and the operations of commercial solar. He is an advisor to various companies, sits as a member of the Board of Directors for Regional Power Inc., and represents Connor Clark & Lunn and Pic Mobert Hydro Inc. with the Ontario Waterpower Association. James has developed and operated 70 MW of new waterpower for Regional Power, managed the operating fleet of 102 MW in British Columbia and Ontario, and permitted a 25 MW development-stage project in Quebec. James continues to support Connor Clark & Lunn and Regional Power in operating Capstone Infrastructure’s portfolio of operating hydro sites totaling 36 MW, which were acquired from Regional Power in 2001. James is actively pursuing new business development opportunities in the renewable energy space for partnership, development, or investment.
Sophie Alrhieh
Corporate Secretary
Sophie Alrhieh
Corporate Secretary
Robyn Gray
Director
Robyn Gray
Director
Robyn has spent more than 14 years working at the intersection of government, energy, environment, and infrastructure in Ontario, helping organizations navigate complex policy and regulatory issues and advance projects and industry priorities. As Partner, Clean Infrastructure at Sussex Strategy Group, Robyn advises clients across the energy and infrastructure sectors on government relations, policy, permitting, and regulatory strategy.
Andrew Southam
Director
Andrew Southam
Director
Andrew’s 16 years in industry include four on site delivering major infrastructure projects in Ontario, giving him firsthand experience of the day-to-day challenges of construction. In his current position, Andrew works with clients and partners on procurement, contracts and how major infrastructure projects can be successfully delivered.
Karina Seto
Director
Karina Seto
Director
Karina Seto is currently the Manager of Product Development at Kruger Energy. Karina previously lead the structural engineering discipline for Kiewit’s internal Hydropower, Dams and Hydraulic Structures engineering team. She has worked in hydro and dams in Ontario since being introduced to the industry in her first summer job as an engineering student. Previously, Karina worked for 10 years in consulting engineering in the areas of dam safety, dam design and construction, and hydropower development.
Oluseyi Smith
Director
Oluseyi Smith
Director
Oluseyi "Seyi" Smith is an engineering leader with a robust background in the utility sector, encompassing generation, transmission, and distribution. He is also a retired two-time Canadian Olympian, having competed in both summer and winter games. As the Director of Generation & Operations at Portage Power, he leads operators and engineering teams to optimize existing asset efficiency while developing new generation projects. Previously at Hydro Ottawa, he managed capital projects on the distribution network, including the Light Rail Transit (LRT) interconnection. His past work at AltaLink included managing the technical aspects of large-scale electrical utility projects and engineering the interconnection of renewable energy plants to Alberta's transmission grid. Seyi brings extensive board experience from the sports world having served as a Board Director of the Canadian Olympic Committee and is currently a member of the International Olympic Committee’s Athlete's & Sustainability/Legacy Committee.
Stephen Somerville
Director
Stephen Somerville
Director
Stephen is an energy industry executive with over twenty-five years in the development, management, operation, acquisition and financing of environmental infrastructure, clean energy and renewable power generation, across Canada, the United States and in Europe. Stephen is responsible for re-contracting of existing hydro facilities generation and expansions and upgrades at FirstLight. Stephen is also responsible for Indigenous affairs associated with its existing facilities. Stephen in the past led multi-disciplinary teams in the successful acquisition of sixteen U.S. hydro facilities representing almost 1,400 MW of nameplate capacity. Previously, Stephen was a Vice President with Competitive Power Ventures (“CPV”), Inc. where he was responsible for the development of all CPV’s natural gas-fired power generation development projects (and associated natural gas pipeline and transmission lines) and large-scale wind projects, across Canada. Prior to joining CPV, Stephen was a member of the Probyn & Company and Clean Power Income Fund team responsible for business development and acquisitions. Stephen has experience working with the IESO, the Ministry of Energy, and various First Nations Groups across Canada and is a member of the Board of both the Association of Power Producers of Ontario (“APPrO”) and former Chair of the Board of the Ontario WaterPower Association (OWA). Stephen has also been the APPrO Annual Conference Chair from 2005 through 2025. Stephen holds an MBA from the University of Toronto and an Honours B.A. degree in Economics from the University of Waterloo.
Caitlin Sykes
Director
Caitlin Sykes
Director
Caitlin Sykes is a water resource engineer with over 16+ years of experience in the hydroelectric industry, including 11 years at Ontario Power Generation and 5+ years at Algonquin Power. As a licensed professional engineering with an undergraduate degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Waterloo and a graduate degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Toronto, Caitlin has focused her education and career in the field of water management within the Canadian landscape. In her current role as Director of Asset Strategy at Algonquin Power, Caitlin manages the commercial portfolio of 14 hydroelectric assets across Canada and is responsible for P&L performance, contract management, stakeholder relations, and commercial strategy. Having also worked in the areas of water resource management, energy markets, and hydroelectric optimization, Caitlin values working on an interdisciplinary team to solve complex problems and looks forward to bringing her experience and passion for collaboration to the OWA’s Board of Directors.
Julien Wu
Director
Julien Wu
Director
Dr. Dawn Lavell Harvard
Strategic Advisor
Dr. Dawn Lavell Harvard
Strategic Advisor
Dr. Dawn Lavell Harvard, Ph.D., is a proud member of the Wiikwemkoong First Nation, on Manitoulin Island, the first Aboriginal Trudeau Scholar, and has worked to advance the rights of Aboriginal women as the President of the Ontario Native Women's Association since 2003. After serving as Vice-president of the Native Women’s Association of Canada for three years, Dawn was elected National President at the 41st Annual General Assembly, July 11, 2015 in Montreal, Quebec. In October 2016, after fulfilling her promise to see the MMIWG Inquiry initiated, Dawn left her role as National Leader and took on the role of Director at the First Peoples House of Learning at Trent University.