OWA Welcomes Newly Elected Board Members and Strategic Advisor

November 4, 2025 – Peterborough, ON – The Ontario Waterpower Association (OWA) held its 2025 Annual General Meeting at the Canadian Canoe Museum in Peterborough, announcing newly elected members to the Board of Directors.

Board Chair Nicholas Pender (Ontario Power Generation) announced the following updates to the OWA Board:

• New members: Sophie Alrhieh (Hatch), Oluseyi Smith (Portage Power), and Caitlin Sykes (Algonquin Hydro Holdings Corp.); and
• New Strategic Advisor: Dr. Dawn Lavell Harvard (Trent University).

Sophie, Oluseyi, and Caitlin will join the Board for a three-year term, working collaboratively with fellow members to strengthen governance, advocacy, and community engagement across Ontario’s waterpower sector.

Dr. Dawn Lavell Harvard, Ph.D., joins as a Strategic Advisor to the Board. A proud member of the Wiikwemkoong First Nation and Director at the First Peoples House of Learning at Trent University, Dr. Lavell Harvard will bring an invaluable external perspective and strategic guidance.

“I am pleased to welcome all newly elected Board members,” said Paul Norris, President of the OWA. “Each brings valuable expertise and insight that will help advance our mission – the acceleration of Ontario’s electrification. We are also excited with the addition of the new Strategic Advisor role” added Norris. “I look forward to working with the entire Board to sustain and expand made-in-Ontario waterpower.”

About OWA

The 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.

For more information on the Ontario Waterpower Association, visit www.owa.ca.

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