Our Speakers
The EA Exchange speaker lineup features respected industry leaders, technical experts, and innovators from across the residential building sector, delivering expert perspectives on building science, energy performance, industry tools, and emerging practices that are shaping the future of residential construction and retrofits.
Dr. John Straube
P.Eng – Associate Professor, University of Waterloo
Dr. John Straube is an Associate Professor joint-appointed to the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the School of Architecture at the University of Waterloo. He researches and teaches building science, building materials, and engineering design with a focus on high-performance low-energy sustainable buildings.
A registered professional engineer he is also a Principal at RDH Building Science Inc., where he leads forensic investigations, hygrothermal measurement and analysis research projects, and design projects in the areas of low energy building design, highly durable building enclosures, new building materials and systems, and extreme climate buildings.
Professor Straube authored “High Performance Enclosures” and co-authored “Building Science for Building Enclosures” with Eric Burnett.
He received the Lifetime Achievement Award in Building Science Education from the National Consortium of Housing Research Centers (NCHRC).
Aidan Brookson
Research Director, Volta Research
Aidan Brookson is the Research Director of Volta Research, a Canadian non-profit advancing knowledge-based decision-making for low-carbon technologies.
With a Master’s in mechanical engineering and over ten years’ experience in the low-carbon building sector, Aidan specializes in residential energy management, carbon accounting, energy modelling, and software development. He leads the development of Volta SNAP, a web-based platform that modernizes residential energy modelling around HOT2000 and equips energy advisors with advanced tools for parametric analysis, CSA F280 heat loss and gain, EnergyPlus simulations, utility analysis, and embodied carbon insights.
Mélanie Trottier
Embodied Carbon Analyst & BEAM trainer,
Builders for Climate Action
Mélanie Trottier is a leading expert in embodied carbon analysis, with a double master’s degree in Architecture and Urban Design from Laval University and certification as a Passive House Designer. As a key researcher at Builders for Climate Action, she has been instrumental in developing the BEAM tool and conducting in-depth research to advance low-carbon building practices. Her work supports policymakers, builders, and researchers in assessing and reducing the carbon footprint of building materials and construction practices.
Mélanie’s expertise spans multiple high-impact projects, including leading embodied carbon benchmarking studies, integrating energy modeling data with carbon analysis tools, and developing training programs for HERS raters, energy advisors, and design professionals. She has contributed to municipal policy initiatives, such as the City of Vancouver’s embodied carbon study, and played a crucial role in shaping industry guidelines. With a passion for sustainability, deep knowledge of life cycle assessment, and a commitment to industry collaboration, Mélanie is dedicated to driving meaningful change in the built environment.
Arman Mottaghi
CEO, Properate
Arman Mottaghi is a Building Scientist and the CEO of Properate, making home energy labeling easier using software and new technologies.
Zosia Brown, PhD
Senior Green Building Planner, City of Vancouver
Zosia is a senior leader with nearly two decades of experience driving sustainable change and environmental policy across organizations in North America and Europe. She currently works at the City of Vancouver, where she advances its climate, resilience, and sustainable-building objectives. Previously, she served as VP of Sustainability at Nexii, and as Head of Resource Conservation at the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle. Zosia is passionate about green buildings, climate action, and shaping a future in which both people and nature thrive.
Jeff Clarke-Janzen
Founder, Energycraft Building Consulting
Jeff Clarke-Janzen is the founder of Energycraft Building Consulting and an NRCan Senior Energy Advisor, Certified Passive House Designer and Passive House Tradesperson. He brings more than a decade of experience across energy advising, high-performance construction, mechanical design and modern methods of construction, including prefabrication and mass timber. Having worked on dozens of Passive House projects, Jeff combines technical modelling with hands-on construction knowledge to help homeowners, builders and project teams deliver practical, comfortable and resilient buildings.
Luke Dolan MEA®
Owner, Capital Home Energy Inc.
Frustrated with the inefficiencies and waste in the construction industry, Luke decided to take a more proactive approach to making the world a better place. He believes that sustainable building is the future. Helping people reduce their need for energy can be a very rewarding experience. Energy efficiency is not just about saving money, it’s a lifestyle change that leads to a healthier and more sustainable world.
One of the Founding Members of CACEA™
Einar Halbig MEA®
CEO & Senior Building Consultant, E3 Eco Group
Einar Halbig brings over 25 years of experience in residential construction, specializing in practical, energy-efficient solutions. A CACEA™ Master Energy Advisor (MEA®), he has assessed thousands of homes across the Lower Mainland and led a deep-green retrofit of his own home. Through E3 Eco Group, he consults for builders, developers, governments, and utilities. With a background in engineering, sales, and hands-on building, Einar has been teaching Building Science and EA training since 2010 and has served on CACEA™’s Board of Directors.
One of the Founding Members of CACEA™
Gilles Lesage MEA®
Founder, Energycraft Building Consulting
Gilles Lesage is a CACEA™ Master Energy Advisor (MEA®) and senior building-energy professional with 20+ years of experience across residential, multi-unit, and large-building energy performance. Based in Kelowna, he serves regions across British Columbia.
A founding member of CACEA™, Gilles has served on the Board of Directors and contributed to initiatives supporting technical standards, advisor advocacy, and industry consistency. His professional background spans EnerGuide evaluations, MURBs, ENERGY STAR® for New Homes, CSA F280 calculations, building diagnostics, and large-building airtightness testing. He is also a CHBA Registered Net Zero Advisor.
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