Professional Development Workshops
Professional Development Workshops
Enhance your expertise with our comprehensive workshop offerings designed for natural resource professionals
Renewable Energy 101
Canadian Renewable Energy Association & Relay Education
CanREA and Relay Education will deliver an engaging hands-on workshop demonstrating how wind and solar technologies work through small group exercises where participants build their own projects and test them under a variety of scenarios. The workshop will share facts about renewable energy and dispel common myths. Participants will learn about the role that wind and solar can play in bringing local jobs and economic development, contributing to BC's energy security, and advancing reconciliation with First Nations through equity partnerships. This workshop involves bringing in miniature examples of both wind turbines and solar panels for experimentation and hands-on learning. Participants will conduct experiments on solar panels related to shading, overheating, and light in terms of the electromagnetic spectrum and experiment with wind turbines in terms of testing how various blade lengths affect energy generation while taking the blade pitch angle into consideration.
Meet the Instructors
Patricia Lightburn
Patricia is the Director for British Columbia at the Canadian Renewable Energy Association. In this role, Patricia works with members to advance strategic priorities in the BC market. Prior to joining CanREA, Patricia was a managing consultant at Dunsky Energy and Climate Advisors where she led modeling and analysis exploring key energy transition issues, informed by consultation with communities and key stakeholders. She has also held roles at Innergex Renewable Energy, the David Suzuki Foundation and the Ontario Power Authority (now IESO). She was a guest lecturer at Simon Fraser University's Centre for Dialogue and regularly speaks at conferences and industry events. Patricia holds a master's degree from Sciences Politiques in Paris, France.
Ryan Gander
Ryan is an experienced communicator and educator passionate about renewable energy education. Ryan holds a BA in Communications from SFU. Ryan works as a facilitator for Relay Education, an environmental charity focused on renewable energy education and training across Canada. Ryan delivers hands-on STEM science based workshops with renewable energy technologies for grade school students in British Columbia in a fun and engaging way. Ryan successfully engaged 4,079 students during the 2024-2025 school year. Within this time frame, he also piloted a new secondary workshop with 2,336 students that focused on energy efficiency.
Consultation to Agreement – Navigating Benefit Sharing Agreements in BC
McCarthy Tétrault
A one-day dynamic workshop presented by C3 Alliance in partnership with Dan Bornstein and Rachael Carlson, McCarthy Tétrault that focuses on Benefit Sharing Agreement negotiations for Indigenous communities and resource companies. The workshop includes information on how to negotiate a basic framework of a Benefits Sharing Agreement and best practices in negotiation strategies. Specifically, the workshop provides information about resource sector benefit sharing agreements explaining why they are needed, key components of an effective agreement, strategies for agreement development, and key teachings on agreement implementation.
Meet the Instructors
Rachael Carlson, McCarthy Tétrault
Rachael has a broad practice, which includes a focus on environmental, regulatory, Aboriginal, and business law matters. Her representative experience includes negotiation of impact benefit agreements, the navigation of capacity funding during the environmental permitting process, preparation of permitting and Aboriginal rights-related legal opinions, review of permitting and environmental matters in connection with mining and energy transactions, and researching environmental law contraventions. Rachael is currently one of the editors of the Canadian ERA Perspectives blog. She received her law degree from the University of Victoria, receiving various awards including the Ronald F. MacIsaac Prize for the best paper on social justice or environmental law. Rachael holds a Bachelors Degree in Art History and Visual Studies with Honours from the University of Victoria, as well as a three-year diploma in Musical Theatre from Capilano University.
Dan Bornstein, Partner, McCarthy Tétrault
Dan is a partner in McCarthy Tétrault's Business Law group in Toronto. His legal practice focuses on project development and transactions in the mining industry. Dan has extensive experience advising domestic and international companies on private mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, environmental law, and agreements with governments and project stakeholders. Prior to re-joining McCarthy Tétrault in 2017, Dan held senior roles in the environment and reclamation departments of a major international mining company. Notable mandates include acting for Taseko Mines Limited on its agreement with the Tŝilhqot'in Nation securing C$75 million compensation, Skeena Resources on creating a new conservancy with Tahltan Central Government, and Zijin Mining on its $1.4 billion acquisition of Continental Gold. Dan received his BA (Hons.) from the University of Toronto, MA in Medieval Studies from Fordham University, and JD from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law.
Proven Communication Strategies – Moving Natural Resource Projects Forward
Monogram Communications
With increased public scrutiny, evolving regulatory requirements and a heightened focus on the rights of Indigenous People and UNDRIP, the ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with interest holders is a critical success factor for natural resource leaders. This workshop will equip participants with the tools they need to engage meaningfully and move projects forward. Successful natural resource projects depend on relationships as much as engineering, permits and funding. In this interactive workshop, participants will learn how to build trust, foster meaningful dialogue and turn opposition into collaborative problem-solving with Indigenous communities, local residents, interest holders and government.
Meet the Instructor
Alyson Gourley-Cramer, Monogram Communications
Alyson is an award-winning communications leader with over two decades of experience in government, natural resources and major multi-sport events. Alyson has built a reputation for helping organizations navigate high-stakes and high-visibility projects. Alyson's background as a certified teacher, trainer and facilitator ensures her sessions are both informative and interactive. She designs workshops that blend real-world case studies with practical frameworks and ready-to-use templates, making the learning experience immediately applicable for participants. Over her career, she has presented at the BC Natural Resources Forum, Union of BC Municipalities, BC Library Conference, BC Colleges Association, Canadian Public Relations Society and BC Hotel Association. Her approach consistently earns high praise for being relatable, results-driven and grounded in deep sector knowledge.