Technical Advisory Board

Brice Soucy

Brice Soucy serves as Vice President in the Brookfield Infrastructure Group focused on originating and executing investment opportunities in the global water infrastructure sector.

Brice had previously served as Director of Business Development at Poseidon Water, a portfolio company of Brookfield Asset Management, where was responsible for originating water infrastructure development projects and acquisitions in North America. Brice coordinated Poseidon’s joint development efforts with partners and managed the pro forma for Poseidon’s $1 billion flagship development project, the Huntington Beach Desalination Plant. Brice supported the management team of Poseidon in raising commitments for over $50 million in corporate equity investment between 2013-2018.

Brice has a degree in Economics-Finance from Bentley University, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude. He serves on the Advisory Board for the Hughey Center for Financial Services at Bentley.

Carla Carona Sousa

Carla Carona Sousa is an Environmental Researcher specializing in bio-waste management and biogas production. Carla has worked on projects characterizing bio-waste streams and assessing biogas recovery potential, and is currently developing a pilot biogas production unit using agricultural and swine manure waste to optimize waste mixtures to enhance sustainability at Instituto Superior de Agronomia in Lisbon. Her work extends to decentralized wastewater treatment and nutrient recovery, reinforcing circular economy principles. As an Environmental Consultant, she supports project planning and management for waste-to-energy initiatives.

Carla earned her Bachelor’s and MSc in Biological and Chemical Engineering from the University of Minho in Portugal.

Christopher Fetters

Christopher Fetters has 22 years of experience as an environmental engineer and over 5 years specifically in infrastructure development of industrial facilities. Christopher has served as a project engineer, project manager and principal-in-charge on various water remediation and treatment systems throughout the United States and internationally.

Christopher has served as a field engineer, project engineer and eventually principal-in-charge for clients in the oil & gas, maritime, construction, and infrastructure sectors in the remediation of legacy industrial sites. He has utilized various treatment technologies and continues to develop advancements in the application of technologies to improve efficiency and cost effectiveness.

Christopher has also served as a researcher at the US Army Corps of Engineers – Engineering Research and Development Center in Vicksburg, Mississippi. During that time, his research focused on innovative technology development, specific to soil and groundwater remediation. Developing technologies such as electrokinetics, alternative filtration, waste minimization, reverse osmosis, biological waste lagoons and advanced oxidation processes, both in laboratory and field scale applications.

Christopher has served as a testifying expert in legacy oil and gas litigation in Louisiana and Texas. He served as a technical advisor on various Superfund projects and worked in cooperation with state and federal agencies to revise and update regulatory rules and code.

Dr. Colleen Fletcher  

Colleen Fletcher has 23 years of experience in education in Mozambique. Most recently she has been the Secondary School Principal of the American International School of Mozambique and, additionally, is the school’s Director of Community.

Colleen and her family have lived in Mozambique during her long tenure. Seeing the disparities in education -- in particular between private schools and the opportunities afforded children and adults in rural Mozambique -- led her to initiate various projects in the community. These included building a school and a community center.

Colleen is also the co-founder of F & H Consultants, focusing on education, teacher training, research, and community development, all through the lens of respecting and leveraging indigenous knowledge systems. Colleen believes that developing holistic community profiles is the cornerstone to leveraging growth and potential for all, facilitating transformative learning, voice and ownership of any development projects.

Colleen holds a Bachelor of Education from North-West University South Africa, a Masters in developing leadership skills in students from Buffalo State University USA and completed her Doctoral thesis on partnership development in Mozambique at the University of Liverpool, UK. She currently lives in the bush in Mozambique surrounded by a very large animal family.

Daniel Pinault

Daniel Pinault serves as a Project Advisor for Terra Firma. He has 10+ years of advisory and investing experience focused on companies with disruptive technologies and business models in the cleantech, agritech, energy and water sectors.

Dan had previously worked for Brookfield Infrastructure Partners, where he was Director of M&A for Brookfield's district energy platform (Enwave Energy Corporation). Dan drove acquisitions that doubled the number of assets under management in under four years and was responsible for identifying and evaluating strategic partnerships with technology companies.

Prior to Brookfield, Dan worked as a management consultant, where he advised private equity, venture funds, government agencies and companies with growth mandates in the cleantech, infrastructure and natural resource sectors.

Dan has a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Waterloo and completed his MBA at the Rotman School of Management (University of Toronto). Dan serves as advisor to several companies in the cleantech space.

Gordon Frost

Gordon Frost is the leader of Mercer's Career business in Canada and is a member of Mercer’s Canadian leadership team. He is responsible for a broad team of professionals that provide services across the spectrum of Mercer’s Career business. Gordon first joined Mercer in 2000 and has been based in both Canada and the US. He then spent over 2 years as the Vice President of Global Compensation for a Canadian multi-national organization before re-joining Mercer in his present leadership role in 2013.

Gordon consults across many aspects of the Career business, advising clients on how to strengthen the relationship between business strategy and talent strategy. He has extensive experience advising Boards of Directors and senior management on the design of executive compensation programs that align decision-making with shareholder value creation and are consistent with sound governance practices. He has deep knowledge of the strategy, design, and financial impact of incentive programs, including equity-based incentive plans and sales incentive plans. He has also led broader projects related to talent management and leadership development with a specific focus on the needs of a globally mobile workforce.

Gordon holds an MBA from the University of Western Ontario, and a Bachelors degree in Commerce with great distinction from McGill University.

Jasmine Howell

Jasmine Howell is one of two co-founders of Fletcher and Howell Consulting. F&H Consulting specializes in providing workshops, company consulting, volunteer experiences and research and development opportunities focused in social responsibility and responsible learning. 

As an educator, Jasmine started teaching at both private and public schools in North America and Southern Africa. Seeing the stark contrast in conditions, teaching pedagogy, and ways of knowing, Jasmine became interested in forming partnerships both locally and globally to further learn and collaborate within the field of education.

Respect of Indigenous Knowledge Systems is the foundation of Jasmine’s ethos. Her educational and consulting work is centered in compassion and approached through collaborative, action-based experiences. 

Jasmine holds a Bachelor of Education, from the University of Victoria, a Certificate in Performing Arts from the Canadian College of Performing Arts and is currently pursuing a Masters in Adult Education and Global Change.

Jennifer Hudson

Jennifer Hudson is an experienced Communications & Media executive with a focus on planning and operational excellence.  She has worked across various industries in the UK and South Africa with regional sub-Sahara Africa experience. 

Jennifer currently serves as an Independent Consultant for media clients in Johannesburg.  Previously, she was the Business Unit Director for MediaCom SA in Gauteng, South Africa.  Before that, she was a Director at Mindshare with a focus on channel strategies and management.

Jennifer started her marketing career as a Consultant with Blue Plain and SPC Communications.  She received a Bachelor of Commerce from University of Natal Pietermaritzburg in South Africa.

Jomo Erick 

Jomo Erick works at the African Leadership Academy as the Program Lead for the African Leaders for Infrastructure Sector, a vibrant ecosystem of young leaders and partners who aim to develop sustainable practices and green technology solutions to power African infrastructure growth for social inclusivity and thriving economies. In his role, he drives this mission by providing critical focal points for the young leaders to collaborate with the industry.

Jomo started his career in the financial services sector as an apprentice at Equity Group in Kenya, later working with small scale farmers in Kenya’s rural counties. He holds a MSc in Public Management from the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China as well as a BSc. Biomechanical Engineering from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.

Joshua Papernick

Joshua Papernick currently works for an energy development company facilitating the adoption of renewable options in emerging markets. After recognizing the large disconnect between engineers and city builders in the implementation of resilient water infrastructure, he has expanded his focus to the realm of urban planning, promoting solutions to the intensified stress being placed on our water systems due to climate change.

Josh began his career at the Ontario Ministry of the Environment’s Safe Drinking Water Branch looking at regulatory challenges surrounding municipal drinking water systems, as well as engaging in water quality issues relating to agricultural runoff and heavy metal contamination. During his MSc, Josh was inspired by the importance of fostering innovative water governance arrangements and practices to build adaptive management capacity. Following his studies, he conducted research at Ben-Gurion University’s Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research in Israel, where he explored the adverse impacts of the unregulated electronic waste industry on sources of water and local food production.

Josh holds a BSc (Honours) from Queen’s University in Earth System Science, a MSc from McGill University in Integrated Water Resource Management and is currently a MPl candidate at Ryerson University in Urban Development.

Kyle Chew

Kyle Chew serves as Vice President at Magris Resources, a private equity firm focused on pursuing acquisitions in the mining space. At Magris, Kyle has worked on a number of large M&A transactions including the successful purchase of a niobium mine, Niobec. Kyle oversees operations at Niobec, including the management of major capital projects, financial budgets and forecasts, and other strategic initiatives.

Prior to joining Magris, Kyle worked as an analyst in HSBC’s diversified global banking team and previously worked for several years as an engineer for Hydro One.

Kyle holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from Queen’s University and completed his MBA at Rotman School of Management (University of Toronto).

Mackenzie Schiff

Mackenzie Schiff is a global health and development professional with robust experience in West and Francophone Africa. Currently a Technical Advisor at The Palladium Group, Mackenzie leads global health programs, conducts research and analysis, and engages stakeholders across government, civil society, and the private sector. 

Mackenzie is fluent in French and brings technical expertise in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH); health policy and systems; community health; and global health security. She is passionate about driving sustainable development interventions in partnership with communities and governments. Earlier in her career, Mackenzie led digital marketing for Water Mission, an NGO implementing WASH solutions in 60 countries.

Mackenzie holds an M.Sc. in Development Studies from the London School of Economics, where her research focused on gender equity in community safe water programs, and a BBA in Marketing from William & Mary.

Mohamad Ghosn

Mohamad Ghosn has over 23 years of experience as a microbiologist and 20 years as an engineering coordinator, designer, water and wastewater project manager for various municipalities, leachate, industries and communities throughout Canada and internationally.

A trilingual senior engineer, Mr. Ghosn has developed technical expertise in the design, management, start-up, operation and troubleshooting of biological process and mechanical problems for water and wastewater treatment systems for municipal and industrial installations. He has mastered multiple treatment technologies related to his field such as: conventional treatment system, Reverse Osmosis, activated sludge, aerated lagoons, sequencing batch reactor (SBR), membrane bioreactor (MBR), moving bed bioreactor (MBBR), disinfection, Aeration and mixing systems. Mr. Ghosn has also served as an expert witness on warranty, liability/litigation, energy and water audits. He has acted as a process engineer and product manager for suppliers of wastewater treatment equipment.

Mr. Ghosn participated on designing most of the leachate facilities existing in Quebec. Over the years, he has developed a new conceptual approach to treat the leachate from either domestic or composting sites. Mr. Ghosn has developed a new process narrative adapted to the age and the hydraulic flow fluctuation of the leachate.

Munyaradzi Chifetete

Munyaradzi Chifetete is an accomplished engineering professional driven by a deep commitment to infrastructure development, sustainability and social enterprise. His central mission is to uplift vulnerable communities across the African continent by developing and participating in sustainable infrastructure projects. With a diverse background, spanning the construction, mining and financial services sectors, Munyaradzi serves as a Project Manager at Sesani in Zimbabwe. This wholly indigenous Zimbabwean company provides management services to southern and eastern Africa’s development, infrastructure, and construction domains.

Munyaradzi’s journey is further enriched by his role as a Fellow at The Resolution Project, which champions social entrepreneurship. His career commenced with a WASH internship at Mercy Corps, followed by industrial engineering and insurance positions at UPS and LMCI respectively.

A graduate of African Leadership Academy in Johannesburg, South Africa, Munyaradzi holds a BS in Civil Engineering from Lafayette College in Pennsylvania.

René LeBlanc

René LeBlanc has a BSc in Chemistry and a MSc in Environmental Health. He became certified Safety Professional (CRSP) in 2006 and Industrial Hygienist (ROH) in 2008.

Previously, René managed the Industrial Hygiene Department and the Air Group (GreenHouse Gas, Noise, Modeling, Permitting) at GHD Consulting Ltd. He also provided consulting services and training for Industrial, Commercial, and Governmental Clients.

René is President-elect of the International Occupational Hygiene Association and was 2017-2018 President of the Canadian Registration Board of Occupational Hygiene (CRBOH). He is also actively involved with Workplace Health Without Borders. René serves as a volunteer for Commonwealth Games Canada and at various sports events.

Robert Sinclair

Robert Sinclair has spent over 20 years co-creating executive level strategic relationships and solutions with corporations (private & public), pension funds, private equity, development firms, hedge funds, family offices, NGO’s and business partners. He is currently the Chief Investment Officer with the mandate to create a Private Firm/Single Family office, Senior Advisor to the CEO of Louisiana 23 Development Company (LA23), and an Advisor to CrowdSmart - a pioneer in the application of prediction science for a Startup investing, combining world-class artificial intelligence (AI) and a global community of Member Evaluators to democratize the seed-investing ecosystem and deliver better outcomes for investors and entrepreneurs alike.

Robert began his career providing risk management consultancy at a boutique firm in Australia. After moving to Canada, Robert headed up the creation of the risk management division at RiskCheck Inc, a leading Canadian advisory firm. After leaving the firm, he created his own advisory firm which eventually merged with GHD, which is one of the world's leading professional services companies operating in the global market sectors of water, energy and resources, environment, property and buildings, and transportation.

Robert received a Bachelor of Applied Science from Western Sydney University.

Roger Jantio

Roger Jantio is an investment banker specializing in transactions within emerging economies, and serves as the Senior Managing Director of Sterling Merchant Finance Ltd. His expertise includes structuring financial packages as well restructuring and privatizing corporate enterprises in Africa. Over the last 30 years, he has structured the financing of dozens of projects, ranging from telecommunications, to airport, airlines, power plants, mining, agriculture, private universities, roads and bridges, water and sanitation, energy (including renewables), and healthcare, to name a few. Roger also acted as investment adviser for the launch of the Sterling Africa Growth Fund and Condona Private Equity unit investment trusts, which invest in matured and maturing business opportunities across Africa. 

Previously, Roger was a Senior Consultant at J.E. Austin Associates in Cambridge, Massachusetts, an investment officer at C.S.E. Finance Corporation in San Francisco, and an Assistant Vice-President at Meridien International Bank in New York. 

Roger holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, a Masters Degree in Economics and Political Studies from the Institut d'Etudes Politiques of Paris, as well as a Masters Degree in Insurance and Applicable Laws from the Institut des Assurances of the University of Paris/Sorbonne.

Sajji Lazarus

Sajji Lazarus is the Founder and CEO of Panthera Collective, a social impact brand management consultancy. Her company creates and implements creative strategies, social campaigns, and brand voice across digital and print mediums (including websites, general branding, and original content). Panthera Collective is entirely women-owned and staffed. Panthera’s clients address disparate social ills across the globe, including organizations that free children sex-trafficked in Indian brothels; teach self-defense to rescued trafficking victims and at-risk girls internationally; creative direction for a black-owned activist social media platform; installation of a local city’s first black female councilmember; and a social media campaign that combats Myanmar’s Rohingya genocide, among others. She is the Deputy Director for the Green Tara Project, and teaches self-defense to sex-trafficking victims and high-risk youth both throughout the US and in India.

Sajji received her BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Sonia Rute Chembeze

Sonia Rute Chembeze is Founder and Executive Director of JR Business Development. With over 20 years of private sector, banking, trade development and partnership development experience, Sonia serves as the Mozambique Country Representative for Operation Water, managing project affairs on behalf of Operation Water in Mozambique.

Before founding JR Business Development, Sonia served as Head of Public Sector & International Portfolio for the International Development Group at Standard Bank Mozambique. Prior to working for Standard Bank, she spent 17 years with the Royal Danish Embassy in Maputo, Mozambique as Resident Advisor for the Danida private sector development programme. In this capacity, she collaborated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Denmark, the Danish Confederation of Industries in Denmark, and various Royal Danish Embassies around the world.

Sonia’s other previous work experience includes serving as Administrative Office Manager for International Federation of Red Cross, Administrative Officer for World Food Programme, Procurement Officer at the Mozal Aluminum Smelter, and Medical Aid Support Officer for Southern Healthcare in South Africa.

Sonia earned an MBA from De Montfort University in the United Kingdom, and a bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management from the Institute of Bchom in Swaziland. She is also a Founder and Board Member for the FAN Foundation, which works to improve the business environment in Mozambique.

Sydney Sapper

Sydney Sapper is a global water, sanitation, and hygiene specialist with over a decade of experience designing and managing impactful projects across more than 25 countries. Sydney brings deep technical expertise in rural and urban service delivery, utility management, systems strengthening, and market-based solutions, and has held key roles with organizations such as Tetra Tech, Population Services International, and ACDI/VOCA, leading initiatives funded by USAID, the Gates Foundation, and the United Nations. Passionate about community-centered solutions, she combines technical rigor with cross-cultural collaboration and strategic vision to deliver sustainable, inclusive outcomes in complex development and humanitarian contexts.

Sydney holds a Master’s in Water and Sanitation for Development from Cranfield University and a Bachelor's in International Development and Sociology from Tulane University.

Taco Di Nies

Taco Di Nies has more than 30 years of experience as a seasoned executive and entrepreneur across Sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. He is the founded and leads BZRD, an innovation and venture development organization for non-profit-ventures to drive positive business results and impact in developed, emerging and developing markets, demonstrating innovative business models, building on the possibilities of digital technologies.

Taco has also led the Work Package for innovative models in the AIAS (Water Infrastructure and Sanitation Administration) POxx projects in partnership with VEI and SNV in Mozambique. In 2019 he founded the non-for-profit initiative Walifi, to develop a digital platform and network to provide a standardized protocol and digital services essential to scaling (decentralized) water services. Walifi’s payment & settlement, resource monitoring and performance layer are under implementation in Mozambique in 2020.

Taco received a Computer Sciences degree from Eindhoven University and earned an executive MBA from London Business School in addition to studying Strategy & Entrepreneurship at Maastricht School of Management. Taco also holds APICS supply chain and logistics certifications. He started his career in strategy & transformation consultancy with James Martin Associates, working with international airlines, banks, insurance companies, governments and industries.