Meet CanSIA's Executive Team

The CanSIA Executive Team is a responsive, dynamic and innovative group of professionals who are dedicated to developing markets, creating opportunities and building community for the Canadian solar energy industry through CanSIA’s three core service areas:
  • Policy Development & Advocacy;
  • Industry Capacity Development; and
  • Profile Building & Networking.
Picture
President & CEO | Wes Johnston, MBA
Wes provides leadership for strategic initiatives, business strategy and operations at CanSIA.  Wes has developed significant expertise in solar energy markets, policy development and regulatory affairs and strong relationships with industry, stakeholders and all levels of government since joining CanSIA in 2007. Wes holds a BBA, (University of PEI), MAES (University of Waterloo) and MBA (Queen’s University). Wes is an avid golfer who tries to spend at least a couple of weeks per year on the fairways of his native Prince Edward Island.
​
​LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/wesbjohnston 
Director of Policy & Regulatory Affairs | Nicholas Gall
Prior to joining CanSIA, Nick worked at the UK's Solar Trade Association as a Senior Policy Analyst, and in Ottawa in government relations and advocacy within the environmental sector. He has previously worked at the International Energy Agency, the Climate Policy Initiative, and at a demand response start-up in the UK. Nick holds bachelor's and master's degrees in economics with a focus on energy and environmental policy, as well as a certificate from the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management in climate and renewable energy finance.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-gall
Policy and Regulatory Affairs Manager | Lyle Goldberg
​Lyle currently serves as CanSIA’s Policy and Regulatory Affairs Manager for Nova Scotia. This role aims to grow the solar market in Nova Scotia by collaborating with the solar industry, the three orders of government, local utilities, regulatory agencies and other key stakeholders. Since starting the role in 2018, Lyle has prepared on behalf of CanSIA a number of submissions to the Provincial Government with respect to setting 2030 GHG and renewable energy targets, advocating on the importance of maintaining the Enhanced Net Metering Program, and developing a Nova Scotia Solar Roadmap to unlock the province’s solar potential. In August 2019, Lyle completed the Climate Reality Leadership Corps training program under the guidance of former US Vice-President and Nobel Laureate Al Gore. During this three-day session, participants were trained on climate science, solutions to solve the crisis, and communication techniques to rally Canadians behind those solutions. 

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lylegoldberg
Membership & Business Development Manager | Julie Mair
Julie brings a sincere passion for member services and strives to provide a strong value proposition to the CanSIA membership. Julie researches, oversees and implements value added member programs, and facilitates partnership agreements to improve member benefits. Julie has over twenty-five years of experience in both the private and public sector, with a solid background for advocacy. Julie’s previous role as Manager, Member Services at BIOTECanada provided her the insight to develop and enhance the Sponsorship Support Program and to manage and nurture partner relationships. Julie has lived most of her life in Ottawa, and as an avid hockey fan she proudly supports the Ottawa Senators!

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/julie-mair/
Communications & Administrative Coordinator | Isabel Payne
Isabel provides administrative support for the President & CEO, while also executing the organization’s internal and external communications. Born and raised in Ottawa, Isabel studied Communication at the University of Ottawa with a year abroad in the UK studying European media. She is an avid supporter of Ottawa’s many hard-working animal rescues and can often be found volunteering at Freedom Dog Rescue events around town.
​
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/isabelpayne/​