Gareth Thomson

Background

About Gareth Thomson

Open to taking on new work to advance education and professional practice in the environmental - energy - climate space: • Dynamic, strategic, results-oriented environmental professional • Decades of experience in education - and action - around environment, energy, and climate • Proven expertise in creating partnerships and sustained program funding • Politically astute strategist, systems thinker, and social innovator • Experienced leader comfortable with ambiguity and complexity • Consistently positive, with a ‘can-do’ attitude • Builds strong and authentic relationships, and helps connect and 'join the dots' between partners • Skilled facilitator who helps people and groups collaborate and optimize their impact HIGHLIGHTS Founded the Alberta Council for Environmental Education (ACEE) in 2006. As executive director, worked with staff and board to build a robust and well-managed organization with significant impact in advancing environmental, energy, and climate education - including engaging high school youth who lobby education leaders for more environmental education. Raised over $7M to date to support environmental education programs, soliciting funds from corporate partners, foundations, federal and provincial government, and individuals. Received awards from provincial, national, and international associations for his contributions to environmental education. Worked with provincial and municipal leaders, business leaders and associations, and community volunteers to help create the Bow Valley Wildland Park hectares) and Spray Valley Provincial Park hectares). Served on Canmore Town Council for three years; led Council’s work to create a valley-wide Wildlife Corridor Task Force of government agencies and municipalities to galvanize wildlife stewardship through trans-boundary collaboration. Engineering degrees at the B.Sc and M.Sc level, and is a certified teacher Currently a Fellow in the Energy Futures Lab. Past education includes Max Bell Public Policy Training Institute, Fund Development Plus, Executive Directions, and the Art of Leadership PROFESSIONAL QUALITIES & STRENGTHS • Environmental, Energy, and Climate Education and Outreach • Fund Development and Program Management • Capacity-building and professional development • Stakeholder and partner engagement • Strategic Planning, curriculum development, and educational leadership