Laura Hughes

Experience

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  City of Vernon

  Apr 2007 - Aug 2007

  Summer Student, Parks Department

  - Performed daily maintenance and development of community parks and parks projects.- Met demands of high physical fitness while working in all outdoor conditions.- Established a network of xeriscape landscapes to decreased community water consumption.

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  The University of British Columbia

  Jan 2010 - Jun 2011

  - Created a brand and product for a new coffee shop which opened in 2009. - Trained and supervised employees, assisted in scheduling, and acted as stand-in manager. - Helped to develop initiatives to increase productivity and quality of the company image. - Aided in planning and implementing student union events on a weekly basis.- Engaged and promoted events within the student population, encouraging an on-campus community.- Participated in a team environment.

  • Green Bean Cafe Assistant Manager

    Aug 2009 - Jun 2011

  • Events Planner, Bartender

    Jan 2010 - May 2011
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  Operation Wallacea

  Jan 2011 - Jan 2011

  Divemaster

  - Supervised and monitored safety of conservation researchers on a marine conservation site in Honduras. - Conducted emergency equipment fixes in open water on several occasions, averting potentially lethal consequences.- Demonstrated ability to make fast decisions in stressful situations.- Guided researchers and snorkelers on site, ensuring safety. - Conducted dive staff meetings daily, reviewing procedures, efficiency, and safety.

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  Equity Exploration Consultants Ltd.

  Jan 2012 - Jan 2012

  Geotechnician, Seasonal

  - Lived in a mineral exploration camp working 16 hour days with a small team, - Performed geotechnical duties, delivering extreme attention to detail. - Responsible for daily environmental checks and maintenance on site. - Aided in determining and locating new exploration sites using core data and ground/helicopter GPS. - Performed drill site visits to monitor and recorded drill data through surveying.

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  FortisBC

  Apr 2013 - May 2015

  Team Lead - Conservation Education and Outreach

  - Team coordinator for employees attending events throughout British Columbia.- Responsible for booking and planning events and scheduling staff including team budgeting.- Professional communication with internal and external management.- Demonstrate high levels of knowledge to the team in order to mentor learning and public communication.- Coordinate and supervised public relations to assure a professional face to the public. - Provided feedback to management to influence media campaigns and public messaging. Show less

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  Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

  Sept 2015 - Jul 2016

  Masters Student

  2016 Graduate.Specialization in Ecosystem Services and Biodiversity, coursework in environmental economics.Thesis conducted in partnership with The Nature Conservancy: “Integrating Social Capacity with Economic Perspectives in Climate Change Adaptation Decision Making for Ahus Island, Papua New Guinea”. This research was conducted in rural Papua New Guinea in 2016 with pending publication.Methods used: Household surveys, focus groups, market research, literature review, ecosystem valuation, discrete choice experiments and key informant interviews. Pioneered a method to create a monetary value for ecosystem services in a non-monetary society through household surveys and discrete choice experiments, ensuring participation of all 650 local residents. Presented findings and possible next steps to local governments and tribal leaders. Research was later presented to the Papua New Guinean federal government.“Laura applied various methods, linked well to practice and theory, executed the field survey in an excellent manner in difficult circumstances and showed great strength in completing the study despite [obstacles].” – Thesis Evaluation, Dr. Pieter van Beukering, July 2016. Show less

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  Alberta Council for Environmental Education

  Nov 2017 - Jul 2019

  - Designed and launched two climate education programs, recruiting, training and managing 40 volunteers.- Public speaking and presentations 20+ times per year.- Acted as a member of the editing team for the Alberta Narratives Project, hosting 8 round table discussions, assisting in data analysis and reviewing drafts of report content.- Managed social media accounts, designed and maintained websites and newsletters.- Managed all program budgets, negotiated partner contracts and managed contractors.- Independently designed and planned an annual conference, exceeding attendance and evaluation targets.- Re-designed and doubled program participation for the Alberta Youth Leaders for Environmental and Energy Education.- Strategically developed community relationships to increase program opportunities and productivity. Show less

  • Program Lead

    Jun 2018 - Jul 2019

  • Coordinator - Climate Change and Energy Futures

    Nov 2017 - Jun 2018
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  Pembina Institute

  Aug 2019 - now

  Managing the Alberta Narratives Project, enabling Albertans to hold depolarizing conversations around climate and energy.Managing the Municipal Leadership in Renewable Energy program, supporting municipalities province wide in their transition to clean energy through informative events, webinars, and tools.Exploring nature based climate solutions, including representing Pembina on Alberta's Forest Offset Protocol working group.Managing Women in the Energy Transition, exploring barriers and solutions for women in the energy sector.Public speaking and presentations on a monthly basis, at minimum.2020 Globe Leading Change Delegate Show less

  • Director - Equitable Transition

    May 2022 - now

  • Senior Policy Analyst, Clean Economy

    Aug 2019 - May 2022
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  Alberta Environmental Network

  Nov 2019 - Aug 2020

  Board Member