President
Michael Barbero is a partner with McLennan Ross.
Michael’s depth of experience allows him to execute strategies that are effective and focused. He actively cultivates positive relationships with his clients while providing forward-thinking advice on which they can depend.
Michael’s advocacy practice is focused on responding to the regulatory and litigation needs of Alberta’s resource companies. He has acted for both large and mid-sized oil and gas companies, power generation facility owners and operators, and national financial institutions in a host of disputes involving regulatory proceedings, commercial litigation, and commercial arbitrations. Michael’s representative experience includes acting for clients before regulatory bodies (including the Alberta Energy Regulator, Alberta Utilities Commission, Natural Resources Conservation Board and Canada Energy Regulator) in relation to project approvals and related regulatory matters. These include approvals for a large combined-cycle gas-fired power generating facility, multiple wind farm applications, sour gas well applications, and other large-scale natural resource projects.
Further, Michael’s experience in the environmental sector extends to issues of climate change, environmental insurance, and surface rights.
A skilled litigator, Michael has appeared before all three levels of Alberta Courts (Provincial Court, Court of Queen’s Bench, and Court of Appeal) representing or assisting in the representation of international, national, and midsized corporations, national financial institutions, national insurance companies, resource developers, and national political parties.
Many of Michael’s clients are faced with the reality of a consistently changing regulatory landscape, often driven by political realities and decisions. He helps them navigate the dynamic terrain by working collaboratively, talking through issues, and maintaining a goal-oriented focus. Relationships and results are the cornerstones of Michael’s practice.
Vice-President
Shari Clare is a professional biologist and one of the co-founders of Fiera Biological Consulting Ltd., a small environmental consulting firm based in Edmonton. She has nearly 20 years of vegetation and wildlife research and management experience in western Canada and specializes in ecological assessment, watershed and wetland management, natural resource policy development, and systematic conservation planning.
In addition, Shari is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Alberta, where her research interests include water policy, design standards for constructing and restoring wetlands, urban ecology, and the use of market-based instruments to improve environmental policy outcomes.
Over the last decade, Shari has focused a great deal of her professional and academic work on creating better tools and policies for managing natural habitats, including more accurate inventories and standardized methods for assessing natural area conditions and enhancing and preserving functional ecological networks.
Secretary
Bio coming soon.
Cameron Jefferies, B.Sc., LL.B., LL.M., S.J.D., is an Assistant Professor of Law and Borden Ladner Gervais Energy Law Fellow at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada, where he specializes in international and domestic environmental law and energy law.
He currently teaches Environmental Law, International Environmental Law, Oil & Gas Law, and Professional Responsibility. He was admitted to the Law Society of Alberta in 2010. He completed his graduate degrees at the University of Virginia School of Law, where he studied as a Fulbright Scholar. Before entering academia, Cameron practiced at Field LLP in Edmonton, Alberta, and worked as a Research Associate at the Health Law Institute at the University of Alberta.
Cameron has published several book chapters (most recently: “Institutional Expertise: Reconsidering the Role of Scientific Experts in the International Conservation and Management of Cetaceans” in Experts, Networks and International Law (CUP, 2017)) and articles in Canadian and U.S. law journals, including the Energy Law Journal and the Journal of Environmental Law and Practice. He is the author of Marine Mammal Conservation and the Law of the Sea (OUP, 2016) and co-author of Tort Law, 6th ed. (Carswell, 2017). Cameron Jefferies has been an invited speaker to a number of national and international conferences.
In addition to his academic and professional curiosity in environmental law, ocean law, and wildlife conservation, Dr. Jefferies maintains a keen interest in public interest advocacy and remains active in promoting local environmental law reform.
Mark Graham grew up in Edmonton and received a B.Sc. in Agriculture and Resource Economics from the University of Alberta in 2008. Mark moved to Calgary for law school and obtained a J.D. from the University of Calgary in 2013. Upon commencing articles at a Calgary law firm, Mark developed a legal practice in environmental, regulatory and natural resource matters. After several years of private practice, Mark joined an integrated energy company as an in-house counsel and currently advises on environmental, regulatory and health and safety matters.
Outside of work, Mark enjoys spending time with his family and being active outdoors, including hitting the golf course when time permits.
Chris has over 30 years of experience as a biologist and environmental planner in the public and private sectors.
From 1998 to 2021, Chris worked in Natural Area Management and Planning for Calgary Parks, most recently as the lead for the Urban Conservation group, which is responsible for urban ecosystem management, including planning and policy, natural area management, integrated pest management and habitat restoration. In that role, Chris led the development of key environmental policies and plans for the City of Calgary, including the development of a municipal wetland conservation policy, riparian setback guidelines and a municipal biodiversity strategy.
Prior to joining the City of Calgary, Chris worked in environmental consulting in Alberta and Ontario, working on issues related to forestry, wetland ecology and municipal development.
Executive Director
I am a lawyer, a father, a lover of science and an excessive consumer (I am working on it). In all my roles in society, I see three futures, the future we need, the future I want, and the future that is likely. On any given day I will have differing perspectives of what the future holds.
My path to environmental law was rooted in my interactions with nature both in leisure and work. Growing up in Canada, I took advantage of the wealth of opportunities to get out in nature. This was, in turn, followed by an evolving love of science and a yearning to travel and work in different ecosystems. Weighing the opportunities between returning to school for a master’s in resource management or law, I was accepted into the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University, where there was the ability to specialize in environmental and marine law. I jumped at the chance.
Fast-forward over a decade, and I see a future of environmental sustainability being hindered by various challenges: knowledge, technical, legal, and behavioural. Addressing some of these challenges is why the work of the ELC is important to me.
Director, Strategy & Engagement
Tracey has been a consultant to nonprofit executives and has held various leadership roles within the nonprofit community over the past 25 years. She holds an M.A. in Comparative Public Policy from McMaster University and has participated in policy reform efforts over the years. She has extensive experience in government relations and is known for her expertise in evidence-based evaluation. Environmental impact and natural resource management have been cross-cutting themes in Tracey’s work for the past 18 years.
Communications Manager
Uche Ibeh is a communications professional with nearly a decade of experience supporting global non-profits such as Jhpiego and Management Sciences for Health. His work spans social behaviour change initiatives, brand visibility, and digital campaigns. With expertise in strategic communications, he has contributed to projects in health, social impact for vulnerable communities, and governance accountability. Uche believes effective communication must be simple, clear, and data-driven—ultimately shaping program design and impact.
Office Manager
I have enjoyed my journey with the ELC for 20 years, with 17 years as Office Manager. More than a “tree hugger,” I am a diehard tree lover, and I have found that working in the nonprofit environmental sector keeps me grounded in all things nature-related. I love the diversity of working with a dynamic administrative team and have found the environmental arena to be both personally and professionally gratifying. I have loved the challenges and satisfaction of growing with an organization that has stepped to the forefront in Alberta for environmental justice.
I take great pleasure in spending quality time at my lake cottage, where I can reconnect with nature and connect with my family. My passions include reading, my part-time business, and travel.
Staff Counsel
Some of Brenda’s earliest memories are of family trips exploring Alberta’s natural beauty… the mountains, the badlands, the forests, the prairies. As a science student at the University of Alberta, Brenda’s budding interest in environmental issues grew and she became intrigued by how decisions and laws affecting our environment are made (which led to law school). Brenda is thrilled to work with the Environmental Law Centre – combining her legal skills with her passion for a sustainable society – and hopes to contribute in some small way to ensuring her wonderful children are left with the same natural legacy she enjoyed as a child.
Brenda Heelan Powell graduated from the University of Alberta with a B.Sc. in 1993 and a LL.B. in 1996. After practicing law with a Calgary law firm, Brenda left private practice to pursue an LL.M. at the University of British Columbia. During her studies at the University of British Columbia, Brenda concentrated on environmental and natural resources law courses. Since completion of her LL.M. in 1999, Brenda has worked at the Environmental Law Centre and the Alberta Energy & Utilities Board. Brenda re-joined the Environmental Law Centre as a Staff Counsel based in Calgary in 2011.
Brenda has published articles and briefs on a variety of environmental law topics. She is the author of Demystifying Forestry Law, An Alberta Analysis, 2nd. Ed. and A Model Environmental and Sustainability Assessment Law. In addition, Brenda has had numerous speaking engagements dealing with environmental legal issues, including as a sessional instructor at the University of Alberta.
Staff Counsel
Rebecca Kauffman joined the Environmental Law Centre as Staff Counsel in 2017 after completing her articles at a family law firm in Edmonton. Prior to articling, Rebecca graduated from the University of Alberta Faculty of Law with First Class Standing. Throughout law school, Rebecca sought out numerous environmental and aboriginal law courses, while actively volunteering with Student Legal Services, Pro Bono Students Canada and the Edmonton Community Legal Centre. In her final year at law school Rebecca was a Student Legal Services dayleader with the Legal Education and Reform project, which involved researching, drafting and presenting the law to various Edmonton area organizations. It was through these law school courses and experiences that Rebecca discovered the impact environmental law has on Alberta’s everyday activities, as well as the value of creating accessible and understandable legal documents.
From childhood summers on the shores of Lake Edith in Jasper National Park to weekend biking through Edmonton’s extensive river valley and new bike lane network, Rebecca has always had a passion for sustainable human interaction with the environment. Rebecca is extremely excited to be a member of the ELC, and she hopes she can contribute to increasing the public’s understanding of the technical and increasingly important area of environmental law.
Staff Counsel
Kyra Leuschen holds a B.A. with Honours from the University of Guelph and a J.D. from the University of Ottawa. She was previously admitted to the Law Society of Upper Canada in 2009 and practiced civil litigation in Toronto for six years. Her practice consisted mainly of insurance coverage and defence with an emphasis on personal injury, product liability, and sexual abuse claims. In late 2015, Kyra relocated to Edmonton and was admitted to the Law Society of Alberta. She joined the Environmental Law Centre (ELC) as a Staff Counsel in 2017.
Kyra was born and raised in Northern Ontario. She grew up with easy access to the outdoors and plenty of opportunities to hike, camp, canoe and swim. This early exposure helped to inspire a lifelong love and respect for the great outdoors. Still, it was not until she moved out West and had the opportunity to reinvent her career that she decided to pursue environmental law. She hopes that her work with ELC will encourage the adoption of legal environmental protections that help safeguard our planet for future generations.
Currently, she is working on ELC’s upcoming Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Guide. This project aims to, among other things, promote resilience to climate change in Alberta through the law. Since starting with ELC, Kyra has most enjoyed participating in consultations with the Alberta government on various policies and/or pieces of legislation. It is exciting to have the opportunity to bend the ear of decision-makers, even for a moment, and she is often inspired by the work of the other ENGOs.
Kyra resides in Edmonton with her husband and their children. She is currently trying to figure out how to (legally) build a wood-burning sauna in her backyard.
Staff Counsel
Anya Manukyan is a rock climber, a snowboarder, a hiker, and an environmental lawyer.
In 2022, she graduated from the University of Alberta with a BA in Criminology and a law degree. After completing her articles at Ecojustice, Anya practiced environmental regulatory law.
We provide objective information and respected advice on changing environmental legislation and regulations; we are one of the only charities in Alberta that provide this to Albertans.
