Lauren

Profile

After a graduating as an Archetec from the University of Calgary Lauren’s 35 year career took her into a variety of corporate leadership, board positions, and public policy roles. Being adept at addressing complex issues and implementing innovative solutions to challenges across several industry sectors is the reputation that proceeds Lauren. Holding a ICD.D professional director designation Lauren focus’s has been on providing leadership at a board and chairman level for several organizations. As chairman of The Resilient Mind Project board of advisors Lauren provides leadership and guidance to helping private and public sector organization implement resilience policy into health care practices.

Career Summary

President, Lauren A. Nickel and Associates Ltd. 2010 to present
President and CEO of a British Columbia corporation focused on providing business consulting and corporate governance services supporting a client base requiring financing and general business and management advice. Projects have included technology start-ups, acquisitions and corporate financing.

Interim President, Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) 2009
AMI promotes media accessibility for the visually impaired including through three CRTC-mandated television channels carried across Canada via cable TV, satellite and the internet.  In 2008, was requested by the Board to Chair the Transition Management Committee and to assume the role of President during a period of significant challenge and transition. As President, was responsible for management of 60 staff across Canada and 800 volunteers, with annual consolidated revenue of over $30 million.  Addressed strategic, legal, technical, cash flow and risk-management challenges as well as sourcing of long-term funding and recruitment of a permanent CEO.  Oversaw Board and stakeholder/government relations.  Initiated corporate restructuring and drove the successful launch of a new television channel.  Introduced much needed internal controls and corporate infrastructure including formalized, transparent strategic Board oversight.

Senior Vice President/ Chief Financial Officer/ Director 
Photon Control Inc.1999-2008  
Photon Control Inc. is an innovative, publicly-traded technology company based in Vancouver that designs, develops and manufactures sensors based on optical science for sale to the semi-conductor and oil and gas sector primarily.  Served first as a Director during the period leading to a successful initial public offering, through to joining management at the request of the Board in 2001 to oversee realization of opportunities and growth while addressing needs for on-going financing, business discipline and strategic planning, tighter internal controls and improved corporate governance in a period of rapid growth.  Served as Senior Vice President and CFO with principal responsibility for strategy and budgeting, financing, regulatory compliance and stakeholder relations. Established internal Board structures and transparency necessary to respond to emerging corporate governance standards in the post-Enron business world.  As part of the senior management team, identified and implemented creative business development opportunities and led or directed plans to capitalize on those opportunities.

Development Officer/ Manager/Senior Planner
City of Calgary Planning Department 1980-1998 
Served as Approving Authority for a major geographic area of Calgary (the downtown and inner city), with responsibility for approvals of building, development and land use applications, as well as management of a team of professionals and technical support. Role involved extensive collaboration with stakeholders, developers, landowners and their professional advisors as well as elected officials earning a reputation as a creative problem-solver and fair decision-maker.  Among many planning projects, served as a member of the Downtown Plan team, led the stakeholder relations responsibility during the Downtown Plan process, initiated the successful Stephen Avenue Mall revitalization leaving a legacy of a livable downtown with well-designed infrastructure supporting sustainable transportation for the city as a whole.  Prior roles included strategic planning and management of a team of planners and engineers in charge of designing employment centres outside of the downtown, heritage planning and preparing long-term strategic plans.

Additional Experience

Archer CleanTech
June 2019 to present
Director
International alternative energy developer headquartered in Calgary, Alberta.

Silver Maple Ventures Inc. (FrontFundr)
July 2017 to present
Director
Registered exempt market dealer in 8 Canadian provinces operating through an online platform bridging the gap between investors and growth companies.

Bluenergy Solarwind Canada Inc.
2017-present
Director
Alternative energy provider engaged in a district heating model with a current beta trial at Medicine Hat College in southern Alberta.

ImpactBC
2015 – 2017
Director
Structured platform for patients in BC with need for advocacy and support in the medical services area.

Accessible Media Inc.
2008 – present
Director
Currently Board Secretary, member Executive Committee and Chair, Nominations and Governance Committee.
Past Roles: Vice Chair; Chair, Human Resources Committee; Member, Audit and Finance Committee; and Chair,
Committee for Transition Management.

Photon Control Inc.
1999-2005
Director, Chair, Human Resources Committee

Vancouver Board of Trade
2005-2008
Member of the Community Affairs Committee and the Environment Committee.

Blue Energy (Canada) Ltd.
1998-1999
Director
Hydro energy technology company based in Vancouver, BC.

International Expo 2000
1999- 2000
Role included participating in the planning of Canada’s Expo 2000 presence in Hanover, Germany and extensive travel throughout Europe and Asia as well as across Canada in preparation for the 5-month Expo.  Responsibilities during the event included planning for and receiving international delegations, coordination with the host country Germany and attending events on behalf of Canada and hosting numerous events.

China Open Cities Project
1995 -1998
Appointed as the representative of the Canadian Institute of Planners to the China Open Cities Project under the auspices of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM).  Our responsibility was to initiate and coordinate FCM activities in support of opening trade opportunities with China by initiating productive partnerships, promoting technology transfer, education and training of Chinese municipal officials embarking on urban infrastructure projects having trade prospects for Canada.

Adjunct Professor, University of Calgary
1993 -1997
Adjunct Professor, University of Calgary, Faculty of Environmental Design, taught various courses on environmental design topics.

Federal Health Forum
1995
Consultant to nation-wide review of national health policy, responsible for summarizing and presenting submissions to the Forum on the topic of “Reliable Health Care”.

Alberta Association, Canadian Institute of Planners
1989 -1991
Elected council member of the governing body of the professional planning association in Alberta.

LEAF Endowment Committee, Calgary
1989
Member of an 8-person committee which successfully raised the targeted endowment funds for Alberta for the Legal Education and Action Fund.

Calgary United Way
1985-1989
Chair, New Admissions Committee

Calgary Region Arts Foundation Board
1979-1984
Director

Calgary Heritage Advisory Board
1978-1980
Director