About

Carolina Rinfret has nearly 20 years of combined legal, regulatory and government relations experience in hydroelectricity and the broader energy sector.

Namely, she has worked for a Crown corporation that manages generation, transmission and distribution of electricity (Hydro-Québec), a major public North American energy company that develops and operates energy infrastructures (TC Energy) and more recently worked on the development of a natural gas transmission pipeline project in Québec (Gazoduq inc.).

Through her career as a legal counsel, she has held positions where she successfully argued and obtained regulatory approvals for the construction of high-voltage electrical lines and substations, pleaded annual rate applications, and led provincial legislative changes for electricity transmission reliability standards. Later as senior legal counsel and as senior director legal and regulatory affairs, she led a regulatory team, provided strategic advice on complex issues to senior management and project teams, and played the role of government affairs liaison for federal and provincial regulatory processes.

Having worked on the different aspects of major energy infrastructure projects and with diverse stakeholders, Carolina acquired in-depth knowledge of Canadian energy context and issues that allow her to advise and make recommendations to decision makers and advocate on their behalf to government officials.

Carolina is determined to actively participate in Canada’s energy transition and decarbonization where hydropower plays a pivotal role, providing clean and renewable electricity to Canadian homes, businesses, transportation and energy-intensive industries.

She holds a Law degree (LL.B.) from the Université de Montréal and is a member of the Barreau du Québec (Québec Bar association). She also completed a certificate in Regulatory Studies Program – Institute of Public Utilities from the Michigan State University.

Outside of work, Carolina’s interests include biking, gardening, and Italian cuisine. She lives in the Montreal region with her husband and son.

Patrick D. Bateman is a clean and renewable energy professional who has spent his career working in policy and market development leadership roles in Canada’s electricity industry.

As the Senior Vice President at WaterPower Canada, Patrick leads and shapes the association’s involvement in federal legislative, regulatory, and policy initiatives including on topics such as climate change policy, environmental assessment, and fisheries, wildlife and habitat stewardship.

Patrick holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Biology from University College Dublin’s School of Biology and Environmental Science (Ireland), and a Master’s degree in Renewable Energy from the University of Reading’s School of Construction Management and Engineering (England).

Patrick’s vision for Canada in 2050 is: 100% emissions-free electricity; electricity as our single largest energy source; and hydroelectricity as the flexible and dependable backbone of the reliable and resilient electricity supply-mix.

Patrick hails from Greystones, a small village on the Irish Sea 25 km south of Dublin (Ireland) and now calls Ottawa (Ontario) home where he lives with his wife and two daughters.

Yvonne joined WaterPower Canada in 2009 and is responsible for the association’s finances and administration. Yvonne has a diploma in Secretarial and Economics and Law from Stamford Collegiate Vocational Institute. She speaks English and Italian. Prior to joining WaterPower Canada, Yvonne spent her entire career in the hydropower sector while working for a major international consulting engineering firm that specializes in the development, design and construction of hydro projects. From this experience, Yvonne is a strong advocate and promoter of the waterpower industry.

Rebecca Leikin is a highly skilled event professional with over 15 years of experience in the event planning sector.

In her role as Director of Events, Rebecca plans and executes all in-person, virtual and hybrid events for WaterPower Canada, including our annual conference, webinars, networking events, member-only events, and more.

Prior to joining WaterPower Canada, Rebecca led the event management, philanthropic and corporate partnerships work for Experiences Canada, SOS Children’s Villages Canada and Easter Seals Ontario.

Rebecca is passionate about family, outdoors, mental health and supporting Canadian businesses. When she is not working, Rebecca can be found chasing after her two busy sons (& husband) and spending time with her family outside.

Anastasia Smolentseva is a senior purpose-driven communications professional with nearly a decade of experience working with national associations.

In her role as a Director of Communications with WaterPower Canada, Anastasia leads on developing and executing communications and marketing strategies that build awareness around hydropower’s role as a clean and renewable energy resource that is central to Canada’s economic competitiveness.

Anastasia’s many accolades include a Master of Communication degree from the University of Ottawa, and an Award of Merit from the Ottawa Chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC). Prior to joining WPC, Anastasia worked for the Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA), and the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA).

Anastasia lives in Ottawa with her husband and white husky, Kira.

Fernando Melo has worked in the field of government relations since 2016, helping companies and organizations navigate federal and provincial governments, and helping clients understand climate policy while engaging with emerging issues effectively.

As Director of Government Relations with WaterPower Canada, Fernando develops and executes government relations plans, working with stakeholders across governments to build awareness around hydropower’s role as a clean and renewable energy resource that is central to Canada’s economic competitiveness.
Fernando holds a Bachelor’s degree in Politics and Political Economy from Trent University. Prior to joining WPC, he worked at Global Public Affairs, Clean Energy Canada, and served as a member of Energy Storage Canada’s Federal Policy and Hydrogen Working Groups.

Fernando is from Hamilton (Ontario), the waterfall capital of Canada, and currently lives in Ottawa (Ontario) with his wife and their mouthy Siamese cat Sam.