About

Anne-Raphaëlle Audouin has been working in the natural resources sector for over 12 years. With a post-secondary degree in Political Science, Anne-Raphaëlle focused on studying law, more specifically environmental law, earning a civil law degree and a common law degree from the University of Ottawa. After completing her Master’s degree in Environmental and Natural Resources Management at Dalhousie University, she worked for several years as an Environmental and Social Impacts Management Specialist for Hatch Ltd., an international engineering consulting firm.

In her current role as President of WaterPower Canada she represents the largest electricity sector in Canada – promoting the many attributes of waterpower and the fundamental role it plays in the fight against climate change. Anne-Raphaëlle speaks French, English and Spanish and is certified in project Planning and Controls. She is also a co-founder of the Canadian Council on Renewable Electricity(CanCORE).

In 2019, Anne-Raphaëlle was appointed by the Canadian federal government to serve on the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation (Joint Public Advisory Committee), a trilateral organization comprised of Canada, the U.S.A. and Mexico, with the mission to promote continental cooperation in ecosystem protection and sustainable economic development, and to ensure active public participation and transparency in the actions of the Commission.

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 Interim President with WaterPower Canada, Patrick serves as the spokesperson for the hydropower sector at the national level, and 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 associations 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.

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

In her role as Communications and Public Relations Manager with WaterPower Canada, Anastasia’s responsibilities include developing and executing communications and marketing strategies that build community and awareness around hydropower’s role as a clean and renewable energy resource that is central to Canada’s economic competitiveness, and the transition to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in North America.

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) where she developed her passion and acumen as an advocate for renewable energy and environmental sustainability.

Sarah is a public affairs and government relations professional with experience in both the public and private sectors. As the Government Relations and Stakeholder Engagement Manager with WaterPower Canada, Sarah is responsible for supporting the Association’s Members navigate national policy and regulatory development initiatives of key importance to the development, operation, and refurbishment of hydropower generation stations.

Prior to joining WPC, Sarah served as Senior Advisor, Government Relations to CBC-Radio Canada Corporate, and worked for Members of Parliament in both Canada and abroad including Committee and Interparliamentary Group Chairs, and Opposition Critics. In government, highlights for Sarah included working across party lines to assist the passing of a Private Member’s Bill, leading outreach initiatives with Embassy Officials in Canada and the United States, and chairing a working group at the Delegation of the European Union to Canada while serving as the representative of a member state holding the Presidency.

Sarah holds a degree in Political Science from the University of Toronto, and has trained in Indigenous Relations at the University of Calgary.