About

Anne-Raphaëlle Audouin has been working in the natural resources sector for over a decade. In her current role as President and CEO of WaterPower Canada she represents and is the national spokesperson for the largest electricity sector in Canada, one that generates billions of dollars for the Canadian economy every year and employs more than a 130,000 people across the country.

A tireless champion for sustainable development, her career has been focused on advancing technologies and industries that help better Canada’s environmental profile. She works with stakeholders at the political and policy levels, is regularly quoted in national media and sits on several Boards of Directors.

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. She is also a co-founder of the Canadian Council on Renewable Electricity (CanCORE).

Anne-Raphaëlle speaks French, English and Spanish and is certified in Project Planning and Controls. She has a degree in Political Science from the Université of Nantes (France), a Civil Law degree and a Common Law degree from the University of Ottawa. She also earned a Master’s degree in Environmental and Natural Resources Management from Dalhousie University. Before WaterPower Canada, Anne-Raphaëlle worked for several years as an Environmental and Social Impacts Management Specialist for Hatch Ltd., an international engineering consulting firm.

She lives in Ottawa with her husband, two young children and orange cat, Nemo.

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 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.

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.