Meet the team
Bridging River
Solutions & Community
At CarbonRun, we’re driven by a shared mission to combat climate change through innovative river restoration techniques. With expertise spanning environmental science, engineering, and sustainability, we work collaboratively to restore ecosystems and enhance biodiversity. Together, we strive to create a healthier planet for future generations.
Leadership
Shannon Sterling, PhD (Duke) is an Associate Professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Dalhousie University, and an internationally-recognized scientist in catchment hydrology and biogeochemistry, with specific expertise in freshwater acidification and climate change. Her research group has studied the hydrology and watersheds of Nova Scotia for the past 15 years and led the discovery that aluminum levels were still at toxic concentrations in Nova Scotia due to a legacy of acid rain.
Dr. Sterling conceived and developed the intellectual property for CarbonRun’s groundbreaking methodology for increasing the alkalinity of rivers to capture carbon from the atmosphere and land while restoring acidified river habitats.
Dr. Sterling is passionate about the global water cycle, how it is being altered by humans, and about finding ways to restore from these impacts.
Dr. Sterling earned her Bachelor of Science in Geography at McGill University, Master of Science in Fluvial Geomorphology at the University of British Columbia and her Ph.D. in Earth Sciences at Duke University.
Dr. Eddie Halfyard is a research scientist who has spent his career studying fish and fish habitat and leading science-based ecological restoration programs focused on rivers, lakes and coastal oceans. While working with environmental charity groups, such as the Nova Scotia Salmon Association, he spearheaded freshwater liming programs that restored rivers from the impacts of acid rain. As a trailblazing freshwater ecologist with unparalleled expertise in implementation and innovation, he played a pivotal role in co-developing CarbonRun’s intellectual property and methodology. Dr. Halfyard completed his Ph.D. at Dalhousie University, was a research fellow at the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research in Windsor, Ontario where his work focused on applied aquatic conservation and biotelemetry.
Luke Connell is an experienced entrepreneur and renowned leader in product development and commercialization.
Luke’s career has focused on bridging the gap between social impact and entrepreneurialism, finding his path to Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) in 2020. He has a proven track record as a small-business founder and philanthropic team builder through his role as Executive Director of The Omega Foundation’s SmartSAVER program, an innovation-based national charity which seeks to strengthen the ability of lower-income Canadian families to save for their children’s postsecondary education. Prior to co-founding CarbonRun, Luke founded and co-owned a popular three-location Toronto restaurant.
Luke sits on various charitable boards and actively invests in promising sustainability companies. He studied international development at St. Mary’s University. He lives in Toronto with his wife, two children, and dog, Rudy.
With over 20 years in building and expanding digital platforms and innovative technologies, Colton leads CarbonRun’s commercialization strategy and development. His expertise spans digital transformation, market strategy, and long-term revenue growth, with a commitment to sustainability and clean tech.
A results-driven strategic operations leader and advocate for corporate culture enhancement, she brings over two decades of dedicated expertise in driving business excellence. Specializing in orchestrating transformative strategies and process refinements, she has guided executives and organizations toward unparalleled success.
Team
With a background in environmental non-profits and charities, Julie is a dedicated sustainability professional committed to fostering collaborative spaces that drive personal growth and collective success. Her passion for the environment inspires innovative solutions to climate change while promoting a culture of teamwork and empowerment.
Outside of work, she sails, explores nature, and values connections with fellow sustainability advocates.
A conservation specialist with a Masters of Forest Conversation from the University of Toronto and a B.Sc. in Earth and Environmental Sciences from McMaster University, Kristin has honed a diverse skillset through hands-on experience, excelling in fieldwork, precise data collection, and the manipulation and visualization of large datasets. She has specialized in groundbreaking research on aquatic ecosystem health and advanced carbon dioxide flux monitoring techniques.
A Ph.D. specializing in ocean & river alkalinity enhancement, Jakob focuses on nature-based carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies. With his background in business & innovation from Copenhagen Business School, he blends scientific expertise with a passion for practical solutions to tackle climate change. Jakob is poised to make significant contributions to the field
of climate change mitigation.
A Graphic Designer and Creative Communicator with extensive experience in crafting brand identities that connect with audiences and enhance engagement. With a background in Advertising Design and Branding, he brings a strategic approach to design, ensuring consistency across digital and print materials. A nature enthusiast at heart, he aligns his creative skills with CarbonRun’s mission to make a positive environmental impact.
A Dalhousie University Graduate with a BSc in Environmental Science, Alix is experienced in field data collection and has completed numerous lab research projects. Her passion for the environment extends beyond work hours, as she volunteers with climate groups in the Halifax area.
A graduate with a double major in Environmental Sustainability/Environmental Planning from Dalhousie University, Jarrett is a passionate advocate when it comes to freshwater research and watershed sustainability. Outside of work, he enjoys exploring & experiencing nature, backcountry camping, and orienteering.
A B.Sc. undergraduate in Environmental Science with a Certificate in Geographic Information Science from Dalhousie University, Sarah has a background in nature-based solutions and working in the environmental non-profit sector. She is skilled in project leadership, strategic planning, environmental monitoring and analytics, fieldwork, and community-focused collaboration.
Leading CarbonRun's data analysis and modelling efforts, Ben brings a wealth of experience in freshwater chemistry, statistical methods, and scientific programming to the team. His past research spans multiple areas, including contaminant transport in natural and engineered water systems and applied Bayesian statistics for environmental time series analysis.
With considerable experience in several industries, including construction, renewable energy, and sustainability, he brings a wealth of both technical and industry-specific knowledge. As an accomplished PMP certified professional, he contributes to CarbonRun’s project and construction development through efficient resource allocation while utilizing a variety of project management methodologies to ensure project success.
Andy is responsible for identifying and building strategic partnerships as well as developing new river alkalinity enhancement projects across Canada and globally. Andy has a wealth of experience across climate and carbon dioxide removal (CDR) topics, having created and led various initiatives such as climate tech accelerators and CDR procurement programs throughout his career. In 2022, Andy was recognized by Corporate Knights for its Top 30 Under 30 Sustainability Leaders.
A highly motivated climate scientist with expertise in ocean science, carbon monitoring, team leadership, and a passion for collaborative, community co-developed projects. He is leading the measurement side of our monitoring, reporting, and verification as well as community engagement efforts.
Interested in joining?
We don't currently have any open roles, but we're always on the lookout for great people. Share your resume and interests with us, and we'll reach out when the right opportunity comes up.