Leadership

The Pathways Alliance leadership team brings experience, knowledge and a collaborative spirit to its governance.

Pathways Alliance senior leadership

Pathways Alliance represents six of Canada’s largest oil sands companies. We work together to provide secure energy to the world and power Canada’s economy, while also advancing environmental innovation. Here are the key leaders helping to guide this work.

Derek Evans

executive chair

As Executive Chair of Pathways Alliance, Derek’s main responsibilities are providing strategic leadership to the executive team and Steering Committee; leading high-level external stakeholder engagement, including collaborations with federal and provincial governments; and supporting the strategic execution of Pathways Alliance initiatives.

Prior to joining Pathways Alliance, Derek was President and CEO of MEG Energy. He is a veteran oil and gas industry executive with more than 40 years of experience and has been closely involved in the work of Pathways Alliance since its inception in 2021.

Kendall Dilling

President

As President, Kendall is responsible for overseeing Pathways Alliance operations, liaising with member companies, and engaging with governments and external leaders. Prior to joining Pathways Alliance, Kendall was Cenovus’s Vice President, Environment & Regulatory. With 30 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, Kendall has expertise in environment, regulatory, project development, health and safety, and Indigenous and government relations.

Janelle Benson

Vice President, External Relations and Strategy

Janelle is responsible for overseeing the external relations functions of stakeholder engagement, Indigenous and community relations, and communications.

Prior to joining Pathways Alliance in April 2021, Janelle gained more than 25 years of experience with Cenovus Energy and other energy companies, holding a variety of roles in project management, portfolio management, information technology, amalgamations and operational excellence.

Amberly Dooley

Vice President of Policy and Government Relations

Amberly is responsible for managing advocacy and government relations efforts for all aspects of regulation and policy affecting the oil sands sector.

She has extensive experience in managing the policy, regulatory and environmental considerations associated with energy development, having previously worked at the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP). She also has experience working with several of Canada’s major oil and gas companies.

Wes Jickling

Vice President, Technology Development & COSIA

Wes assumed the role of COSIA Chief Executive in August 2019 and became Vice President, Technology Development and COSIA under Pathways Alliance in May 2022.

Prior to joining COSIA, Wes was the CEO of Innovation Saskatchewan and that province’s Deputy Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs. Wes has held senior roles in corporate, government and international organizations, including United Nations postings in Brazil, Swaziland (now Eswatini), Ukraine and Sudan.

Brenda Leeds Binder, KC

Vice President, Legal & Corporate services

Brenda joined Pathways Alliance in November 2022 (on secondment from Suncor) and brings 30 years of legal experience, with particular expertise in intellectual property, oil and gas and industry alliances.

Brenda has a lengthy history with COSIA, having served on the Board and Shareholders Steering Committee. Her institutional knowledge and background in technology development and commercial law are valuable assets for Pathways Alliance.