Leadership

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

Our industry contributes to the high standard of living we enjoy in Canada by creating thousands of jobs and generating significant revenue to governments. Pathways has an opportunity to ensure the industry can continue providing those benefits by collaborating on environmental initiatives to continue to improve our performance in this important area.
Kendall dilling, president, pathways alliance

Pathways Alliance senior leadership

Derek Evans

executive chair

As Executive Chair of Pathways Alliance, Derek’s main responsibilities are to provide strategic leadership to the executive team and Steering Committee; lead high-level external stakeholder engagement, including collaborations with the federal and provincial governments; and support the strategic execution of the Pathways members’ goal of reducing emissions (scopes 1 & 2) from their oil sands operations.

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 the 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, Integration and strategic projects

Janelle is responsible for integration and alignment between Pathway Alliance’s core functions and member companies. She also oversees the development of the alliance’s strategic initiatives and the overall roadmap to reduce emissions from oil sands operations.*

Prior to joining Pathways in April of 2021, Janelle has more than 25 years of experience with Cenovus, as well as other energy companies. She’s held a variety of roles in project management, portfolio management, information technology, amalgamations and operational excellence.

*Excludes consumer emissions from using petroleum products and other indirect emissions. Financial support, regulatory approvals and advances in technology are critical to achieve this goal.

Mark Cameron

Vice President, External Relations

Mark has held several governments positions, including in the Privy Council Office and as Director of Policy Research in the Prime Minister’s Office. His private sector experience includes executive roles with Ontario Power Generation, BlackBerry and Hill + Knowlton Strategies.

He has also held board or advisory roles with the Canadian-American Business Council, Canada-India Business Council, the Munk Debates, Canada 2020, Smart Prosperity, the Energy Futures Lab, Public Policy Forum and the Banff Forum.

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 Chief Executive Officer 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 us in November 2022 on secondment from Suncor. Before assuming her role, she was instrumental in determining our organizational structure and governance as the leader of the Pathways Transition Team.

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 and intellectual property law are valuable assets for Pathways Alliance.