Energy Futures Lab Welcomes Fatema F. Hardwarewala as New Director, People & Finance

The Energy Futures Lab is pleased to announce the addition of Fatema F. Hardwarewala to our leadership team as Director, People & Finance.

In this role, Fatema will lead the financial stewardship, people practices, governance, and internal operations of the Lab. Her work will align best-in-class processes and support systems with the organization’s strategic priorities to maximize impact towards its vision. Notably, she will be helping steward the Lab’s transition to independence, building the systems and structures of a sustainable, standalone organization while ensuring continuity from its place as a solution space of Generate Canada.

To the position, Fatema brings 20 years of progressive experience as a senior finance and operations executive, leading financial strategy, governance, and operational excellence across SMEs, nonprofit, healthcare, and social service organizations. She is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and holds an MBA, with recognized expertise in financial forecasting, risk analysis, and budget planning.

“Having spent much of my career in the non-profit sector, I'm inspired by organizations that create lasting impact by empowering people and building strong partnerships. I'm excited to contribute to an organization that values innovation, trust, and thoughtful leadership while helping build the people, culture, and operational foundations that enable this important work to thrive. ” -Fatema F. Hardwarewala

As the Lab moves through a pivotal period of growth and organizational transition, the strength of its internal foundations — financial, operational, and cultural — are equally as important as the strength of its external partnerships. Fatema's appointment reflects the Lab's commitment to building the operational backbone required to sustain its impact for the next decade.

“We’re very excited to have Fatema join the Lab at this important moment in our journey,” says Alison Cretney, Executive Director. “With her talent and experience in the areas of finance and accounting, operations and oversight, and people and culture, we look forward to bringing her wealth of knowledge to bear in growing and strengthening the structural underpinnings of our work. Getting these fundamentals right will allow the Lab to stretch, adapt and grow as we enter a new, more urgent phase of Canada’s energy system, trade, and economic transformation.”

With Fatema now leading People & Finance, the Energy Futures Lab ensures that as we convene leaders across Canada's energy system, we do so from a place of financial clarity, operational stability, and people-first governance.