DATES
Session 1: May 29, 2024 – 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Session 2: June 12, 2024 – 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Session 3: June 26, 2024 – 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Water Stewardship and Market Mechanisms
Micro-certificate
Overview
Expand your knowledge of water markets and champion sustainable investment strategies for efficient water resource management through certification from the esteemed John Molson Executive Centre.
Designed by the Concordia Sustainability Ecosystem in collaboration with Addenda Capital and the Trottier Family Foundation, this program extensively explores water markets and their role in preserving and managing the allocation of water resources, delving into the latest innovations and best practices. Crafted by experts in sustainable finance, the Water Markets Micro-Certificate imparts practical knowledge and skills, empowering individuals to make meaningful contributions to water-related sustainability initiatives within their respective domains.
This program is best suited for sustainability employees and investment professionals with a foundational grasp of ESG who are motivated to advance their careers by acquiring cutting-edge knowledge in an evolving field.
Key takeaways
This program will enable you to:
- Recognize the role of water markets and their significance
- Develop the essential skills needed to become a water steward
- Understand the real value of water
- Understand the relationship between water and climate change
- Design water positive projects
Who benefits?
- ESG and sustainability employees, asset owners, and asset managers
- Portfolio managers and analysts who would benefit from improved ESG and sustainability acumen
- Investment leaders conducting due diligence
- Students looking to bolster their credentials and expand their professional network
- ESG and sustainability consultants looking to gain complementary knowledge, enhance their credentials, and expand their professional network
Program structure
- Three in-person sessions of three hours each
- There will be dedicated periods for networking and discussion in each session
- There will be active learning opportunities through case study analysis and group work
To contribute to class discussions, debates, and group activities, participants are expected to complete assigned reading prior to class.
Session 1
Introduction to water, water rights and ownership, policies and controversies
Session 2
Risk and opportunities, market mechanisms, water pricing and market participants, market efficiency and equity
Session 3
Innovation, technology, future trends and water stewardship
Dates and fees
LANGUAGE
English
LOCATION
District 3 Innovation Hub: 1250 Guy St., 6th floor, Montreal, Quebec, H3H 2L3
FEE
Early bird fee: $995 CAD (+taxes) until May 8, 2024
Regular fee: $1,200 CAD (+taxes) as of May 9, 2024
Benefit from preferred rates by enrolling in at least four of our micro-certificates in sustainability. Employers can also unlock preferred rates by registering three or more members of their organization. Contact our program manager to explore our packages.
Faculty & experts
Experienced, passionate, innovative, our faculty members and experts are leaders in their field.
Simon Olivier
Senior partner at Cycle Capital and head of Cycle H2O Fund
Simon Olivier is Senior Partner at Cycle Capital and leads the Cycle H2O Fund, a venture capital fund dedicated to helping watertech companies accelerate their business growth and create a positive impact on the environment.
Simon is an executive leader with an international track record in innovation, strategy, operations, and financial services. He has worked with Fortune 500 companies and mid-sized companies in various industries such as renewable energy, finance, water, and food. Simon spent 20 years at GE, initially at GE Capital in financial services, then he lead GE Renewable’s business in Canada and the Northeastern United States for nearly 10 years, building a multi-billion-dollar franchise. Subsequently, he spent four years as Executive Vice President Strategy (M&A) and Venture Capital for GE Canada.
Simon holds an engineering degree from Polytechnique Montreal and an MBA in finance from McGill University, where he is a member of the McGill Global Leadership Council. In 2009, he was named young international leader of Quebec by the Arista organisation. Simon served on several boards of directors including Aqua Action, C2 Montreal, the Canadian Wind Energy Association, and the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montréal. He supports his community through engagement and leadership with Centraide.
Lauren Alcorn
Senior director of strategic partnerships & government relations at the One Drop Foundation
With over 20 years of experience working (domestically and internationally) in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector, Lauren Alcorn is responsible for fostering partnerships with sector and business/industry actors working towards collective impact to accelerate the progress of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Lauren is spokesperson for the organization’s WASH in Health Care Facility initiatives, and she is a proponent of Indigenous rights, gender equality and inclusion. A strong believer in community based, participatory action and the power of art to mobilize and inspire change.
Lauren has an MSSc in Development and International Relations from Aalborg University, Denmark and a BA from Dalhousie University.
Tania Vachon
Senior director of programs at the One Drop Foundation
As a Senior Director of Programs, Tania leads a team of Social Art for Behaviour Change (SABC) experts at the One Drop Foundation. She and the SABC team members are passionate social arts experts who co-design behaviour change interventions with local partners and artists. They accompany local change by ensuring that creativity and emotion are at the heart of individual and collective transformation. In addition to her contributions to the development of the SABC approach, she has organized five international events that brought together hundreds of people from around the world in a community of practice where peers exchange and share experiences. She has delivered workshops and presentations at various international events and most recently created an online course on the SABC approach that is accessible to anyone who wants to understand better the links between systemic change, water, hygiene and sanitation, and behaviour. Tania brings 25 years of international development experience in various areas, including 15 years at the One Drop Foundation. She speaks French, English and Spanish.
Tania holds a master's degree in Sociology with a specialization in International Development from the University of Ottawa, as well as a bachelor's degree in Social and Cultural Anthropology from Laval University. Tania is also trained as a Strategic Advisor. Her background has laid the foundation for a lifelong dedication to social innovation and change.
Nazim Benguettat
Global Equity Analyst at Clear Skies Investment Management
Nazim graduated with distinction from the Concordia University Bachelor of Commerce and Finance program, earning membership into the Beta Gamma Sigma Business Honour Society and the Golder Key Honour Society. He was the recipient of the Concordia Undergraduate Research Award Scholarship having demonstrated distinguished experience in academic research and AI, and while working during his studies at the John Dobson Investment lab and as an analyst at Clear Skies. Nazim is a Level 2 candidate in the CFA Program.
Michel Brutti
Founder and CEO at Clear Skies Investment Management
Michel Brutti is an experienced portfolio manager with an excellent track record in the investment management sector.
Specialities: Portfolio management for institutional and private clients, Sustainable Investment and Impact Investment.
Michel also sits on boards of directors in the fields of sustainable development and education, and is a member of various investment committees related to impact investing.
Michel is an experienced business professional with skills in investment management, team management, client relations and service.
Bursary
One student from each of the five micro-certificate programs will be granted a bursary that covers half of the regular cost of tuition.
Submit your completed application form to jmec@concordia.ca to be considered for available bursaries.
Check out our FAQs to learn more.
FAQs
These programs will be conducted in person to provide students with an opportunity to participate in interactive group exercises that promote practical application, obtain direct feedback from instructors, and build connections through networking, all of which enhance their overall learning experience. Before the first session of each micro-certificate, students will participate in a 30-minute introductory networking session to connect with instructors and fellow classmates.
Students must actively participate in all three sessions to earn their certificate. To emphasize our skill-focused approach, we intentionally omitted a formal evaluation process to prioritize hands-on learning and real-world application.
Before each of the three micro-certificate sessions, students should allocate one to two hours for pre-reading. This will ensure they are fully prepared for hands-on class activities designed to maximize their learning experience.
Each micro-certificate was intentionally scheduled on a different date during the spring term to allow students to register for as many programs as they wish.
Yes, the John Molson Executive Centre will provide you with a certificate for each program you complete.
One student from each of the five micro-certificate programs will be granted a bursary that covers half of the regular cost of tuition. The bursary may not be withdrawn to pay for other expenses or transferred to other programs and courses at Concordia University. You must apply to be considered for available bursaries. Submission of an application does not guarantee a bursary offer. Should the recipient not complete all three sessions of their micro-certificate, the bursary will be forfeited.
The bursary is available for the 2024 spring term and will be granted to each of the five recipients at the latest three weeks before the start of their program.
Students must submit their completed application to jmec@concordia.ca to be considered for the bursary.
Bursary recipients are selected following an evaluation by the selection committee. One student from each of the five micro-certificate programs will be granted a bursary that covers half of the regular cost of tuition. Each application is considered and compared to its peers in the applicant pool. Applicants will be assessed based on the following criteria:
- Personal statement: Successful applicant will demonstrate how their experiences have shaped their hobbies, passions, or future aspirations.
- Career objectives statement: Successful applicants will describe their personal, academic, or career goals, demonstrating ambition, drive, and passion in their pursuit.
- Financial need: Successful applicants will explain the need for financial support to pursue their career objectives.
Following the adjudication period, each applicant will be notified of the results.
- Transition Finance and Climate Finance Frameworks: March 20, 2024
- ESG Fundamentals for Communication and Marketing Professionals: April 1, 2024
- Economics of Biodiversity and Natural Capital Markets: April 5, 2024
- Carbon Markets and the Economics of Carbon Removal: February 21, 2024
- Water Stewardship and Market Mechanisms: May 1, 2024
