Anne-Raphaëlle Audouin, C.E.O. - WaterPower Canada

Anne-Raphaëlle serves as CEO of WaterPower Canada, the national association representing the hydro-power sector in Canada, she is also President of its board of directors. In this important role she focuses on government relations, promoting the sustainable future of the industry and advocating within the sector, and with the public. In addition to her role at WaterPower Canada, she is also a founding member of the Canadian Council on Renewable Electricity.

Her previous positions have included: Director of Government and Public Affairs for the Canadian Hydropower Association (CHA), Environmental and Social Impacts Management Specialist for Hatch Ltd, and Research Assistant with Eco-Justice.

Originally from Nantes, France, Anne-Raphaëlle began her education in Business Administration and Political Science, studying at the Université de Nantes. In 2006 she came to Canada as part of an international student exchange, attending the University of Ottawa, where she earned her Bachelor's Degrees in Common Law and Civil law.

Finding her true calling.

Although she studied law, she never really wanted to be a lawyer.

Anne-Raphaëlle got her first taste of environmental defence in 2011 while working for Eco-Justice, as a research assistant, concentrating on mining practices. Through this experience, she discovered her passion for environmental protection and sustainability. With this new love, she decided to pursue a Masters Degree in Natural Resources Management from Dalhousie University.

With her newly acquired specialization, she joined Hatch, an international consulting and engineering firm, where she worked as the environmental and social impacts lead on mining, oil and gas projects for three plus years. She spent a good amount of this time in Western Africa on gold-mining assignments, in countries including Mauritania. Her responsibilities included community outreach, focusing on stakeholder engagement, local training and environmental and social sustainability. After a few years, she noticed the mining industry was headed for a down turn, and decided it was time for her to make a change.

The opportunity presented itself, and she took it.

In 2014, the Canadian Hydropower Association (CHA) was recruiting for a Director of Government and Public affairs. She saw the career opportunity, and moved from Mississauga to Ottawa to accept the position. This was her first exposure to hydropower, which she admits happened 'unexpectedly.'

“I didn't seek it out,” she said. “It could have been any number of sectors.”

For Anne-Raphaëlle, issues of environmentalism and sustainability are relevant to all industries, and she was excited to take on the new challenge. She immersed herself, learning about the hydropower sector from ongoing large projects, to discussions with other members, bringing her extensive stakeholder engagement and project management expertise to her new role.

Anne-Raphaëlle doesn't like getting too comfortable in any one position, so in 2018, after the then Association’s President resigned, she set her sights on becoming President and CEO of the CHA. Achieving this goal was an important moment in her career, made more significant having recently returned from maternity leave.

She was now in a position to become a driving force in modernizing public-relations in the hydro sector. “We are an industry that is very established, we've been around for more than a century,” she said. “While this comes with a lot of positives, it also means that you constantly have to address the perception that hydropower is this ‘old, non-innovative, tapped out technology’, which couldn’t be further from the truth.” She wanted to address this outdated perception and invest all her energy in putting hydropower back on the map - in a big way.

Before she came on-board, the association was doing great work, but was focused on maintaining the status quo, with a 'business as usual' approach. She was chosen for her vision and forward thinking, for example, leading a national re-branding of the organization, building innovative partnerships, and engaging the public.

Anne-Raphaëlle would spearhead this initiative, as the CHA changed its name to WaterPower Canada. A necessary distinction she points to, in light of the fact that many people don't identify 'hydro' with 'water.'

Clear communication is the key.

“We have to put ourselves out there, we have to be forthcoming about what we are doing well, what we can improve on, and we must position ourselves as the cornerstone of Canada’s clean future.” she said.

As a leader in her industry, she says strong and proactive communication is the key to addressing public perception. Ensuring that people understand the message is essential, but it must also be compelling or people won't pay attention. Her utilization of social-media, as well as the recently revamped WPC website has made it easier for the public to stay up-to-date on what is happening in the world of hydropower production. Whether it is a webinar, an upcoming conference or a new YouTube video, the WPC social-media platforms and online presence have become a national hub consolidating industry knowledge, central for the industry in maintaining public awareness and education.

Anne-Raphaëlle has dedicated her career to environmental and social advocacy, and sustainability. Last year she was recognized by Catherine McKenna, the former Minister of Environment and Climate Change, and appointed to the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation. In that role, Anne-Raphaëlle collaborates with counterparts from the U.S. and Mexico to represent Canada’s priorities toward ensuring continental environmental protection.

The WiRE connection

Anne-Raphaëlle met the founder and CEO of WiRE, Joanna Osawe at a conference a few years ago. She was interested in working with WiRE to create a Woman in Hydropower award, and enlisted Joanna's help. Joanna was eager to be involved, as this partnership reflects the vision of her organization. Now, every year she participates in the ceremony, and is the one who hands over the award.

While Anne-Raphaëlle acknowledges that it is easier for women to enter the energy sector nowadays, there are still areas that need improvement. Women who take maternity-leave, for example, often find it challenging to return to work after the hiatus and / or access subsequent leadership roles. And, that there needs to be a system in place that allows them to grow and achieve their full potential.