Launched in 2022, the Responsible Care® awards recognize companies that exemplify leadership and outstanding performance in implementing Responsible Care over the past year. We invite all CIAC Members, CIAC Plastics Division Members, and other stakeholders to nominate or apply for one or more of these awards. Nominations will be accepted through the following submission link until Saturday, May 2, 2026. Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in October 2026. For eligibility criteria and other information, please see our Awards Package.
Global Director EHS, ESG and Operational Excellence at EQUATE Group
Rocco is the Global Director EHS, ESG and Operational Excellence at EQUATE Group. He joined MEGlobal Canada in 2004, became Vice-President of Operations in 2012, Vice-President of North American operations in 2016, and assumed his current role within the EQUATE Group in 2022. Rocco has more than 34 years of experience in the chemical industry including operational, supply chain and technical leadership roles in The Netherlands, U.S., Canada, and Dubai. Rocco has a master’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Groningen in The Netherlands.
President and CEO, Chemtrade Logistics
Dan is a retired university professor. Dan was appointed as the chair of the Chemtura Public Advisory Committee 15 years ago , was a member of the Citizens Advisory Panel for Chemtura and was involved in Chemtura Responsible Care evaluations. Dan became a member of the Lanxess Citizens Advisory Panel when Lanxess purchased Chemtura. He has also served on the Sulco Chemical Company Citizens Advisory Panel for the past 13 years and served on two of their Responsible Care evaluations. Dan holds a bachelor of fine arts, a teaching certificate in grades K-12, a master’s degree in counselling and psychology, and a Ph.D. from Purdue University in psychology and education. He lives in Elmira, Ontario.
Wagish is the Advisor, Strategic Initiatives for the Workplace Safety and Prevention Services that has been serving Ontario workplaces for over 105 years. He actively participates in occupational illness prevention strategies and initiatives with the manufacturing, agriculture, and hospitality industries. Lending his knowledge in occupational and environmental health through committees with the Ministry of Labour Immigration Training and Skills Development, research institutions and workplaces. He shares his expertise with the Canadian Standards Association through standard development in Management of Work in Confined Spaces, as well as Occupational Health of Nanomaterials, and serves on the ISO TC229 addressing standards internationally on the issue of Nanomaterials. As a member on the board of directors for the Occupational Hygiene Association of Ontario, he volunteers his time to keep his profession current on new developments. With over 30 years of experience since obtaining his master’s degree at the University of Toronto, he continually strives to learn, advance and share his knowledge.
Director, PE Technical Services, Nova Chemicals
Vice-President, Human Resources and Sustainability, ERCO Worldwide
Chemical Business Manager, Imperial
Plant Manager, Methanex Corporation
Site Director
INEOS Styrolution Canada Ltd.
Chemical Business Manager, Imperial
Supply Chain Vice President, Chemtrade Logistics
Managing Director, BASF Canada
John Christie brings more than 40 years of experience in the chemical industry, with leadership roles spanning operations, technical services, supply chain, business management, and plant management across Canada and internationally. He most recently served as Vice President, Operations at ERCO Worldwide, where he was responsible for all chemical manufacturing operations before retiring in August 2024.
He is a Registered Professional Engineer in Ontario and the State of Maine, and holds a master’s degree in electrical engineering. A senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, John has also served as Chair and board member of The Chlorine Institute and remains active in both the Canadian chemical industry and his local community. He previously served as a Signals Officer in the Canadian Forces and is currently an Instructor in Power and Marine Engineering at Georgian College, as well as a longtime beekeeper.
Head of Sustainability and Government Relations, BASF
President, GreenMantra Technologies
Director of Global Product Stewardship, Procter and Gamble Inc.
President of Dow Chemical Canada ULC, and Senior Business Director Feedstocks
Chemicals Business Manager, Imperial Oil Chemicals
Vice-Chair, PDLC
President & CEO, Polykar
Head, Butyl Manufacturing, ARLANXEO Canada Inc.
Plant Manager, Methanex Corporation
Regional Production Director – Canada, MEGlobal Canada ULC
Manager, Digital Development Team, Let’s Talk Science
Scott is the Manager of the Digital Development team at Let’s Talk Science, a national charitable organization committed to preparing youth in Canada for evolving career and citizenship demands in a rapidly changing world. Scott has over 25 years of experience in the K-12 science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education sector, where he has developed educational resources used by teachers and students across Canada. Scott has a Bachelor’s Degree in History and Politics from Trent University, a Master’s in Diplomatic History from McMaster University, and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Western Ontario.
As Vice President of External Relations for Let’s Talk Science, Vanessa oversees the strategic management of communications, marketing, fund development and stakeholder relations for the national charity. She holds a bachelor’s degree in social sciences, sociology and political thought from the University of Ottawa. Vanessa leads the organization’s fund development efforts, developing strategic funding partnerships that support the organization’s continued growth and sustainability, and works to raise Let’s Talk Science’s profile with industry funders and government representatives. Vanessa also worked for eight years as a consultant, providing high-level strategic communications advice and plans to a number of federal departments and national museums. She has also held senior communications positions at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada and Natural Resources Canada.
Plant Manager, Westhill, LANXESS Canada Co
Managing Director, Innospec Canada Limited
President of Dow Chemical Canada ULC, and Hydrocarbons Business Director
Dow Chemical Canada
Policy & Issues Leader – Climate and Energy Government Affairs, DOW Canada
Director, Sustainability and External Relations
Chief Executive Officer, Petrochemicals, Inter Pipeline Ltd.
President, Evonik Canada Inc.
Canada President, Qnity™ Electronics Canada
Canada President, Qnity™ Electronics Canada
Nicole Jankovic works as a Research Scientist in Edmonton, AB. She holds a PhD and BSc in Chemistry from the University of Alberta, followed by a 2-year Mitacs Postdoctoral Fellowship with Applied Quantum Materials Inc. Nicole has over 12 years of experience in nanomaterial chemistry and polymer composites, including the incorporation of sustainable feedstocks in nanomaterial synthesis for functional materials. She is also an active member of her community where she is involved in a variety of non-profit and STEM organizations, such as sitting on the Executive Committee for the Chemical Institute of Canada Edmonton Branch and as a member of the Awards and Early Careers Committees with the Society of Chemistry Industry Canada branch.
Responsible Care Officer
Jacob, a lifelong resident of Sarnia, Ontario, developed a strong commitment to community–industry dialogue after experiencing multiple emergency incidents and growing frustrated with the lack of transparency from the industry regarding community risks. Motivated by a desire for greater openness and accountability, he served on the Bluewater Community Advisory Panel for 16 years and has been an active member of the National Advisory Panel since 2016. Jacob has observed significant shifts in engagement dynamics since the pandemic, particularly the transition to virtual meetings and how it has influenced his interactions with the industry.
Laurie is a seasoned environmental leader with a career spanning over three decades in environmental stewardship, regulatory engagement, and community relations. As Corporate Director of Environment, Health and Safety (EH&S) at Westaim from 1996 to 2007, Laurie led policy implementation and regulatory collaboration across multiple jurisdictions in Canada and the U.S., emphasizing transparency and relationship-building with communities, industry, and governments. From 2007 to 2024, he served as Executive Director of the Northeast Capital Industrial Association (NCIA), representing industry on the Heartland Air Monitoring Partnership (HAMP) and the North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance boards, and actively engaging with regional Community Advisory Panels. Laurie continues his public service today as a public member of the HAMP board and the Regional Advisory Committee, which he helped establish.
Communications Coordinator
Carol is a Professional Engineer and accomplished executive with more than 25 years of global experience in the petrochemical industry. From 2019 to 2025, she served as President & CEO of Women Building Futures, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing economic opportunities for women. Prior to that, she made history as the first female Registrar of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA).
She brings extensive governance expertise and a strong commitment to social impact, serving as a director and Governance Committee Chair for the Excel Society and as a member of CIAC’s National Advisory Panel. Her leadership has been recognized with the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal and the King Charles III Coronation Medal.
Brian Wastle, who retired in 2011, is the former Vice President of Responsible Care at the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada (CIAC) and a key architect of the initiative’s early development and long-term evolution. Over nearly two decades, he played an integral role in shaping Responsible Care into the globally respected performance framework it is today.
Brian led the creation of Responsible Care’s public verification process, established foundational emissions reporting frameworks, and guided the development of the Responsible Care Ethic and Principles for Sustainability. His leadership helped embed transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement at the core of the initiative.
Prior to joining CIAC, Brian spent 25 years at Dow Chemical in progressively senior roles — including process safety engineer, site manager, and business director — grounding his leadership in deep operational experience.
Polymers Account Executive
Imperial Oil
Chair, CIAC Board of Directors
President and Hydrocarbons Director at Dow Chemical Canada ULC
Head of Operations Canada, LANXESS Canada Co./Cie
Senior Advisor
Bob is the former President and CEO of the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada (CIAC), where he served for 15 years, including nine years leading the organization. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in strengthening and elevating the association’s voice, helping position CIAC as one of Canada’s leading industry advocacy organizations.
Group Vice President, Corporate Development and Strategy, Chemtrade
Vice President, North America, Methanex Corporation
VICE-CHAIR, CIAC BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President and COO, Wentworth Technologies
President & CEO, ERCO Worldwide
CHAIR, CIAC BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Regional Operations Manager, National Silicates Limited
Senior Vice President, Petrochemical Development, Inter Pipeline Ltd.
Chair, PDLC
Chief Strategy & CSR Officer, TC Transcontinental Inc.
Vice-President of Operations, Jungbunzlauer Canada Inc.
Business Management GM, Canada
Shell Chemicals Canada Ltd.
President, CCC Sulphur Products
Site Director, INEOS Styrolution
Immediate Past Chair, CIAC Board of Directors
Chemicals Business Manager, Imperial Oil
Peter Noble held a wide range of leadership roles throughout his career in Imperial’s petrochemicals business, spanning manufacturing, business planning, research and development, and regulatory affairs. Across each of these areas, he demonstrated exceptional technical expertise and a deep commitment to the ethical and environmental responsibilities central to Responsible Care®.
Many of Peter’s roles closely intersected with CIAC initiatives, where he made meaningful contributions to advancing Responsible Care principles across the industry. Following an accomplished career with Esso, he retired in 2022, leaving a legacy defined by safety leadership, sustainability, and accountability.
President and Site Manager, ARLANXEO Canada Inc.
Director, Communications & Sustainability
Keurig Dr Pepper Canada
Chemicals Planning & Controls Manager
Imperial Oil
Vice President, Strategy & Sustainability, CKF Inc.
Executive Vice-President
Isabelle Des Chênes joined CIAC in November 2017 and leads the Association’s strategic communications and government and stakeholder relations initiatives. Prior to joining CIAC, Isabelle was Director of Communications for the Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA). She spent eleven years in the natural resources sector in a number of progressive positions including as VP, Market Relations and International Trade with the Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) and VP, Market Relations for British Columbia’s Forestry Innovation Investment, Inc. Isabelle holds a BA, Communications from the University of Ottawa.
Email: [email protected]
Vice-President, Sustainability NOVA Chemicals Corporation
President, Merlin Plastics
Corporate Secretary and Manager, Corporate Governance and Public Affairs
Email: [email protected]
Senior Director, Ontario
Email: [email protected]
Shawna Bruce has more than 35 years of progressive leadership and public affairs experience, serving as a Public Affairs Officer in the Canadian Armed Forces before taking on the role of Dow Canada’s National Public Affairs Manager (2009-2018). While at Dow, Shawna supported Community Advisory Panels in four site communities and engaged with neighbour residents about emergency response and public safety information and received the CIAC Merit Award in 2016 for her role in championing Responsible Care®. Shawna operates M.D. Bruce & Associates Ltd, leading risk and crisis communications workshops for organizations. She is a part-time instructor at Northern Alberta Institute of Technology in the Disaster and Emergency Management program and teaches ICS and Public Information Officer training for the Centre of Applied Disaster and Emergency Management. Shawna holds a Bachelor of Arts from Carleton University, a Public Relations diploma from Algonquin College, and a Master of Arts in Disaster and Emergency Management from Royal Roads University.
Director, Transportation
Email: [email protected]
Chair, PDLC
Vice President & Global Director Climate and Energy DOW Chemical Canada ULC
CHAIR, CIAC BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Senior Vice-President, Sustainability and Innovation, NOVA Chemicals Corporation
Nadine Gudz is a sustainability leader with more than a decade of experience advancing global sustainability strategy at Interface Inc., where she has held senior roles for 11 years. She is currently completing her PhD at York University in Toronto, specializing in education for sustainability transitions.
She serves as Vice President of Executive Leadership and Professional Development with the Academy for Sustainable Innovation and has contributed her expertise to the National Zero Waste Council, Canadian Business for Social Responsibility, and the United States Green Building Council. Nadine also teaches in the graduate certificate program in CSR
and Sustainability at St. Michael’s College, University of Toronto, and in the Certificate in Circular Economy at McMaster University.
Chris Hilkene is the Chief Executive of Pollution Probe, Canada’s oldest environmental organization. He has been an environment and sustainable development professional for over 25 years and joined has worked in government, consulting, academic and not-for-profit settings. Chris served as a Canadian appointee to Great Lakes Water Quality Board of the International Joint Commission from 2014 to 2020 and was the Canadian lead on emerging issues for the last four years. In 2007, Chris was appointed to the National Roundtable on the Environment and the Economy, where he served as Chair of the Water Programme until 2013. He is an active volunteer and has served on boards and advisory bodies for numerous organizations including Carleton University’s Global Water Institute, Green Living Enterprises, Pollution Probe and WaterAid Canada.
Richard Janda teaches business associations, administrative law, competition law, economic regulation, and air transport regulation. He was Law Clerk to Justices Le Dain and Cory of the Supreme Court of Canada and is a past Director of the Centre for the Study of Regulated Industries at McGill. Richard has been involved in work for the WTO, ICAO, OECD, the World Bank, a number of Canadian public agencies and developing countries. He has served as an Associate Professor at the McGill University Faculty of Law since 1997. He is a resident member of the Institutes of Comparative Law and Air and Space Law at McGill University, a member of the editorial board for the Annals of Air and Space Law, since 1993. Richard is also a member of the advisory board for the International Journal of Telecommunications Law and Policy.
Alex von Knobloch is a dedicated professional with 15 years of experience in the automotive industry, currently contributing expertise to Magna International. As a Certified Energy Manager, he plays a pivotal role in driving energy efficiency and sustainability initiatives within the organization. His passion for the environment and sustainability is at the forefront of his career. He is committed to reducing the environmental footprint of the automotive industry and is actively engaged in implementing sustainable practices. His work goes beyond a job – it’s a mission to create a greener, more sustainable future.
Former Chair, PDLC
Chief Operating Officer, Strategy and Business Development Farnell Packaging Ltd.
Pat McLean is a retired former executive in the non-profit sector and served 18 years as a member of Council for Woolwich Township. She has been a volunteer with community committees in Elmira, Ontario. She has worked with local companies, the Ministry of the Environment and the community to educate, inform and negotiate on many important issues related to chemical facility cleanup. Pat has also been a long-time volunteer both in her community and at the provincial level.
Public Verifier
Phil Byer has been a Responsible Care public verifier since 1993 and was a member of CIAC’s National Advisory Panel from 1989 to 2004. Phil was a professional engineer and a professor in the Department of Civil Engineering and the Centre for Environment at the University of Toronto. He holds graduate degrees in engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Industry Verifier
André Denis has been a Responsible Care industry verifier since 1994. With professional training as a registered occupational hygienist, André has more than 30 years of experience in workplace health and safety, specializing in industrial hygiene. He worked for 13 years in various positions related to health and safety with Canadian Industries Limited and Imperial Chemical Industries.
Industry Verifier
David Guss worked as a professional engineer for over 34 years in the chemicals and oil/gas industries. He has experience in technical and managerial roles supporting industrial facilities operations, capital projects, and company global Responsible Care, health and safety, environmental, process safety management systems development, implementation, and audit. David was past president of the Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering, past Board Member of the Chemical Institute of Canada, past Chair of CIAC Process Safety Management Committee, and is a committee member for the Canadian Standards Association Z-767 Process Safety Technical Standard.
Industry Verifier
Trained as a chemical engineer at l’École Polytechnique in Montreal, Marcel Emond worked in the petroleum industry from 1966 to 1981 and has held a variety of positions at the Petrofina(later Petro-Canada) refineries, BP, and Ultramar. Marcel later worked in the petrochemical sector with Petromont, first serving as Vice-President of Production, and later as Chief of Operations (1991-1998). He has participated in more than 50 Responsible Care verifications.
Public Verifier
Ron Ormson is Director of Environmental Engineering for the City of Waterloo. As a licensed professional geoscientist, Ormson has worked on a wide range of projects, including brownfield redevelopments transportation, storm water, wastewater and asset management. He is a member of CIAC’s National Advisory Panel and a national advisor and peer reviewer for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities on contaminated site and waste-management issues.
Beverly Osazuwa is a supporter of community-led policy development and industry initiatives that are sustainable, anti-oppressive, and anti-colonial. Beverly holds a Master of Arts in Political and Legal Thought from Queen’s University, and a Bachelor of Humanities from Carleton University with a minor in Political Science and African Studies. She has committed her academic pursuits to study the effects of modernization and development on African and Indigenous people and in the intersections of class, race, and gender that inform environmental impacts for marginalized communities. Beverly also worked as the Environmental Policy Coordinator for CIAC and assisted in developing innovative programs for Responsible Care. As she concludes her studies, Beverly hopes to centralize the experience of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour) to spur change in the Canadian political and legal systems, as well as within industry practice.
Public Verifier
Kris Lee has been a CIAC Responsible Care public verifier since 1998. She has served on CIAC’s National Advisory and Canadian Plastics Industry Association’s Public Advisory Panels. As a retired science teacher, Kris assists educators on lab safety in science education through Science Teachers’ Association of Ontario Safety Committee and instructs through the Workers Health and Safety Centre for the Joint Health and Safety Committee.
Industry Verifier
Dave Mack has been a CIAC Responsible Care industry verifier since 2001. He has 30 years of industrial experience in industrial gas supply, oil refining, pipelines and petrochemicals; most of which was in large-scale product-manufacturing facilities. He spent 20 years with NOVAChemicals and completed his tenure as Director of Responsible Care for Canadian operations.
Industry Verifier
Larry Masaro has been a Responsible Care industry verifier since 2020. He has more than 30years of experience in the chemistry industry, including as Global Operations Director for the PQ Corporation. His previous responsibilities included plant operations, engineering, purchasing and logistics, safety, health and environmental management. He directed these global activities from PQ’s Canadian head office in Toronto and retired in August of 2019.
Industry Verifier
Bob Richer holds a BSc in chemical engineering from l’École Polytechnique in Montreal. He has been very active in associations and initiatives which contributed to the progress of the chemical industry, especially in Quebec. He has served as a CIAC Board member and Chair of the Quebec Leadership Group. Bob began his career at Petrofina Canada and joined Gulf Oil in 1980. He became Vice President for KEMTEC in 1986 and then Manufacturing Director for Himont/Montell/Basell in 1988 until 2009. He is currently working for GCM, an engineering firm in Montreal, and for QRC, as a transportation verifier.
Industry Verifier
Gerry Whitcombe has been a CIAC Responsible Care verifier since 2006. He worked for Dow Chemical for more than 32 years in a variety of capacities, including as Canadian Responsible Care Coordinator (1989-2005). Whitcombe was involved in developing implementation aids for the original Responsible Care Distribution Code of Practice.
Treasurer, PDLC
President, Layfield Group
The 2024 award recipients are:
For questions please contact Gabrielle Pearce, Responsible Care Program Officer.