Leadership
COSIA is led by a Chief Executive (CE), Dr. Dan Wicklum. Work in the EPAs within the Alliance is overseen by Steering Committees composed of shareholder company experts. The EPA Steering Committees create Joint Industry Projects (JIPs), which can draw on input not only from companies, but from government representatives, other innovation providers and stakeholders.
Collectively these groups work together to accelerate environmental performance in the EPAs. The EPAs report upward to the CE, and through the CE, outward to the shareholder companies. Our activities are supported by a small, dedicated group of employees.
Dan’s initial career was as a linebacker in the CFL, playing with both the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1988) and the Calgary Stampeders (1989-91).
Dan completed a BSc. in Biology (University of Guelph, 1990) followed by an MSc. in Aquatic Ecology (University of Calgary, 1994). He then went on to obtain a Ph.D. in Aquatic Ecology (University of Montana, 1998). After completing his graduate education, Dan took a faculty position as a Research Assistant Professor at the University of Montana.
In 2000, he left academia to become a Senior Policy Advisor to the Canadian Federal Minister of Natural Resources and the Government House Leader, and was subsequently Director of Strategic Alliances for Natural Resources Canada’s Canadian Forest Service.
Dan then launched and became Executive Director of The Canadian Forest Innovation Council before joining Environment Canada in various senior science management roles including Director General of Wildlife and Landscape Science and Director General of Water Science and Technology.
Dr. Wicklum and his wife Sonja have two children, Ali and Connor.