AMELIE CARON works hard to prove to those in her past — and to herself — that she can do just about anything.
It’s why she decided to start a business in energy efficiency and completely retrofitted her home as a case study for it.
“I took out the gas furnace and sealed the house with AN air barrier technology without taking down drywall. I then drilled into the backyard to install a geo-exchange and added solar panels. So, my house is very close to net-zero energy and my carbon footprint was reduced by about 75 per cent,” says Caron, who created Ecosynergy in 2009.
“It was a ton of work and a ton of learning, but, when somebody tells me that I can’t do something, I do it anyway.”
In 2012, Caron earned her master’s in building science in order to better assist her clients in transforming their own homes.
Caron has since become a leader in the sustainable energy industry. She is regularly asked to contribute to industry and public education through guest-speaking engagements, podcasts and publications.
“I have witnessed first-hand Amelie’s unwavering dedication to creating a more sustainable future,” says nominator Samantha Shannon.
“Her work is a testament to her innovative spirit and her ability to challenge the status quo — especially within a male-dominated field.”