Sustainability Resources is guided by a Board of Directors who offer their expertise and business development experience to help shape the corporate direction of Sustainability Resources.

Lars Hallstrom PhD., Board Chair

Dr. Lars Hallstrom is the inaugural Director of the Alberta Centre for Sustainable Rural Communities. The Centre is charged with linking the research, outreach and educational capacity of the University of Alberta with students, researchers, rural communities, rural community organizations and policy makers at multiple levels across the province, nationally, and internationally in order to support the improved sustainability of rural communities and populations. As such, it works in a variety of areas relating to the environmental, social, economic, cultural and political sustainability of rural communities. Project to date include rural capacity-building internships, water policy reform and resource management, mental health and environmental assessment and continuing care needs in rural and northern Alberta.

Paul Smolarchuk CET, B.Sc., P.Eng., Founding Director

Paul A. Smolarchuk  Paul is a professional petroleum engineer with 25+ years of varied experience in the petroleum industry in Western Canada and Canada’s East Coast Offshore. He is a graduate of the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology in Chemical Technology and of the University of Alberta with a B.Sc.(Eng) in Petroleum Engineering. Paul has worked with several oil and gas companies, gas service companies, and was with the Alberta Research Council for many years prior to becoming Operations Manager of Canadian Spirit Resources, a Junior Oil and Gas Exploration Company.

Michel Berdnikoff LLB., Board  Secretary

Michel Berdnikoff is a dynamic critical thinker with an aptitude for analysis of organizational efficiency! After being admitted to the Quebec Bar in 1987, he gained valuable government experience serving as ministerial advisor in Ottawa. He then represented private sector clients heavily regulated by municipal, provincial and/or federal agencies. Now making Calgary his home, Michel co-founded Ripley Development Services to dedicate himself to helping to define highest and best use of community landscapes. He coordinates cost-efficient project communications and consensus-driven consultations. Michel’s experience with strategic organizational and collaborative planning processes has enabled him to build strong relationships throughout civil and corporate society in Alberta.