The 2023 Women of the Year Awards: Change Maker – Runner-up

Runner-up
Megan Lohmann
Deputy Executive Director, Community Energy Association

Early in her career, Megan Lohmann started an organization called LASOE (Let’s All Save Our Environment) in the small Ontario town she grew up in. LASOE would host bake sales and raise money for the World Wildlife Fund. Lohmann was president. She was also eight years old.

“It’s just been a core theme throughout my life,” says Lohmann about feeling compelled to protect the environment. “I feel very strongly about creating the maximum impact from collaborations and partnerships when tackling big issues like climate change.”

Lohmann came out to B.C. with her now-husband and completed a master’s of science at Royal Roads University before joining the Vancouver-based Community Energy Association, where she works remotely from her home in Fernie. The association has around 40 employees, with an eye toward getting to 50 by the end of the year.

Among many other initiatives, the CEA is working on electrifying the Kootenays through a partnership with Accelerate Kootenays. “I love a challenge that doesn’t have a defined pathway,” Lohmann says. “I’m comfortable with uncertainty, and a multi-year initiative that’s going to require some problem solving.” Lohmann and her team raised $2 million for the initiative and have helped some 600 vehicles become registered in the region.

At the end of the interview, I ask Lohmann how she unwinds. “I don’t know if I’m capable of that,” she laughs. “My husband would think the idea of me unwinding is funny.