Matt Mccandless Email & Phone Number

Canada

Canada

- Serve as key executive responsible for overseeing IISD's $77M annual budget, managing a global workforce of 300+ employees across 6 continents;- Drive strategic initiatives to transform finance, HR, government relations, communications, and IT functions, boosting efficiency and impact;- Leverage expertise in executive management, strategic planning, and cross-functional leadership to elevate IISD's sustainability mission

- Managed a diverse portfolio of sustainable development programs and research initiatives in Canada and internationally;- Cultivated strong government partnerships to secure critical funding and advance policy objectives

- Directed cutting-edge research to assess climate change impacts on food, water, energy, and infrastructure systems globally- Identified strategic needs, attracted funding, and applied technical expertise in ecological, hydrological, bioenergy/bioproducts, and climatological modeling;- Collaborated with government and private sector stakeholders worldwide to translate research into tangible action.

- Directed and conducted advanced modeling to assess impact of climate change on critical food, water, and infrastructure systems globally;- Identified strategic research needs, secured funding, and applied technical expertise in ecological, hydrological, and climatological modeling;- Served as a trusted advisor, collaborating with government and private sector stakeholders worldwide to translate research insights into actionable sustainability initiatives;- Applied technical skills in ecological, hydrological, and climatological modelling.Interacted and influenced government and private sectors in multiple countries around the world.**During this period of employment I also embarked on a Ph.D. in biosystems engineering in association with a project I managed.**

Hayama, Kanagawa, Japan

- Serve on the board of this respected Japan-based research institute focused on developing practical strategies for sustainable development across Japan, Asia and globally;- Provide high-level guidance and oversight to shape IGES's influential work in the areas of climate change, natural resource management, and environmental governance;- Leverage deep expertise in sustainability leadership, environmental policy, and international collaboration to advise on IGES's cutting-edge research agenda, strategic partnership development, and thought leadership initiatives;- Contribute to strengthening IGES's standing as a globally recognized authority in driving innovative solutions for pressing environmental challenges in Asia and beyond.

East Africa

- Strategic oversight and guidance to this prominent environmental research and education NGO on freshwater ecosystems in Africa; - Leverage extensive experience in sustainability leadership, scientific research, and stakeholder engagement to support ACARE's mission of advancing water conservation and capacity building;- Contribute expertise in areas such as program development, fundraising, policy advocacy, and community outreach to help ACARE expand its regional and global impact.

Experimental Lakes Area, Ontario, Canada

- Spearheaded the founding and growth of the "World's Freshwater Laboratory", leading a team of 40+ scientists and researchers;- Orchestrated a 5x increase in annual revenue, securing over $120M in funding through strategic partnerships, government relations, and philanthropy; - Expanded IISD-ELA's global reach, establishing collaborations in 10 East African countries to advance international freshwater conservation;- Oversaw a $20M capital and infrastructure renewal program to future-proof this world-class research facility.

- Delivered engineering solutions for municipal water, wastewater, and environmental projects across Manitoba; - Collaborated closely with clients to develop tailored strategies that addressed complex infrastructure and sustainability challenges.

- Provided engineering support for hydroelectric, water supply, and wastewater initiatives in remote Northern Manitoba communities; - Gained hands-on experience translating technical concepts into practical solutions for Indigenous and municipal stakeholders.

Ph.D., Biosystems Engineering

Developed innovative model in MATLAB to determine the scale and efficiency of biorefinery operations. Bioprocessing and microbial.

Master Of Natural Resources Management

Investigated the socioeconomics and engineering of renewable energy in remote areas of Uttarakhand, India, contributing.

Bachelor Of Engineering (B.Eng.), Biological/Environmental

Developed a strong foundation in environmental engineering principles, focusing on biological systems, agriculture, water and wastewater.