Meet the 2024
Energy Creates Judges
Our judges, representing diverse disciplines, industries, and backgrounds, generously volunteered their time and operated with complete independence.





Judging Rubric
for Project Submissions
Refer to our Judging Rubric to see how carefully and systematically the scores were calculated.
1. Originality and Creativity (20 points)
Uniqueness of Concept (10 points): How original and innovative is the project idea?
- 0-2 points: The project shows no originality.
- 3-5 points: The project shows some originality but has noticeable similarities to existing ideas.
- 6-8 points: The project is mostly original with some innovative elements.
- 9-10 points: The project is highly original and innovative, offering a unique perspective.
Creative Approach (10 points): How creatively is the project executed?
- 0-2 points: The execution is conventional with little creativity.
- 3-5 points: The execution shows some creativity but lacks originality in key areas.
- 6-8 points: The execution is creative with a few original elements.
- 9-10 points: The execution is highly creative and original, demonstrating exceptional innovation.
2. Relevance and Impact (20 points)
Relevance to Theme/Goals (10 points): How well does the project align with the
contest’s theme or goals?
- 0-2 points: The project is loosely related to the theme or goals.
- 3-5 points: The project aligns with the theme or goals but not strongly.
- 6-8 points: The project is relevant and aligns well with the theme or goals.
- 9-10 points: The project is highly relevant and strongly aligns with the theme or goals.
Potential Impact (10 points): What is the potential impact of the project on its intended audience or field? This can be interpreted as emotional or cognitive impact; the power of the project to ignite critical thinking.
- 0-2 points: The project is unlikely to have any significant impact.
- 3-5 points: The project has some potential impact but is limited in scope.
- 6-8 points: The project has a clear potential impact with a significant reach.
- 9-10 points: The project has a high potential impact, potentially transforming the field or
significantly benefiting the audience.
3. Presentation and Clarity (20 points)
Clarity of Presentation (10 points): How clearly is the project presented?
- 0-2 points: The presentation is unclear and difficult to understand.
- 3-5 points: The presentation is somewhat clear but has significant gaps.
- 6-8 points: The presentation is clear with minor areas of confusion.
- 9-10 points: The presentation is exceptionally clear and easy to understand.
Professionalism (10 points): How professional is the presentation and submission?
- 0-2 points: The presentation is unprofessional and lacks polish.
- 3-5 points: The presentation is somewhat professional but lacks polish.
- 6-8 points: The presentation is professional with minor areas for improvement.
- 9-10 points: The presentation is highly professional and polished.
4. Technical Merit (20 points)
Technical Skill and Competence (20 points): How well does the project demonstrate
technical skill and competence?
- 0-4 points: The project shows little to no technical skill.
- 5-9 points: The project shows some technical skill but has noticeable flaws.
- 10-14 points: The project demonstrates strong technical skill with minor issues.
- 15-20 points: The project demonstrates exceptional technical skill and competence.
5. Wildcard Points (20 points)
Judge’s Discretion (20 points)
- Between 0-20 points awarded at the discretion of the judge.
Total Points: 100
Each criterion should be scored independently, and the total score for each project should
be the sum of the individual criteria scores. This rubric ensures a comprehensive evaluation
of each project's originality, relevance, impact, presentation, and technical merit.
Patrick McLaughlin
Filmmaker

Patrick McLaughlin is an award-winning Canadian cinematographer, writer, and field director. Renowned for his visual sensitivity and storytelling depth. Patrick has extensive experience across documentary, narrative, commercial, and experimental films.
His cinematography for the documentary Everything Will Be earned him the Canadian Screen Award for Best Cinematography in a Documentary in 2015, with another nomination in 2022 for Kímmapiiyipitssini: The Meaning of Empathy. Patrick’s acclaimed filmography includes notable projects such as Radiant City, Waydowntown, Koneline: Our Land Beautiful, and The Future is Now!
Influenced by visual artists like Robby Müller and Christopher Doyle, Patrick excels in capturing authentic human moments through natural light and compelling imagery. His passionate commitment and versatility continue to make him a sought-after collaborator in Canada's vibrant film community.
Sam Obadero
Photographer

Samuel Obadero is an award-winning Nigerian-Canadian artist, photographer, storyteller, and community leader based in Calgary, Alberta. With over two decades of experience behind the lens, he is the founder of Motif Photography, Calgary’s first Black-owned professional photography studio, where powerful portraits meet cultural preservation.
Samuel’s work explores the intersections of Black identity, migration, memory, and resilience, weaving textured visuals and spoken word into art that heals, remembers, and uplifts. His visual language spans from the vibrant chaos of Lagos to the quiet strength of Afro diasporic life in Canada, capturing stories that often go unseen but never unheard.
In 2019, he was honoured with the CCIS Legacy Award at the Mayor’s Lunch for Arts Champions. He has spoken on national stages, including Nikon Canada’s Profusion Conference, where he shared candidly about the intersection of art and mental health—especially what it means to create while carrying emotional weight.
Beyond the frame, Samuel champions honest conversations around mental wellness, particularly within the creative community and among Black artists. His voice invites vulnerability, breaking stigma, and reminding artists that healing, too, is part of the masterpiece.
As a cultural curator and mentor, he champions underrepresented voices and leads with care. His recent projects, "Textures of Lagos" and "What My Mother Left Me", blend photography and poetry to honor home, heritage, and healing.
At the core of Samuel’s practice is a clear mission: to inspire connection, celebrate identity, and hold space for the stories that shape us.
Nannette Ho-Covernton
Engineer

After spending eight years in the EPC community working in project engineering and project management, Nannette joined Spartan Controls in 1995. Over the course of her career at Spartan Controls, she held several roles, including application specialist, technical sales, EPC Segment account manager, and most recently, Sustainability Leader.
Outside of her professional career, Nannette has been deeply involved in the innovation ecosystem, applying expertise in sustainability and automation to support industry advancement.
Leadership roles have included serving as a current Board Member of Petroleum Technology Alliance Canada, co-lead of the Digital Oil and Gas theme for the Clean Resources Innovation Network, Dean’s Advisory member for the SAIT McPhail School of Energy, Industry Advisory member for Mechanical Engineering at the Schulich School of Engineering, selection committee member for the Haskayne School of Business Inspiring Business Leaders Awards, and member of the Development Committee for Theatre Calgary.
In addition, Nannette's passion for volunteerism includes serving as Vice Chair of Sport Production for Organizing Committee Calgary, where she helped coordinate international speed skating competitions. She has also held leadership roles as Chair of the Schulich School of Engineering ECC and Board Member of Two Wheel View.
Arlene Lai
Creative Consultant

Arlene has always been involved with the Arts, one way or another, whether as a performer or backstage. It wasn’t until recently that she was asked to consult on different projects that required outside the box thinking and creativity!
Arlene enjoys helping people to look at issues from different perspectives and tackle them in a way they would not otherwise have considered. Arlene loves to collaborate with people in a way that leads to successful outcomes. Given the opportunity to make it happen, Arlene will always take it head on.
Mary MacLean
Canadian Renewable Energy Association

Mary MacLean (she/her) works for the Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) as the Operators Program Manager. In her role, she focuses on initiatives related to health & safety and workforce development, including CanREA's National workforce strategy and Clean Energy Jobs Canada.
Mary is an Associate Ergonomist (AE), has a graduate certificate in Advanced Ergonomics Studies from Fanshawe College and a BA in Kinesiology from Western University. She is currently based in Southwestern Ontario.