Janet Rieksts-Alderman is the Co-Chair of KPMG Canada’s Board Leadership Center as well as the Sector Leader for Power, Utilities and Renewables. These roles put her at the intersection of some of the most defining changes impacting industries today and to some of the most redefining obligations in board governance today. Janet’s possesses deep expertise in project risk management with over 18 years working with public and private sector clients in Canada and around the world. Transformational projects will be required to meet climate related goals so important both organizations and in particular boards get this right.


Janet served on the Boards of several organizations executing large and transformational projects. These include Waterfront Toronto, where she served as the Chair of the Audit Committee, Acting Board Chair overseeing the historic $1.25-billion flood-protection project in the city’s Port Lands district, which was funded by three levels of government. As a director of Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO), she served as Chair of the Governance and HR Committee and member of the Technical Committee. NWMO’s mandate includes a unique mega project spanning approximately 175 years in length at a cost of 26 billion dollars. Additionally, as a member of the Advisory Board for TAS she had a front row seat to building homes and communities with a view to impact.

Janet’s insights come from her work with Boards and Senior Leaders in sectors not only in the Energy sectors but also Financial Services, Infrastructure and Transportation. Janet is a CPA, CMA and holds an MBA from Saint Mary’s University.

John Desjardins is the Chair of BC Chapter of the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD), the Vancouver representative on KPMG’s Board Leadership Team, a member of the Forestry Innovation Investment’s Audit Committee and a former member of the KPMG Board of Directors for six years which ended in June 2023. John teaches the DEP audit committee session and has extensive experience working with Audit Committees and Boards over his career. John currently attends over 30 Audit Committee/Board meetings annually.

For John’s day job, he is a senior partner with KPMG LLP and has 34 years of experience as a public company auditor focused on industrial companies (forestry, mining, shipping and alternative energy) listed in Canada and in the U.S.

Michael is an Audit Partner, who also leads KPMG's Funds/Insurance/Real Estate practice in the GTA, with a focus on asset management, which includes financial services and real estate. Michael has significant and varied experience involving matters of financial reporting, regulatory compliance and public market offerings, as well as transaction related assistance. Michael is a Securities Review Partner in the GTA and assists many real estate engagements teams with a variety of different securities related offerings and filings. In addition, previous to his current industry focus, Michael led KPMG’s Technology practice in the Greater Toronto Area, and has worked with several private equity and asset management firms during his tenure with KPMG.

Michael is a past member of the Board of Directors for Youth Employment Services. He is an Audit and Finance Committee member for the Sunnybrook Hospital Foundation. As well, Michael plays an active role as a hockey coach with Humber Valley Hockey Association.