Ernest Douglas, President/CEO
Ernest is a settler from Nova Scotia, who grew up and studied on the traditional and unceded territory of the Mi'kmaq People. He achieved an Honours degree in Science from Saint Mary's University, holds certification as a Canadian Registered Safety Professional and learned Mi'kmaq culture through a trusted Elder and friend.
With over two decades of experience in the North American energy industry, Ernest is dedicated to safety and inclusive collaboration and is known to empower teams, inspire trust, and execute on meaningful change to improve workplace culture. Ernest values family time, sharing it with his partner Nancy, two children, London and Greyson and two labs, Bones and Jersey.
Tracy Bai,
CFO/Vice President, Finance
Tracy is a seasoned finance professional with over 15 years of progressive experience in accounting and financial management. She holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Manitoba and an MBA from Queen’s University, alongside her CPA, CA designation. Throughout her career, Tracy has held roles in organizations including the Government of Northwest Territories (GNWT), Procom, and Deloitte, with her most recent position being Director of Finance at GNWT. Her expertise spans a variety of industries and she has been based in Yellowknife for the past six years. A dedicated professional with a passion for excellence, Tracy enjoys bringing strategic financial insights to organizations while fostering team collaboration. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time outdoors, including hiking to enjoy the natural beauty of the world around her.
Bill Nippard
Vice President, Operations/Engineering
Bill has a wealth of experience in the energy sector from the East Coast of Canada to Nunavut. He was the Regional Manager of Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro from 1999 to 2014 and the VP, Engineering & Operations for Saint John Energy. He was the President of Renfrew Hyrdo Inc, a local distribution company in Ontario. Bill has a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from Memorial University.
James Arreak
Vice President, Corporate Services
James is a bilingual Inuk leader bringing 25 years of experience to QEC. Most recently James has worked as the Ministerial Political Advisor, working directly with the Premier of Nunavut. Other roles have included Assistant Negotiator with QIA, Executive Director with Coalition of Nunavut DEA, working with government clients as the Founder/Consultant of JAS Consulting, and Chief Executive Officer with Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. He has completed his Master of Business Administration from Western University’s IVEY Business School, and has a ‘Certificate in Leading People and Investing to Build Sustainable Communities’ from Harvard University.
Alex Guilbeault
Director of Operations
Alex Guilbeault is Director of Operations and responsible for the maintenance and operation of all distribution systems, buildings and housing facilities, and power generation assets within Nunavut. In 2006, Alex graduated from Lakehead University’s Engineering program and has also completed studies in project management, asset management and leadership. He is a Professional Engineer with the Northwest Territories and Nunavut Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists (NAPEG) and PMP® Certified. Alex currently sits on the Board of Directors for the North American Off-Grid Utility Association (NAOGUA) and member for Electricity Canada Security and Infrastructure Protection Committee. In his off time, Alex enjoys hiking and snowmobiling, and volunteers with minor hockey and soccer programs.
Taufik Haroon, Director of Engineering
Mr. Taufik Haroon is the Director of Engineering. He has 20+ years of progressive experience in different levels of technical and management positions. He has vast professional experience in project management and project engineering in various utility projects. Specialized in program management, capital planning, project execution and renewable initiatives in utility sectors, Mr. Haroon joined QEC in 2012. He is also a member of different federal and territorial agencies and represents QEC in different technical forums. He is originally from Ontario and now lives in Iqaluit, NU.
Tina Mandeya
Director of Corporate Affairs
Tina Mandeya, a mother of two boys. Moved from Zimbabwe to Canada in 2001 and now lives in the Arctic. Her diverse global experiences, both professionally and personally, have fueled her passion for diversity and inclusion. With an Executive MBA, Tina has extensive experience in strategic planning, marketing, branding, and public relations, with over 15 years in the private sector and 14 years in the public sector. As Director of Corporate Affairs at Qulliq Energy Corporation, she leads corporate communications, public relations, policy development, and government relations, showcasing her dedication to strategic leadership and cross-cultural connections.
Hajira Sajjad ("Haj-ra")
Director of Human Resources
With over 10 years of experience across various regulated industries, Hajira's leadership spans across all areas of HR. Her focus on prioritizing Inuit employment, employee value enhancement and supporting professional development for staff, Hajira encourages operational excellence to ensure QEC has a skilled and dedicated workforce that aligns with the corporation’s mission and vision.
Certified in Human Resources Management, Canadian HR and Employment Law, as well as a post-graduate degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Hajira combines a deep understanding of HR best practices with a hands-on approach to recruitment, organizational design, and workforce development.
Nirpendra "Nick" Ajmera
Internal Auditor
Nirpendra Ajmera, "Nick," is the internal auditor at QEC with extensive experience in internal and IT audits, Internal Controls over Financial Reporting (ICFR), and Enterprise Risk Management (ERM). Trained by Big Four firms like KPMG and PwC, he has worked with organizations such as NTPC, SUEZ North America, TATA Consultancy Services, and Nokia. Nick has successfully led key projects across multiple sectors such as Utilities, Manufacturing, Telecom, and IT.
Michael Rafter
Legal Council
Michael Rafter is General Legal Counsel for Qulliq Energy Corporation. He is an alumnus of the University of Saskatchewan, having earned a Juris Doctor with distinction; and is a member of the Nunavut Bar. Michael is also a Chartered Professional Accountant with membership in Ontario, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut. Michael has held various senior positions in executive branch of government as well as the Legislative Assembly since 1999.
He has lived and worked in Nunavut since 1997 (Northwest Territories prior to 1999). When he is not working, he enjoys spending time with family, his children, and friends, Michael enjoys the fresh Arctic air and participates in many outdoor activities including walking his dog, hiking, snowmobiling, fishing, and skiing.