Mike is the Founding Director of the PLACE Centre and an Assistant Professor in the Business, Economics, and Public Policy area group at Ivey Business School, Western University. Mike has conducted policy research on the nexus between regional economic development, innovation, housing, and climate policy in previous positions at the Mowat Centre, Lawrence Centre, Canada 2020, and for the federal government where he was Canada’s first ever Chief Innovation Fellow. Despite spending most of his time in Ottawa, Mike enjoys boring audiences with his encyclopedic knowledge of the history of Middlesex County, particularly Whalen Corners.

John is the Program Director for the Growth program at PLACE where he leads a team of researchers and communicators focused on clean growth policy. John has previously worked as an advisor, researcher, and policymaker on a number of issues including: federal climate policies, corporate sustainability initiatives, and advancing clean growth in Canadian resource sectors. John’s childhood love of paleontology has led to an encyclopedic knowledge of dinosaurs, and a lifetime of disappointment around how infrequently the topic comes up in daily conversations.

Teslin is a Senior Research Associate at PLACE where she is currently leading research on understanding how regions across Canada can acquire and retain the skilled labour needed to drive clean economic growth. Her research focuses on designing practical policy solutions that address clean growth challenges by understanding their unique characteristics, complexities, and contexts. Teslin has a BA LLB (Hons.) and a Master’s in Public Policy, and brings years of experience in government relations and as a legislative staffer to the team. For fun, Teslin likes upcycling old pieces of furniture.

Hem is a Senior Research Associate at PLACE where he works closely with the team to develop data-based insights and build fit-for-purpose solutions for the communities we work with. Hem brings several years of policy research experience across climate change and health to the team. A travel enthusiast, Hem is keen to visit all seven continents.

Jesse is a Senior Research Associate at PLACE where he focuses on climate-friendly housing policy. He brings a mix of applied and academic experience in urban politics and policy as a two-term city councilor in London, PhD Candidate in political science at Western University, and part-time instructor in both Western's local government program and Huron University College's governance, leadership, and ethics program. An avid cyclist, Jesse loves riding along the Thames Valley Parkway with his wife, Kate, and daughter, Flora.