Our Executive Committee
Laurie Swami
President and CEO, NWMO
Laurie Swami is the President and CEO of the NWMO. She was appointed to the role in 2016 and is responsible for implementing Canada's plan for the long-term management of used nuclear fuel.
Prior to joining the NWMO, Ms. Swami spent 30 years at Ontario Power Generation (OPG), primarily in nuclear operations. She served as Senior Vice-President of Decommissioning and Nuclear Waste Management, overseeing the operation of nuclear waste management facilities and planning for the decommissioning of a nuclear generating facility.
Ms. Swami has extensive experience leading environmental assessment projects, including nuclear refurbishments. She has appeared before joint panel reviews (including for the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission) for the Darlington New Nuclear Project and OPG's Deep Geologic Repository Project.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Chemistry from Queen's University and a Master of Business Administration from the Schulich School of Business. She is an ardent supporter of and advocate for the advancement of women to leadership positions. In recognition of this contribution, she received the Women in Nuclear Canada Leadership Award in 2016.
Derek Wilson
Chief Operating Officer
Derek Wilson is the Chief Operating Officer at the NWMO. Mr. Wilson has been with the NWMO for over 12 years. In his previous role as Vice President of Construction and Projects for the NWMO, Mr. Wilson implemented the Adaptive Phased Management (APM) technical and field assessment programs and was instrumental in the NWMO’s past work supporting Ontario Power Generation's (OPG) efforts to obtain regulatory approval for a proposed deep geologic repository to store low- and intermediate-level waste.
Mr. Wilson is a mining engineer with more than 25 years of experience in the mining and heavy construction industries, primarily in project and operational management roles. Before joining the NWMO, he worked with the mining division of AMEC and with Holcim Canada.
Chris Boyle
Vice-President and Chief Engineer
Chris Boyle is Vice-President and Chief Engineer at the NWMO. He is responsible for the implementation of the Adaptive Phased Management (APM) technical program for Canada’s used nuclear fuel. Prior to joining the NWMO in 2011, Mr. Boyle’s past experiences included automotive manufacturing, biomechanics, and defence science research and development with a focus on innovation and design optimization. Chris holds a Bachelor and Master of Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering from Queen’s University.
Lisa Frizzell
Vice-President, Communications
Lisa Frizzell is the Vice-President of Communications at the NWMO. Before joining the organization in 2012, Ms. Frizzell worked in communications for a number of corporate, academic and government organizations in Canada and the United States. Her focus is in strategic communications, and she brings extensive experience as a communications leader, primarily in the energy sector. Ms. Frizzell holds a Bachelor of Public Relations from Mount Saint Vincent University and an Executive Master of Business Administration from the University of Calgary’s Haskayne School of Business.
Jeff Quick
Chief Financial and Risk Officer
Jeff Quick is the Chief Financial and Risk Officer for the NWMO. Mr. Quick is a seasoned financial professional with more than 30 years of North American financial and business leadership. Prior to joining NWMO, Mr. Quick served as Chief Financial Officer for STARS, a Western Canada based helicopter emergency medical services organization, where he was responsible for an extensive portfolio including Finance, Information Technology, Human Resources, Facilities and Legal. Over the course of his career, Mr. Quick has held several leadership roles including Vice President Consumer Database Marketing Services and Vice President Strategic Planning and Business Development Alliance Data Systems, a Dallas based company. Prior to that Mr. Quick led Strategic Planning and Business Development for Loyalty One, the owner of AIR MILES loyalty programs.
Mr. Quick is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD.D).
Leigh-Ann Layno
Vice-President, Human Resources and Chief Ethics Officer
Leigh-Ann Layno is the Vice-President of Human Resources and Chief Ethics Officer at the NWMO. Ms. Layno oversees programs related to employee and labour relations, recruitment and talent management, total rewards, ethics and wellness. Ms. Layno is a Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL) with over 25 years of experience across multiple sectors, specializing in labour relations within multi-union environments. Prior to joining the NWMO in 2017, she held several leadership roles, including Director of Human Resources at the National Ballet of Canada and Senior Industrial Relations Consultant at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
Doug Taylor
Vice-President and Chief Counsel
Doug Taylor is Vice-President, General Counsel and Board Secretary at the NWMO. He is responsible for NWMO’s real estate portfolio and providing legal counsel on all aspects of the NWMO’s business including all Board secretarial matters. Prior to joining the NWMO, Mr. Taylor worked at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP and at the Independent Electricity System Operator. He also practised for over 15 years in law firms in the United Kingdom, including eight as a Partner. Mr. Taylor holds a Bachelor of Law LLB (First Class Honours) from Aberdeen University in Scotland and a Master of Law LLM from Dalhousie University. He is called to the Bar in Ontario and Scotland.
Joe Heil
Vice-President, Indigenous and Municipal Relations and Transportation
Joe Heil is the Vice-President of Indigenous and Municipal Relations and Transportation at the NWMO, and is a proud member of the Oneida Nation of the Thames. Mr. Heil joined the NWMO in 2015 after more than 32 years at Ontario Power Generation (OPG) working in the fields of nuclear operations, radiation protection and Indigenous relations. During his time at OPG, Mr. Heil led settlements with First Nation communities on their historical grievances and was instrumental in OPG’s first equity partnership with Lac Seul First Nation. Additionally, Mr. Heil played a key role in the Lower Mattagami generating station equity partnership between OPG and Moose Cree First Nation, which generated $300 million in local Indigenous procurement and 400 person-years of Indigenous employment.
Allan Webster
Vice-President, Regulatory Affairs