Melanie Nadeau
Chief Executive Officer
Centre for Ocean Ventures and Entrepreneurship (COVE).
Learn About My Career
I lead the vision and strategy for the Centre for Ocean Ventures and Entrepreneurship (COVE).
I was born/grew up in: Port Cartier, Quebec
I now live in: Halifax, Nova Scotia
I completed my training/education at: John Abbott College (DEC. Natural Sciences) / University of Waterloo (B.Sc Engineering) / University of Ulster (B.Sc. Engineering - Exchange)
I work at the Centre for Ocean Ventures and Entrepreneurship (COVE). We are an organization that brings together people, ideas, and resources to support Canada’s marine technology sector. We are a collection of ocean tech companies along with a private and public partners. I lead the development and implementation of the organization's short and long-term growth strategy. This includes creating, communicating, and implementing the vision, mission, and overall direction. I oversee the executive leadership and build strong relationships with key partners and stakeholders. I also work alongside a Board of Directors to position us for success.
Our goal is to move Canada’s ocean economy forward. We support the sustainable use of our ocean resources. To do this, we apply STEM knowledge in a way that ensures safe and efficient operations in the ocean. We are also looking for new ways to deliver products and services to the market. We look for ways to digitally enable technologies in the ocean. This includes such things as the testing and validation of sensors, subsea communications, and remote operations.
I make decisions daily. When making decisions, I make sure that I have all the needed information. This includes views from the people working in the area and the market conditions. I make use of all available data when making decisions. My engineering background has taught me to think carefully about problems and come up with solutions to address them. I sometimes use French at work, but it's mostly in I work in English.
I did not expect this to be where I would land when I was in high school. I joined the Naval Reserves at that time. I had no idea I would go into sciences, engineering, and navigate the business world. When I was at the University of Waterloo, I did the co-op program. This program gave me great work experience. It also exposed me to different types of work environments. It allowed me to focus on a career path when I graduated from university.
I work with many passionate and bright people who are helping solve huge challenges. This includes such things as how to adapt, or find solutions, to climate change. It also includes issues related to making use of offshore energy supplies. We also address issues related to arctic sovereignty, ocean exploration and data collection. My career has followed the following paths: Technology + Innovation + Business. When all three paths merge, it gets me very excited! Every day is different. There are always new challenges to deal with.
I am involved in the sustainable use of our largest natural resource - the ocean. This is very important because the ocean is a source of food, jobs and is enjoyment for Canadians. It is also important for transportation and as a source of energy. The work we do is also important on a global scale because the ocean is a shared resource. The work we do to support sustainable use of the ocean locally is important to many nations across the world.
I love the outdoors whether it's kayaking, hiking, or biking. I have volunteered for UNICEF Canada for many years. I am on several boards such as Engineers Nova Scotia and the QEII Health Science Foundation. I am an avid skier when I can get to the hills. I enjoy downtime by doing some yoga.
A career is a journey. Any experience you get along the way will benefit you in the long run.
What I do at work
I work at the Centre for Ocean Ventures and Entrepreneurship (COVE). We are an organization that brings together people, ideas, and resources to support Canada’s marine technology sector. We are a collection of ocean tech companies along with a private and public partners. I lead the development and implementation of the organization's short and long-term growth strategy. This includes creating, communicating, and implementing the vision, mission, and overall direction. I oversee the executive leadership and build strong relationships with key partners and stakeholders. I also work alongside a Board of Directors to position us for success.
Our goal is to move Canada’s ocean economy forward. We support the sustainable use of our ocean resources. To do this, we apply STEM knowledge in a way that ensures safe and efficient operations in the ocean. We are also looking for new ways to deliver products and services to the market. We look for ways to digitally enable technologies in the ocean. This includes such things as the testing and validation of sensors, subsea communications, and remote operations.
I make decisions daily. When making decisions, I make sure that I have all the needed information. This includes views from the people working in the area and the market conditions. I make use of all available data when making decisions. My engineering background has taught me to think carefully about problems and come up with solutions to address them. I sometimes use French at work, but it's mostly in I work in English.
My career path is
I did not expect this to be where I would land when I was in high school. I joined the Naval Reserves at that time. I had no idea I would go into sciences, engineering, and navigate the business world. When I was at the University of Waterloo, I did the co-op program. This program gave me great work experience. It also exposed me to different types of work environments. It allowed me to focus on a career path when I graduated from university.
I am motivated by
I work with many passionate and bright people who are helping solve huge challenges. This includes such things as how to adapt, or find solutions, to climate change. It also includes issues related to making use of offshore energy supplies. We also address issues related to arctic sovereignty, ocean exploration and data collection. My career has followed the following paths: Technology + Innovation + Business. When all three paths merge, it gets me very excited! Every day is different. There are always new challenges to deal with.
How I affect peoples’ lives
I am involved in the sustainable use of our largest natural resource - the ocean. This is very important because the ocean is a source of food, jobs and is enjoyment for Canadians. It is also important for transportation and as a source of energy. The work we do is also important on a global scale because the ocean is a shared resource. The work we do to support sustainable use of the ocean locally is important to many nations across the world.
Outside of work I
I love the outdoors whether it's kayaking, hiking, or biking. I have volunteered for UNICEF Canada for many years. I am on several boards such as Engineers Nova Scotia and the QEII Health Science Foundation. I am an avid skier when I can get to the hills. I enjoy downtime by doing some yoga.
My advice to others
A career is a journey. Any experience you get along the way will benefit you in the long run.
When I was a student I enjoyed:
- Geography
- Math
- Physical Education/Health
- Science
- Technology
When I was a student, I would describe myself as someone who:
- Liked helping people
- Organized activities for my friends
- Played on a sports team
- Enjoyed working with my hands
- Was motivated by success
- Wanted to be in charge
- Liked being given free range to explore my ideas
- Engaged in volunteer activities
- Felt great satisfaction in getting good grades
- Wasn’t sure what I wanted to do
- Learned best “by doing”
Related Topics
Explore More Career Profiles
-
Brianna Lummerding
Career Profiles
Agronomic Innovation Manager
I look after all things related to soil management for a group of retailers. -
Li Tan (he/him)
Career Profiles
Molecular Lead
I coordinate the day-to-day operations in the DNA Extraction Lab. -
Tyler Morhart (video)
Career Profiles
Scientist, Beamline Responsible - SyLMAND
I am responsible for the SyLMAND beamline at the Canadian Light Source synchrotron facility. -
Li Tan (Video)
Career Profiles
Molecular Lead
I coordinate the day-to-day operations in the DNA Extraction Lab. -
Rashell Featherstone (she/her)
Career Profiles
Senior Program Associate
I coordinate projects for the development of new products at STEMCELL. -
Kira Hoffman (she/her)
Career Profiles
Postdoctoral Researcher/Fire Ecologist
I am a researcher at both a university and a not-for profit organization where I am gaining experience to become a senior researcher. -
Zoë Ehlert (Video)
Career Profiles
Manager, Marker Assisted Breeding
I lead a team that develops canola crops by breeding plants with traits we are looking for. -
Zoë Ehlert
Career Profiles
Manager, Marker Assisted Breeding
I lead a team that develops canola crops by breeding plants with traits we are looking for. -
Jennifer Baltzer (she/her)
Career Profiles
Professor and Canada Research Chair in Forests and Global Change
I work at a university, teaching students and conducting research on the impact of climate change on forests in Canada and around the world. -
Caitlyn Lyons (she/her)
Career Profiles
Ph.D. Candidate
I am working towards my PhD and studying the forests in the Northwest Territories. -
Joann Whalen
Career Profiles
Professor at the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences,
I teach advanced courses on how to manage soils to produce healthy, nutritious food and maintain healthy ecosystem functions.