“Sean brought passion and dedication to our efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the fight against climate change as well as reducing energy poverty.”

— Cindy Hilchey, COO, Clean Foundation

 

About Sean Kelly

SKC lead consultant Sean Kelly has over 30 years of experience in:

  • Program development and management

  • Strategic design and planning (or reassessment)

  • Inclusive leadership and engagement

  • Communications

  • Adult education on environment and global issues

He has worked for groups including Clean Nova Scotia Foundation (as Manager of Communications and then as Director of Energy), Cuso International, the Lester Pearson Institute for International Development, and Impact Organizations of Nova Scotia.

At Clean Foundation, Sean led his team through substantial growth, oversaw energy efficiency & energy poverty reduction programs, and coordinated the design of large-scale programs.

He launched public tools such as SolarAssist, managed the award-winning Clean Energy Financing program, and helped create the Clean Energy & Equity Network.

Sean is the founder of the Climate Story Network, and sits on the Board of Directors of the Nova Scotia Nature Trust.

 
 

  • Sean’s current and past clients include:

    • Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Climate Change
    • CarbonRun
    • CLEAResult / Ecofitt
    • The Hamlet of Kugaaruk, Nunavut
    • Fishing Gear Association of Atlantic Canada
    • CLIMAtlantic
    • Divert Nova Scotia
    • Building to Zero Exchange
    • Carbon Removal Canada
    • The ReCover Initiative
    • Town of Antigonish

    • RFS Energy / Southern Alberta Institute of Technology
    • Epilepsy Association of the Maritimes
    • Marine Renewables Canada
    • Ecology Action Centre
    • One North End Community Economic Development Society
    • Atlantic Region Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies
    • Community Sector Council of Nova Scotia
    • New Dawn Enterprises
    • ACAP Cape Breton

    • Welcoming International Newcomers Association [pro bono]
    • Nova Scotia Environmental Network
    • Aphasia Nova Scotia [pro bono]
    • Extreme Group Marketing / Nova Scotia Tourism
    • Pitu’paq Bras d’Or Partnership
    • HeartWood Centre for Youth Development
    • Atlantic Council for International Cooperation
    • Toronto Metropolitan University International Centre

  • Sean studied International Development (with a concentration on sustainable development) at Dalhousie University and Adult Education at St. Francis Xavier University.

    He has taken professional development training in:

    • Design Thinking
    • Results-Based Management
    • Stakeholder & Rightsholder Engagement
    • Inclusive Management
    • Communicating Climate Change
    • Complexity Management
    • Social Procurement (certified)
    • Organizational Branding
    • Participatory Qualitative Research
    • Strategic Communications
    • Energy Efficiency Marketing

Sean uses strategic thinking and evocative communications to achieve impact.

He was Head of Communications for Cuso International, a leading global development agency active in 15 countries around the world. He was also the editor of The Sustainable Times, Cuso’s magazine on environment and international development sold on 350 newsstands across Canada.

Sean has been published in publications including Outpost, The Globe and Mail, Saltscapes, National Observer, and New Internationalist. He produced radio documentaries heard on the CBC, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, and National Public Radio in the U.S. Sean was co-winner of a National Magazine Award in Canada, and won a Gabriel Award for Radio Documentary in the U.S.

He has won a Global Citizen Award from the UN 50th Anniversary Committee of Canada, a Nova Scotia Public Health Award, a Nova Scotia Environmental Trust Award, and a Global Issues Education Award from the Canadian International Development Agency.

Sean is a father, wilderness camper, occasional writer, and photography enthusiast. The banner photos on this site were shot by Sean with thrift shop point & shoot film cameras.