ABOUT CUTRIC
Our Successful Team of
Professionals
The work we do at the Canadian Urban Transit Research & Innovation
Consortium (CUTRIC) is made possible by our many industry-leading consultants,
public relations officers, coordinators, project managers and executive team.

Petrunic
President & CEO, CUTRIC
As the President & CEO of CUTRIC, Dr. Josipa Petrunic is leading the formulation of national transportation and energy systems analyses, including battery electric vehicles (BEV), hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) and zero-emissions transit technologies.
As one of Canada’s leading experts in Zero-Emissions Bus (ZEB) innovation deployment projects, Dr. Petrunic has designed, developed and launched the Pan-Canadian Electric Bus Demonstration & Integration Trial (Phases I-II), the Pan-Canadian Hydrogen Fuel Cell Demonstration…
Education
PhD – Science and Technology Studies (Economics and Mathematics Stream), University of Edinburgh
M.Sc. – Science and Technology Studies (Economics and Mathematics Stream), University of Edinburgh
M.Sc. – Political Science and Public Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science
BJ – Political Science and Journalism, Carleton University
During her time with Canada’s national Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association (APMA) and Ontario’s Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, she successfully implemented structured sales strategies to improve membership and foreign direct investment goals, respectively. In addition, she has worked extensively with global automotive suppliers and manufacturers, where she led Industry 4.0 implementations, planned and executed corporate Environmental Social Governance (ESG) strategies, and secured government funding for over $150M in global business expansions
At CUTRIC, Nadia holds an advisory role in supporting the planning and execution for strategic initiatives around Membership, Marketing and Communications
Nadia is currently based in Mississauga, Ontario.
Vincent brings over 20 years of automotive industry experience, with foundational understandings of manufacturing and supply chains, operations, marketing, and stakeholder engagement, as well as extensive involvement in the evolution of Canada’s automotive, mobility and transportation industries.
As a past senior executive of Canada’s Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association (APMA), he helped grow the organization through member, strategic partnership and stakeholder development, government advocacy and policy development, event and operational management and engaging in international trade development activities, to support and help strengthen the Canadian auto sector through its technological and digital transformations, as it evolves in new manufacturing processes, connectivity and new vehicle technology development.
More recently, he has worked as Director, Ecosystem and Business Development at the Centre for Integrated Transportation and Mobility (CITM), a Regional Technology Development Site operating at the Innovation Factory in Hamilton, Ontario within the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN), developing the ecosystem, supporting partner development and the start-up community for innovations in automated/connected vehicles, electrification, mobility, multi-modal and transportation technologies.
Vincent is currently based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada and is a graduate of McMaster University’s DeGroote School of Business.
Her management experience, combined with her years of experience as a managerial attorney in labour and employment law as well as in occupational health and safety law, has bestowed her with a global understanding and vision that allows her to adopt strategies that encompass all aspects of the business.
ZEB Consulting Services
Prior to CUTRIC, Alexis worked in Project Management in battery management systems, nuclear commercial grade dedication, and solar racking systems. She is also the Ontario Chapter Leader for Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy.
Alexis Dunphy is currently based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Ms Moss also supports operations standardization and administration for the CEO. Prior to CUTRIC, Caren worked in operations and volunteer management and has extensive experience with NGOs and grassroots organizations in the art industry in South Africa.
Caren Moss is currently based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Hons. BA Art History, University of South Africa
BA. Art History, Rhodes University
Certificate in Creative Writing, Rhodes University
Certificate in Public Relations, University of South Africa
Managing for Results, Gordon Institute for Business Science
Holly has completed a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Amsterdam, as well as dual Bachelor's degrees in Planning, Public Policy, & Management, and Psychology at the University of Oregon. Holly is a member of the Founding Board of Directors at Women in Urbanism Canada.
Holly is currently based in Montreal, Quebec.
B.Sc. - Planning, Public Policy, & Management, University of Oregon
B.Sc. - Psychology, University of Oregon
Roberto previously worked with electrical measurement techniques to retrieve microscopic information on electrochemical cells and nano-structured samples. His research interests include the electrical characterization, modelling and simulation of electrical devices, sensors, and electrochemical cells. He contributed to the development of the measurement theory of Impedances by investigating constraints imposed on measured data by physical principles such as causality relations.
Dr. Roberto Sardenberg is currently based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
M.Sc. – Physics, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
BSc – Physics, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
Junli received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Earth and Environmental Sciences Co-op with a specialization in Geographic Information System (GIS) from McMaster University and he is currently pursuing the GIS Professional (GISP®) designation.
Prior to CUTRIC, Junli worked as a GIS Technician for Ontario Land Trust Alliance. He created the maps and geoprocessed spatial data through ArcGIS to support various land conservation projects. During Junli’s co-op, Junli utilized his GIS knowledge and geospatial techniques to support electric mobility data analysis for McMaster Institute for Transportation & Logistics and to assist the implementation of Source Protection Plans for the Regional Municipality of Halton.
Junli Hu is currently based in Vaughan, Ontario, Canada.
As an Anthropologist, Titash is very excited to bring a new lens to this industry because she combines her traditional anthropological concepts with business development. According to her, helping transit understand and visualise the future of the rapid transforming global and North American transit industry and its local impact is key to the overall adaptation and success of low carbon smart mobility technology.
In her new role, Titash will continue to spearhead CUTRIC’s social-scientific work. She and the team will continue to undertake research for CUTRIC’s members and clients to understand the social impact of transit electrification in Canada to advanced CUTRIC’s analytic outcomes within its Zero Emission Bus Consulting Services.
Titash Choudhury is currently based in Edmonton, Alberta.
M.A – Ecology Environment, and Sustainable Development, Tata Institute of Social Sciences
Hon. B.Sc – Microbiology, West Bengal State University
He utilizes his demonstrated expertise in the electricity distribution utility industry for CUTRIC’s ZEB Consulting Services Team to contribute to the needs assessment from an electrical and technical standpoint for energy transition and ZEB implementation.
Scott graduated with a B.Sc Electrical Engineering from Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador and has worked in a wide variety of industries including metal fabrication, electric utility operations and capital projects, and most recently as a project manager for heavy construction work in the Pulp & Paper industry. Scott has experience with budgeting, planning, procurement, design, construction and commissioning as it relates to electrical substations and infrastructure.
Scott is currently based in Saint John, New Brunswick.
Prior to CUTRIC, Bernard worked as a computational physicist for six years, using algorithms to solve complex physical systems. He received a Master’s in Science from the University of Guelph, where he used mean-field theory equations to simulate neutron star matter. He has also been driving a Zero Emission Power Wheelchair for as long as he can remember!
Bernard Ross is currently based in Guelph, Ontario.
Certificate in Data Science, University of Guelph
B.Sc. - Nanoscience, University of Guelph
Prior to CUTRIC, Ms. Ayyaz worked in the Transportation industry where she was responsible for creating streamlined workflow and cost-saving analysis for the collection of road-data. She also worked in Utilities where she made efficient processes and GIS related solutions.
Ms. Ayyaz received her Bachelor of Environmental Studies Degree in Geography and Environmental Management with a Specialization in Geomatics from the University of Waterloo. She also has her Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification received from QCDMS Consultants.
Ms. Ayyaz is currently based in Milton, Ontario.
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification, QCDMS
Prior to CUTRIC, Ryan Welfle worked as a GIS Technician designing fibre optics circuits. He also volunteered as a coordinator for various community garden/seed-saving initiatives. He received his Bachelor in Environmental Studies, as well as a Certificate in Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing from York University
Ryan Welfle is currently based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Certificate in Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing, York University
Jessica started her career in the publications department of the Centre for International Governance Innovation, before taking on a number of project development and program management roles at FIM-Forum for Democratic Global Governance and the World Design Organization, including leading five cycles of the World Design Capital initiative.
Ms. Hanson completed a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at McGill University, a Masters of Arts in International Relations at the University of Sussex and obtained the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification in 2015.
Jessica is currently based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
MA in International Relations
BA in Political Science
Prior to CUTRIC, Morgane worked as a Program Coordinator to organize several in-person and virtual events focused on new mobility, transit and technology. She received her Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree in Urban Studies from McGill University.
Morgane Kuyl is currently based in Montreal, Quebec.
Prior to CUTRIC, Desmond worked in project and programme management, international affairs, policy analysis, research and communications in government, private sector and academic organizations. He is a certified ISO 21502 Lead Project Manager from PECB, Six Sigma Green Belt from Edhut Knowledge Solutions (Pvt Ltd) and a Project Management Professional (PMP®) from PMI. He is also a holder of a Bachelor of Social Science in Industrial and Economic Sociology, a Bachelor of Social Science with Honours in Development Studies, and a Master of Social Science in Sociology, all from Rhodes University.
Desmond Jaricha is currently based in Steinbach, Manitoba, Canada.
Hon. B. Soc-Sci - Development Studies, Rhodes University
B. Soc-Sci - Industrial & Economic Sociology, Rhodes University
B.Sc. – Electrical Engineering, University of Jordan
Membership Success
As Business Development & Membership Engagement Officer at CUTRIC, Majdi will focus on establishing and executing membership recruitment and retention strategic plans to ensure maximum engagement and satisfaction of our members. He will develop executive relationships with member organizations, academic, government and industry stakeholders to understand their goals and zero-emission plans.
Majdi El-Sadek is currently based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Hon. BSc – Architectural Engineering, KFUPM
Operations & Communications
Prior to CUTRIC, Kristina worked as a recruitment officer for Brock University, and facilities management for Indigo. While completing her undergraduate degree, Kristina worked as a social justice research and development coordinator, student ambassador for Women’s and Gender Studies and a customer experience representative for Indigo.
Kristina Petrusic is currently based in Thorold, Ontario, Canada.
With a B.Sc. from McGill, Leah specializes in translating technical and scientific information into content for a general audience. She has written on behalf of cabinet ministers, senior executives and Canada’s Chief Science Advisor, and has been published in university and trade magazines.
Leah Geller is currently based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Prior to CUTRIC, Harvey had worked in accounting and finance management at various organizations for more than ten years. He is a CPA CGA. Harvey received his Bachelor Degree in Business and Administration from Huazhong University of Science and Technology, and his Master Degree of Business and Administration from Beijing Jiaotong University.
Harvey Chao is currently based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Master Degree of Business and Administration from Beijing Jiaotong University.
Marketing
Melissa has 15+ years of experience in various marketing and communications roles in government and non-profit sectors. She has led multiple projects including new website development, sponsorship and event management, digital application development and marketing strategy and campaigns. She is adept in advanced digital marketing, analytics and SEO as well as web support and design.
Prior to CUTRIC, Melissa worked as a Professional Officer of Marketing and Communications at the City of Cape Town (South Africa).
Melissa Heynes is currently based in Okotoks, Alberta, Canada.
Certificate in Public Relations at the University of South Africa
Certified Digital Marketing Professional (CDMP) from the Digital Marketing Institute
Commercialization
Jess has previously sat on the boards of Halifax Pride, Fierté Canada Pride, Nova Scotia Rainbow Action Project, East Coast Rainbow Softball Association, and Lunenburg County Ground Search and Rescue. Prior to CUTRIC, they worked as a Legal Coordinator and Digital Producer in Halifax.
Jess Smith is currently based in Halifax, Nova Scotia with plans to return to Alberta later in 2023.
Prior to CUTRIC, Prateek worked as an intellectual property and patent research analyst, handling studies and projects across industries spanning automobile/transportation, specialty chemicals and chemistry amongst others. Prateek holds a bachelor degree in Chemical Engineering from Panjab University and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Sustainability Management from the University of Toronto.
Prateek is currently based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.