The Shift Team

Shift Environmental was spun from the fabric of a lifetime on the coast and built from the experience of its founders and staff, who believe in their authentic approach for a different way to work with First Nation Communities and Ocean Technology. The Shift team is passionate about building and supporting strategic relationships between First Nations, industry and government to build resilience in coastal communities.

James Spencer
FOUNDER & C.E.O

Colin Dobell
VP Technology
• CEO of Dobell Technologies, Inc.,
• President and General Manager of Inuktun Services, Ltd. – Purchased by Eddyfi Technologies
Colin was among the recipients of the Business in Vancouver 40 Under 40 Award in 2003.

Melissa Kirby
VP Consulting
Melissa Kirby is our Vice President of Consulting. She runs a team of biologists, planners, and coastal technicians and helps First Nation clients diversify their marine service capabilities. Melissa also seeks out partnership opportunities for Shift, First Nation communities, and business entities that result in environmentally- and economically sustainable development. She comes to Shift with a passion for the water, having been a scuba instructor, a salmon hatchery technician, and an ocean conservation researcher early in her career. Melissa also has an extensive resume of consultation and cooperation with First Nation communities including community consultations and engaging with Chief and Councils during agreement negotiations for a mine project and subsequent hiring and training First Nation environmental personnel. Having spent the past several years as a Project Manager and Operations Manager for residential, commercial, and marine construction in both private and government sectors, Melissa brings her strengths in leaning operations, leading teams, and relationship management to Shift.

Julian Bakker
Senior Coastal Planner

Sebastian Berg
R&D ENGINEERING LEAD

Robert Milne
FIELD OPERATIONS MANAGER

Aiden Massey
Project Engineering Technologist

Adrian Nutt
Financial Controller

Ronan Leighton
Product Developer
• Crystal Cam Imaging, Inc.
• Inuktun Services Ltd.
• Eddyfi Technologies
Ronan is an accomplished student and programmer, having worked to complete high school early. He is currently working toward his diploma in Computer Science (Vancouver Island University).

Katie Smith
Marine Projects Lead

Tyson Fritz
Senior FULL STACK DEVELOPER