After nearly 30 years of devoted service and leadership, we are announcing the retirement of Pat Letizia, CEO of Alberta Ecotrust Foundation, effective December 31, 2024. Pat’s remarkable journey with Alberta Ecotrust has been one of transformation, collaboration, and lasting impact, and her contributions have helped shape the environmental sector in Alberta.

A Journey of Growth and Impact

Pat joined Alberta Ecotrust in the early 1990s when the organization was a small, one-room operation. She was drawn to the Foundation’s unique partnership model, bringing together corporate leaders from companies like Petro-Canada and Suncor with grassroots environmental groups such as the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society and Clean Calgary. From the beginning, Pat was a big thinker and saw the potential for these partnerships to create real change, and spent her career fostering deep relationships and trust among people from all walks of life.

In 2000, Pat became the Executive Director of Alberta Ecotrust, and under her leadership, the organization expanded significantly. One of her early successes was securing $2 million for the Kananaskis Summit Environmental Legacy Fund, followed by a $1 million donation from Encana. These funds allowed Alberta Ecotrust to increase the reach of its grants and provide financial security for the future.

Since then, Alberta Ecotrust has become a positive force for environmental change in our province. Under Pat’s leadership, the organization has disbursed over $19 million to more than 850 environmental projects, addressing critical issues like land use, water conservation, and climate change. She also played a key role in brokering partnerships, including the $44 million Climate Innovation Fund endowment with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, the City of Edmonton, and the City of Calgary as part of Low Carbon Cities Canada.

Championing Collaboration and Innovation

Throughout her career, Pat consistently championed the deep value of working with others,  fostering partnerships among a diverse range of stakeholders, including energy companies, environmental organizations, government agencies, Indigenous communities, and philanthropic institutions. She advocated for setting aside differences and focusing on common goals, emphasizing the importance of trust in building productive relationships. Pat’s commitment to cross-sectoral collaboration has played a critical role in creating meaningful environmental progress across Alberta, demonstrating the power of unified efforts in addressing complex challenges.

Pat was also instrumental in introducing systems thinking and social innovation frameworks to Alberta’s environmental landscape. She co-led several groundbreaking initiatives, including the "Taking Stock" lab on environmental policy, "Project Blue Thumb", a social innovation lab focused on water quality, and the "Alberta Narratives Project," which aimed to shift climate narratives across the province. 

Honouring a Legacy of Leadership

Pat’s leadership has been recognized far beyond Alberta. She co-founded and served on the boards of key networks such as the Canadian Environmental Grantmakers Network (now Environment Funders Canada) and the Calgary Chamber of Voluntary Organizations (now  Nonprofit Chamber). She is a Director of the Clean Economy Fund and is Chair of the City of Calgary’s Climate Advisory Committee. Pat was awarded both the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee and Diamond Jubilee Medals for service to her community. In recognition of her outstanding environmental contributions, Pat was recently honoured with the Emerald Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Alberta Emerald Foundation. 

Looking Ahead: A New Chapter for Alberta Ecotrust

Pat’s legacy provides new opportunities, and we are excited to announce that Rod Ruff, who has worked alongside Pat as a key leader within Alberta Ecotrust since 2013, has been unanimously appointed by the Board as the next CEO, effective January 1, 2025. Rod played a critical role in growing the organization’s impact through Alberta Ecotrust’s most ambitious projects, including the founding of the Low Carbon Cities Canada network and the Climate Innovation Fund.

In her own words, Pat shared her confidence in Rod’s leadership: “Rod, you’ve been a trusted partner and an innovative leader. I’m immensely proud of you and I couldn’t be more confident in your ability to lead this organization into its next chapter.”

Thank You, Pat

As Pat steps down, we want to express our deepest gratitude for her years of service, dedication, and leadership. Alberta Ecotrust would not be where it is today without her vision and determination. We wish Pat all the best in her retirement and look forward to building on the strong foundation she has laid.

Thank you, Pat, for everything you’ve done for Alberta Ecotrust and for Alberta’s environment. We will continue to carry your legacy forward.

This message is shared with the deepest gratitude from the entire team and the Board of Alberta Ecotrust.