IPUR is pleased to welcome a new visiting scholar as of January, 2025. Marla Orenstein recently finished a six-year tenure as Director of Resources, Environment and Economy at the Canada West Foundation, a public policy think tank based in Calgary, Canada. In this role, she focused on using policy to maximise sustainability and prosperity as the world transitions to cleaner forms of energy.
Marla is a leading expert on regulatory processes for major project approval. She has twice held the role of President of the International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA), and has authored textbooks, book chapters, practice standards, journal articles, reports and op-eds on best practices in impact assessment and regulatory efficiency.
Marla is an Ambassador for the Energy Futures Lab, and Advisor on Government Relations for Avatar Innovations. She founded and for 12 years led Habitat Health Impact Consulting, where she worked closely with governments, industry, international agencies, Indigenous groups and communities on the risks and impacts of resource and infrastructure development projects around the world.
During her time with IPUR, Marla will be looking at how to support government decision-makers in understanding and using AI for environmental planning.
A big fan of eating, Marla is excited to try Singapore’s food culture.
