Tanya Martinez, Founder & CEO, Mi'kma'ki Energy
Tanya Martinez is an accomplished energy developer and engineer with more than 20 years of experience advancing utility-scale energy projects across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. She has led the development and delivery of more than 2 GW of renewable energy projects and managed development teams responsible for advancing a portfolio exceeding 10 GW of utility-scale solar and energy storage projects across California, Arizona, and First Nations/Tribal lands. Throughout her career, she has championed environmental stewardship and social equity initiatives that extend beyond regulatory requirements to deliver meaningful, lasting benefits to local communities.
Tanya is the Founder and CEO of Mi’kma’ki Energy, a First Nations-led company dedicated to advancing energy sovereignty and creating long-term economic opportunities through clean energy development. She leads the company’s renewable energy development initiatives across Canada, with a particular focus on offshore wind development in Atlantic Canada, as well as onshore wind, solar, energy storage, and emerging clean energy technologies.
Previously, as Head of Clean Energy Development for California at AES, Tanya helped shape energy policy and advance renewable energy development in support of California’s clean energy goals. She also spearheaded AES’s company-wide Tribal Engagement Policy to strengthen relationships, consultation, and collaboration with Tribal Nations. Earlier in her career, she worked at POWER Engineers, conducting grid interconnection studies and advising renewable energy developers on project siting and transmission infrastructure.
Her expertise spans the full project development lifecycle, including strategic energy planning, siting, engineering, interconnection, permitting, commercial negotiations, financing, easements and policy. She also brings experience in leading workforce development initiatives and fostering meaningful partnerships with First Nations.
Tanya is Mi’kmaq from Ugpi’ganjig First Nation and Puerto Rican. Her work is grounded in a commitment to First Nations energy sovereignty, economic self-determination, and meaningful First Nation leadership and ownership in the clean energy transition. She previously served as President of the Board of Directors for the Phoenix Chapter of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES), supporting Indigenous representation and opportunities in STEM.
Statement of Interest – Marine Renewables Canada Board of Directors
Tanya is seeking a position on the Marine Renewables Canada Board of Directors because of her strong commitment to advancing Canada's marine renewable energy industry and her belief in its tremendous potential to contribute to Canada's clean energy transition, economic prosperity, and energy security.
At this pivotal time, Canada has an opportunity to establish itself as a global leader in marine renewable energy. Tanya believes that realizing this potential will require strong industry leadership, supportive energy policies, strategic investment, and meaningful collaboration among governments, First Nations, industry, and communities.
With Canada facing significant challenges in meeting its greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets, Tanya sees marine renewable energy as an important part of the solution. Beyond its environmental benefits, she recognizes the industry's potential to attract billions of dollars in investment, create high-quality jobs, strengthen regional supply chains, and generate long-term economic opportunities for communities across Canada.
As a Mi’kmaq energy developer, Tanya is deeply committed to ensuring that First Nations play a leading role in shaping energy policy and are meaningfully represented as leaders, partners, and owners in the development of marine renewable energy resources. She believes responsible development must respect First Nations rights, knowledge, and governance while upholding the highest standards of environmental stewardship and protecting the long-term health of marine ecosystems.
Tanya hopes to contribute her extensive experience in renewable energy development, energy policy, strategic planning, and First Nations partnerships to support MRC's mission, strengthen collaboration across the industry, and help advance a thriving, sustainable, and inclusive marine renewable energy sector in Canada.