Meet our Energy Trailblazer: Fatima Crerar
Fatima Crerar
Vice President, Strategy & Partnerships, The Atmospheric Fund
Toronto, ON
Fatima Crerar has a knack for turning bold ideas into action. As Vice President of Strategy & Partnerships at The Atmospheric Fund (TAF), Fatima is supporting efforts to reduce emissions and ensure a clean, green future for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA). Overseeing TAF’s Communications, Operations, People, and Research & Innovation teams, Fatima helps to foster a culture of problem-solving, creativity, collaboration, and learning—essential elements in addressing the climate crisis.
With a background in science from the University of Toronto and more than 20 years of experience in communications, program and policy design, creative thinking and team leadership, Fatima emphasizes the importance of community engagement and relationship-building. Her approach is deeply rooted in human-centered leadership, recognizing that meaningful change occurs when people feel empowered and included in the process.
“In the energy efficiency sector, there is still a gender and diversity gap. This makes it the right time to start this work. The better and more representative the people are in the field, the faster better solutions will be implemented.”
Fatima’s career is marked by her work at TAF, ecobee, Summerhill, and other organizations, where she has spearheaded transformative programs with government and industry partners. Her ability to uncover common goals and focus on smart collaboration has been instrumental in tackling complex challenges like climate resilience. Fatima often reminds people that while challenges are inevitable, finding solutions is always possible.
Fatima’s Career Journey
University education
Fatima took energy/climate courses in university.
On-the-job skills training
Fatima learned financial acumen, leadership development, strategy and planning, stakeholder relationships, and operations while on-the-job.
Professional growth
Fatima attended webinars, listened to podcasts, read and talked to others in the industry.
Advice on entering the energy efficiency sector
As a female and a Black female, there are always going to be obstacles. That doesn’t mean, however, that I didn’t face them head-on. I like a challenge. I welcome it, actually. It motivates me. So for any women out there who are BIPOC or women in general, we are dominating a very male-induced industry.
Where things are trending in workforce development is, upskilling the soft skills that you don’t have. We’ve recognized that it’s not just learning the technical stuff, you have to give them the management skills and the business skills and the stakeholder engagement skills.
The great thing is that with this sector, there is such a need for workers that they are offering courses to everyone. That’s really opening up for people. You don’t need to go back to school necessarily. Go do a degree or diploma. You can take like little courses at a time to upskill yourself and make yourself relevant.
