About Us

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Nancy Foran, FCPA, FCMA, C.Dir.

President & Founder

Nancy brings over 25 years of professional and executive experience to ESG Partners where she provides guidance to companies, investors, boards of directors and leadership teams as they incorporate ESG factors into strategies that create long-term, sustainable value. As a CPA, she effectively integrates ESG targets with financial goals.

With extensive local and international experience, she has worked with start-ups through to multinational organizations, investors, government and regulators, and has navigated regional, national and international complex, multi-stakeholder environments. 

In addition to her professional qualifications, Nancy is also educated in the leading sustainability standards and frameworks including the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the climate-focused TCFD and is an “FSA Credential Level 2 candidate in ESG” with the IFRS Foundation (formerly the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board - SASB). 

Nancy believes strongly in giving back to the communities where she lives and works, sits on local and international boards, and provides mentorship and guidance to new and emerging businesses and their leaders.

Sarah Weston, BSc, MREM, ADpPR 

Senior Associate, Sustainability & Communications

Sarah is a Halifax-based consultant with 18 years of local and international experience in sustainability and strategic communications. She has worked with government, Indigenous, community, and private sector partners and clients to achieve collective goals in capacity building, business development and governance.

In her role with ESG Partners, Sarah brings technical skills in areas such as social and environmental impact assessment, sustainable economics and governance, gender equity, biological diversity, oceanography, climate change, renewable energy, risk management and systems theory. 

She also brings professional skills in stakeholder engagement, facilitation, strategic communication, and project planning and management. 

Sarah holds a BSc in Physical Geography, a Master of Resource and Environmental Management, and an Advanced Diploma in Public Relations. 

Despite the nature of challenges currently facing the world, there are also many brilliant minds and solutions. Sarah values aligning them to achieve the greatest collective impact.

Simone Rawal, BSc, MSc 

ESG & Sustainability Consultant

Simone is an ESG & Sustainability Consultant with ESG Partners. She brings experience and passion for supporting businesses, tech spaces, communities, and organizations to reduce their negative environmental and social impacts and improve their sustainability performance. Her experience is in climate communication, sustainability reporting, GHG accounting, data analysis and visualization, and assessment processes for the effects of climate change.  

Simone’s training and experience lies at the intersection of environmental science, sustainability, and data analysis. She is adept at breaking down complex systems, identifying the right problem to solve, and working with a cross-functional team to deliver creative solutions. 

Simone holds a BSc in Environmental Geology with a minor in Computer Science, a Master of Science in Resources, Environment, and Sustainability, has completed several ESG certificates with the Corporate Finance Institute (CFI), and is currently preparing to write the CFA’s Certificate in ESG Investing. 

Vanessa Noujaim, MBA, BA, BScH 

Sustainability Analyst

Vanessa is a Sustainability Analyst with ESG Partners. She is an avid researcher and brings sharp analytical skills in industry trends and developments and their business case applications for our clients. 

Vanessa's past experience is in consulting as a research analyst. She also holds a Master of Business Administration and a dual science/arts degree with an Honours certificate in biology. This combination of skills and experience leaves her well-suited to meet the unique needs of our clients and help to enhance their performance in an increasingly complex global market.

Twinkle Dev, BSc, MSc, MPA Candidate

Sustainable Policy Analyst

Twinkle Dev is a Sustainability Policy Analyst with ESG Partners. She has deep research capabilities and expertise in climate change and sustainability, and experience liaising with multilateral, philanthropic and international organizations. 

Twinkle holds a BSc in Earth Sciences and an MSc in Environmental Studies and Resource Management, and is currently enrolled in the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program at Dalhousie University. Her public service experience includes equitable hiring policy development, and interjurisdictional scans for business development and regional economic networks in Canada. 

Samuel Kiragu, CPA(K), CAMS 

Special Advisor, International & Institutional Finance

 Samuel is a Special Advisor and technical collaborator with ESG Partners in financial risk and institutional finance and is the Managing Director for the Global Finance & Compliance Hub.

Samuel has worked for UBS Funds Services (Cayman), Mitsubishi Funds Services (Halifax, Canada), KPMG East Africa, and KPMG Cayman Islands. He has delivered executive level ESG training and conducted regulatory compliance audits for financial institutions in Africa, Canada, Cayman, and beyond.  Samuel teaches at the Nova Scotia Community College's School of Business, the University of College of the Cayman Islands, and develops and delivers courses such as Financial Services Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management to a variety of audiences.

Holding a Masters’ in Business Administration from the University of Liverpool in the UK, Samuel is also a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA Kenya), a Certified Public Secretaries of Kenya finalist, a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS), and holds a Sustainable Finance Certificate with the University of Cambridge.