Mission and Vision

EMPOWERING GENERATIONS

Ensuring continuity in the quality of life for generations to come by improving positive social, economic, and environmental impact through business practices.

We strive to provide expert vendor-agnostic advice on electric mobility, integrated solutions, and professional project management based on three pillars:

  • Sustainability
  • Accountability
  • Quality

Our Values

With all our relationships and projects, we are always looking to make a lasting impression.

Industry Passion

All our team members carry a deep passion for sustainability targeting e-mobility and responsibility to advance the best solutions for the highest industry EV adoption rate.

Future Focused

What we build today will leave a legacy for generations by doing our part to fight against climate change. We understand that we may only contribute to 1% of change but in the long run each percent will count enormously.

Innovation

At LAE, we will never accept the status quo and ensure that we are on top of all the latest and most innovative solutions on the market. Our job is to constantly stay ahead and continue to learn in order to best educate our clients.

We Keep it Simple

We help cut through the industry noise by vetting all the players entering a growing industry. We provide turnkey, end-to-end solutions that always keep our clients’ best interests first.

Leaders in EV Charging

Why LAE?

LAE has project-managed over 250 new and retrofit EV charging sites and installed over 1000 charging stations across North America. The technical learnings from each project have developed the company into a market-leading consulting and project management business.

Vendor-Agnostic Approach

Our vendor-agnostic approach allows us to carefully assess all EV charging options on the market and provide the best recommendation for each project. There is no “one size fits all” offering as every property is different, whether it’s zoned as a rental, mixed-use, commercial, office, industrial, etc. Every project requires a different approach.

Clients Interests are Our Primary Focus

Using the vendor-agnostic approach avoids us to have to offer only one brand/solution to our clients. As we are not trying “sell” a specific product or solution and it allows us to source the best customized EV charging solution for every project.

A Turnkey One-Stop Shop Approach

We provide consulting services from strategic planning to government rebate application to project management, procurement and maintenance across Canada and the United States. No longer is it needed to hire multiple vendors across a large portfolio. LAE can do it all.

EV Charging is What We Do

LAE was launched when only the Tesla Model S and Nissan Leaf were available on the market. We’ve built and grown with the industry. This has provided us with in-depth industry knowledge allowing us to provide expert advice. EV charging has always been our focus—long before it was considered “trendy.”

Meet our Founder

Maxime Charron

A graduate of Ottawa University and BCIT’s Sustainable Business program, Maxime founded LeadingAhead Energy in 2017 when electric cars were a rarity. Since then, he’s grown LAE to twelve employees all without any outside investment. His success running LAE and expansion into the United States led him to recently be named one of Business in Vancouver’s 40 Under 40. 

Read Full Bio

Our Team

 Our team is comprised of hard-working, passionate people who simply love the electric transportation industry. For us, the sustainability sector isn’t just a job, it’s a way of life.

Harry Jeffries

Director of Operations

As Director of Operations, Harry oversees the project management and consulting teams at LeadingAhead Energy.  

Harry started his career as a real estate appraisal professional and low carbon technology expert advising the real estate sector. Over time he has advised many of the leading real estate development and asset management businesses in Europe and North America on solar PV, wind, battery storage and EV charging infrastructure deployments. Given his years of experience in what is still a relatively new market, he is considered one of the leading professionals in the industry today.  

Harry enjoys attending breweries and watching rugby. He also loves the outdoors as an avid adventure cyclist and mountaineer.  

Jackie Niebling

Market & Business Development

Jackie Neibling is our Market Development Specialist for the US market.

Jackie comes with many years of experience in the commercial real estate and EV charging industry. With over three decades of commercial real estate expertise spanning leasing, development, syndication, property management and asset management, she’s cultivated a deep understanding of the industry.  Holding five designations, and three different principal brokerage licenses within the commercial real estate realm.  

Recently transitioning into the EV industry, as she recognized the crucial need for innovation in integrating EV infrastructure into properties to generate revenue, bridging the gap between real estate and sustainable technology.  

Beyond her professional pursuits, she finds solace in skiing and outdoor hikes.

Johnny Chou

Market & Business Development

Johnny is an EV Market Development Specialist at LeadingAhead Energy.

Johnny leverages his extensive experience in the electric vehicle (EV) charging industry to drive market development efforts across Canada. Previously, Johnny held a key role at one of the UK’s largest EV charging providers, where he supported a diverse clientele including fleets, OEM car manufacturers, and commercial businesses, guiding them through their electrification journeys. Prior to his focus on EV, Johnny honed his technical expertise as an Electrical Engineer at a consulting firm, focused on infrastructure. There, he fostered strong client and contractor relationships, collaborating from project design to successful implementation.

Johnny holds a Bachelor of Systems Engineering degree from Simon Fraser University.

Johnny maintains an active lifestyle, participating in various sports and enjoying the Canadian outdoors through hiking and snowboarding.

Trevor Egan

Electric Mobility Consultant

Trevor is the Head of Consulting at LeadingAhead Energy. 

Trevor has over four years of experience working at the intersection of public policy and engineering related to electric mobility and the energy transition. He has consulted several municipalities across Canada on EV Ready building bylaws and renewal energy requirements, conducted feasibility studies for fleet electrification in both the private and public sectors, and has crafted draft standards and roadmap documents for key industry organizations.  
 Trevor’s hands-on experience extends to designing and overseeing the installation of EV Ready residential projects, commercial Level 2 and DC fast charging infrastructure, and public charging solutions for those without home access.  

 Trevor spearheads LeadingAhead Energy’s consultancy and carbon compliance credit aggregation services, overseeing operations within the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) program in British Columbia, the nationwide Clean Fuel Regulation in Canada, and multiple programs throughout the United States. 

Trevor is an active explorer of the coastal mountains and can be found rock climbing, backpacking, or ski touring on any given weekend. During the week, he runs strength training workshops and is progressing towards his black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. 

Hasnain Shaikh

Electric Mobility Consultant

Hasnain is an Analyst at LeadingAhead Energy.

With a background in technology consulting, Hasnain has helped organizations across Canada rethink their technology strategy and implement transformations through people focused change management. 

Passionate about technology and the energy transition, Hasnain leverages his MBA from the Desautels School of Business at McGill University to support organizations adopt sustainable technologies while navigating dynamic market conditions. With experience in e-mobility strategy and operations, Hasnain is driven by the challenge of dismantling barriers in the way of EV adoption.

On his weekends, Hasnain is an avid road biker, novice snowboarder, and theatre enthusiast. With a background in performance and stand up comedy, he is deeply passionate about the world of entertainment.

Stephane Diot

Electric Mobility Consultant

Stephane is an Analyst at LeadingAhead Energy.

With a background in Engineering and Business, Stéphane has  three years of experience in zero-emissions mobility.  Working on both the commercial and technical sides of projects development, ranging from energy production to transitioning commercial and private fleets, Stéphane has developed a comprehensive view of the industry and its internal needs. In addition, Stéphane has also handled the installation and management of DC fast charging infrastructure for a commercial fleet for the taxi industry. At LeadingAhead Energy, he is dedicated to applying his expertise as an electric mobility consultant.

Outside of the office, you can find Stéphane enjoying outdoor activities like skiing in winter or hiking in summer to further explore the coastal range. As a certified ski and snowboard instructor, he is always happy to share his passion for the mountain and  winter sports.

Suhas Kanduri

Project Manager

Suhas is a project Manager at Leading Ahead Energy. 

Armed with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, complemented by diplomas in marketing & professional sales, and aircraft maintenance engineering, Suhas boasts over a decade of rich, multifaceted experience. From navigating the complexities of aviation to offering strategic counsel in real estate advisory, Suhas has honed a versatile skill set that resonates across sectors. With an unwavering optimism about the trajectory of electrification, Suhas is driven to carve a significant niche in this transformative phase.  

Beyond the professional realm, Suhas enjoys going on road trips, exploring nature’s wonders along hiking trails, watching binge-worthy series, or delving into research on pressing business topics.  

Alisha Welch

Project Manager

Alisha is a Project Manager at LeadingAhead Energy.

Possessing five years of professional experience, Alisha is a qualified and adept project manager at LeadingAhead Energy. She completed her master’s degree in Plastics Engineering from the University of Massachusetts Lowell in 2018. 

Alisha’s hands-on technical experience in the plastics manufacturing industry ignited a passion for sustainability. This led her to organize community recycling events and seamlessly incorporate sustainability into her daily routine. At LAE, she skillfully merges her passion and expertise, successfully implementing EV charging stations across North America. 

During weekends, Alisha enjoys exploring the local mountains, bikepacking on the Gulf Islands and taking cold ocean dips. During weekdays after work, she volunteers for UNYA (Urban Native Youth Association) and VASS (Vancouver Adaptive Snow Sports).   

Sara Roach

Project Management

Sara is a Project Manager at LeadingAhead Energy. 

Sara Roach is a seasoned professional originating from Canada’s east coast, blending a strong entrepreneurial background with a creative-technical touch across various industries, including fashion, interior design, and horticulture. As an entrepreneur and project manager, Sara has cultivated expertise in budgeting, client management, and effective communication, refined through years of hands-on experience and running her own design consultancy.

Transitioning towards sustainable infrastructure, Sara’s passion for the environment intersects with her talent for innovative solutions. She is eager to leverage her background in creativity and construction to contribute to the development of EV charging networks. With a keen eye for detail and a strategic mindset, Sara excels at implementing well-thought-out plans to drive impactful results.

Outside of her professional pursuits, Sara finds joy in crafting, tending to gardens, and exploring the great outdoors, all fueled by her deep-seated passion for environmental stewardship and adventure.

Samantha Sharma

Office Manager

Samantha is the office manager at LeadingAhead Energy. 

Samantha Sharma is the Office Manager at LeadingAhead Energy. 

Samantha brings over five years of invaluable experience in administrative roles within the dynamic realms of real estate and construction. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for organization, she ensures the smooth functioning of day-to-day operations, allowing the team to focus on their core objectives. A graduate of Capilano University, Samantha’s journey into the professional world was marked by her dedication to excellence and her commitment to continuous learning. 

Beyond the confines of the office, Samantha finds solace and rejuvenation in the great outdoors. Whether she’s conquering new trails on a challenging hike or unwinding with a captivating book, she embraces every opportunity to enrich her life and broaden her horizons. Her love for adventure and her appreciation for quiet moments of reflection fuel her spirit and inspire those around her. 

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