Climate Smart Founders, Curtis Blanchard (left) and Aaron Kuchirka (right), presenting project details to partner community, Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation.
We live, work, and raise our families in the same place we operate – Northern Saskatchewan, Canada.
Climate Smart saw its grassroots beginnings in 2017, when Curtis Blanchard went to the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment to pursue a project partnership and found one in Executive Director Aaron Kuchirka—though not in the way he expected.
Nadina Gardiner, the Community Liason for Cumberland House Cree Nation, presents project details to PBCN community members.
As the larger vision began to take shape in 2020, Curtis and Aaron connected over a mutual desire to leverage their experience, knowledge, and existing industry frameworks to make a true difference in the fight against environmental degradation and built-to-burn-out resource extraction. They recognized the interconnectedness of the land’s health with the economic and social empowerment of its most dedicated, knowledgeable stewards: Indigenous communities. From this shared drive to steer the world towards lasting solutions, without compromise, Climate Smart was born.
Since then, they’ve brought together a passionate team of folks who are equally as invested in the success of Climate Smart’s efforts to create solutions that will benefit people from all walks of life, across the planet.
Our Mission
We cultivate partnerships with Indigenous communities that are based on mutual respect, transparency, trust, and a desire to work together for optimal social and economic outcomes while not only protecting the environment, but actively caring for it.
Meet Our Team
Executive Leadership and Advisors
Aaron Kuchirka
CPA, CGA, BBA
Founder
Aaron formerly served with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment as both Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Forest Service and Executive Director of Ministry Workplace Health and Safety.
Curtis Blanchard
CRSP, DOHS
Founder
Curtis formerly served as the Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Forest Industries Safety Asssociation and has over 25 years’ experience in management of large-scale projects in forestry, construction, pipeline, power transmission, and manufacturing.
Ralph Cioffi
Senior Advisor
Saint Michael’s College graduate with a 30-year Wall Street career, specializing in structured finance, credit derivatives, and asset-backed securities, notably at Bear Stearns Inc.
Frederick (Rick) Funston
Senior Advisor
Rick is the CEO of Funston Advisory Services LLC and Board Smart LLC, specializing in governance and risk intelligence for public retirement systems, with over forty years of experience, including leadership at Deloitte and authoring influential books.
Glenn Edwards
Senior Advisor
Chart Organization, LLC, led by founder Glenn Edwards, is a dynamic holding company with diverse investments, including commercial real estate, retail, technology, and security, with a track record of successful growth and management in various industries.
Ezra Santos
Senior Advisor
Ezra is the managing director of i2i Tech Inc., and Reality Engine marketing & advertising. He has over 25 years of experience in strategic planning, and technological development. Ezra also is contributor to the advancement and education of today’s youth.