Michael van Aanhout

Michael is an experienced board director and trusted strategic advisor in natural resource governance and sustainable development in the North. Michael recently transitioned from a 27 year career as a sustainability consultant starting with Jacques Whitford in 1998 and joining Stratos in 2000 as a senior management consultant. He became President in 2005, Chairman in 2012, and a Partner in ERM in November 2021 when Stratos joined ERM. His focus is working with leaders in Canada’s energy, natural resource and infrastructure sectors to advance sustainable development and support self-determination and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. Michael acts as a strategic advisor on Northern projects, and facilitates the Mining Association of Canada’s national multi-stakeholder Community of Interest Advisory Panel. Prior to consulting, Michael worked as an environmental manager in industry and government, and as a naval officer and marine systems engineer.

Michael graduated from the Royal Military College of Canada, participated in the Leadership Forum at the University of Ottawa, School of Management Centre for Executive Education, and is a Registered Professional Engineer in the Province of B.C. and the Yukon. Michael was honoured to be a recipient of the 2015 Canada’s Clean50 Award. Michael currently sits on the boards of Nature United and HOST.