Shari McDowell comes from an entrepreneurial and educational background, having built a manufacturing and wholesale company in the solar and energy storage industry; as well as commercialized an accessible bathtub for the aging-in-place market. She also worked in communications and business development facilitation, and emergency management for over a decade. Her strengths include project management, out-of-the-box solutions, and bringing people and ideas together. Shari is passionate about sustainability, renewable energy, the built environment, and supporting entrepreneurs and innovations.

On a personal note, Shari has a small permaculture farm in rural Okanagan, BC, with her husband Matt, where she is working to make a small impact by regenerating the soil and supporting the local microbiome. The farm is home to sheep, chickens, and cats.