Matthew McCandless
Board Member, IISD Experimental Lakes Area
Matthew McCandless is the former IISD Vice-President of Water, Innovation, and Impact, and Managing Director, Manitoba. He led IISD's Canadian and international freshwater initiatives, strategy on AI and innovation, and the organization-wide impact measurement framework.
He was the founding Executive Director of IISD Experimental Lakes Area, the world freshwater laboratory, where he oversaw scientific research, strategic partnerships, and operations to bridge freshwater science and environmental policy and practice.
A registered Professional Engineer with expertise in hydrology, water quality, agriculture, and bioindustrial development, Matt has worked across Canada and internationally in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. He is known for aligning diverse stakeholders across government, academia, and industry to deliver innovative, high-impact solutions.
Matt has raised over $120 million for sustainability initiatives and is passionate about turning science into meaningful environmental action.