Ashley Smith, B.Sc., M.Eng., LEED AP

Owner + Managing Director

Ashley Smith founded Fundamental Inc. in 2017 to facilitate climate action and social well-being through strategic planning, design, and collaboration. Ashley is known for bringing people together around innovative project ideas and attracting the investment required to make them happen. With strong negotiation, leadership, and management skills, Ashley has a proven record of resourcefulness and problem solving, and a reputation for exceeding client expectations.

Ashley has a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and Chemistry from McGill University and a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Toronto. Ashley is LEED® Accredited, trained in ISO 14064 for GHG emissions quantification, and has over 20 years’ experience in building design, community planning, construction project management, and renewable energy. Her combination of education and professional experience gives her a comprehensive approach to generating innovative solutions and implementing valuable outcomes.

Emma Power, P.Eng.

Senior Consultant

Emma has been a Consultant with Fundamental Inc. since 2019. Throughout this time, she has gained considerable expertise in greenhouse gas quantification, climate vulnerability assessment, climate action planning, climate communication, and strategic development of project proposals to access funding and achieve maximum impact.

Emma’s experience also covers project management, research and data analysis, thermal modelling, renewable energy system design, and graphic design. Emma brings her critical thinking skills, creativity, and attention to detail to everything she does, consistently producing high quality work. She is driven to apply her education and abilities to the global effort to mitigate and adapt to climate change and create a more equitable world.

Emma is a Professional Engineer registered with PEGNL. She holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) from Memorial University. She has completed training in ISO 14064-1, -2 and -3 for carbon accounting, and courses related to solar energy and battery system design, installation, and maintenance.

Mohammad Alam, E.I.T., MASc.

Junior Consultant

Mohammad joined Fundamental Inc. in 2025. He has led the development and implementation of climate change initiatives and institutional action plans aimed at reducing clients’ vulnerability to climate change impacts and achieving operational savings. In addition to his climate-focused expertise, Mohammad has developed capabilities in project management, analysis, and research.

Mohammad is an Engineer-in-Training (E.I.T.) registered with PEGNL. He holds a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering with Honors from Universiti Malaysia Sabah and a Master of Applied Science in Environmental Systems Engineering and Management from Memorial University. He has also completed training as a Level 1 Compost Facility Operator. His blend of engineering knowledge, sustainability leadership, and professional training reflects his commitment to contributing to a more sustainable and equitable world.

Yasamin Atabaki, B.Eng., M.Sc.

Environmental Impact Analyst

Yasamin joined Fundamental Inc. in 2025 and specializes in greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory development for communities and corporations across Newfoundland and Labrador and Atlantic Canada. She has experience in preparing Scope 1, 2, and 3 inventories, supporting clients in understanding their emissions profiles and identifying opportunities for reduction. Yasamin also contributes to carbon management projects, climate vulnerability assessments, feasibility studies and research, providing practical insights to advance low-carbon solutions.

Yasamin holds a Master of Science in Population Health and Applied Health Sciences from Memorial University of Newfoundland. Her research explored climate impacts, the circular economy, and sustainability in remote and Indigenous communities. She also has a Bachelor of Occupational Health and Safety Engineering from Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. She is a certified ISO 45001:2018 Lead Auditor and has completed specialized training in the GHG Protocol for Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions.

Yasamin is passionate about turning climate data into practical solutions from which communities and corporations can benefit. She brings a mix of problem-solving skills and collaboration approaches to projects. She values building strong relationships with clients and communities to ensure solutions are technically sound, locally relevant, and sustainable.

Astrid Arumae

Engagement Lead

Astrid has been a consultant with Fundamental Inc. since 2025 leading community engagement initiatives and strategies, and supporting municipal adaptation projects in proposal development and in project management capacity.

Astrid’s experience covers over five years in the non-profit sector with communities both at local level and nationally in Asset Based Community Development, mutual aid and engagement in climate action as well as in community emergency preparedness. Astrid brings her skills as a community builder, coach and facilitator and passion for centring the human experience, equity, inclusion and trusting relationships in community. Astrid is also a certified Green Transition Coach specializing in the human relational aspect of climate change, and in climate grief and anxiety. She has experience engaging youth, older adults and bringing intergenerational and Indigenous perspectives to her work.

Astrid is also a bit of a serial entrepreneur, having founded six businesses since 2004 ranging from e-commerce businesses to launching a non-profit community organization and developing a social innovation project for a fair and sustainable local delivery platform in Montreal during the pandemic. 

Astrid is passionate about place, of nature, of relationships, of being in service of community and deeply devoted to making contributions in her work to this. She is constantly dreaming up new ideas and creating community projects around social connection, food, permaculture and sustainable local living systems. 

Chowder

Tech and Emotional Support

Chowder’s focus is on ensuring that all keyboards are functioning properly and as many virtual meetings as possible have some comic relief. He is an alumnus of both the Thompson and Winnipeg Humane Societies and is up to date on all his vaccinations. Chowder works hard to ensure that his fellow employees are supported emotionally so that they can continue to perform their best.