Janice O’Brien

Janice is Director, Auditing and Accreditation at Verra, leading a team that comprehensively oversees Validation and Verification Body (VVB) performance; providing VVB and Accreditation bodies (AB) training and support, managing onsite witness assessments at project sites, and working with ABs on VVB approvals and oversight. The team’s work underpins Verra’s ability to credibly scale its work, strengthen global auditing capacity, and support all its certification programs.

After 13 years in operational and financial risk management, Janice completed an Honors Bachelor of Science degree in Forest Conservation and Environmental Science and Master of Forest Conservation degrees from the University of Toronto, subsequently joining Preferred by Nature (formerly Rainforest Alliance Certification) in 2007. As the organization evolved into the world’s largest non-profit Certification Body, she led audits across a variety of standards including AFOLU audits in US, Canada, Central and South America, Africa, India, and Australia. She served as an ENGO representative for the Gold Standard “New Forest and Agroforestry” Global Advisory Panel and participated in working groups for the Pacific Carbon Trust and Verified Carbon Standard. After playing a leading functional and operational role in merging the US and Canada regions and the 2018 acquisition by Preferred by Nature, she served as Director of Forestry Services (US/Canada); overseeing operations, client care, quality monitoring, and leadership of 26+ remote staff committed to the delivery of credible third-party auditing services.

Janice lives in Rideau Lakes, Ontario where she likes pursuing outdoor adventures by foot, bike, or water. Personal development, travel, food, and her cat also bring her joy.