Speakers

Biography

Ms. Ambachtsheer is a longstanding expert in the field of sustainability and has helped BNP Paribas establish its Asset Management business as an ambitious leader in sustainable investment.  The BNP Paribas Asset Management Sustainability Centre undertakes innovative research and policy development, guides BNPP AM’s investment stewardship and industry engagement, and supports investment teams in accessing, integrating and reporting on ESG factors. Jane is also responsible for BNPP AM’s Corporate Social Responsibility (‘CSR’) approach, ensuring the firm’s day-to-day activities reflect the high standards it expects from companies. Jane sites on the Board of BNPP AM France and is a member of BNPP AM’s Investment Committee and Business Management Committee.

Previously, Jane spent 18 years with global investment consultancy Mercer, where she was Partner and founder of the firm’s Responsible Investment business. She regularly researches, writes and speaks on topics addressing the intersection of sustainability and climate with finance and investment. Jane is a Trustee of environmental non-profit CDP and a member of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). She is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Toronto and a Research Affiliate at the University Oxford Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment. In 2020, Jane was named Investment Leader of the Year by Environmental Finance.

Biography

Dale Atkinson, chief operating officer & chief nuclear officer, joined NuScale Power in 2014. In his current position, he is responsible for Operations, Engineering, Projects, Supply Chain Services, Quality Assurance, Human Resources, and Regulatory Affairs.

Prior to joining NuScale, Atkinson worked at Energy Northwest and served as chief nuclear officer & vice president of Nuclear Generation, vice president of Energy Business Services, vice president of Technical Services, Engineering manager, Quality manager, and Reactor Engineering/Fuels manager.

Before his time at Energy Northwest, Atkinson was a supervisor of Nuclear Startup Testing with General Electric and was a former instructor on General Electric boiling water reactors. He is certified as a senior reactor operator and is also qualified as a station nuclear engineer and shift technical advisor at Columbia Generating Station. Atkinson has 41 years of experience in the nuclear power industry, including five years of service as an officer serving on nuclear attack submarines in the U.S. Navy and has provided consulting services on initial power plant testing to several utilities.

Atkinson holds a bachelor's degree in nuclear engineering from Oregon State University, a Master of Engineering from Pennsylvania State University, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Washington. He is also a graduate of the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program.

Atkinson is a member of the Oregon State University Academy of Distinguished Engineers, a member of the Oregon State University Dean of Engineering’s Leadership Council, and is the former chairman of the advisory board for the Nuclear Science and Engineering department at Oregon State University.

Biography

Ana is a partner in our Toronto Financial Services group and co-leader of the firm’s Fintech group. She shapes smart solutions for banks and businesses - and helps prevent regulatory issues - leveraging her experience.

Respected for her prescience in the emerging world of Fintech, Ana regularly advises banks, insurance companies, credit unions and Fintech entities on regulatory requirements. She is on top of the latest developments to discover novel applications for the market and our clients - and graciously shares her insight with highly anticipated prolific writings. She is a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS).

Ana regularly provides advice to clients in the financial services industry with respect to compliance with regulatory requirements (including consumer protection requirements and anti-money laundering requirements) and with respect to the negotiation of commercial agreements (including credit card program agreements). She also advises with respect to regulatory matters relating to the financing of financial institutions, the establishment of new financial services providers and financial institution M&A and partnerships. Some of her recent work includes:

• acting for Fintech entities, including payment entities, cryptocurrency entities and online lending platforms in connection with their initial structuring and launch, and in connection with their ongoing operations;
• providing consumer protection advice with respect to credit cards, debit cards, prepaid cards and loyalty programs;
• advising on the negotiation and implementation of credit card programs, prepaid card programs and loyalty programs;
• acting for a Canadian bank in connection with its test use of blockchain for debt issuance;
• acting as counsel to the lenders in connection with a large secured liquidity facility to a regulated Canadian financial institution; and
• acting on behalf of a foreign bank in connection with the bank’s establishment of a Schedule III branch.

Additionally, Ana completed a six-month secondment with a major Canadian financial institution, advising on matters relating to mobile payments.

Committed to continuous education, she is often called upon to write and speak on Fintech regulation, bank-Fintech partnerships, cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology, payment innovation, open banking, online lending and marketplace lending, Insurtech and Regtech.  Ana was honoured with a Lexpert Rising Star award, which recognizes Canada’s leading lawyers under the age of 40. She received her LLM in Banking and Financial Law from Boston University in 2014, with concentrations in International Banking and Financial Law and in Compliance Management. She was the recipient of the Award for Academic Excellence in Banking and Financial Law, for the highest cumulative GPA in the class. In addition, she has also completed the Osgoode Certificate in Regulatory Compliance and Legal Risk Management for Financial Institutions. Ana obtained her B. Math (Operations Research) from the University of Waterloo in 2000, and her LLB in 2003 at Osgoode Hall Law School.

Biography

Nick Bakish is a trusted and highly skilled multidisciplinary financial professional who is widely acknowledged as an award-winning industry leading expert for his contributions to the investment community over the past two decades.

After earning a Bachelor of Commerce in Economics and Finance from McGill University with first class Honors, Nick joined one of the country’s largest asset management firms, where he consistently ranked as a top professional and received numerous awards of distinction. During his tenure at his predecessor firm, Nick also obtained significant management experience as a Division Director serving in that capacity for several years. In 2015, he joined Richardson Wealth, a leading independent wealth advisory firm in Canada, to provide the discerning clients and families serviced by Bakish Wealth with a comprehensive suite of alternative investment opportunities along with Family Office services.

Nick has always distinguished himself as someone who is tirelessly devoted to excellence in advanced financial proficiency. The pursuit of this passion led him to having earned the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation, recognized as the gold standard for the global investment industry, along with the Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP), Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), Financial Planner (Pl. Fin.), and Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute (FCSI) designations. As a prominent member of Montreal’s business community and someone that believes firmly in the importance of making a positive social impact, he dedicates much of his time to several causes that are close to his heart. He served as past President of the Sierra Club Foundation, and as a member of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montréal, the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, YPO and Tiger21.

Biography

Clare brings a unique perspective having both private and public sectors experience in international business development and marketing, economic development, attracting Foreign Direct Investment, communications, and place branding and marketing. She has deep business development and marketing expertise cultivated through more than fifteen years with the provincial government focused on Ontario’s economic competitiveness, in addition to prior private sector experience in the technology space.

Clare served as Ontario’s representative in the United Kingdom with a mandate to further Ontario’s trade, investment and broader economic interests. She also established Ontario first Investment Office, leading international business development.

Prior to joining the Province of Ontario, Clare held marketing and business development roles in tech focused businesses of all sizes, including leading international expansion plans for an internet development firm.

Clare is now proud to be leading FDI attraction and Business Retention Expansion programs for the City of Brampton, part of the Greater Toronto Region. Her focus is also on building a new Innovation District in the City’s historic downtown and entrepreneurship led economic development.

Biography

Laurence Batlle is Chairwoman of the RATP Dev Executive Board, and has sat on the RATP Group Executive Board since 1st January 2017. She joined RATP Dev in 2007 as CFO, and since then has played a major role in defining its strategy and supervising its international growth. She became a member of the Executive Board in 2011, and was in charge of its Americas-Africa and Sightseeing Business Units from 2014 to 2016. She was also an independent Board member of Elior Group from 2014 to 2017.

Laurence Batlle has a proven executive management track record: prior to joining RATP Dev, she spent 14 years driving sales growth in major consulting firms, first for PricewaterhouseCoopers and then as VP Global Finance Support at Atos Origin for two years.

She is a graduate of Harvard Business School and Institut Commercial de Nancy,  and is a Knight of the French National Order of Merit.

Biography

The Honourable Perrin Beatty, PC, OC, is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the 200,000-member Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Canada’s largest and most representative national business association. Before joining the Canadian Chamber in August 2007, Perrin held the same role at Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME).

A descendant of one of Canada’s most prominent manufacturing families, he grew up in Fergus, Ontario and graduated from the University of Western Ontario in 1971.

Perrin was first elected to the House of Commons as a Progressive Conservative in 1972. During his 21 years in Parliament, he served as Minister in seven different portfolios, including Treasury Board, National Revenue, Solicitor General, Defence, National Health and Welfare, Communications and External Affairs.

In 1994, Perrin joined a number of private sector boards and worked as a consultant in communications. In addition, he was an Honorary Visiting Professor in Western University’s Department of Political Science. From 1995 to 1999, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

In keeping with his long-standing interest in education, Perrin served as Chancellor of the University of Ontario Institute of Technology from 2008 to 2015. He has received honorary Doctor of Law degrees from Western University, the University of Ontario Institute of Technology and Wilfrid Laurier University.

Perrin is currently a member of the board of directors of Mitsui Canada and in 2018, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada for his lifetime of public service and for his devotion to the development of our nation as a community leader and corporate visionary. In 2020, the Government of Japan awarded Perrin the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star, in recognition of his many distinguished achievements in international relations and advancements in Canada-Japan business relations.

Biography

Beth Bechdol is Deputy Director-General at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). In this role, she continues her service to food and agriculture – now on a global scale. Ms Bechdol is responsible for FAO’s Partnership and Outreach work, including Partnerships and UN Collaboration, Resource Mobilization and Private Sector Partnerships, South-South and Triangular Cooperation. She also leads programmes in the area of Plant Production and Protection and oversees FAO’s main technical advisory committee on agriculture, the Committee on Agriculture (COAG) as well as the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) Secretariat.

Biography

John M. Beck is Founder and Chairman of Aecon Group Inc. A graduate in Civil Engineering from McGill University, Mr. Beck has more than 50 years of experience in the construction industry in Canada and internationally. His background includes corporate leadership in numerous construction activities including heavy civil projects and public-private partnerships for the development of infrastructure, such as airports, toll roads and transit systems.

Mr. Beck is currently a member of the Board of the Royal Conservatory of Music, and has been Co-Chair of the Infrastructure & Urban Development Industries at the World Economic Forum. He is a member of the Advisory Council for the School of Public Policy at the University of Calgary and also a member of the Business Council of Canada. He was previously a member of the Board of the Ontario Financing Authority, as well as Chairman of the Board of the Ontario Power Authority, a government agency with responsibility for planning and procuring all of the province’s power needs for the next 20 years. Mr. Beck received the EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2019 Award in the Manufacturing and Construction category for Ontario and the 2018 Par Excellence in Business Award from the French Canada Chamber of Commerce – Ontario. He also received the LiUNA Builder’s Award at the 2018 Ontario Business Achievement Awards (OBAA) and was named P3 Champion of the Year by the Canadian Council of Public Private Partnerships in 2013. In recognition of his distinguished achievements and career-long service to the engineering profession, Mr. Beck was inducted as a Fellow into the Canadian Academy of Engineering.

Biography

Lise is Vice President at Collège Boréal for Toronto and Central-South-West Ontario region. She holds a master’s degree in Innovative Global Leadership from the University of Fredericton and a post-graduate degree in Management from Athabasca University. She is responsible for the development of the Boréal campuses and access centers in Toronto, Mississauga, Barrie, Hamilton, London and Windsor regions.  She is also responsible for the Employment and Immigration portfolios across Ontario.  Lise is also the president of the board of governors for Club Canadian de Toronto.

Biography

Dick Benschop joined Royal Schiphol Group in May 2018 from Royal Dutch Shell. Prior to Shell he was deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for The Netherlands. He is also Non-executive member of the Board of Directors of Brisbane Airport Corporation PTY Ltd and Non-executive member of the Board of Groupe ADP (Aéroports de Paris).

Biography

David is the founder and managing partner of Blumberg Capital, an early-stage venture capital firm that partners with visionary entrepreneurs from Seed stage through their growth journey. The firm was among the first investors in industry leaders including Addepar, Braze, Credorax, DoubleVerify, Fundbox, HootSuite, Katapult, Nutanix, Trulioo and Yotpo. David is based in Miami with team members across San Francisco, Miami, New York and Tel Aviv.

Prior to founding Blumberg Capital in 1991, David managed international investments with the Bronfman Family Office, Adler & Co, APAX Partners and at T. Rowe Price. He also launched business development for Check Point Software Technologies.

David earned an A.B. in Government, cum laude, from Harvard College and a MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business and INSEAD. He speaks French and is proficient in Hebrew and Spanish.

David serves as a member or observer on the boards of Credorax, EarnUp, EasyKnock, Jassby, Lendio, Shyft, Slync.io, SupplyPike, Trulioo and Wunder.

Biography

Greg Bonnell is a reporter and anchor focusing on Canada’s booming real estate market, how it drives the economy and the risks that come with it. A former business editor and Queen’s Park bureau chief of Canadian Press, also interviews many of Canada’s top economic policy makers.

Starting his journalism career in radio broadcasting before focusing on print, Greg has covered beats as diverse as politics, law, crime and entertainment.

When not researching and talking about the top business stories of the day, Greg can be found playing one of his many electric guitars.

Biography

Jim Bradley was elected Niagara Regional Chair on December 6, 2018. Chair Bradley previously served as a St. Catharines City Councillor from 1970-1977. For 41 years, he was a Member of Provincial Parliament for St. Catharines from 1977-2018. During this time, Chair Bradley held roles as the Provincial Minister of Environment, Transportation, Municipal Affairs and Housing, Tourism and Recreation, Community Safety and Correctional Services, and Seniors.

During his time as the Minister of the Environment, Chair Bradley expanded the Blue Box Recycling program, making it a province-wide initiative, as well as instituting tough new penalties for polluters, enforced by a strengthened investigation and enforcement branch. During his time as minister, Chair Bradley also took progressive steps to combat acid rain, positioning Ontario as leader on the issue.

During this term of Regional Council, Chair Bradley has championed many policy initiatives, including those designed to increase waste diversion and protect Niagara’s natural environment through responsible planning. Chair Bradley also sponsored a progressive motion to ensure Niagara is doing its part on climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Before entering politics, Jim was a teacher with the Lincoln County Board of Education.

The Chair has also contributed to the Niagara community as a hockey and baseball coach, manager and referee; and as a long-time member of the Grantham Optimist Club.

Biography

Diane J. Brisebois is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Retail Council of Canada (RCC) and has held that position since 1995. Prior to joining RCC, Diane held the position of President and CEO of the Canadian Office Products Association for 14 years. Diane has spent more than 38 years leading retail industry associations in Canada.

Retail Council is the largest retail association in the country representing more than 45,000 retail establishments of all shapes and sizes from coast to coast. RCC`s membership covers all retail segments including general merchandise, grocery and pharmacy and accounts for more than 70% of all retail sales in the country excluding auto and gas sales.

Diane has and continues to serve on several boards across North America:

• She currently serves as a Member of the Governance and Finance Committees of the Board of the Toronto Region Board of Trade, as a member of the Board of Stewardship Ontario, the Advisory Boards of the St. Mary’s University David Sobey Centre for Retail, the School of Retailing of the University of Alberta and The Federation of International Retail Associations;
• She also served as the Chairman of the Board of the Canadian Society of Association Executives, the Traffic Injury Research Foundation, the Fair Factory Clearinghouse and The Federation of International Retail Associations;
• In addition, Diane served as a Director on the Board of the Quebec Employers Council, Covenant House Toronto, the School of Retail at Ryerson University, the Business Advisory Board of the World Wildlife Federation and the Capital Fundraising Committee of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Foundation (CAMH).

Diane received the following recognitions:

• In 2002 – The Pinnacle Award in recognition of exceptional leadership and outstanding contribution to the association community and the Canadian Society of Association Executives
• In 2016 – The Advancing Retail as a Career Award presented by the School of Retailing of the University of Alberta
• In 2017 – The Golden Pencil Award presented by the Food Industry of Canada for outstanding contribution to the grocery industry
• In 2018 – The Founders of Canada’s Digital Economy Award presented by IdentityNorth in recognition of outstanding contribution to the advancement of the digital economy

Ms. Brisebois is a native of Montreal, Quebec and now resides in Toronto, Ontario.

Biography

Derek Brower leads the FT's energy coverage in the US, the world's biggest and most dynamic market, reporting on companies and investors from Texas to New York; the shale patch to the solar sector; and from Washington oil politics to the environment and transition.

Brower is also the editor of Energy Source, the FT's must-read energy newsletter, published twice a week.

He has covered energy and global politics for 20 years, working across the Middle East and North Africa, North America, and Russia.

Biography

Mary Callahan Erdoes is Chief Executive Officer of JPMorgan Chase's Asset & Wealth Management line of business – one of the largest and most respected investment managers and private banks in the world, with more than $3 trillion in client assets and a 200-year-old legacy as a trusted fiduciary to corporations, governments, institutions and individuals. Since joining the firm 20 years ago, Erdoes has held senior roles across Asset & Wealth Management before becoming its CEO in 2009 and joining the JPMorgan Chase Operating Committee, the firm’s most senior management team.

Erdoes serves on the boards of the U.S.-China Business Council and the Robin Hood Foundation of New York City. She is also a board member of Georgetown University, where she earned her Mathematics undergraduate degree, and serves on the Global Advisory Council of Harvard University, where she received her MBA.

Erdoes lives in New York City with her husband and three daughters.

Biography

Siham Chakrouni est gestionnaire des projets spéciaux à la société économique de l’Ontario. Siham a travaillé sur le développement de plusieurs initiatives et projets afin d’appuyer les entrepreneurs francophones en Ontario, notamment avec le développement du programme de réactivation économique et d’un incubateur virtuel destinés à soutenir les entreprises à faire face aux conséquences de la pandémie du Covid-19. Elle a également grandement contribué et dès le début de la pandémie du Covid-19, à l’adaptation et la continuité des services de la SÉO en ligne.

Depuis son arrivée au Canada, il y a une dizaine d’année, Siham a occupé plusieurs postes à responsabilité et a notamment travaillé sur la mise en œuvre de projets innovants, d’activités de recherche-action, d’analyse des politiques et de mobilisation visant à l’amélioration des conditions de vie des immigrants francophones et plus particulièrement des femmes.

Biography

Winston Chan is the Co-founder of the Young Leaders’ Circle of the International Economic Forum of the Americas. He led  Canadian young entrepreneurs trade missions in China, Australia, Turkey, Germany, France, Mexico, Argentina and Japan. He owns a health clinic in Montreal. He is a member of Employment and Entrepreneurship Taskforce of B20-G20 since 2014. From 2011 to 2013, he was President of the board of Quebec Federation of young chambers of commerce. He is the laureate of Quebec University Medal, the Journal Les Affaires Top 25 under 40 award, the Claude Masson award, the UQTR Pythagore award and the Quebec Federation  of young chambers of commerce Tribute award for his contribution to youth entrepreneurship in Quebec. He has a first cycle doctorate in chiropractic from the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières with honorific distinction to student life. He is senior advisor at La Base entrepreneuriale HEC Montréal. (Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurial Acquisition and Business Families Hub).

Biography

A career diplomat from El Salvador, since December 2020 I am serving as Ambassador to Canada. For 18 years, I held diplomatic posts at UNESCO, the European Union, in Canada, Italy, the United Nations in Geneva and France. Between 2010 and 2020 I worked as an international diplomatic consultant promoting countries and cities for international Expos candidacies. I had as clients: Astana 2017, Sao Paolo 2020, Minnesota 2023, Osaka 2025, Busan 2030, Riyadh 2030.

I have an international MBA specialized in the European Union and a Master in Applied research in management both from La Sorbonne, Paris. I specialized in marketing and particularly in ‘Place Marketing’ and ‘Nation Branding’.

Between 2015 and 2020 I was a professor at the ISCOM Paris communication school teaching on Nation Branding, Place Marketing, Soft Power, Mega-events, Lobbying, Strategic marketing. Married, we have two children, I speak Spanish, French and English and have a good speaking Italian. Photographer and saxophonist in my spare time.

Biography

Jean-Pierre Clamadieu is a graduate of the École Nationale Supérieure des mines de Paris and an engineer of the Corps des mines. He began his career within the French Administration, particularly working for the Ministry of Industry and as technical advisor to the Minister of Labor. In 1993, he joined the Rhône-Poulenc group where he held several management positions. In 2003, he was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Rhodia group, and then Chairman-CEO in 2008. In September 2011, following the merger of the Rhodia and Solvay groups, Jean-Pierre Clamadieu was named Vice Chairman of the Solvay Executive Committee. From May 2012 to the end of February 2019, Jean-Pierre Clamadieu served as Chairman of the Executive Committee and CEO of Solvay. On May 18, 2018, he was named Director and Chairman of the Board of ENGIE.

Biography

Pierre Cléroux was appointed Vice President, Research and Chief Economist at BDC in 2012.

Pierre leads a team of experts who analyze economic data to identify business and sector trends impacting Canadian entrepreneurs. A seasoned speaker, he regularly travels across the country to help business owners understand the risks and opportunities presented by the economic environment.

Mr. Cléroux is also responsible for providing economic analysis and advice to the Bank’s senior management team, and supervises all marketing and industry research activities.

Over his 25-year career as an economist, he has held several influential positions that had a direct impact on entrepreneurs in Canada and abroad.

Before joining BDC, Pierre worked for the Government of Saudi Arabia as Vice President, Business Analysis in the National Industry Clusters Development Program. His role was to create program strategies, define sector policies and conduct financial and economic analyses of industrial projects.

Previously, Mr. Cléroux was the Quebec Assistant Deputy Minister for Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade, responsible for the implementation of economic policies and programs to support small and medium-sized businesses and encourage entrepreneurship. He was also a strategic advisor for Montreal International, where he was responsible for attracting foreign investment from India and the Middle East, and developing international relationships and partnerships. He worked for 12 years at the Canadian Federation of Independent Business in various roles, including economist and Quebec Vice President.

Pierre is President of the Financial Services, Capital and Economy Committee of the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec (FCCQ).

He holds a Bachelor of Arts and a master’s degree in Economics from Laval University, as well as an MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management.

Biography

Bruno Colmant holds a Ph.D. and a master’s degree in applied economics from the Solvay Business School Economics & Management (ULB). He also holds a Master of Sciences in Industrial Administration from Purdue University (USA) and a Master in Fiscal Sciences (ICHEC-ESSF).He is a member of the Belgian Royal Academy. He carries carious certifications, including ACI, ICMA, FRM, PRMiA, CFA, CIIA, CMF, CeFA and numerous IIA certifications. He is a chartered accountant and tax advisor and owns the “agent de change” certification. Bruno Colmant began his career at Arthur Andersen, Dewaay and Sofina. He was Managing Director at ING (1996-2006), Cabinet Head of the Belgian Finance Ministry (2006-2007), CEO of the Brussels Stock Exchange, Member of the Management Committee of NYSE Euronext and Chairman and CEO of Euronext Brussels (2007- 2009) and Deputy CEO at AGEAS (2009-2011). From 2001 throughout 2015, he has been a Partner of the consulting firm Roland Berger and an economic advisor to the AGEAS CEO. After having been the CEO of Degroof Petercam, he is now the Head of Private Banking. He lectures at University of Louvain, the Brussels University and other entities. He authored or co-authored more than 80 books.

Biography

Dr. Cook has been a Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of New Brunswick since 2004.  In 2016, he was appointed as Director of the Centre for Nuclear Energy Research (CNER), a university-based research institute.  Dr. Cook has established expertise supporting plant chemistry control, corrosion mitigation and prevention in nuclear power plant systems.  Research interests include use of high temperature and pressure test systems that simulate the operational conditions in conventional nuclear power reactors, Generation IV supercritical water-cooled reactors, and advanced SMR technologies.  Through the NB SMR R&D Cluster that was launched in 2018, Dr. Cook is leading the UNB efforts in supporting the targeted research and training required to bring the next generation of reactor technology online.

Biography

Guy Cormier has been President and Chief Executive Officer of Desjardins Group since April 2016. Desjardins is the leading cooperative financial group in Canada and sixth in the world, with assets of over $248 billion. It is one of the 20 largest employers in the country, supported by the skills of its 47,000 employees and the commitment of more than 5,000 elected officers. Drawing on the strength of its caisse network in Quebec and Ontario and its subsidiaries across Canada, Desjardins Group offers a full range of financial products and services to its millions of members and clients. Desjardins specializes in wealth management, life and health insurance, property and casualty insurance, personal services, and business and institutional services.

Mr. Cormier has been with Desjardins since 1992, and was General Manager of several caisses in the network. He was Vice-President of Cooperative Network Finance from 2009 to 2012, before being appointed Vice-President of Cooperative Network, in 2012, and then Senior Vice-President of Cooperative Network and Personal Services in 2013.

Mr. Cormier has always encouraged audacity, agility and innovation to improve the experience of members and clients. Under his leadership, the organization's AccèsD Services earned their 11th Customer Operations Performance Center (COPC) certification, making Desjardins the only financial institution in the world to hold the certification that long. It was also under Mr. Cormier that new innovative technology-focused service centres were launched, earning several awards internationally.

In 2014, he was invited to give lectures and take part in round tables for events organized by the World Health Organization and the International Summit of Cooperative.

In 2013, the Quebec MBA Association recognized Mr. Cormier as one of 40 Quebecers with a major influence on business in the province.

Biography

CEO and Chairman: Africa investor (Ai), Chairman: AiSWPFF, Chairman, African Union Continental Business Network (CBN), African Green Infrastructure Investment Bank Advisory Board (AfGIIB)

Mr Danso is the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Africa investor (Ai) Group – a pan African Infrastructure Investment Holding Company for institutional investors. He also serves as the Chairman of the CFA New York Society Global Asset Owners’ Advisory Council, the Chairman of the African Sovereign Wealth & Pension Fund Leaders Forum and is the current Chair of The African Union Development Agency’s (AUDA) Heads of State Continental Business Network (CBN) and the Chair of the African Green Infrastructure Investment Bank Advisory Board (AfGIIB).

Mr Danso also serves on HRH The Prince of Wales Accounting for Sustainability (A4S) Advisory Council, the World Benchmarking Alliance Just Transition Advisory Group (WBA-JTAG) and the UNDP High-Level Project Steering Committee, advising on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Investor Map.

Mr Danso leads Ai’s Pension and Sovereign Wealth Infrastructure Co-Investment Platform and advises corporates, institutional investors, governments and development finance institutions on ESG trends, infrastructure allocations and private equity investments in Africa. Mr Danso was instrumental in establishing the NEPAD-AU 5% Agenda Infrastructure Investment Initiative, for Pension and Sovereign Wealth Fund infrastructure investors.

Hubert holds an LLB in Business Law and an LLM Masters in International Commercial Law from the University of Sussex in England.

Biography

Sankar is an entrepreneur and an award-winning scientist with over 50 US patents who is passionate on the urgency to reduce the effects of Climate Change. He has been a member of many committees including the White House Committee on Energy & Environment, chaired by then Vice- President Al Gore. Recently he was an Advisor to the Indian PM on Climate Change and Energy Transformation. A founder charter member of TIE-Toronto and is a frequently invited speaker at conferences and universities worldwide. Sankar received his doctorate from Imperial College, London and is a graduate of Presidency College, Calcutta. He serves as an Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Toronto.

Biography

Kelly De Fogain-Taylor est la fondatrice et directrice générale d’Afropolitan Canada, un organisme à but non lucratif bilingue qui outille la jeune communauté noire ontarienne pour qu’elle acquiert des compétences professionnelles, entrepreneuriales et financières.

Titulaire d’un baccalauréat en sciences politiques et en traduction et d’un certificat en gestion des organismes à but non lucratif, Kelly a d’abord exercé en tant que traductrice pour les organismes non gouvernementaux environnementaux avant de rejoindre le gouvernement de l’Ontario où elle a occupé les fonctions de conseillère aux ministères des affaires francophones et de l’éducation; et à l’Office de la condition féminine.

Aujourd’hui, Afropolitan Canada occupe une place importante dans la sphère franco-ontarienne noire. Le Sommet et prix des femmes de la diversité est l’événement phare de l’organisme. Célébré pendant le weekend qui précède la journée internationale de la femme, le Sommet et prix des femmes de la diversité est un événement qui célèbre chaque année plus de 150 femmes de minorités visibles qui ont réussi mais qui sont très souvent sous-représentées voire invisibles dans les sphères entrepreneuriales des femmes canadiennes. En plus de cet événement, Afropolitan Canada développe et offre des ressources et un programme accélérateur de développement de compétences à plus de 200 participantes ontariennes chaque année.

Biography

Jan De Silva is President and CEO of the Toronto Region Board of Trade, one of the largest and most influential business organizations in North America. She is spearheading efforts to make Toronto one of the most competitive and sought-after business regions in the world.

Jan brings to the role more than 14 years of international CEO experience building ambitious, high-growth organizations. Anchored in her leadership is her belief in the power of economic development to lift communities.

Prior to joining the Board, she served as CEO of Sun Life Financial’s Hong Kong and Mainland China businesses and co-founded and later sold Retail China Limited. Jan also served as Dean of Ivey Asia for Ivey Business School of Western University.

Highly respected for her business advocacy and government engagement, Jan has been Chair of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, Chair of the Canada China Business Council in Beijing and served on the Board of the Asian Corporate Governance Association. In 2019, she was appointed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to represent Canada on the APEC Business Advisory Council. Jan also sits on the boards of Intact Financial Corporation, listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange; and, Blue Umbrella Limited, a global compliance technology company headquartered in Hong Kong.

ABOUT THE TORONTO REGION BOARD OF TRADE

The Toronto Region Board of Trade is one of the largest and most influential chambers of commerce in North America and is a catalyst for the region’s economic growth agenda. Backed by more than 13,500 members, we pursue policy change to drive the growth and competitiveness of the Toronto region, and facilitate market opportunities with programs, partnerships and connections to help our members succeed – domestically and internationally. We want Toronto to be recognized as one of the most competitive and sought-after business regions in the world, and believe this reputation starts with our businesses. Learn more at bot.com and follow us at @TorontoRBOT.

Biography

Mélissa est l'une des trois femmes propriétaires de Design de Plume. Une firme de conception graphique et de site web située à Sudbury depuis 2009 et qui emploie une équipe de 11 personnes en Ontario et au Nouveau-Brunswick.

En tant que directrice de création, cette franco-queer est passionnée par les travaux axés sur l'accessibilité et l’inclusivité. Elle se spécialise dans la gestion du personnel créatif, la conception d’idées, les stratégies créatives et l’élaboration des images de marque. Sa capacité à créer des visuels inspirants et informatifs lui a permis d’acquérir une expertise dans la narration d’idées complexes.

En tant qu’ancienne éducatrice et coach sportive, Melissa dirige l’équipe créative avec motivation.

Elle est fière de sa capacité à aider les clients en anglais et en français.

Biography

Nino Di Cara is the founder and president of Electric Autonomy Canada, the leading news publication reporting on the transition to electric and autonomous vehicles. Nino is the recipient of the EV Society’s 2020 Howard Hutt Award for Excellence in the Advancement of Electric Transportation.

Biography

Ms. Doriwala is a Partner and the Co-CIO of Outsourced Chief Investment Officer (OCIO) and Multi-Asset Class portfolios at RockCreek. As a member of the Investment Committee, she is involved in portfolio management, asset allocation and investment decisions across alternative and traditional asset classes. An active investor, she sources directs, and manages relationships with top-quartile public and private investments on behalf of endowments, foundations, and pension funds. Ms. Doriwala works closely with the Investment Committee and Boards of Institutions in managing their investment portfolios and is in regular dialogue with investors. Building on a life-long interest in advancing mission-oriented work, Ms. Doriwala integrates impact, ESG, and diverse investment opportunities across portfolios.

Prior to joining RockCreek, Ms. Doriwala was an Equity Arbitrage Trader at Wolverine Trading, L.P., where she was responsible for sourcing, analyzing and modeling equity linked trades together with equity options. Ms. Doriwala started her career as an Investment Banking Analyst at Merrill Lynch and member of the Financial Sponsor Group assessing the suitability of potential targets for private equity portfolio companies.

Ms. Doriwala graduated from Georgetown University magna cum laude with a B.A. in Economics and English and holds an M.B.A. in Finance and Marketing from New York University’s Stern School of Business. She is a board member of the Georgetown University Global Business Initiative Advisory Board and a former Trustee and Chair of the Investment Committee at The Langley School. She is board member for the Teach for America-DC Region and Chair of the Teach for America Stewardship Committee. Ms. Doriwala is a frequent panelist and speaker at investment conferences focused on sustainable investing, diversity and alternative investments. She supports various non-profit organizations focused on education and women’s initiatives. Ms. Doriwala contributed to the RockCreek IFC research study entitled “Moving Toward Gender Balance in Private Equity.”

Biography

Marine biologist, Forbes 30 under 30 European social entrepreneur, sustainable tourism expert with 10+ years experience working within the tourism industry as both a professional and an operator. Ally holds a Master of Aquatic Biology/Limnology from the University of Amsterdam as well as an undergraduate degree in Environmental Biology from the University of Toronto and the National University of Singapore.

Ally founded Sea Going Green in 2017, as a sustainable tourism consultancy with the mission of alleviating the negative impacts that the tourism industry is having on the marine environment. By measuring the environmental impact (CO2 and waste flows) of marine tourism operators, coastal businesses and island destinations, Ally has gained deep insights into the changes needed to be made within the tourism industry to enable sustainable tourism in marine-dependent areas, especially SIDS. As a marine biologist, Ally understands that the profitability of coastal and island destinations are directly tied into the health of the local biodiversity.

Biography

Nació en Bogotá el 1º de agosto de 1976. Es abogado de la Universidad Sergio Arboleda, con estudios mayores en filosofía y humanidades. Experto en temas económicos, con estudios ejecutivos en Harvard, y con maestrías de Georgetown, en Gerencia de Políticas Públicas, y de American University, en Derecho Económico.

Se ha desempeñado como columnista y profesor. Fue jefe de la división de Cultura, Creatividad y Solidaridad del Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo (BID), liderando temas de innovación social, emprendimiento, juventud y economía creativa. Fue consultor de la presidencia del BID y consejero principal por Colombia.

Como Senador sacó adelante cinco leyes de la República: la Ley Naranja, que impulsa las industrias creativas y la cultura como motor de desarrollo; la Ley de cesantías, que permite el uso de las cesantías para prepagar la educación de hijos y dependientes; la Ley de desfibriladores, que obliga a la instalación de reanimadores en sitios públicos y en transportes de emergencia en Colombia; la Ley de ‘Empresas B’, que brinda las condiciones para crear y desarrollar las sociedades comerciales de Beneficio e Interés Colectivo, y es coautor de la Ley que extendió la licencia de maternidad de 14 a 18 semanas.

Es autor de los libros IndignAcción, ideas para la Colombia del Futuro; Pecados Monetarios; Maquiavelo en Colombia; Efecto Naranja; El Futuro Está en el Centro; Arqueología de mi Padre, y El Humanismo Importa. Así mismo, es coautor, junto con Felipe Buitrago, del libro La Economía Naranja.

Iván Duque, además de su actividad legislativa, se ha destacado en varios ámbitos de la actualidad política del país. Fue quien redactó, presentó y defendió la demanda contra el Acto Legislativo para la Paz, ante la Corte Constitucional, que limitó el fast track y le permitió al Congreso hacer cambios en la implementación de los acuerdos con las Farc. En el 2016 fue elegido como uno de los líderes más destacados del país por la Revista Semana y la Fundación Colombia Líder, y durante sus tres años como congresista fue elegido como mejor Senador por sus propios compañeros y por varias organizaciones locales que destacan y miden la labor de los legisladores colombianos.

El Presidente Duque está casado con la señora María Juliana Ruiz, con quien tiene tres hijos: Luciana, Matías y Eloísa.

El 17 de junio de 2018, Iván Duque fue elegido Presidente de Colombia para el periodo constitucional 2018 - 2022, con 10’398.689 votos, y un programa de gobierno basado en Legalidad, Emprendimiento y Equidad.

Biography

Ambassador Raul Eduardo Fernández joined the Diplomatic Academy of Chile in 1980. He has served in the Chilean Embassies in Romania, Switzerland, Brazil, Malaysia, Belgium, France, Mexico and in the Mission to the European Union. He was also General Consul of Chile in Chicago, United States. Mr. Fernández worked as General Coordinator of the 2004 APEC Summit of Leaders. He was also Chief of Cabinet of the Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs between 2010 and 2012. In 2013, Raul Fernandez was appointed Ambassador of Chile to Haiti and in 2017, he became Ambassador to the European Union, the Kingdom of Belgium and Luxembourg.  He took the position of Secretary General for Foreign Policy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chile in October 2019 and in March 2021 he arrived in Ottawa to take office as the Ambassador of Chile to Canada.

Biography

The Honourable Chrystia Freeland is Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance.

Ms. Freeland was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Toronto Centre in July 2013. She was elected as Member of Parliament for University—Rosedale in October 2015 and re-elected in October 2019 and September 2021.

From November 2015 to January 2017, Ms. Freeland served as Canada’s Minister of International Trade, overseeing the successful negotiation of Canada’s free trade agreement with the European Union, CETA. From January 2017 to November 2019, she served as Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. During this time, she was a leading advocate for democracy, human rights, and multilateralism around the world.

As Foreign Minister, she led and successfully concluded the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) between Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

In November 2019, Ms. Freeland was appointed Deputy Prime Minister of Canada and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs. In this capacity, she led Canada’s united response to the COVID-19 pandemic. She was appointed Minister of Finance in August 2020.

An esteemed journalist and author, the Deputy Prime Minister was born in Peace River, Alberta. She was educated at Harvard University before continuing her studies on a Rhodes Scholarship at the University of Oxford.

After launching her career in journalism as a Ukraine-based freelance correspondent for the Financial Times, The Washington Post, and The Economist, Ms. Freeland went on to various roles at the Financial Times of London. She then served as deputy editor of the Toronto-based Globe and Mail between 1999 and 2001, before returning to the Financial Times as deputy editor and then as United States managing editor.

In 2010, she joined Canadian-owned Thomson Reuters. She was a managing director of the company and editor of consumer news when she decided to return home and enter politics in 2013.

Ms. Freeland has written two books: Sale of the Century: The Inside Story of the Second Russian Revolution (2000); and Plutocrats: The Rise of the New Global Super-Rich and the Fall of Everyone Else (2012). Plutocrats has been an international best-seller and won the Lionel Gelber Prize and National Business Book Award.

In 2018, the Deputy Prime Minister was recognized as Foreign Policy’s Diplomat of the Year. She was also awarded the Eric M. Warburg Award by Atlantik-Brücke, for her achievements in strengthening transatlantic ties. In 2020, she was awarded Freedom House’s Mark Palmer Prize, in recognition of her years of work in championing democracy and human rights.

Ms. Freeland speaks Russian, Ukrainian, Italian, French, and English. She lives in Toronto with her husband and three children.

Biography

Mike Frith is the Chief Economist at the NZ Super Fund. His primary role is to provide the macroeconomic advice that underpins investment analysis and broader investment decisions. Prior to joining the Fund, Mike held a number of roles during a lengthy tenure at the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, which included managing the Bank’s Auckland office and management roles within the Bank’s Prudential Supervision and Economic departments. He holds a BCA (Hons) in Economics and Finance from Victoria University of Wellington.

Biography

Dr. Magnus Frodigh has been Vice President and Head of Ericsson Research since 2018.

Dr. Frodigh was Research Area Director for Network Architecture and Protocols at Ericsson Research from 2007 to 2018 with responsibility for driving long-term technology leadership research in the areas of network architecture and protocols comprising radio, transport and core networks, including network management.

Dr. Frodigh joined Ericsson in 1994 and has since held various key senior positions within Research & Development and Product Management, focusing on 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G technologies, and expanding collaborations between with both academia and industries. He holds 29 patents.

Dr. Frodigh was born in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1964.  He holds a Master of Science degree from Linköping University of Technology, Sweden and earned his Ph.D. in Radio Communication Systems from Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden.
Dr Frodigh is adjunct Professor at Royal Institute of Technology in Wireless Infrastructures since 2013.

Biography

Stéphane Gonthier is Chief Executive Officer of GardaWorld’s cash services business. Under his leadership, GardaWorld today offers a strong currency supply chain, secure logistics and cash business solutions platform in North America with the intention to grow internationally.

Stéphane has a proven executive management track record with over 20 years of experience achieving operations excellence and strategic growth in the retail industry. Prior to joining GardaWorld, he served as President and CEO of 99 Cents Only Stores Inc., a leading operator of extreme value retail stores on the West Coast and in the Southwestern United States with close to $2 billion in annual revenues. He was responsible for company oversight while working with the Executive Team to develop, transform, direct and implement new business growth strategies.

Previously, Stéphane was Chief Operating Officer of Dollarama Inc., Canada’s largest price-point chain with $2 billion in annual revenues. In his role, he deployed managerial and operational capabilities in addition to implementing margin optimization strategies and simultaneously driving business results and customer satisfaction.

Earlier in his career, Stéphane held numerous senior executive positions within Couche-Tard, one of the world’s largest convenience store chains with $39 billion in annual revenues. As Senior Vice President, Eastern North America, he directed four divisions, representing over 2,600 stores, approximately half the company’s total footprint.

Stéphane holds an LL.B. in Civil Law from the University of Montreal and an MBA from the University of Sherbrooke. He is a member of the Quebec Bar Association. Actively involved in the business community, he is board member of public and private companies and sits on multiple advisory boards.

Biography

Jonathan Goodkey is Principal, Industrial Innovation Venture Fund at BDC Capital. He is an experienced investment professional with a particular focus on agri-food technology and the “farm-to-fork” value chain.

Before joining BDC Capital in 2019, Jonathan was a principal with Avrio Capital, where he worked on deal origination, execution and value optimization. In this capacity, he served on the board and as chair of the audit committee for Sol Cuisine and was a board observer for several other companies in his portfolio. He was also a senior associate with MNP LLP, where he delivered tax planning and other accounting services, and served as a part-time CFO for Ideaspark Inc.

Jonathan is a CFA Charterholder and a designated Chartered Accountant. He graduated from the University of Alberta with majors in accounting and finance.

Biography

James P. Gorman is Chairman and CEO of Morgan Stanley.

Mr. Gorman became CEO in January 2010 and Chairman in January 2012. He joined the Firm in February 2006 and was named Co-President in December 2007.
Before joining Morgan Stanley, Mr. Gorman held a succession of executive positions at Merrill Lynch. Prior to this, he was a senior partner of McKinsey & Co. and began his career as an attorney in Melbourne, Australia.

Among his civic activities, Mr. Gorman serves as a Director of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and the Council on Foreign Relations, Chairman of the Financial Services Forum, and Co-Chair of the Board of Overseers of the Columbia Business School, and is a member of the Business Council and the Business Roundtable.

He formerly served as President of the Federal Advisory Council to the U.S.
Federal Reserve Board, Co-Chairman of the Partnership for New York City, Chairman of the Board of the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association and Co- Chairman of the Business Committee of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Mr. Gorman, who was born in Australia, earned a B.A. and Law degree from the
University of Melbourne and an M.B.A. from Columbia University.

Biography

John was appointed President & CEO in February 2021 and is responsible for leading CPP Investments and its investment activities.

John joined CPP Investments in 2008 and has worked in both the Total Portfolio Management group (now Total Fund Management) and in Private Investments. John took on leadership of Principal Credit Investments in 2015 as Managing Director and Global Head of the group. In 2018, he was appointed as Senior Managing Director & Global Head of Credit Investments, where he was responsible for leading credit investments globally.

Prior to joining CPP Investments, John spent nine years at Xerox Innovation Group in research and strategy roles.

John holds an MBA from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto and a PhD from the University of Western Ontario. He is a CFA charterholder.

Biography

Don is a Canadian leader in the Ocean Startup Sector. He is the Executive Director of the Ocean Startup Project which is helping to make Canada the best place in the world to start, grow and foster a sustainable ocean company. Don has a passion for developing and sourcing innovative solutions to mitigate the effects of climate change and as a practicing lawyer is a strong advocate for the ocean and environment more generally.

Biography

Mario Greco joined Zurich in March 2016 as Group Chief Executive Officer and member of the Executive Committee. Mr. Greco started his professional career in management consulting, working in McKinsey & Company’s Milan office from 1986 until 1994, where he became a partner in 1992 and subsequently a partner leader in the insurance segment. In 1995, he joined RAS (Allianz Group) in Milan as head of the claims division. He became general manager in charge of the insurance business the following year. In 1998, he was appointed managing director and in 2000, he became the company’s CEO. At the end of 2004, Mr. Greco joined Allianz AG’s executive board, with responsibility for France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece and Turkey. In April 2005, he joined the Sanpaolo IMI Group in Milan as CEO of EurizonVita and in October 2005, he was appointed CEO of Eurizon Financial Group. From 2007 to 2012, he served at Zurich, first as CEO Global Life and from 2010, as CEO General Insurance. In 2012 he was appointed CEO of Generali.

Mr. Greco is chairman of the Pan-European Insurance Forum and a member of the board of directors of the Swiss-American Chamber of Commerce. He is also a member of the International Advisory Council of Bocconi University, a member of the Executive Faculty and a member of the EMBA X advisory board at the University of St.Gallen and a member of the advisory board of the Department of Economics at the University of Zurich.

Mr. Greco holds a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Rome and a master's degree in international economics and monetary theory from Rochester University.

Biography

Wes Hall came from very humble beginnings in Jamaica to become one of the most influential business people in Canada. He has established himself as the preeminent leader in shareholder advisory services and contested investor situations. Canada’s leading newspaper, The Globe and Mail, has called him one of the nation’s “most influential powerbrokers,” Canadian Business magazine named him one of the “most powerful business people” in 2016, Toronto Life magazine voted him among the “50 most influential Torontonians in 2020,” the International Association of Business Communicators (Toronto) named him their “2020 Communicator of the Year,” and Maclean’s magazine ranked him number 16 on their 2021 Power List of the “50 most powerful people in Canada.”

As the Founder of Kingsdale Advisors, Wes has delivered an unparalleled track record of success for North America’s biggest names including:

Air Canada, Barrick, BHP Billiton, Citigroup, CN, CP, Ovintiv, Goldcorp, Talisman, and Suncor. He has been sought out to lead some of the highest profile deals and activist campaigns in North America. They include Enbridge’s $37 billion merger with Spectra Energy, Agrium and Potash Corp.’s $36 billion merger, Tim Hortons’ $12.5 billion merger with Burger King, Pershing Square Capital Management’s campaign to replace the board of Canadian Pacific Railway, and Petro Canada’s $19 billion merger with Suncor Energy.

Wes is also the owner of QM Environmental, a leading national environmental and industrial services provider with over 450 employees;

Titan Supply, a top manufacturer and distributor of rigging and wear products serving industries in the oil and gas, construction and transportation sectors; and Harbor Club hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton, one of St. Lucia’s premier resorts.

In 2020, Wes was one of five individuals appointed to the Ontario government’s Capital Markets Modernization Taskforce, an advisory group of experts tasked to review and modernize the province’s capital markets regulations. In 2011, Wes received the designation ICD.D from the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) in partnership with the Rotman School of Management of the University of Toronto.

Philanthropy:

Wes is known for his generosity, leveraging his business success to benefit others with a number of impactful charitable initiatives, and serves as a Board Member of the SickKids Foundation, Pathways to Education, Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and The Black Academy. He is also a Member of the Board of Governors at Huron University College.

Wes is Founder and Chairman of The Canadian Council of Business Leaders Against Anti-Black Systemic Racism and the BlackNorth Initiative, committed to the removal of anti-Black systemic barriers negatively affecting the lives of Black Canadians.

He has also changed the lives of thousands of children in the Caribbean and Canada, donating both his money and time. In 2015, Wes was the recipient of the Vice Chancellor’s Award and in 2017 received an Honorary Doctorate, both from the University of the West Indies.

Biography

English:

Camille Hebert is an Assistant Professor of Finance at the University of Toronto and the Rotman School of Management. She earned a PhD in Finance from Tilburg University and Universite Paris-Dauphine in 2019. Camille’s research interests lie in corporate finance, entrepreneurial finance and the economics of gender. Her research agenda aims to identify frictions that impede the growth of young firms.

Camille obtained several academic grants, including from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada to conduct research on inclusive innovation and entrepreneurship. Camille’s research received several awards, including the Miami Behavioral Finance award and the Cubist Systematic Strategies Award for Outstanding Research at the Western Finance Association.

Français :

Camille Hebert est professeure adjointe de finance à l'Université de Toronto et à la Rotman School of Management. Elle a obtenu un doctorat en finance de l'Université de Tilburg et de l'Université Paris-Dauphine en 2019. Les intérêts de recherche de Camille portent sur la finance d'entreprise, la finance entrepreneuriale et l'économie du genre. Son programme de recherche vise à identifier les frictions qui freinent la croissance des jeunes entreprises.

Camille a obtenu plusieurs subventions universitaires, notamment du Conseil de recherches en sciences humaines du Canada, pour mener des recherches sur l'innovation inclusive et l'entrepreneuriat. Les recherches de Camille ont reçu plusieurs prix, notamment le prix Miami Behavioral Finance et le prix Cubist Systematic Strategies Award for Outstanding Research de la Western Finance Association.

Biography

English:

Monique is a strategic leader with over 20 years of extensive experience in accomplishing remarkable outcomes in economic and community development. Mrs Hébert-Bérubé is highly skilled in planning, organizing and implementing economic development projects from conception to completion, including business retention, business attraction and incentive programs.

Mrs. Hébert-Bérubé holds various degrees in Business Administration from Laurentian University, Computer Engineering and Business & Marketing Administration from Collège Boréal, Project Management from Cité Collégial along with her designation as a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) from PMI and her certificate in Economic Development from the University of Waterloo. Her education along with being an entrepreneur herself and her creative way of thinking, has given Mrs. Hébert-Bérubé extensive knowledge in working with professional teams, surpassing obstacles, helping entrepreneurs and francophone and bilingual business communities throughout the province in their steps towards growth and success.

As the provincial Manager in Economic Development at the Société Économique de l’Ontario, Monique has put the focus on bringing her team to a next level and working together towards a common goal of giving the francophone and bilingual business communities and entrepreneurs every possible chance of success and growth. Her strong background in relationship management and team building sets Monique apart in her career and amongst colleagues. This strong teamwork characteristic has allowed her, along with her colleague, to spearhead the first provincial virtual incubator for francophone and bilingual entrepreneurs offering the option of learning in specialized streams.

Français:

Monique est un leader stratégique qui possède plus de 20 ans d'expérience approfondie dans l'atteinte de résultats remarquables en matière de développement économique et communautaire. Mme Hébert-Bérubé est hautement qualifiée dans la planification, l'organisation et la mise en œuvre de projets de développement économique, de la conception à l'achèvement, y compris la rétention des entreprises, l'attraction des entreprises et les programmes d'incitation.

Mme Hébert-Bérubé est titulaire de divers degrés en administration des affaires de l'Université Laurentienne, en génie informatique et en administration des affaires et du marketing du Collège Boréal, en gestion de projet de la Cité Collégial, ainsi que sa désignation de Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) du PMI et son certificat en développement économique de l'Université de Waterloo. Grâce à sa formation, à son expérience d'entrepreneure et à sa pensée créative, Mme Hébert-Bérubé a acquis des connaissances approfondies pour travailler avec des équipes de professionnels, surmonter les obstacles, aider les entrepreneurs et les communautés d'affaires francophones et bilingues de la province dans leurs démarches vers la croissance et le succès.

En tant que gestionnaire provinciale du développement économique à la Société Économique de l'Ontario, Monique a mis l'accent sur la nécessité de faire passer son équipe à un niveau supérieur et de travailler ensemble vers un objectif commun, soit de donner aux communautés d'affaires et aux entrepreneurs francophones et bilingues toutes les chances possibles de réussite et de croissance. Ses solides antécédents en matière de gestion des relations et de constitution d'équipes permettent à Monique de se distinguer dans sa carrière et parmi ses collègues. Cette forte caractéristique de travail d'équipe lui a permis, avec sa collègue, de diriger le premier incubateur virtuel provincial pour les entrepreneurs francophones et bilingues, offrant la possibilité d'apprendre dans des volets spécialisés.

Biography

Ms. Rotem Hochma serves as the CIO and Managing Director of a Single Family Office in Israel.

In this capacity, Ms. Hochma is responsible for all aspects of the investment advisory and activities of the FO, from investment strategies and allocations to macro and micro portfolio performances.

Ms. Hochma is also an active partner for the European student accommodation and boutique hostels brand “The PPL” and sits on the board of a number of tradable companies in Israel.

In another capacity, Ms. Hochma advises international HNWI on venture investments in Israel.

Ms. Hochma is a firm believer in cooperation with strategic partners and maintains an extensive network of venture capital, private equity and alternative investment firms. With over 15 years of experience , Ms. Hochma’s investment strategy tends to focus on Venture investments and global real-estate.

Biography

Marilyn Horrick is a Senior Vice President, Ontario Market with Desjardins Group. In this role, Ms. Horrick is responsible for the organization’s strategy to drive Canada-wide corporate initiatives, growth, brand visibility, and innovation.

Ms. Horrick is an experienced business strategist and champion of innovation supporting customer experience and business objectives. She has more than 25 years of experience leading corporate projects, both strategic and operational, in the insurance industry.

Before Desjardins, Ms. Horrick was executive vice president and chief operating officer for MSA Research Inc. and Northwind Professional Institute. She has also worked at The Guarantee Company of North America as national vice president; Chubb Insurance as assistant vice president, manager of strategic products; and at Zurich Insurance, primarily in charge of national operations of the Preeminence division.

An advocate of corporate and industry brand and innovations, Ms. Horrick has represented the industry’s interests on the IBC Personal Lines Standing Committee, ICLR Advisory Group and has been an active participant in various industry forums and panels.

Ms. Horrick is a graduate of Concordia University with a BA in Communications. She is active in her community having held positions on various not-for-profit boards and associations. Ms. Horrick is currently Board Co-Chair at Women in Insurance Cancer Crusade (WICC), Canadian Cancer Society’s largest non-institutional fundraiser.

Biography

Dr. Aaron Hoskin is Senior Manager responsible for Federal, Provincial and International activities within the Fuel Diversification Division at Natural Resources Canada. He has over 15 years of experience in fostering greater production and use of low carbon fuels across the economy. He has led and contributed to the development of various programs and policies, aimed to decarbonize Canada’s economy, including The Hydrogen Strategy for Canada, electrification of transportation, electric and alternative fuels infrastructure, and greening government fleets. His work extends internationally, including representing Canada on several initiatives under the Clean Energy Ministerial. He has a Ph. D in chemistry, with a focus on catalytic activation of small molecules, including hydrogen, and methane.

Biography

Fred is Primavera Capital Group’s Founder, Chairman and CEO. He oversees the firm’s overall strategy, talent development and culture, and assumes the primary responsibilities in establishing and maintaining the firm’s long-term partnerships with global investors.

Prior to forming Primavera, Fred was Partner and Chairman of Greater China at Goldman Sachs and a member of Goldman’s Partnership Committee. He previously served as an economist at the International Monetary Fund. He also served on the Hong Kong Government’s Strategic Development Committee and the Advisory Committee for the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission, and was an independent director of the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited.

Fred is currently the non-executive chairman of Yum China Holdings Inc. and serves on the boards of ICBC, Ant Group, and UBS Group AG. In addition, he is the co-chair of the Nature Conservancy’s Asia Pacific Council, a trustee of the Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) and the China Medical Board, a member of the HKEX Mainland China Advisory Group, the Global Advisory Board of the Council on Foreign Relations, the Jerome A. Chazen Institute of International Business at Columbia University, Harvard Kennedy School’s Dean’s Leadership Council and Harvard University’s Global Advisory Council.

Fred holds a Master in Engineering Science from Tsinghua University and a Master and PhD in Economics from Harvard University.

Biography

Paul Hudson is leading the execution of Sanofi’s Play to Win strategy, a five-year plan (2020-2025) designed with the ambition to leverage breakthrough science to change the practice of medicine and to foster a workplace where people can bring their best selves to work. The strategy has sharpened the focus on key R&D areas, including immunology, vaccines, hemophilia, oncology, and rare diseases, with the objective of delivering breakthrough solutions to patients and improve people’s health worldwide. Under Paul’s leadership, and in the middle of a global pandemic, Sanofi has renewed its commitments to society, putting sustainability and social responsibility at the core of its long-term strategy.

Before joining Sanofi, Paul was CEO of Novartis Pharmaceuticals from 2016 to 2019, and a member of the Novartis Executive Committee. His career in healthcare has spanned the globe, with assignments in the US, Japan and Europe. Prior to Novartis, he worked for AstraZeneca, where he held several increasingly senior positions and most recently carried out the roles of president, AstraZeneca US and executive vice president, North America. He began his career in sales and marketing roles at GlaxoSmithKline UK and Sanofi-Synthélabo UK.

Paul holds a degree in economics from Manchester Metropolitan University in the UK, and in July 2018 his alma mater awarded him an honorary Doctor of Business Administration for his achievements in industry.

A father of three, Paul is a hands-on dad and an ardent Manchester United football fan.

Biography

Steven K. Hudson is a highly accomplished entrepreneur, senior executive, and investor with extensive experience in leading new business initiatives and achieving growth objectives with some of the world’s leading finance companies. He has a distinguished track record across several business sectors with extensive expertise in the global financial and capital markets.

Mr. Hudson is Chief Executive Officer of ECN Capital Corp. (TSX: ECN), a leading provider of prime credit portfolios to more than 90 US financial institutions. With managed and advised assets of US$32 billion, ECN Capital originates, manages, and advises on prime credit assets offering unsecured and secured consumer portfolio solutions as well as credit card portfolios.

Previously, Mr. Hudson served for five years as the Chief Executive Officer of Element Financial Corporation. Under Mr. Hudson’s leadership, Element’s assets increased from just over $400 million to more than $24 billion, establishing it as North America’s largest independent equipment finance company and as one of the largest fleet management companies in the world.

Mr. Hudson is an active community leader and philanthropist, including serving as a significant donor to St. Michael’s Centre for Urban Health Solutions as well as being named a World Fellow by the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation.

He has served as a board member on numerous organizations, including CHC Helicopter Corporation, First International Asset Management, Altamira Investment Services and AGRA.

Mr. Hudson has a Bachelor of Business Administration from York University. In recognition of his achievements, he received his Fellowship with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario in 2000.

An entrepreneur, investor and incubator of successful businesses, Mr. Hudson has a distinguished track record across several business sectors, with deep expertise in financial and capital markets. He is the founder and principal of Cameron Capital, a private investment firm established more than 20 years ago. In 1984 Mr. Hudson founded Newcourt Credit Group. Under his leadership as CEO, Newcourt grew to become a worldwide leader in equipment and asset finance with owned and managed assets exceeding $36 billion prior to its sale to CIT Group in 1999.

Mr. Hudson has been an active director on numerous boards of both public and private corporations and an active community leader and philanthropist.

Mr. Hudson graduated from York University in 1981 with an Honors Bachelor of Business Administration degree and received his Fellowship with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario in 2000. In 1996, Mr. Hudson received the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year award and was named one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40.

Biography

An Engineer by training Chris was President and CEO of Emera for 13 years over which time he took the business from $3 Billion in assets to $30 Billion.

Recently Chris has been very active in the Atlantic Canadian startup ecosystem, a Founding Partner at CDL Atlantic, a Founding member of the Ocean Supercluster, a mentor and investor in startup companies.

Chris is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers of Nova Scotia, and serves on many for-profit and not-for-profit Boards of Directors.  Chris is Past-Chair of the Canadian Electricity Association, Past-Chair of the Great Halifax Partnership and Past-Chair of the Energy Council of Canada.

Chris is a member of the Nova Scotia Business Hall of Fame, a recipient of the Energy Person of the year, a recipient of the Catalyst Canada Award for advancement of women in the workplace and a recipient of the F.H. Sexton Gold Medal for Engineering.

Chris holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Master of Science in Engineering and Doctor of Science, Honoris Causa from the University of NewBrunswick.

Biography

Blake is the President and Chief Executive Officer of OMERS, one of Canada’s largest Pension Plans with over $110 billion of equity.  Prior to that Blake was the President and Chief Pension Officer of OMERS and prior to that their Chief Investment Officer of Real Estate and Platform Investments.  He was also President & CEO of Oxford Properties Group from 2010 to 2018 where he was responsible for overseeing the global business, consisting of approximately $60 billion of assets under management and 2,200 employees in Canada, the USA, Europe, and Asia. Prior to that he was based in New York as the Head of Global Real Estate Investing for a multi-strategy private equity firm, with offices in New York, London, Hong Kong and Mumbai. Prior to that, he was the Chairman & President of CB Richard Ellis Canada (1999 - 2008) & Latin America (2001 – 2008) overseeing all operations in multiple countries with over 2,500 employees. Mr. Hutcheson has also served on several Boards and Committees including: Director of Algoma Central Corporation (listed on the TSE); Chair of REALpac (2019 – 2020), Director of both Alpine Canada and Canadian Sports Hall of Game, Governor of Upper Canada College, Member of the Toronto Mayor’s Task Force on Affordable Housing 2015; Chair of Build Toronto (2010 – 2012); Member of the Premier’s Transit Advisory Panel (2013); Chair of the Mayor of Toronto’s Fiscal Advisory Committee (2008); President of the University Club of Toronto; Director of RealNet Canada; and Chair of the Canadian Real Estate Forum (2005 and 2016).  He is also the recipient of the ICONS of the Industry Award through BOMA, Ottawa and the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Columbia University Masters Real Estate Development Program.  Since 2013 he has often been named to the Power 100 Most Influential Real Estate Executives in New York City.  Mr. Hutcheson is a long-time member of YPO and WPO and was selected as one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40.  He is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario, the London School of Economics, England (with distinction), and has an MSc in Real Estate Development from Columbia University, New York.  He is married and has two children.

Biography

Pradnya "P.J." Joshi is a National weekend editor at The Washington Post. P.J. previously worked at Politico, where she led coverage of international trade, agriculture, food regulation and rural America, running stories about the Trump administration’s trade wars and the politics behind the 2018 Farm Bill. She was part of a Polk Award-winning series about the USDA’s failures to address climate change and edited an award-winning investigation about weaknesses in the country’s food-safety system. She worked as a reporter at Newsday and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. P.J. has a master’s in journalism and a bachelor’s in journalism and international studies from Northwestern University. She has lived overseas in Brazil, Hong Kong and the Philippines, and domestically in Pennsylvania, Florida, Texas and Washington state.

Biography

With over 20 years of experience in structured finance and capital markets, Rasha began her career in 1995 at TD Bank as a corporate financial analyst working with the CFO’s office where she pioneered the use of earnings volatility as a base for capital allocations to the bank’s business segments. From 1999 – 2002, Rasha co-led the firm wide global structuring effort focusing on cash and synthetic CDOs combining structured finance, securitization, and credit derivatives across North America and Europe - these transactions were the first of their kind in North America. In addition, she led the interface with the regulatory authorities on bank policy with reference to SPE utilization and tighter accounting interpretations following the Enron collapse.

Rasha joined Merrill Lynch Bank of America in 2002. As Group Head for the Strategic Solutions Group in Fixed Income, she built the largest non-bank residential mortgage funding business, established Merrill at the top of securitization league tables, and instituted strategic partnerships for Merrill in the Canadian market. As Managing Director, her mandate expanded to Debt and Equity from 2006 – 2013. The Debt and Equity Structured Solutions Platform focused on retail and consumer finance, financial services, automotive, real estate and REITs. She also advised Canadian pension funds, global sovereign wealth funds, and large institutional clients. In addition to her business responsibilities, she was a member of the Asset/Liability Committee and the Management Committees for Debt Capital Markets and Equity Capital Markets.

Rasha was also President and Chair of the Mortgage Backed Securities Issuers Association (MBSIA) for 2 consecutive terms (2010 – 2013), a Director of the Board of Russell Investments in Canada, and a part of the Russell Investments Audit Committee.

Since launching Brim in 2017, she has drawn on her passion for driving change and supporting the community. Brim has pledged 1% of equity to SickKids Foundation and continues to demonstrate commitment to SickKids, bridging tech and healthcare every day by donating each time a new Brim Cardmember selects the SickKids Foundation as their charity of choice. All Brim Cardmembers have the opportunity to easily support a cause through the Brim Charity Giveback Program.

Biography

Mr. Dinesh Khara is Chairman of the country’s largest Bank - State Bank of India. Having joined the bank as a Probationary Officer in 1984, he has rich experience in all facets of Banking. Before assuming office as Chairman, Mr. Khara has held several key positions in SBI such as MD (Global Banking & Subsidiaries), MD (Associates & Subsidiaries), MD & CEO (SBI Mutual Funds) and Chief General Manager - Bhopal Circle. He was also posted at Chicago for an overseas assignment.

As Managing Director, he led the International Banking Group, Large Corporate and Treasury operations in addition to the non-banking subsidiaries of the Bank viz., SBI Cards, SBIMF, SBI Life, SBI General etc. He also seamlessly executed the merger of five erstwhile Associate Banks and Bhartiya Mahila Bank, with SBI. Additionally, he also headed the Risk, IT and Compliance functions of the bank at various points.

Mr. Khara is a postgraduate in commerce from Delhi School of Economics and an MBA from FMS, New Delhi. He is also a Certified Associate of Indian Institute of Bankers (CAIIB). Mr. Khara is passionate about reading and has travelled extensively across the world.

Biography

Tim Kiladze is a reporter and columnist for The Globe and Mail. Previously he worked in equity capital markets at National Bank Financial, and in fixed-income sales and trading at RBC Dominion Securities.

Tim graduated from Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism and also earned a Bachelor of Commerce in finance from McGill University.

Biography

Robert Koopman is Chief Economist and Director of Economic Research and Statistics Division at the World Trade Organization.

In this post Bob provides the Secretariat and Member Countries with analysis and information that promotes a deeper understanding of trade and trade policy's role in economic growth and development. Prior to this, he served as the Director of Operations and Chief Operating Officer for the United States International Trade Commission.

Bob oversaw the Commission’s trade policy research and negotiation assistance to the President, the U.S. Trade Representative, and Congress; antidumping, countervailing duty, and safeguard; investigations; intellectual property investigations; maintenance and analysis of the Harmonized Tariff System, as well as the agency’s strategic planning and performance measurement initiatives.

He also previously served as Chief Economist at the USITC, and various leadership positions at the Economic Research Service of USDA. He is also currently a visiting Professor at the Graduate Institute in Geneva.

Biography

Ravi is President at Infosys. In this role, he leads the Infosys Global Services Organization across all global industry segments, driving digital transformation services, consulting services, traditional technology services, engineering services, data and analytics, cloud and infrastructure along with enterprise package applications service lines. In addition, he oversees Infosys Business Process Management (BPM) and is Chairman of the Board of Infosys BPM. He also oversees Infosys business in Latin America, Japan and China. He is the Chairman of the Board of Infosys Public Services and oversees the Consulting Services Subsidiary of Infosys. Ravi oversees Infosys’ acquisitions Kaleidoscope, Guidevision, Simplus, WongDoody, Fluido and Brilliant Basics and Chairs the Board of the Hitachi-Panasonic JV in Japan. Ravi also oversees the alliances organization and the global partner ecosystem at Infosys.  In addition, Ravi is championing and pioneering the localization initiative and building technology and digital talent pools in the U.S, Europe and Australia for Infosys to drive creation of new and Digital Technology and Innovation Centers by collaborating with clients, the local state governments and academic ecosystems. He is also Chairman for Infosys Foundation USA focused on computer science education in K12 Schools in the U.S.

Previously, Ravi was Group Head for $1B Insurance, Healthcare, and Cards & Payments unit, where he drove client services, demand generation, next-generation service offerings, game-changing innovation, and a world-class delivery organization to support clients. He has also led the global delivery organization in the Manufacturing industry group. Spanning a global clientele and other new incubating engines, he built the global Oracle and CRM practices for Infosys. Under his leadership, the Hyderabad Development Center, with 22,000+ employees, won the Infosys Excellence Award for the Best Development Center five years in a row from 2010 – 2014.

Ravi has over 19 years of experience in the consulting space, incubating new practice lines, driving large transformational programs, and evangelizing new business models across industry segments. He has played diverse roles across organizations within the CRM space for Oracle Corporation, building a next-generation CRM practice at Cambridge Technology Partners. He has also worked on process and technology transformation for the unbundling of Indian State Electricity Boards at PricewaterhouseCoopers. Ravi started his career as a nuclear scientist at the Bhabha Atomic Research Center.

He is on the Board of Governors of the New York Academy of Sciences, Member of the Young Presidents Organization(YPO) Manhattan Chapter, Member of the International Advisory Board of Fudan University, Shanghai, Chairs the IT & Business Services Workforce Council for the Governor in the State of Connecticut, Member of Skills Consortium of the World Economic Forum(WEF), Fortune CEO Workforce Redesign Group and many other industry forums.  He regularly attends the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum Davos, actively writes about digital transformation, future of work, reskilling, talent transformation in the Harvard Business Review, Knowledge@Wharton, Forbes and other top tier publications.

Ravi has a master’s degree in business administration from Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar, India.

Biography

English:

Denis Laframboise is a bilingual senior executive with over 40 years of experience in the cooperative movement. After working 29 years for the Caisses populaires de l’Ontario, hebecame president and Chief Executive Officer of Your Credit Union in Ottawa, a position he held until his retirement in 2013. He brings with him a wealth of knowledge on leadership, team building, strategic planning, business expansion and organizational restructuring. Actively engaged in his community, his commitments include chairing the board of the Monfort Hospital Foundation and serving on the Montfort Hospital, Ficanex, Ottawa Hydro, the Fédération des caisses populaires de l’Ontario boards, and several other regional, provincial and nationalorganizations.

Français :

Denis est un cadre supérieur bilingue, comptant plus de 40 années d’expérience au sein du mouvement coopératif. Après avoir travaillé durant 30 années pour les Caisses populaire de l’Ontario, il est devenu en 2008 Président et chef de la direction de Your Credit Union à Ottawa, poste qu’il a occupé jusqu’à sa retraite en décembre 2013. Il est présentement président du Conseil d’administration de la Société Économique de l’Ontario

Il apporte avec lui de solides connaissances en leadership,  planification stratégique, développement des affaire, gouvernance, services aux membres ainsi que d’autres atouts qui sauront contribuer à la croissance et l’épanouissement des communautés francophone en situation minoritaire.

Son engagement social et bénévole, en siégeant sur plusieurs comités et conseils d’administration soit régional, provincial, national et international a grandement contribué au bien-être et à l’enrichissement des individus et des collectivités avec lesquelles nous partageons toutes et tous le même sentiment d’appartenance.

Biography

Lucie’s passion for the techno-creative video game and interactive digital media industry started over 20 years ago, when she worked on groundbreaking multimedia projects at Bell. Later on, she led innovative and award-winning teams producing games and interactive content in various strategic roles. Her executive positions include GM French Market at MediaLinx Sympatico (Bell), Executive Director New Media at Radio-Canada, VP & GM Interactive at Corus Entertainment, COO & GM of supersonic MINDS, and Founder & Principal of Lalumiere Media.Lucie is a staunch advocate for the video game and interactive digital media sector. She is dedicated to helping the industry grow, compete on the global stage, and create leading-edge techno-creative jobs in our communities. Lucie serves on the board of directors of the Canadian Interactive Alliance / L 'Alliance Interactive Canadienne (CIAIC) and of the Haltech Innovation Centre. She is a member of several advisory committees, including the Screen Industries Research and Training Centre (SIRT) advisory board.Lucie is the winner of the inaugural WIFT-T Digital Trailblazer Crystal Award (2015). She has a B.Sc. in Management Information Systems from Université de Sherbrooke, an MBA from McGill University completed at New York University (Interactive Telecommunications Program), and an Award of Achievement in Digital Analytics from the University of British Columbia and the Digital Analytics Association.

Biography

English:

Liette’s first source of inspiration and energy comes from the entrepreneurs she has had the privilege to work with over the course of her career. Looking to make a positive impact, she has been evolving in philanthropy for the past 15 years as Executive Director of Fondation Montréal inc., a non-profit that catalyses the success of young, innovative and ambitious businesses through startup grants and access to a prestigious business network.

In 2019, Liette co-founded Bonjour Startup Montréal, an organization whose mission is to help Montreal be the best place on earth to launch and grow a startup and to let the whole world know about it.

Liette is a Chartered Professional Accountant who studied law, with a focus on international business. She started her career assisting entrepreneurs in their export ventures within the Government of Canada and later went on to become CEO of World Trade Centre Montreal.

Français :

Liette a toujours eu le privilège de travailler auprès des entrepreneures, sa source d'inspiration et d'énergie. Avec la volonté d'avoir un impact positif sur sa ville, elle évolue dans le milieu philanthropique depuis plus de 15 ans comme directrice générale de Montréal inc., une fondation qui propulse vers les succès les jeunes entreprises innovantes grâce à des bourses de démarrage et un accès à un réseau d'affaires reconnu.

En 2019, Liette a cofondé Bonjour Startup Montréal, une organisation avec la mission de positionner Montréal comme la meilleure ville au monde pour démarrer et faire croître sa startup - et de s'assurer que la planète entière le sache.

Avec sa formation comme CPA et ses études en droit avec une spécialisation sur les affaires internationales, Liette a commencé sa carrière en aidant les entreprises d’ici à exporter, notamment au sein du gouvernement canadien et puis comme dirigeante du World Trade Centre Montréal.

Biography

Matti Latva-aho is a Director for 6G Flagship Program in Oulu, Finland, and serves as an Academy Professor in the University of Oulu, where he has worked on wireless communications research since early 1990s.

He was a Director of Centre for Wireless Communications (CWC) at the University of Oulu during the years 1998−2006, and a Head of Department of Communication Engineering until 2014. Prior to his joining the CWC, Matti worked as a Research Engineer at Nokia Mobile Phones in Oulu, Finland.

Matti completed his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering at the University of Oulu, Finland in 1998. His research interests lie in the area of wireless radio data communications, and currently his research group focuses on 6G systems research ranging from theory to design and implementation. He has worked so far with all the generations from 1G to 6G of mobile networks.

Matti has published close to 500 conference or journal papers in the area of wireless communications. He has received a several awards, including Nokia Foundation Award in 2015 for his achievements in wireless communications research.

Biography

Since joining Export Development Canada in 2014, Mairead Lavery has put values and ethics at the center of her leadership approach. Appointed President and CEO on February 5, 2019, Mairead set out three pillars for her leadership: Champion for Trade; Environmental, Social and Governance Responsibility; and Inclusion, Diversity and Equity. These values are the centerpiece of her – and EDC’s – business agenda.

Under her direction, Canada’s export credit agency has pursued ambitious objectives, achieving strong growth, and helping more Canadian companies do business in 200 markets around the world, while generating over $100 billion in trade and investment annually.

In 2020, EDC became a major contributor to the Government of Canada’s COVID-19 economic response, helping deliver billions of dollars in liquidity to companies across Canada. EDC also stands as the single largest financier of Canadian cleantech, a proud supporter of women-owned and women-led businesses, and regularly ranks among Canada’s Top 100 Employers.

Mairead is the Board Chair for the EDC subsidiary, FinDev Canada, Canada’s international development finance institution, and a Board member of Ontario Global 100, creating opportunities for business leaders of Ontario mid-sized companies to accelerate growth. She also sits on the advisory boards of Toronto Global Forum and Project Arrow, which is creating Canada’s original full-build, zero-emissions concept vehicle. Prior to joining EDC, Mairead held executive roles at Bombardier, where she managed a range of large complex portfolios over a sixteen-year career.

She is a native of Northern Ireland, has a degree in Management and Accounting from Queen’s University Belfast, and is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland. She is also the first woman to occupy EDC’s chief executive role in its 75-plus year history.

In 2015, Mairead experienced another very proud milestone: becoming a Canadian citizen.

Biography

Dr. Jean-Charles Le Vallée is the country Representative for the IICA Delegation in Canada. Prior to joining IICA in 2019, Jean-Charles was the former head for food research at The Conference Board of Canada and a former World Bank Food and Commodity Economist. Jean-Charles has also coordinated Canada's Food Security Bureau at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and managed the world's largest online food security community for the Development Gateway in Washington, D.C. He has extensive teaching and research experience in a dozen countries with the United Nations FAO, the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), the World Food Prize, USAID, Global Affairs Canada, and numerous universities such as Cornell, Laval, Michigan State, and Ryerson. Jean-Charles has written extensively on food issues including a book on fostering food system resilience in Belize, and book chapter in India on political will for food security. He helped produce the 2014 Canadian Food Strategy and published various world rankings (over 100+ million media impressions) across 17 OECD countries on food industry performance; agri-food trade; food safety; public trust; food security; healthy foods, nutrition, diseases & diets; food waste & environmental performance. He helped train agri-food SMEs in Colombia, Senegal and Vietnam to grow their business and increase trade, as well as developed agriculture market information systems in Ethiopia, Mali and Mozambique. He brings thought leadership to food policy, industry and sector issues, is a regular speaker and media guest in print, TV and radio, and a frequent witness at agri-food and trade senate standing committees.

Biography

Sonia LeBel is a lawyer who rose to prominence as chief prosecutor for the Charbonneau Commission, attracting widespread public interest for her incisive and combative questioning but also for her sense of humour. She considers the fight against collusion and corruption to be an important cause.

Sonia LeBel graduated from Université de Montréal with a Bachelor's degree in law and went on to work for over twenty years for the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions, specializing in criminal law, drugs offences and organized crime. She was a member of the committee on the illegal practice of law at the Montréal Bar for fifteen years.

Sonia LeBel began working for the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) in 2017 as associate chief of staff to François Legault. In October 2018 she was elected as the Member for the riding of Champlain under the CAQ banner, and appointed as Minister of Justice and Minister Responsible for Canadian Relations and the Canadian Francophonie. She was also Minister responsible for the Status of Women from October 2018 to January 2019, and Minister Responsible for Democratic Institutions, Electoral Reform and Access to Information from September 2019 to August 2020. In June 2020, she is appointed Minister Responsible for Government Administration and Chair of the Treasury Board.

Français:

Avocate de profession, Sonia LeBel a fait un passage remarqué comme procureure en chef à la Commission Charbonneau, où elle s’est fait connaître du grand public pour sa rigueur et sa combativité, mais aussi pour son sens de l’humour. La lutte contre la collusion et la corruption est une cause importante pour elle.

Bachelière en droit de l’Université de Montréal, M^me LeBel a travaillé pendant plus de d’une vingtaine d’années au Directeur des poursuites criminelles et pénales (DPCP), où elle s’est spécialisée en droit criminel et en infractions reliées aux stupéfiants et au crime organisé. Elle a été aussi membre du comité des infractions du Barreau de Montréal pendant une quinzaine d’années.

Sonia LeBel s’est jointe à la CAQ en 2017 à titre de directrice de cabinet adjointe auprès de François Legault. En octobre 2018, elle est élue députée de la circonscription de Champlain sous la bannière de la Coalition Avenir Québec et nommée ministre de la Justice et responsable des Relations canadiennes et de la Francophonie. Elle a également été ministre responsable de la Condition féminine d’octobre 2018 à janvier 2019, et ministre responsable des Institutions démocratiques, de la Réforme électorale et de l’Accès à l’information de septembre 2019 à août 2020. En juin 2020, lors d’un remaniement ministériel, elle est nommée ministre responsable de l’Administration gouvernementale et présidente du Conseil du trésor.

Biography

Stephen Lecce is the Minister of Education for the Province of Ontario and the Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for King-Vaughan. As Minister, Stephen is fighting for student success and is working to build an education system that is equipped to support our next generation. It is his mission to ensure that students are given every opportunity to develop the transferable skills needed to lead productive lives and secure good jobs. Stephen stands for an inclusive and equitable system of education and believes that our future as a province and as a country, depends on unlocking the potential of all youth.

Stephen’s experience in politics began in his home town of Vaughan where he was involved with the 1999 election of the late MPP Al Palladini. Since then, he has served as the Chief Spokesperson for former Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, as Deputy Government House Leader, the Parliamentary Assistant to the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier.

Stephen is a community leader, who has devoted over half his life to public service. He continues to give back and support his local community as MPP, and as the former First Vice President of the National Congress of Italian Canadians, an active member of the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce and former Youth Education Chair of Vaughan’s Royal Canadian Legion (Mackenzie Branch 414).

Stephen lives in Vaughan, where he grew up, and remains active in his community.

Biography

King Lee is the Director Harmony Programme at World Nuclear Association leading the Harmony Programme, the nuclear industry’s vision for the future of electricity.  In this role Mr Lee head a team promoting nuclear energy by working with the nuclear community to engage with key policy makers and stakeholders on the important role of nuclear energy as part of the clean energy system for sustainable development.

Mr Lee led strategic cooperation with key international institutions, such as United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Clean Energy Ministerial and World Energy Council, on development of nuclear power.

Previously, Mr Lee was Head of Nuclear Development at Lloyd’s Register, where he led strategic business development and provided technical and commercial oversight to support major nuclear projects in UK, China, Korea and UAE. This includes advice to government and industry leaders on regulatory and safety issues concerning the challenges for the nuclear industries. He has also been involved a range of power and energy projects with considerable experience on risk and assurance management.

Mr Lee was the Vice-Chair of the Energy Institute Process Safety Committee. He is a member of the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) Nuclear Innovation 2050 Advisory Panel and Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) Flexible Nuclear Campaign Working Group. Mr Lee is the Chair of UNECE Nuclear Fuel Working Group and Vice Chair of UNECE Group of Experts on Cleaner Electricity Systems.

Biography

Mr Loh Boon Chye joined SGX as CEO on 14 July 2015. He is also an Executive and Non-Independent Director on the SGX Board. As CEO, he drives SGX’s growth strategy, with the aim of transforming SGX into a world-class multi-asset exchange.

Over the years, Mr Loh has played a key role in the development of Southeast Asia’s capital markets, having held a number of senior advisory positions. Apart from his directorship on the SGX Board from 2003 to 2012, he has also been on the Boards of GIC Pte Ltd since November 2012, Economic Development Board Singapore since February 2017 and the World Federation of Exchanges since September 2017. He is also Chairman of the Sim Kee Boon Institute for Financial Economics Advisory Board and Co-Chair of the Council for Board Diversity.

With a career in the financial industry that spans close to 30 years, Mr Loh was most recently Deputy President and Head of Asia Pacific Global Markets at Bank of America-Merrill Lynch from December 2012 to May 2015. He was also the bank’s Country Executive for Singapore and Southeast Asia and a member of its Asia Pacific Executive Committee.

Mr Loh began his career as an Investment Officer with the Monetary Authority of Singapore in 1989. He joined the Singapore branch of Morgan Guaranty Trust Co. of New York in 1992, managing its Southeast Asia fixed-income and derivatives business. From 1995 to 2012, he was with Deutsche Bank AG, where he held various leadership roles including Head of Corporate & Investment Banking for Asia Pacific and Head of Global Markets for Asia.

Mr Loh is a council member and Distinguished Fellow at the Institute of Banking & Finance Singapore and a council member at the Singapore Business Federation. He was also previously Chairman of the Singapore Foreign Exchange Market Committee, as well as Deputy President of ACI Singapore. He was awarded for Outstanding Contribution to Financial Markets in Asia in the Euromoney Awards for Excellence in 2010, and was presented the International Financial Law Review (IFLR) Market Reform Award 2017.

Mr Loh holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree from the National University of Singapore.

Biography

Born in Medellin, Colombia, presently Ambassador of Colombia to Canada;

• Medellin Public Enterprises Groupe EPM (Empresas Públicas de MedellínGrupo EPM), General Manager, 2016-2019;
• INVAMER-GALLUP Colombia, General Manager, 1994-2015;
• INVAMER-GALLUP Colombia, Account Executive, 1989-1993;
• Lamintation of Colombia (Laminación de Colombia) – LAMINACO, Development of System, 1987-1988;
• Electric Interconnection (Interconexion Eléctrica) S.A -ISA-1987.
• Board of Directors of: ROUTEN (RUTA N), 2019;
• TIGO UNE Telecomunications, 2016-2019;
• Columbus School, (2001-2003);
• CASA LUKER, 2000-2005.

Acknowledgements, Awards or Medals:

• Civic Recognition Order Colombian Army, 2016; “Orden del Zurriago”.
• Outstanding People from Antioquia, 2016;
• National Colombian Congress order Gentleman Order, 2019;
• Awarded as one of the top 10 leaders in Colombia, MERCO 2019.

Academic Information:

• B.A. in Systems Engineering, University EAFIT, Medellín, Colombia, 1989;
• Top Executives Program, University of Andes, Bogotá, Colombia, 2010.

Married to Mónica Echavarria, two dautgers, Luciana and Raquel Londoño-Echavarria.

Biography

Jessica Lovering is the co-founder of Good Energy Collective. She is a Fellow with the Energy for Growth Hub, looking at how advanced nuclear can be deployed in sub-Saharan Africa. She previously directed the Energy Program at the Breakthrough Institute, a pioneering research institute changing how people think about energy and the environment. Her work at Breakthrough sought policies to spur innovation in nuclear power technologies to drive down costs and accelerate deployment as part of a solution to climate change and economic development. She has a bachelor’s degree in Astrophysics from University of California Berkeley, a Master’s degree in Energy Policy from the University of Colorado, and a PhD in Engineering and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University, where she focused her dissertation on how commercial nuclear trade affects international security standards and how very small nuclear reactors could be deployed at the community level.

Biography

Stephen Lund is a dynamic business leader with over 30 years of experience in banking, venture capital, finance and economic development.

He is the Chief Executive Officer of Toronto Global, the organization responsible for attracting new international investment to the Toronto Region.

From 2015-2020 Stephen was the CEO of Opportunities NB (ONB), the lead business development organization for New Brunswick, CEO of CyberNB, and Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Small Business. He was responsible for all Investment Attraction and Exporting activities and oversaw a lending portfolio of $420 million. Under Stephen’s leadership, ONB consistently exceeded its targets, had among the best results in Canada, and produced the best results in the province in over 20 years. ONB attracted some of the top companies in the world, and with the creation of CyberNB within ONB, New Brunswick was recognized as the premier jurisdiction in Canada for cybersecurity. ONB was named one of Atlantic Canada’s Top Employers for four years in a row and one of Canada’s Top 40 Most Admired Corporate Cultures in 2018.

As CEO of Nova Scotia Business Inc. (NSBI) for over a decade, he consistently surpassed targets, assisted in the revitalization of Halifax’s downtown core, and played a key role in the province being named by fDi Intelligence (Financial Times) as the best-performing region in North America in attracting inward investment.

Prior to his NSBI tenure, Stephen was Vice-President of one of Canada’s largest venture capital firms and a corporate banker with Canadian and international banks.

Stephen was recognized by Atlantic Business Magazine as one of the Top 50 CEOs in Atlantic Canada five times in a row, was named one of the Top 500 most influential people in Financial Centres worldwide, and has been inducted into Atlantic Business Magazine’s CEO Hall of Fame. He participated as a judge at the Canadian FinTech & AI Awards, Accenture’s Healthcare Innovation Challenge, and Atlantic Business Magazine’s Top 50 CEO Awards.

Stephen earned a prestigious X ring from St. Francis Xavier University, holds an MBA from Queen’s University, obtained an ICD.D from the Institute of Corporate Directors, and completed executive-level studies at Harvard, University of Chicago and Queen’s University.

He is currently the Chair of the board of directors of the Conference Board of Canada and has served on numerous private and volunteer boards, including the IWK Children’s Health Centre and the QE2 Hospital Foundation. He was a champion for Junior Achievement and was the inaugural Chair of the Heart & Stroke Hockey Heroes Fundraiser. Stephen has also participated in the World Triathlon Championships, the Boston Marathon, and the Canadian University Hockey Championships.

Stephen and his wife Sandy have two boys, Connor and Shaun.

Biography

Matt Lundy is an economics reporter at The Globe and Mail, where he covers labour markets, household finances and Canada’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. A graduate of Western University, he uses rigorous data analysis to drive his storytelling.

Biography

Kendra MacDonald is the CEO of Canada’s Ocean Supercluster, responsible for the accelerated development and commercialization of innovation that will solve some of the world’s biggest challenges in ocean.  Kendra is leading the change in the culture of doing business in ocean from coast-to-coast-to-coast, increasing collaboration across ocean sectors and growing Canada’s ocean economy in a digital, sustainable, and inclusive way. In recognition of her leadership in building the Ocean Supercluster from the ground up, Kendra was recently named one of Atlantic Canada’s Top 50 CEOs by Atlantic Business Magazine and one of Canada’s Top Sustainability Leaders by Clean50.

Kendra was previously a Partner in Deloitte's Risk Advisory practice and the Chief Audit Executive of Deloitte Global.

Kendra speaks regularly on the topics of innovation, future of work, and disruptive technologies, and also serves on the Board of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and is the Past-Chair of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Technology Industries.

Over the course of her career, Kendra has both lived and worked in Ottawa, Montreal, Australia and Hong Kong before moving to St. John's in 2010 where she now resides with her husband and two children.

Biography

Joseph S. Mancinelli is International Vice President and Central and Eastern Canada Regional Manager of LiUNA, the Labourers’ International Union of North America.

With over 120 000 members across Canada and half a million strong across North America, LiUNA is the most progressive, aggressive and fastest growing union of construction workers and one of the most diverse and effective unions representing various sectors across North America.

Mr. Mancinelli leads many of LiUNA’s entities including serving as Chair of the Labourers’ Pension Fund of Central and Eastern Canada (LPF), named Canada’s 5thfastest growing pension fund by Benefits Canada. Established in 1972, the LPF is a Multi-Employer Pension Plan (MEPP) established which has grown to over $10 Billion in assets.  The LPF continuously seeks out investments that provide long-term rates of return in order to maximize value while managing risk through diversification strategies.  Investments include the Long Term Care, Hospitals, Courthouses, Transit Infrastructure, Hotels and more.

Joseph Mancinelli is a visionary who has brought LiUNA into areas that other unions have never ventured, including the world of Public Private Partnership (P3). Under his leadership, LiUNA has become a new face of Labour, working together with industry, private sector and government to build better communities in partnership, across North America.

Joe has been an advocate of P3 initiatives for many years and LiUNA has experienced first-hand the benefits of working in tandem with both the public and private sectors.  LiUNA has successfully yielded strong returns for its pension fund, while building much needed infrastructure for the community and employing unionized workers to get the projects done.  It has been a rewarding model that we will continue to advocate for and build upon in years to come.

He is also an advocate of community building and a champion of benevolent causes.  He is an ardent supporter of the arts, is passionate about the restoration of historical sites and is an accomplished artist in his own right.

Over the years he has served on numerous committees including serving as the Co-Chair of the Toronto Region Board of Trade’s Talent Cabinet, serving on the province’s Transit Investment Strategy Advisory Panel; serving as a founding director of the Hamilton Health Sciences Corporation, and as the first Chair of the Bay-Area Health Trust.

Joe has also been a leader in community advocacy and fundraising initiatives for the betterment of building inclusive futures, including children’s charities and causes, hospitals and health care centres, the Children’s Wish Foundation, Camp Trillium, Easter Seals, the United Way, Mt. Sinai, St. Joseph’s Healthcare, the ALS Society, Down Syndrome Research Foundation, Larger than Life Kindergarten School for children with cancer in Israel, as well as natural disaster relief initiatives and cultural inclusiveness initiatives.

He has also been acknowledged for his leadership and dedication to community building as the recipient of  many awards, including the Paul Harris Fellow from the Rotary Club, Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal, has been inducted into Hamilton’s Gallery of Distinction and has been bestowed an honorary Doctorate of Laws Degree from McMaster University.  He received a National Philanthropy Award as Outstanding Volunteer by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, has been named Sons of Italy Citizen of the Year and was awarded a ‘Spirit of Ontario’ award by the National Congress of Italian Canadians, to name a few.

Joe is a lifelong Hamiltonian.  He and his wife Enza have been married for 33 years, they have five children and two grandsons.

Biography

Career diplomat with over 25 years of experience in the Diplomatic Corps. Lawyer specialized in international affairs who graduated from the foreign service academy with honors. She represented Argentina at the UN Security Council, and was also the official in charge  of  Disarmament,  Non  Proliferation and International Security at the Mission of Argentina to the United Nations. Later on, she was Head of Political Affairs at the Embassy of Argentina to the United States. The Ambassador’s most recent experience includes her work as Head of the Digital Economy Task Force during Argentina’s G20 Presidency, in charge of the emerging  technologies  agenda  of  the  major  global  forum  for  economic,  financial  and  political cooperation. Before starting her duties in Ottawa, she was the General Coordinator of the Cabinet of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship.  The Ambassador is passionate about women and girl’s empowerment, and is committed to supporting future female leaders and championing women’s causes. She volunteers for  social  work,  and  carries  out  pro-bono  legal  counselling  to  assist  low-income  people  back home.

Biography

Trevor is President and Chief Executive Officer at Peerage Capital. With a Commerce degree from Queen’s University, Trevor began his professional career at PricewaterhouseCoopers as a CPA. There, he focused on transaction support for the telecom and media sectors before moving to MDC Partners Inc. At MDC, Trevor worked in the corporate development group where he led two restructurings, acted as a partner company CFO, oversaw the successful bidding and implementation of the Multi-Print III stamp contract awarded by the United States Postal Service, and assisted with acquisitions and due diligence. As CEO, Trevor oversees development and execution of the broad corporate strategy for Peerage, including the ongoing growth of all operating platforms including real estate services, asset management and self-storage.

Biography

David McCormick is the CEO of Bridgewater Associates. Prior to Bridgewater, he was the US Treasury Under Secretary for International Affairs in the George W. Bush Administration during the global financial crisis, and also had senior roles on the National Security Council and in the Department of Commerce.

Previously, David served as CEO and then President of two publicly-traded software companies, and before that was a consultant at McKinsey & Company. He is a graduate of the United States Military Academy, a veteran of the First Gulf War, and has a Ph.D. from Princeton’s School of Public and International Affairs.

Biography

Francis P. McGuire assumed the position of President (Deputy Minister) of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency on June 12, 2017.

Mr. McGuire has served both in government and in the private sector. Having been educated in the French and English systems, and being a resident of New Brunswick, Canada’s only officially bilingual province, Mr. McGuire is completely at ease in working in either official language.

After stepping aside as President and CEO of Major Drilling Group International Inc., where he served from 2000 to 2015, Francis McGuire provided advice to companies and individuals on strategy, leadership and organizational design. Mr. McGuire also served on the Board of Directors of Major Drilling. Second largest mineral drilling company in the world, Major Drilling operates in over 20 countries and is listed on the TSX. In 2008, Atlantic Business Magazine named Mr. McGuire Atlantic Canada’s CEO of the Year. In 2012, Mr. McGuire was inducted into the New Brunswick Business Hall of Fame. Ernst & Young named him Atlantic Entrepreneur of the Year in 2013.

Mr. McGuire served on the Board of Directors of Industrial Alliance from 2001 to 2017. Headquartered in Québec, Que, Industrial Alliance is Canada’s 4th largest insurance company. Mr. McGuire also served as Chairman of the Board of NB Power from 2007 to 2010.

Francis McGuire was the Chair of the Wallace McCain Institute for Business Leadership at the University of New Brunswick, and is an emeritus member of the New Brunswick Business Council.

From 1985 to 1997, Mr. McGuire worked in Premier Frank McKenna’s administration, including as Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, and as the Leader of the Province’s Information Highway Secretariat. As Deputy Minister, he was responsible for attracting industry to the province, for assisting local companies in their growth, for establishing the IT industry in the province, and for growing its tourism industry. Mr. McGuire served as Vice President of Marketing and Business Development of MITI Information Technology Inc. from 1998 to 2000. In 1999, MITI was recognized as Atlantic Canada’s fastest growing company.

Francis McGuire holds a Master’s degree from the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University in Washington, D.C., (1974 – 1976), a Diploma in European Politics from the Institut d’études politiques de Paris, France, (1973 – 1974), and a Bachelor of Arts from Dalhousie University (1970 – 1973). Mr. McGuire also completed the Management Training program at the University of Western Ontario’s School of Business Administration (1984) and the Marketing Management program at Queen’s University (1991). He was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of New Brunswick in 2017.

Mr. McGuire was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He has two sons, Brendan and Dylan, and lives with his long-term partner, Elizabeth Webster.

Biography

Larisa is CEO of Phoenix Global LLC, a global investment, development, and consulting firm specializing in agriculture/agritech; international municipal and governmental consulting; sustainability and innovation strategies; business development, recovery, and acceleration; as well as assisting clients in global market expansion. As an investment firm, Phoenix Global is the vehicle to innovative, cutting-edge investment projects around the world, matching large-scale investment opportunities with strategic capital partners, focusing primarily on technology, transportation, energy and agritech.

Larisa spent many years in the Middle East as head of business development and investment for members of the Royal Family in Abu Dhabi, UAE. She also served as head of their large nonprofit foundation, which provided resources to women and youth in refugee camps, allowing them to become entrepreneurs. Through this non-profit foundation, Larisa spent considerable time in refugee camps in Iraq, Jordan, Yemen and across rural Africa. Larisa has been named one of the World’s Top 100 People in Finance by Top 100 Magazine; one of the 10 Most Influential Business Leaders of 2020 by Exeleon Magazine; 100 Global Women of Excellence by Sovereign Magazine, Top 10 Most Influential Friends of Africa by For Business in Africa Magazine, and the 2020 Personality of the Year by Powerhouse Magazine.

Larisa also serves as Executive VP of STP Capital Partners (Skopje Technology Park); President, Keystone Farm Future; Board of Advisors, Ansari Group Ltd. (Dubai); Board of Directors & Honorary President, Kazakh Slovenian Business Council (Ljubljana, Slovenia); Board of Directors, Geneva Global Initiative (Geneva, Switzerland); Board of Trustees, People to People International (USA); Board of Directors, Union of Business Ladies (Tbilisi, Georgia; and, Board of Advisors, Association of Businesswomen in Commerce and Industry (ABWCI).

Biography

Susie Miller is the Executive Director of the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Crops (CRSC).  The CRSC is a member-based organization that facilitates cross-commodity collaboration on sustainable agriculture issues and opportunities facing grains sector participants. Susie has worked extensively with the Canadian agriculture and food industry, with over 30 years of experience with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, government of Saskatchewan and industry associations.

Biography

Rich Mohr brings more than 25 years of fleet, product, and technology experience to his role as Vice President, Fleet Solutions at ChargePoint. In his past career at Ryder Systems, Rich led the Global Rental Product which oversaw tens of thousands of vehicles and hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue prior to becoming Chief Technology Officer and VP of New Products for the company’s Fleet Management Solutions division. There, he led the development and launch of COOP.com, the transportation industry’s first asset sharing platform as well as lead products in in the areas of fleet management, telematics, connected fleet solutions and advanced vehicle technology products.

In his role at ChargePoint, Rich applies his experience to helping fleet customers succeed in achieving their own electrification and transportation goals. He oversees a team of experts who work with fleets every step of the way on their journey to electrification from assessment to implementation, through management of energy and operations on route and behind the fence.

Rich received his Bachelor of Business Administration from Charter Oak University and MBA from Kennesaw State University. He as serves as Chairman of the Board for Work Source Georgia.

Biography

Graduated from Laval University in Quebec City with a degree in Electrical Engineering, specialized in Electromechanical and Power Distribution. He also has an organization transformation certificate from INSEAD in 2018.

In 1997, he began his career with Schneider Electric in the Field Services organization based in Montreal where he managed start-up and commissioning of large projects in Canada and in Thailand.

In 2001, he moved to Grenoble, France where he joined the Power Monitoring and Control organization as the Business Development Manager for the Asia Pacific. In 2005, as part of the acquisition of Power Measurement (Victoria, Canada), he was responsible to transfer Power Measurement Value-Added Partner channel to Schneider Electric’s around the world. In 2006, he took the European Business Development Manager role for the Power Monitoring and Control until June 2009. During the period from 2001 to 2009, Frederick have been working on Business Development plans inn over 40 countries around the world gaining a vast and deep exposure of international business and commercial practices.

In 2009, Frederick became the Program Manager of EcoStruxure corporate initiative with-in Strategy and Innovation organization. This was the beginning of a very Strategic program for Schneider Electric. During that period, he was exposed the Cloud & IoT strategy of the company and the development of Schneider Electric solutions for the Strategic Segments & Customers around the world.

He joined the Building Business organization in March 2012, as the Director of Offer Marketing for the Room controller and Web BMS solution based in Montreal, Canada. At the beginning of 2013, he was appointed as the VP of Small Building Systems Line of Business with Schneider Electric Building Division and he was the President of Viconics Technologies following the acquisition of SCL Elements. He gained a lot of exposure in development of IoT technologies in the field of Smart Thermostat and Cloud Based Building management systems.

Since the beginning of 2017, Frederick was appointed as VP of Field Services for Schneider Electric Canada. In that role, he can leverage all his field, market and technology knowledge at the service of our Schneider Electric customers in Canada. Frederick is leading the transformation of our Services offer with the intent to position Schneider Electric as the best business partner to help our customers to keep their Energy Green, Safe and Reliable.

Biography

Caroline Mulroney is Ontario’s Minister Francophone Affairs.

She was elected MPP for the riding of York-Simcoe in June 2018 and has since served as Minister of Francophone Affairs. Since June 2019, Ms. Mulroney is also Minister of Transportation; she was previously Attorney General of Ontario. The Ministry of Francophone Affairs is currently addressing the priority issue of economic development as a catalyst for the vitality of Ontario's Francophonie. This approach stems from the importance that Minister Mulroney places on the culture of entrepreneurship, the skilled bilingual workforce and the role of economic immigration in the contribution of the Francophonie to Ontario's economy as a whole.

Mulroney was the vice president of BloombergSen Investment Partners, a Toronto-based investment firm, where she managed client services, marketing and business development. Prior to that, Mulroney spearheaded corporate and regulatory matters related to growth opportunities in Canada and the United States for Wellington Financial LP.

Mulroney is a graduate of Harvard College and the NYU School of Law. After graduating from the NYU School of Law, Mulroney practiced law at Shearman & Sterling.

She co-founded the Shoebox Project for Shelters, a charitable organization that co-ordinates and delivers gifts to thousands of women and girls in shelters or facing homelessness.

Mulroney and her husband, Andrew Lapham, have four children.

Français:

Caroline Mulroney est ministre des Transports et ministre des Affaires francophones de l’Ontario.

Elle a été élue députée provinciale de la circonscription York-Simcoe en juin 2018 et elle occupe depuis le poste de ministre des Affaires francophones. Depuis juin 2019, madame Mulroney est également ministre des Transports ; elle était précédemment procureure générale de l’Ontario.

Le ministère des Affaires francophones se penche présentement au dossier prioritaire du développement économique comme catalyseur du dynamisme de la francophonie ontarienne. Cette approche relève de l’importance que la ministre Mulroney accorde à la culture de l’entrepreneuriat, à la main d’œuvre bilingue qualifiée et au rôle de l’immigration économique à l’apport de la francophonie à l’ensemble de l’économie ontarienne.

Mme Mulroney a été vice-présidente de BloombergSen Investment Partners, une société de placement de Toronto où elle était responsable du service aux clients, du marketing et du développement des affaires. Mme Mulroney a également géré les questions corporatives et réglementaires liées aux possibilités de croissance au Canada et aux États-Unis pour la firme Wellington Financial LP.

Mme Mulroney est diplômée du collège Harvard (Harvard College) et de l’École de droit de l’Université de New York (NYU School of Law). Après avoir obtenu son diplôme de l’Université de New York, Mme Mulroney a pratiqué le droit au sein du cabinet Shearman & Sterling.

Elle a cofondé l’Opération boîte à chaussures, un organisme de bienfaisance qui coordonne des dons et les distribue à des milliers de femmes et de filles dans des refuges ou sans-abri.

Caroline Mulroney et son mari, Andrew Lapham, ont quatre enfants.

Biography

Jayson Myers is the Chief Executive Officer of Next Generation Manufacturing Canada, NGen is the organization that manages Canada’s Advanced Manufacturing Supercluster, an initiative funded by the Government of Canada that will leverage more than $500 million over the next three years in collaborative, industry-led projects aimed at building world-leading advanced manufacturing capabilities in Canada.

Jay is an award-winning business economist who specializes in industrial and technological change.  Between 2007 and 2016, he served as President & CEO of Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, Canada’s largest industry and trade association.

Jay has been widely recognized as one of the most influential economic policy advocates in Canada. He is an advisor to both private and public sector leaders, and has counselled Canadian prime ministers and premiers, as well as senior corporate executives and policymakers around the world.

He is a member of the Advisory Board of the World Manufacturing Forum and a leading advocate on the world stage on behalf of advanced manufacturing in Canada.

Jay has held a research fellowship at Nuffield College, Oxford and lectureships in political economy at Oxford and the University of Warwick. He completed his academic studies at Queen’s University, UBC, the London School of Economics, and Oxford University.

Biography

Marc Nantel is the Vice-President of Research & External Relations at Niagara College, and leads the following divisions at the institution: Research & Innovation, Planning & Institutional Research, Development & Alumni Relations, and Government & Community Relations. He is also the President of the Niagara College Learning Enterprises Corporation (NCLEC), which includes overseeing the operations and strategic direction for the Niagara College Teaching Winery, Teaching Brewery, Teaching Distillery, and Cannabis Institute. Marc joined Niagara College in July 2011; prior to that, he had a 13-year career at the Ontario Centres of Excellence. Marc is a Physics graduate from McGill University (BSc 1987, MSc 1990) and from the Institut National pour la Recherche Scientifique – Energie et Matériaux (PhD 1994). He spent four postdoc years in France and at the University of Michigan, pursuing ever shorter laser-produced visible and x-ray pulses and their applications; he was an Adjunct Professor of Physics at the University of Toronto from 1998 to 2008. He has published more than 90 papers and given more than 200 academic and industrial presentations. Marc is a Senior Member of SPIE, the International Society for Optics and Photonics.

Biography

As Vice President of Technology and Solutions, Mike Nawrocki focuses on strategic initiatives to advance ATIS members’ business and technology priorities.

Bringing extensive telecommunications strategy experience and a service provider perspective, Mike provides ATIS direction on emerging technology trends as well as next generation technologies and networks. Before ATIS, he served as Director – Standards for Verizon Technology, and previously, as principal technologist in Verizon’s CTO organization. His extensive career with major service providers includes working in network planning and engineering positions at Verizon and AT&T Bell Labs. Mike has previously served on the MoCA Board of Directors and participated on FCC working groups, including the Technological Advisory Council, CSRIC and Network Reliability Council. At ATIS, he serves as a key policy interface with the FCC and other agencies.

Mike holds a Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering – Communications from the George Washington University School of Engineering & Applied Science. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University.

Biography

Lenore Newman is the director of the Food and Agriculture Institute at the University of the Fraser Valley where she studies technology and food security. Lenore is also a member of the Royal Society of Canada's New College. Lenore studies agricultural land use policy and agricultural technologies including cellular agriculture and vertical agriculture. Her first book, Speaking in Cod Tongues, was published to wide acclaim in January, 2017. Her award winning second book, Lost Feast, was published by ECW Press in 2019. She holds a PhD in Environmental Studies from York University.

Biography

Mr. Allan O’Dette, MBA, ICD.D, is a high-profile, results-oriented leader with more than 30 years experience in public, private and not-for-profit and volunteer sectors where has he has a proven track record of success in leading change and organizational renewal. Allan is the CEO of the Ontario Medical Association (OMA), which represents the political, clinical and economic interests of the provinces more than 41,000 physicians, residents and medical students. In this role, Allan is tasked with driving transformation and modernization in the 138-year-old organization. Previously Allan was appointed the first Chief Investment Officer for the Province of Ontario, in which he led the creation of a customer-focused, cross-functional enterprise generating billions of dollars in new attraction and retention investment to the province.

As president and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce for more than five years, Allan led the revitalization of Ontario's most influential business organization, which has 60,000 members in more than 135 communities. In doing so, he established the OCC as an influential thought leader and change agent, with an engaged membership and a sustained financial foundation. Allan is an entrepreneur with more than 25 years experience in progressive leadership roles in the bio-pharmaceutical sector. Passionate in support of Canadian business and his community, Allan has served on numerous private and not-for-profit boards and committees, including serving as vice chair of the Markham Stouffville Hospital Board of Directors. Allan was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his contribution to his community and his philanthropic activities.

Biography

Seán O’Neill is a partner in McCarthy Tétrault LLP’s Toronto office and the Industry Group Leader of the firm’s National Power Group.  Seán has significant experience in project development and in representing domestic and foreign acquirers, investors and sellers of a variety of power assets, including conventional, nuclear and renewable generation technologies, transmission and distribution, and district energy. He has assisted financial institutions and borrowers on project financings and re-financings of power projects and distribution systems across Canada and in the US. Seán regularly acts for project developers and sponsors negotiating commercial arrangements in the sector, including power purchase agreements and CFDs, service contracts, conservation and demand management agreements and joint-venturing and partnership arrangements. He is recognized as a leading lawyer in the area of energy in several leading directories and publications, including Chambers Global, Chambers Canada, Lexpert and International Who’s Who of Energy Lawyers.

Biography

Mauricio Ortiz Ortiz is the current Ambassador of Costa Rica in Canada. He is an Industrial Engineer. He was member of the Costa Rica-USA Chamber of Commerce Service Committee, the Chamber of Commerce Costa Rica-Colombia and the Chamber of Commerce Costa Rica-Brazil. Also, Board Member of National Oil Refinery of Costa Rica, Adviser of the Ministry of Sports of Costa Rica and President of the logistic and international transportation firm “APA Worldwide”. He is a cultural investigator promotor and producer.

Biography

English:

Sylvie Painchaud has been Executive Director of the Ministers’ Council on the Canadian Francophonie since 2017. While developing her expertise in Canadian Francophonie over a period of close to 15 years, she held several positions in the Government of Yukon, starting at the Department of Education and then, the French Language Services Directorate. Studies in public administration complemented her initial training in communications, received at the Université du Québec à Montréal in 1992. Before entering the government sphere, she worked as a journalist for some 20 years, the last 10 of which at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC).

Français :

Sylvie Painchaud est directrice générale du Conseil des ministres sur la francophonie canadienne depuis 2017. Son expertise en francophonie canadienne s’est développée sur une quinzaine d’années durant lesquelles elle a occupé plusieurs fonctions au sein du gouvernement du Yukon, d’abord au ministère de l’Éducation, puis à la Direction des services en français. Des études en administration publique sont venues compléter sa formation initiale en communication, acquise à l’Université du Québec à Montréal en 1992. Avant d’intégrer la sphère gouvernementale, elle a travaillé une vingtaine d’années comme journaliste, dont les dix dernières à la Société Radio-Canada.

Biography

English:

As Senior Director, and the acting Director General of the Domestic Network of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Hélène Panagakos leads expertly with over 33 years of professional experience.

As an executive at IRCC, Hélène has held the position of Director of Operations for Quebec and the Atlantic provinces, responsible for the development and implementation of the governance and program infrastructure for the delivery of the full range of evolving departmental legislation, regulations, policies, programs and services in immigration and citizenship in these Regions.

As the Director of the Temporary Resident Program Division, she was responsible for all functional guidance related to IRCC’s operationalization of the Temporary Foreign Workers program and International Mobility program, the Seasonal Agricultural Workers program, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, and other Trade Agreements, the student compliance regime, Student Direct Stream and curriculum licensing, and also assumed the role of Director of the Citizenship and Passport Cases Division at Case Management Branch. In addition to her experience at IRCC, Hélène was a Board Member for the Refugee Protection Division of the Immigration and Refugee Board where she specialized in South Asian and Middle Eastern countries.

Hélène’s extensive knowledge and diverse experience also extends to Citizenship, particularly in the area of citizenship revocations and she had specific involvement in C-6, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act.  Hélène consistently demonstrates strong leadership in managing and leading through periods of great change while focusing on building strategic partnerships, that are inclusive, diverse and collaborative. Hélène holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in French Studies, a Master’s certificate in Public Management from Carleton University and is a graduate of the Ivey Executive Program at the Ivey Business School of Western University.

Français :

À titre de directrice principale et directrice générale par intérim du Réseau national d'Immigration, Réfugiés et Citoyenneté Canada (IRCC), Hélène Panagakos dirige de manière experte grâce à plus de 33 ans d'expérience professionnelle.

En tant que cadre à IRCC, Hélène a occupé le poste de directrice des opérations pour le Québec et les provinces de l'Atlantique, et à ce titre était responsable du développement et de la mise en œuvre de l'infrastructure de gouvernance et de programmes pour la prestation de l’ensemble des lois, règlements, politiques, programmes et services ministériels évolutifs en matière d'immigration et de citoyenneté dans ces régions.

En tant que directrice de la Division du programme des résidents temporaires, elle avait sous sa responsabilité la prestation d’orientation fonctionnelle liée à l'opérationnalisation par IRCC du Programme des travailleurs étrangers temporaires et du Programme de mobilité internationale, du Programme des travailleurs agricoles saisonniers, de l’Accord de Partenariat transpacifique global et progressiste ainsi que d'autres accords commerciaux, du régime de conformité des étudiants, du Volet direct pour les études et de l'octroi de licences pour les programmes d'études. Elle a aussi occupé le rôle de directrice de la Division des cas de citoyenneté et de passeport au sein de la Direction générale du règlement des cas. En plus de son expérience à IRCC, Hélène a été commissaire à la Section de la protection des réfugiés de la Commission de l'immigration et du statut de réfugié, où elle s'est spécialisée dans les pays d'Asie du Sud et du Moyen-Orient.

Les connaissances approfondies et l'expérience diversifiée d'Hélène s'étendent également à la citoyenneté, en particulier dans le domaine de la révocation de la citoyenneté. Elle a notamment participé au projet C-6, Loi modifiant la Loi sur la citoyenneté. Hélène fait preuve d'un solide leadership en matière de gestion et de direction lors de périodes de grands changements, tout en se concentrant sur l'établissement de partenariats stratégiques, qui sont inclusifs, diversifiés et collaboratifs. Hélène est titulaire d'un baccalauréat en études françaises, d'un certificat de maîtrise en gestion publique de l'Université Carleton et est diplômée de l’Ivey Executive Program de l’Ivey Business School de l'Université Western.

Biography

Thomas Park leads BDC Capital’s Deep Tech Venture Fund as Partner. Previously, he has served as Vice-President, Operations and Strategy, at BDC Capital since 2016. Before joining BDC, Thomas was Program Officer with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Prior to this, he served as Senior Engagement Manager with McKinsey & Company. He previously worked at the United Nations Assistance to the Khmer Rouge Trials, the OSCE Mission in Kosovo and the International Criminal Court.

Thomas holds bachelor’s degrees in Civil and Common Law from McGill University, a Master in Public Policy from the Kennedy School at Harvard University and an MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College.

Biography

David Paterson leads Communications, Government and Environmental Relations for General Motors Canada and is a member of GM’s global Public Policy and Communications teams. His areas of expertise and responsibility for GM Canada include international trade agreements, climate and carbon policy, electricity costs, vehicle GHG and electric vehicle regulations, safety regulation, cyber security, privacy, taxation, investment incentives, pensions, worker compensation, real estate, labour law and red tape reduction.

David is a past Chair of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Journalism Foundation, the Canadian Motor Vehicle Association, the Canadian American Business Council, and the Executive of the Canadian Automotive Partnership Council.

Prior to joining GM in 2014, he was Senior Vice President, Government Relations & Public Policy at BlackBerry (formerly Research in Motion) where he led global government relations and public policy. At BlackBerry he led a global team of 60 responsible for regulatory advocacy and engagement in 175 countries. Key issues included international market access, intellectual property, lawful access, and privacy.

Prior to joining BlackBerry in October 2010, David was Senior Vice President, Public Affairs at Manulife Financial, one of the world’s largest insurance and financial services companies.

From 2002-2009, David served as Vice President and member of the Board of Directors of General Motors Canada Limited where he negotiated an $11 billion restructuring support agreement with Canadian Governments - one of the most challenging periods in the Company’s history. From 1995 to 2002, he was Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs at AGRA Inc., and post merger in the same role for AMEC plc, one of Europe’s largest engineering services companies. At AMEC, he managed corporate and investor communications, based in London, U.K.  From 1990 to 1995, David led corporate and international government relations accounts at Hill and Knowlton Canada where he became Senior Vice President.

Between 1986 and 1990, he worked on the staff of various Ontario Government Cabinet Ministers, acting as Executive Assistant to the Government House Leader and as a Special Assistant to the Ministers of Government Services, Education, the Attorney General for Ontario and the Minister responsible for Race Relations, Native Affairs and Women’s Issues.

He is married with a daughter and lives in Toronto, Canada.

Biography

Mr. Perez Fortea joined GLOBALVIA in 2011 and has been serving as Chief Executive Officer since 2013. He is a Member of UNECE PPP Business Advisory Board since April, 2016 and Member of the Advisory Board of Cornell University's Program in Infrastructure Policy (CPIP) since October, 2016.

He is a Civil Engineer with over thirty years’ experience who started his professional career in the world of construction. He worked firstly in Spain and then in the USA, Indonesia, The Philippines and Jamaica as Country General Manager for several Spanish construction companies.

He has worked in the transportation infrastructure PPP world having been involved in the world's largest projects of this nature. He worked for Cintra (1999-2011) as Highways Director for Spain, Europe and South America and handled a total investment of over €8 Billion worldwide having participated in the successful refinancing of H407ETR after award.

Mr. Perez Fortea has been responsible for the financing, construction and operation of infrastructure projects in 14 countries in 3 different continents.

Biography

The Honourable Pierre Pettigrew is Executive Advisor, International at Deloitte Canada. He is also the Government of Canada Special Envoy for the Canada-European Union Trade Agreement (CETA).

Pierre has had success in both the public and private sectors. While a consultant at the Deloitte Montreal office from 1985-1995, he emerged as a strong voice for business on international trade issues and unity matters that brought him an appointment to the Federal cabinet in 1996.

Pierre served as a Minister for 10 years, most notably as Minister of Human Resources Development, as Minister for International Trade and Foreign Minister. He represented in Parliament the Montreal district of Papineau now represented by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Pierre is on the advisory board of Forbes Manhattan, a Toronto-based private merchant bank specialized in commodities. He sits on a number of profit and non-profit boards. He is the only Canadian on the board of the Inter-American Dialogue in Washington.

Pierre regularly arbitrates international trade disputes between countries at the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva.

Biography

Eswar Prasad is the Tolani Senior Professor of Trade Policy at Cornell University. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution, where he holds the New Century Chair in International Economics, and a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. He was previously chief of the Financial Studies Division in the International Monetary Fund's Research Department and, before that, was the head of the IMF's China Division.

Prasad’s latest book, The Future of Money: How the Digital Revolution is Transforming Currencies and Finance, will be published by Harvard University Press in September 2021. He is also the author of Gaining Currency: The Rise of the Renminbi (Oxford, 2016) and The Dollar Trap: How the U.S. Dollar Tightened Its Grip on Global Finance (Princeton, 2014). His extensive publication record includes articles in numerous collected volumes as well as top academic journals such as the American Economic Review, American Economic Journal: Macroeconomics, Brookings Papers on Economic Activity, The Economic Journal, International Economic Review, Journal of Development Economics, Journal of Economic Perspectives, Journal of International Economics, Journal of International Money and Finance, Journal of Monetary Economics, and Review of Economics and Statistics. He has co-authored and edited numerous books and monographs, including on financial regulation and on China and India.

Prasad has testified before the Senate Finance Committee, the House of Representatives Committee on Financial Services and the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, and his research on China has been cited in the U.S. Congressional Record. He is the creator of the Brookings-Financial Times world index (TIGER: Tracking Indices for the Global Economic Recovery; www.ft.com/tiger).

Many of his research papers and quotes from his speeches have been cited extensively in prominent media outlets such as the Economist, Financial Times, Forbes, International Herald Tribune, New York Times, Newsweek, Time, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, and USA Today. His op-ed articles have appeared in the Financial Times, Foreign Policy, Harvard Business Review, International Herald Tribune, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post. He has made frequent appearances on BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, CNN, C-SPAN, Fox, NBC, NPR, PBS, Reuters and other radio and television channels.

Prasad is also a Research Fellow at IZA (Institute for the Study of Labor, Bonn). He has served as the co-editor of the journal IMF Staff Papers, was on the editorial board of Finance & Development and was the founding editor of the quarterly IMF Research Bulletin.

Biography

Gary has led CFEE since 1981 in efforts to improve economic, financial, and enterprising capability. Gary has developed school curriculum for a number of provinces and written a wide variety of resources including “Money and Youth” which has over 500,000 copies in circulation, “Canada’s Economy: What Path, What Future” for the Department of Finance, and “Money and Monetary Policy in Canada” with the Bank of Canada. He has served as a Director/Advisor to a variety of Canadian national organizations and government departments including the Canadian Bankers Association, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the Federal Department of Finance, and the Bank of Canada. Gary was a member of the initial federal government National Steering Committee working with the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada to develop the National Financial Literacy Strategy for Canada. He has created a number of major financial literacy projects and programs including the “Building Futures” and “Talk With Our Kids About Money Day” programs. Gary is a member of financial literacy and education committees for the OECD (Paris) and CYFI (Amsterdam), and was a contributing author to the Guide to Developing an Excellent Financial Education Program that was circulated by the Asia Pacific Economic Community (APEC) to nations in the Asia-Pacific region.

Biography

Bob Rae is the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations in New York.

Mr. Rae served as Premier of Ontario from 1990-1995, and interim Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada from 2011-2013. He was elected to federal and provincial parliaments 11 times between 1978 and 2013.

Mr. Rae received his Honours B.A. in Modern History from the University of Toronto, an M.Phil in Politics as a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University, and graduated from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law in 1977. He was named a Queen’s Counsel in 1984.

As a lawyer in private practice, Mr. Rae led the restructuring of the Canadian Red Cross, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and chaired the board of the Royal Conservatory of Music. He also wrote “Lessons to be Learned” on the Air India bombing, and “Ontario a Leader in Learning” - a study of the Ontario higher education system. He was also named to the Security and Intelligence Review Committee by then Prime Minister Chrétien.

Mr. Rae’s return to Parliament for the constituency of Toronto Centre in 2008 led to his appointment as Foreign Affairs spokesman for his party, and to his election as interim Leader in 2011. Between 2013 and 2020 he taught law and public policy at the University of Toronto, and was a partner and senior counsel to the law firm OKT LLP, specializing in indigenous law and constitutional issues.

Mr. Rae is a Fellow of the Forum of Federations (an organization he co-founded in the 1990’s), Massey College, and the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights. He served as the Chief Negotiator for the 9 First Nations that are members of the Matawa Tribal Council in Northern Ontario between 2013 and 2018.

In October 2017, Mr. Rae was appointed as Canada’s Special Envoy to Myanmar. In this role, he engaged in diplomatic efforts to address the crisis in the country’s Rakhine State and wrote the report “Tell Them We’re Human” in 2018. In March 2020, he was named by Prime Minister Trudeau to be Canada’s Special Envoy on Humanitarian and Refugee Issues. This led to his report “A Global Pandemic Requires a Global Response”, which was made public shortly before his appointment as Ambassador to the UN.

Bob Rae is a Privy Councillor, a Companion of the Order of Canada, a member of the Order of Ontario, and has numerous awards and honorary degrees from institutions in Canada and around the world. In addition to several government reports, he is the author of five books. Along with music, reading, and writing, he loves tennis, golf, and fishing. He is married to Arlene Perly Rae, writer and public advocate on issues affecting women and children. They have three daughters and five grandchildren.

Biography

The Honourable Lisa Raitt joined CIBC Capital Markets in January 2020, having previously worked in both the public and private sectors. Ms. Raitt’s current focus is on senior client coverage and business development with clients in the energy, infrastructure and industrial sectors, which align closely with her deep expertise.

Prior to her current role, Ms. Raitt was the President and CEO of the Toronto Port Authority. She was elected into the House of Commons in 2008, where she went on to hold three senior portfolios serving as Minister of Natural Resources, Minister of Labour, and Minister of Transport. Most recently, Ms. Raitt was the Deputy Leader of the Official Opposition and the Conservative Party of Canada.

Ms. Raitt holds a Bachelor of Science degree from St. Francis Xavier University and a master’s degree in Chemistry from the University of Guelph. She possesses an LL.B from Osgoode Hall Law School and was called to the Ontario bar in 1998. In 2020 Ms. Raitt was named a Woodrow Wilson Center Global Fellow of the Canada Institute.

Biography

David Rawlings is Chief Executive Officer for JPMorgan Chase & Co. in Canada.He is based in Toronto and has responsibility locally for the Corporate & Investment Bank, the Commercial Bank and Asset & Wealth Management. He also leads the JPMC Canada Foundation, which focuses on philanthropic investments in inclusivegrowth, diversity and education across the country.

David is a member of the Business Council of Canada, is on the Executive Committee of the Canadian Bankers Association and isa member of the Young Presidents’ Organization.In addition, he is a global ally for the JPMorgan Chase Black Organization for Leadership Development, is a founding member of the Coalition of Innovation Leaders Again Racism, and previously served on the Cabinet of the United Way Toronto and York Region.

Prior to his role in Canada, David worked for JPMorgan Chase & Co. in New York.

David graduated from the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.

Biography

Michael W. Rencheck is President and Chief Executive Officer of Bruce Power. Bruce Power provides over 30% of the electricity for Ontario, and produces medical grade isotopes that help to sterilize 40% of the single-use medical devices around the world, while also treating cancer. Bruce Power provides electricity from eight nuclear reactors, and a five-turbine wind energy facility. We believe in our social responsibility and have award-winning economic development and community betterment initiatives.

Over the last 36 years, Mike has served in a number of roles. Prior to joining Bruce Power in 2016, he served as the Deputy Chief Operating Officer for AREVA Group, overseeing its extensive global capital portfolio of nuclear and renewable projects. Prior to this, he served as President and CEO of AREVA Inc. in North America, leading its diverse nuclear manufacturing and services business in Canada and the United States with a workforce of about 5,000 people.

Prior to joining AREVA, Mike was the Senior Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer at American Electric Power (AEP). AEP is a major investor-owned electric utility in the United States, delivering electricity to more than five million customers in 11 states, with 38,000 megawatts of generation assets.

After joining AEP in 1998 as VP of Nuclear Engineering, Mike held various positions during his tenure, including Senior Vice President of Engineering, Projects and Field Services, where he led an extensive capital expansion program and strategic initiatives; Senior VP of Engineering, Technical and Environmental Services; and President of AEP ProServ, a wholly-owned engineering and field services subsidiary responsible for major power generation projects and outage management.

Before joining AEP, Mike worked for Florida Power Corporation serving as Director, Nuclear Engineering and Projects, for Crystal River Nuclear Station. Earlier in his career, Mike worked at Public Service Electric & Gas Company Salem Nuclear Generating Station as Director of System Engineering and Duquesne Light Company’s Beaver Valley Power Station.

In 2014, Mike was recognized by the National Safety Council for his leadership demonstrating a personal commitment to worker safety and health as part of “CEO’s who get it.” He was designated by the U.S. Department of Energy as a STEM ambassador, and served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Virginia Nuclear Energy Consortium Authority. Mike currently sits on the board of directors of the Nuclear Energy Institute.

He also has demonstrated a commitment to many organizations that make a difference in people’s lives including Habitat for Humanity and the United Way.

He is a Professional Engineer and certified senior reactor operator and currently serves on the Advisory Councils of several small modular reactor companies.

Biography

Eric Richmond is the Chief Operating Officer at Coinsquare, a leading Canadian digital asset trading platform. He played a key leadership role in Coinsquare’s strategic direction and led the execution and negotiation of multiple financings, acquisitions and strategic partnerships. He is also the Chief Executive Officer of Tetra Trust Company, Canada's first qualified custodian for digital assets. He has in-depth knowledge of the principles, applications and current developments relating to blockchain technologies, and the regulators’ approaches to these technologies across multiple jurisdictions. Prior to Coinsquare, Eric was a lawyer at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, where he advised clients on a variety of corporate and capital markets transactions, as well as corporate governance and securities regulatory matters. Mr. Richmond holds his Juris Doctor from Western University and Honors Business Administration from the Ivey Business School.

Biography

Susan Rimmer leads Global Corporate Banking for CIBC Capital Markets. Her team provides all corporate lending, deposit, correspondent banking, trade finance and trading credit advice and services to corporate, government and institutional clients around the world. Susan is a member of CIBC’s Capital Markets Executive Committee and chairs the Capital Market Global Deals Committee.

Prior to her current role, Susan was Managing Director & Head of CIBC’s Global Debt Capital Markets business. She joined CIBC in 2009 following at 15 year in global capital markets and investment banking at Bank of America Merrill Lynch in London, U.K. and Toronto.

Susan is a member of the Michael Garron Hospital Foundation board as well as a member of the Greenwood College School Board of Directors. Susan was inducted into the WXN “Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada” Hall of Fame in 2018 and has served as the Co-Chair of the CIBC Employee Giving campaign, an Executive Sponsor for the Capital Markets Diversity & Inclusion Committee, a board member of CIBC-Mellon and a board member of CIBC World Markets Inc.

Ms. Rimmer holds an MBA from INSEAD, Fontainebleau, France and an Honours Bachelor of Arts From Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario.

Biography

Roberto Rodriguez is a career diplomat in the Peruvian Foreign Service since January 1990 and has currently the rank of Ambassador. He is graduated in International Relations from the Peruvian Diplomatic Academy and has earned a Master’s Degree in Management of Human Resources and Knowledge Management from the Polytechnic University of Cataluña (Spain). Also, has been awarded by the Peruvian Government with the Order of Merit for Distinguished Services. During his career developed in Peru, he has been senior advisor for Foreign Affairs at the Office of the President, Chief of Staff of the Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was part of the advisor’s team at the cabinet of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief of Staff of the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, and adviser to the Office of the Prime Minister of Peru. Abroad, he was appointed as Deputy Chief of Mission in Canada, Deputy Permanent Representative of Peru to the United Nations in New York, Consul of Peru in Guayaquil and served at the Peruvian Embassies in Brazil and the United States.

Biography

A successful entrepreneur and business executive, champion fundraiser, and dedicated public servant, Rocco Rossi joined the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) in 2018 as President and CEO.

Prior to joining the OCC, Rossi most recently served as President and CEO of Prostate Cancer Canada where he helped to advance the research, advocacy, education and awareness of the most common cancer in men.

Mr. Rossi also served as CEO of Heart and Stroke Foundation – one of Canada’s largest non-profit organizations – overseeing consecutive years of record fundraising combining for over $600 million in total and launching many new, life-saving initiatives.

His passion for public policy has led him to stand for election both for the position of Mayor of Toronto and for MPP.

Mr. Rossi has held senior positions at the Boston Consulting Group, TORSTAR, Labatt/Interbrew and MGI Software. He is a graduate of McGill and Princeton.

Rossi currently serves as a member of the Board and Audit Committee of TerraVest Industries. A past board member of United Way of Greater Toronto and other charities, Mr. Rossi has been an active community builder. In fact, in 2012 he was awarded the Queen’s Jubilee Medal for his Philanthropic and Community service.

A dedicated adventurer, Rocco has walked the legendary Camino de Santiago several times, cycled the 1900 km length of Yonge Street from Rainy River to Toronto, kayaked the 500 km from Toronto to Ottawa, and climbed to Everest Base Camp.

Mr. Rossi has a BA (Hons) in political science from McGill University and a Masters of Arts in politics from Princeton University. He is married to his wife of 34-years, Rhonnie, and they have a 31-year-old son, Domenic John, who is a teacher.

Biography

Minister Sarkaria has the honour of representing his community as the Member of Provincial Parliament for Brampton South and serving the people of Ontario as the President of the Treasury Board.

Through his role as President of the Treasury Board, he is responsible for the province’s expenditure management efforts, the government’s internal audit work, and is the official employer of Ontario’s public servants. He also serves as Vice Chair of the province’s Future State Modernization Committee.

Prior to assuming leadership of the Treasury Board Secretariat, he held the role of Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction, during which time he was named one of the ‘Top 50 most influential Torontonians of 2020’ in Toronto Life magazine.

Before answering the call to public service, Minister Sarkaria worked as a corporate and commercial Associate at Miller Thomson LLP. He earned his law degree from the University of Windsor as well as a Bachelor of Business Administration from Wilfrid Laurier University, where he majored in Finance. Prior to his legal career, he worked at TD Securities.

In April 2020, he and his wife, Sarpreet, welcomed their daughter, Devya, into the world. He is an avid sports fan who enjoys playing and watching golf, hockey, basketball, and football. If ever you have the opportunity to visit his office, you won’t fail to recognize which team won the 2019 NBA Championship.

Minister Sarkaria entered public service in order to advocate for hardworking families in Brampton South and all across Ontario. He’s committed to vocalizing the concerns of everyday people, who he is humbled to serve.

Biography

English:

Michelle Savoie lives, owns and operates Voyageur Wilderness from Voyageur Island, Nym Lake, border of Quetico Park, near Atikokan in Northwest Ontario, Canada.  Her formal education is in Business and Project Management.  She has several years of experience as a Senior Administrator and Project Manager including a previous career with the Manitoba Provincial Government – Ministry of Environment.  She is passionate about nature-based experiential learning, is an active role model and promoter of Indigenous, Francophone & Women Entrepreneurs.  In addition to the variety of board appointments Michelle is proud to be an active member of many Tourism Industry & Business Associations: Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada, Indigenous Tourism Ontario, Nature & Outdoor Tourism Ontario, Association des francophones du Nord-Ouest de l’Ontario, Atikokan Tourism Committee, to name a few.

Inspired by Indigenous Métis heritage and created with respect for Mother Earth, Voyageur Wilderness is a progressive business enterprise that offers eco-adventures, cultural and nature-based canoe experiences including outfitter services, lodge based getaways and accommodations and experiential interpretative programs.  Founded in 1960, evolving with 3 family generations devoted to pass on knowledge and traditions from one generation to the next, Michelle is rooted in the Canadian canoe culture and loves to share those traditions by connecting people to each other and nature.  She cherishes those essential values of family, community, the environment and how they’re all interwoven then lived through eco-adventure experiences in the pristine wilderness and Canada’s Historical Canoe Routes in Quetico Park.

Some recent accolades include: Eco-Responsible Business Award and the Award of Excellence in Business Achievements from the Société Economique de l’Ontario, Paul Petzoldt Award for Outdoor Education – A Lasting Legacy by the Wilderness Education Association, 50 Year Business Award with the Atikokan Township and Chamber of Commerce.

Michelle looks forward to the future, partnerships, collaborations and excitement in moving us all forward. “With knowledge comes respect – with respect comes appreciation – with appreciation comes empowerment – to carry us all forward in learned skills and training, knowledge and diversity; to celebrate reconciliation for our larger families, communities and regions to bring about positive change!”

Français:

Michelle Savoie vit, possède et gère son entreprise Voyageur Wilderness, sur l’ile Voyageur, sur le lac Nym, à la frontière du parc Quetico, proche du village d’Atikokan, dans le Nord-Ouest de l’Ontario, Canada.  Son éducation formelle est en gestion d'entreprise et de projet. Elle a plusieurs années d'expérience en tant qu'administratrice principale et gestionnaire de projet, y compris une carrière antérieure au sein du gouvernement provincial du Manitoba – ministère de l'Environnement. Elle est passionnée par l'apprentissage expérientiel basé sur la nature, est un modèle et une promotrice active des entrepreneurs autochtones et francophones. En plus de la variété des nominations au conseil d'administration, Michelle est fière d'être un membre actif de nombreuses associations d’entreprises et l'industrie touristiques :  Association Touristique Autochtone du Canada, Tourisme Autochtone de l’Ontario, Nature & Outdoor Tourism Ontario, Association des francophones du Nord-Ouest de l’Ontario, Comité de Tourisme Atikokan, pour n'en nommer que quelques-uns.

Inspiré par le patrimoine autochtone-Métisse et créé dans le respect de la Terre Mère, Voyageur Wilderness est une entreprise progressiste qui propose des éco-aventures, des expériences de canot culturelles et naturelles, y compris des services de pourvoirie, des escapades et des hébergements en lodge et des programmes éducatifs d'interprétation.  Fondée en 1960, évoluant avec 3 générations familiales dévouées à transmettre les connaissances et les traditions d'une génération à l'autre, Michelle est enracinée dans la culture canadienne du canoë et aime partager ces traditions en connectant les gens les uns aux autres et à la nature.  Elle chérit ces valeurs essentielles de la famille, de la communauté, de l'environnement et de la façon dont elles sont toutes entrelacées puis vécues à travers des expériences d'éco-aventure dans une nature vierge et les routes historiques de canoë du Canada dans le parc Quetico.

Certaines distinctions récentes incluent : Prix d’entreprise écoresponsable et Prix d’excellence de l’ensemble de ses réalisations de la Société Économique de l’Ontario, Paul Petzoldt Award for Outdoor Education – A Lasting Legacy by the Wilderness Education Association, Prix d’entreprise de 50 Ans d'Atikokan et la Chambre de commerce.

Michelle attend avec impatience l'avenir, les partenariats, les collaborations et l'enthousiasme pour nous faire tous avancer. « Avec la connaissance vient le respect - avec le respect vient l'appréciation - avec l'appréciation vient l'autonomisation - pour nous faire avancer tous dans les compétences acquises et la formation, les connaissances et la diversité ; pour célébrer la réconciliation de nos grandes familles, communautés et régions afin d'apporter des changements positifs ! »

Biography

Neil Schwam is a founding partner of L1 Digital AG – a premier Zurich-based investment firm concentrating exclusively on digital asset investments globally. A primary focus of L1 Digital’s is on companies, technologies and protocols disrupting financial market infrastructure and services.

Neil has been involved in the technology and asset management industries for over 25 years, having served in senior Risk, Operational and Technology roles with asset managers, media firms, family offices and hedge funds in the US, Europe and Latin America.

Biography

David Scorey began his career in transportation as an apprentice mechanical engineer, moving up to a variety of supervisory and managerial positions in the industry for British Rail, Intercity West Coast, Virgin Trains, and Alstom before joining Southern Railway in 2004. In the fall of 2016, Scorey took over as General Manager of Keolis Commuter Services (KCS) in Boston, MA. At KCS, he led the operation and maintenance of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) commuter rail system, which carries more than 127,000 passengers daily throughout the Greater Boston area. Under his leadership at KCS, the commuter rail surpassed its ten-year average for on-time-performance by two percent and increased revenue and ridership – a testament to effective leadership and commitment to riders. In July 2021, David was appointed CEO of Keolis North America, overseeing all operations in the U.S. and Canada.

Biography

Jean-Louis Servranckx is President and Chief Executive Officer of Aecon Group Inc.  Mr. Servranckx has over 30 years of experience in the construction industry across the Infrastructure and Industrial sectors and is a seasoned leader with expertise in large-scale and complex international projects.

Beginning his career at Spie Batignolles, his roles included Regional Manager for East Africa at Sogea-Satom, a subsidiary of Vinci, before becoming International Development and Special Projects Manager. Mr. Servranckx continued his career at Vinci Construction, where he held progressively senior roles, including Operational Manager for the Mediterranean and Middle East regions, followed by Deputy CEO of the Major Projects Division. In 2011, he became President and CEO of Eiffage Civil Works Division, now known as Eiffage Infrastructures Branch, a business with over $6 billion in revenue and operations throughout Europe, Africa and Canada.

Mr. Servranckx is an Engineering graduate of École des Mines de Paris, holds a Masters of Business Administration degree from INSEAD, and is fluent in English, French and Spanish.

Biography

As AES Chief Product Officer and President of AES Next, Chris is charged with developing high value, technology-enabled growth for the AES portfolio of businesses.  These efforts are driven by innovative business models and technologies, including energy efficiency, digital customer engagement, automation, renewables, e-mobility, and other solutions.

Chris has over 25 years of technology related investment, business development, and systems architecture experience and has been a leader in the origination and expansion of new business efforts at AES. These include the development of AES’ industry leading energy storage business, which became Fluence Energy, the acquisition and integration of AES’ fast-growing solar business, and the recent investment in and expansion of Uplight, a leading customer action platform for the utility industry.

His past work in AES also includes the launch of a retail electricity business where he pioneered the bundling of environmental offsets with customer electricity consumption and began the first AES wind development efforts.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and executive certificates in Strategy and Innovation from The Sloan School of Management and Organizational Leadership from The McDonough School of Business.

Biography

Gregory Smith brings more than 25 years of experience in the investment, operation, acquisition and financing of public and private infrastructure, real estate, power, and utility businesses. Prior to founding Instar, Gregory was managing partner and head of Brookfield Financial’s global infrastructure advisory group. He was also the president of Macquarie Capital Funds Canada where he was responsible for Macquarie’s unlisted and listed funds business in Canada along with the management of Macquarie’s Canadian assets owned by offshore funds. Prior to Macquarie, Gregory was managing director at RBC Capital Partners and a managing director at Deloitte.

Gregory has acted as a director or observer/advisor to the boards for several reporting issuers and currently serves on the advisory boards of the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships and Lighthouse Equity Partners. Active in the private equity and venture capital sector since 1994, Gregory previously served for a number of years on the board of Canada’s Venture Capital & Private Equity Association, including as chair and president.

Gregory is a Chartered Accountant and a Chartered Business Valuator, and holds an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree from Queen’s University.

Biography

Aïssatou Sonko est Gestionnaire du programme Employabilité et Immigration à la Société Économique de l'Ontario. Elle dirige une équipe de conseillers experts en employabilité et entrepreneuriat qui appuie les talents bilingues et hautement qualifiés de la Province de l'Ontario.

Madame Sonko travaille depuis plus de neuf ans au sein des organismes à but non lucratif qui œuvrent pour le développement économique des immigrants francophones au Canada. Son expérience professionnelle englobe la gestion d'équipe, le développement de projets et de programmes en lien avec l'immigration et l'employabilité. Avec une solide expertise en ressources humaines, elle travaille également auprès des fournisseurs de services et des employeurs afin de développer des stratégies favorisant l'embauche des travailleurs qualifiés et bilingues à l'échelle nationale et internationale.

Biography

Sir Martin Sorrell is Founder and Executive Chairman of S4 Capital plc, which is building a purely digital advertising and marketing services business for global, multinational, regional, local clients and millennial-driven influencer brands.

Sir Martin was CEO of WPP for 33 years, building it from a £1 million “shell” company in 1985 into the world’s largest advertising and marketing services company. When Sir Martin left in April 2018, WPP had a market capitalisation of over £16 billion, revenues of over £15 billion, profits of approximately £2 billion and over 200,000 people in 113 countries. Prior to that, Sir Martin was Group Financial Director of Saatchi & Saatchi plc for 9 years and worked for James Gulliver, Mark McCormack and Glendinning Associates before that.

S4 Capital plc merged with MediaMonks, its content practice, in July 2018 and MightyHive, its programmatic practice, in December 2018 and has added eight further content programmatic and data companies to both practices in 2019 and six in 2020. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange under SFOR.L and after a little over two years, S4 Capital plc has over 2870 people in 30 countries, with a market capitalization of over $2.7 billion.

Sir Martin supports a number of leading business schools and universities, including his alma maters, Harvard Business School and Cambridge University and a number of charities, including his family foundation.

Biography

Paul joined NFI in January 2009 as President and Chief Executive Officer. Today, NFI has nearly 8,000 people located in nine countries supporting over 105,000 buses and motor coaches in service and is enabling more livable cities through connected, clean and sustainable transportation.  Leveraging 450 years of combined experience, NFI is leading the evolution of mass mobility electrification under the brands of New Flyer^® (heavy-duty transit buses), Alexander Dennis Limited (single and double-deck buses), MCI^® and Plaxton (motor coaches), ARBOC^® (low-floor cutaway and medium-duty shuttle buses) and NFI Parts™.  NFI currently offers the widest range of sustainable drive systems available, including zero-emission electric (trolley, battery, and fuel cell), diesel-electric hybrid, clean diesel and natural gas and provides infrastructure and technology solutions.

Prior to joining NFI, Paul worked for StandardAero (one of the world’s largest independent aerospace maintenance companies) for 24 years. Paul holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Manitoba and attended the Executive Development program at Harvard Business School. Paul is a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) and a graduate of the ICD-Rotman Directors Education Program (ICD.D).

Biography

Dr. KR Sridhar is the founder, chairman, and CEO of Bloom Energy. Prior to founding Bloom Energy, Dr. Sridhar was Director of the Space Technologies Laboratory (STL) at the University of Arizona, where he was also a professor of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering.

Under his leadership, STL won several nationally competitive contracts to conduct research and development for Mars exploration and flight experiments to Mars. Mr. Sridhar has served as an advisor to NASA and has led major consortia of industry, academia, and national labs. His work for the NASA Mars program to convert Martian atmospheric gases to oxygen for propulsion and life support was recognized by Fortune Magazine, where he was cited as "one of the top five futurists inventing tomorrow, today."

As one of the early pioneers in green tech, Mr. Sridhar also serves as a strategic limited partner at Kleiner Perkins and as a special advisor to New Enterprise Associates. He has also served on many technical committees, panels and advisory boards and has over 50 publications and several patents. In 2016, Mr. Sridhar was selected as a member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering.

Mr. Sridhar received his bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering with Honors from the University of Madras (now called NIT, Trichy), India, as well as his master's degree in Nuclear Engineering and PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

Biography

Maxime St-Laurent is the Executive Vice President of Quailco Investments, a Montreal-based family office investing in multiple asset classes. Maxime, a second generation Principal, has been involved since the creation of the family office in 2014. After operating as a single-family office for five years, Quailco Investments join forces with another single-family office in 2019. Since then, Quailco Investments and Eclo Capital’s collaboration has reached a point where they share an investment committee, a team, their deal flow and they thrive by sharing knowledge and benefiting from increased scale.

Coming from an entrepreneurial family, Maxime has always had the innate desire to expose himself to a wide variety of different companies and to create partnership with like-minded people. His propensity to step out of his comfort zone has led him to many opportunities, and the building of trusting relationships. In 2019, Maxime and four partners cofounded W Investments Group. The objective was for the five family offices to co-invest and funnel all direct deals into a single entity in order to benefit from more deal flow, more scale, a larger team and more brainpower. The track record and the inherent alignment of interest attracted both institutional and high net worth investors. W Investments Group is now the private equity arm of the family office while also managing external capital.

Maxime started his career at KPMG and has both the Chartered Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Financial Analyst (CFA) designations. He is married to a wonderful woman and is the proud father of two young boys.

Biography

Ambassador Stacey is a diplomat with a career of more than forty years in the Ecuadorian Foreign Service, including postings in four continents.  He has a Doctorate in Law from the Universidad Central del Ecuador and a diploma in international Negotiations in Matias Romero Institute of México. His expansive career has included Ambassador in Sweden, Austria, and Canada, Representative to the International Organizations based in Vienna and other diplomatic assignments in Bogota, Cairo, Hamburg, Holy Sea, and Bonn. He held ministerial positions including Acting Minister and Acting Vice Minister, Under Secretary for Bilateral Relations and Undersecretary for National Sovereignty. He has been bestowed with several Official decorations and awards.

Biography

Jeffrey Steiner is a Toronto lawyer and business leader involved in the media, real estate, and mining sectors. He founded New Franchise Media Inc., which develops film & TV projects based upon the bestselling novels of Jeffrey Archer.

In his role from 2002-2009 as President & CEO of the Toronto Economic Development Corporation (TEDCO), he developed the new Toronto headquarters for Corus Entertainment Inc. - a 500,000 square foot LEED-Gold green building on Toronto’s waterfront.

Mr. Steiner is a member of the Board of Directors of Canada’s official export-import bank Export Development Canada (EDC). He previously served on the Board of Directors of the Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE Inc.), which oversees government investment in the commercialization of university R&D through industry collaboration and venture capital.

His previous experience includes serving in the federal government as Chief of Staff to the Minister of Indian Affairs & Northern Development, and at the Department of National Defence.

Biography

Professor Taras has been active at the intersection of labour relations, public policy and law, with a particular interest in bringing multiple disciplines together on important labour market and workplace issues. She was expert advisor to the federal commission on employment standards, a member of the Saskatchewan Minister of Labour’s advisory council and chaired the Educational Relations Board of Saskatchewan.

Professor Taras has published more than 80 journal articles, book chapters, books and journal symposia. She is also the recipient of numerous awards, including the PhD Students’ Association awards in 2004 and 2010 at the University of Calgary, and the top educator award of the US-based Labor and Employment Relations Association in 2007. In addition, she was named one of Canada’s Top 100 Women and a Top 10 Woman of Influence in Saskatchewan in 2012, and YMCA Saskatoon’s Woman of Distinction in Education in 2016.

Professor Taras received her undergraduate degree from York University, and earned a master’s from Duke University, both in political science. She also holds an MBA in new ventures and entrepreneurship, a PhD in labour relations from the University of Calgary, and has an LL.M in Labour and Employment Law from Osgoode Hall Law School.

Biography

Alexander (Sandy) Taylor is President of SNC-Lavalin’s global Nuclear sector, which provides deep expertise across the entire nuclear life cycle including reactor new build support and consultancy, operations and maintenance, life extension, decommissioning and waste management in the company’s many geographies, as well as other non-power related nuclear solutions. Mr. Taylor’s oversight includes the design and delivery of CANDU^® reactors, the development of advanced fuel technologies for implementation in international markets and small modular reactor (SMR) support.

Prior to this role, Mr. Taylor was President of SNC-Lavalin’s former Power sector which comprised nuclear as well as hydropower, renewables, conventional power, and transmission & distribution.

Mr. Taylor joined SNC-Lavalin in 2014 after 29 years with ABB. He held a number of senior roles including Senior Group Vice-President of the Global Oil, Gas and Petrochemicals business unit, and President and CEO of ABB Canada. His expertise spans various engineering sectors, with an excellent track record in power projects and in providing services to industrial and utility clients around the world.

Mr. Taylor began his career at Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. (AECL) in 1979, where he contributed to the successful start-up and operation of various CANDU sites.

Mr. Taylor holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering from Queen's University and a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Western Ontario. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Wajax Corporation.

Biography

Evan Thomas is the Head of Legal for Wealthsimple Crypto, Canada’s first crypto asset trading platform to be registered as a restricted dealer under Canadian securities laws. Prior to joining Wealthsimple, he was a litigator at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP for nearly 15 years, where he focused on cases involving technology and data. As a litigator, he represented various individuals, platforms and projects in connection with disputes or regulatory matters involving crypto assets, including a major creditor in the QuadrigaCX bankruptcy proceedings and 3iQ Corp in an OSC hearing to obtain approval for Canada’s first publicly traded bitcoin fund.

Biography

Deputy Mayor Michael Thompson is Chair of Toronto’s Economic and Community Development Committee and a member of the Mayor’s Executive Committee. Now in his fifth term as Councillor, Michael has earned a reputation as one of Toronto’s hardest working and most effective political leaders.

Under the banner of “getting things done,” Michael is known to his constituents as a community builder committed to bring people together in a spirit of collaboration. He has led and assisted in the formation of local community associations, youth leadership initiatives and Business Improvement Areas, and holds regular public meetings to engage residents throughout his ward. In 2006, as Chair of the Scarborough Community Council, he led the campaign to create the first ever TTC transit strategy for Scarborough, a strategy designed to significantly expand and enhance public transit services for all Scarborough residents.

In addition to a strong focus on resolving local issues and serving his constituents, Michael’s commitment to developing Toronto’s city-wide economy is longstanding. In his first term in office, he spearheaded the creation of the Wexford Heights Business Improvement Area, co-founded the Taste of Lawrence Festival and established a Job Fair that annually brought thousands of job seekers together with dozens of employers.

Appointed Chair of the Economic Development Committee in 2011, a role expanded to encompass Community Development in 2019, Michael has played a leading role in the expansion of Toronto’s economy, the promotion of Toronto to key worldwide markets and the attraction of billions of dollars of domestic and foreign investment to the City. He was appointed Deputy Mayor in 2018.

Michael is a member of the Mayor’s Executive Committee, the Board of Directors of Destination Toronto, the Board of Directors of Canada’s Walk of Fame and the Toronto Global Forum Advisory Committee. He was a key member of a Toronto project team that successfully lobbied executives of Collision, one of the world’s leading high technology conferences, to choose Toronto as the conference’s home for 2019 – 2021, bringing 25,000 technology executives and investors to the City and injecting tens of millions of dollars into Toronto’s economy.

Michael maintains a widespread network of business relationships that has helped the City to enhance business retention, promote growth and increase private sector employment. His active engagement with business has helped speed the launch of new business ventures, resolved business/residential conflicts and gained business participation in a wide range of community-building initiatives. In 2019, Michael was named Toronto’s first Ambassador for the Night Economy, a role that is helping to spotlight and support businesses that flourish when the daytime economy sleeps.

Michael is a firm believer in the critical value of culture as a builder of strong communities. When he first took office, he co-founded the Taste of Lawrence Avenue
East Festival, which brings together tens of thousands of people each year to experience local performing arts and cuisine. In 2013, he led the City’s efforts to create a new arts and culture plan that provided a bold, new roadmap for cultural vitality, strengthened arts spending and launched a new era of collaboration among arts and culture groups across the City. Michael was also the first Chair of Toronto’s Music Advisory Committee, and played a key role in efforts to attract international film and television productions and studio investments to Toronto.

Michael received his public school education in Scarborough, and his BA from Concordia University in Montreal. Prior to entering politics, he earned his business credentials as an entrepreneur in the business and financial services sector. In 2017, he successfully completed the ICD Directors Education Program offered by the Rotman School of Management and Institute of Corporate Directors.

He is the recipient of the African Achievement Award for Excellence in Politics, the York University International Award, the Jain Society of Toronto Community Award, the Bob Marley Award and the Bob Marley Lifetime Achievement Award.

He continues to work with a number of charitable organizations including participation in the LIUNA Local 506 scholarship fund.

Biography

Born and raised in Toronto, Mayor Tory has spent his life giving back to the city he loves, through his tireless work in public, private sector and philanthropic roles.

Elected as the 65th Mayor of Toronto in 2014 and re-elected in 2018, John Tory is making the city more liveable, affordable and functional.

He has improved the way people move around this city, fighting traffic congestion and speeding up major construction projects; introducing free transit for kids 12 and under and discounted transit for low income residents; championing a transit network expansion plan that includes the Relief Line, SmartTrack, the Eglinton East and Eglinton West LRT, Bloor Danforth Subway Extension to Scarborough and the Waterfront Transit Network; and securing $9 billion in transit investments from other levels of government – the single biggest infrastructure investment in this city’s history.

He has kept taxes low, while investing in priority services including affordable housing and poverty reduction, and modernizing the government services on which people rely.

Under his leadership, Toronto has attracted jobs and investment and emerged as an undisputed centre of innovation and opportunity on the world stage.

Mayor Tory and his wife Barbara have been married for 41 years, and have four children and five grandchildren.

Biography

Emmanuelle has over 20 years of management experience in both the private and public sectors. She joined Nova Bus and Prevost, part of the Volvo Group, in 2013 and is a member of the executive team.

She has been named in the Top 100 of the most powerful women in Canada in 2021 by WXN, the Women’s Executive Network. She has also been selected as one of the winners of the 2022 Canadian Clean50 Awards, recognizing the 50 individuals who have made the greatest contribution to the cause of sustainable development and clean capitalism in Canada over the past two years.

Emmanuelle sits on several Canadian and American boards, including CUTA (Canadian Urban Transit Association), APTA (American Public Transit Association), the Quebec Federation of Chambers of Commerce (FCCQ) and is the Chair of the board of Propulsion Quebec, the Quebec’s electric and intelligent vehicle cluster. She has also served on the board of directors of CUTRIC (Canadian Urban Transit Research & Innovation Consortium) for a few years.   She is regularly invited as panelist and speaker in conferences in North America to discuss a wide variety of topics.

Prior to joining Volvo Group, Toussaint worked in different organizations in the manufacturing, medical, aerospace, software, municipal and university fields, where she held roles in legal, regulatory affairs and sales operations.

She is a member of the Quebec Bar Association and of the Quebec Order of Chartered Professional. Emmanuelle holds a Bachelor degree in Law and a Certificate in Administration from Université Laval.

Biography

Eric Usher Heads the UN Environment Programme Finance Initiative, UNEP FI, a global partnership bringing together the UN with a global group of banks, insurers and asset managers working to develop the sustainable finance and responsible investment agendas. Eric oversees governance, strategy and day-to-day management of UNEP FI’s work programme and global network development. Over the years UNEP FI has established some of the most important sustainability oriented frameworks within the finance industry, including the Principles for Responsible Investment (2006), the Principles for Sustainable Insurance (2012) and the Principles for Responsible Banking (2019). Since joining in 2015, Mr. Usher has focused on accelerating the deep integration of sustainability risks into financial practice, including addressing climate change, natural capital loss and human rights abuses, as well as building out the frameworks for positive impact finance needed to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Eric sits on several industry bodies including as UN representative on the Board of the Principles for Responsible Investment, and as a member of the governing boards of the Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative, the Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance, the Investor Agenda and the impact fund REPP Africa.

Prior to leading UNEP FI, Mr. Usher has over twenty years of experience in the low carbon sectors, spanning technology commercialisation in Canada, solar rural electrification in Morocco and financial sector development across emerging markets. During 2011, Mr. Usher worked on the establishment of the Green Climate Fund and led efforts to create its Private Sector Facility. Eric has been an editor of the Global Trends in Renewable Energy Investment report published annually with Bloomberg and was lead author for finance of the IPCC Special Report on Renewable Energy Sources. Earlier in his career, Eric was General Manager of a solar rural electrification company based in Morocco.

Biography

Mikko Uusitalo is Head of Research Department Wireless Advanced Technologies at Nokia Bell Labs Finland. Mikko is leading the European 6G Flagship project Hexa-X. He obtained a M.Sc. (Eng.) and Dr.Tech. in 1993 and 1997 and a B.Sc. (Economics) in 2003, all from predecessors of Aalto University. Mikko has been at Nokia since 2000 with various roles, including Principal Researcher and Head of International Cooperation at Nokia Research. Mikko is a founding member of the CELTIC EUREKA and WWRF, the latter one he chaired for 2004-2006. Mikko is a WWRF Fellow. Mikko has more than 70 granted patents or patent families and tens of more in the application phase.

Biography

As Global Head of Healthcare, Anna leads the KPMG healthcare network of 5,000 professionals who provide Audit, Tax and Advisory services to healthcare organizations in more than 55 countries and territories around the world.

Anna is a trusted advisor to health leaders ranging from ministers of health, hospital CEOs and executives of payor organisations across six continents. She draws on more than 30 years of experience in diverse senior managerial, board and consultancy roles in the sector. She understands the complex nature of the sector and brings not only a bold vision for the future of health but also the experience to execute on transformation initiatives.

Anna is the author of several KPMG International publications on topics that include organizational transformation, health equity, COVID-19 recovery and resilience, value-based healthcare, out of hospital care provision, and technology-enabled care delivery systems. She is also a well-regarded keynote speaker at international events covering topics that include healthcare system effectiveness and resilience, digital transformation and health equity.

Prior to her appointment as Global Head in 2020, Anna was Head of Healthcare for KPMG in the Netherlands, where she founded and grew the firm’s healthcare advisory business. In this role, she supervised a number of successful national and regional transformation programs based on design and implementation of new service delivery, reimbursement and governance models and physical infrastructures. Anna was also global lead for KPMG’s Care System Redesign proposition group, in this capacity she worked extensively with clients to transform and help futureproof care systems.

Before joining KPMG in 2011, Anna held senior-level positions at several hospitals and academic health sciences centers, where she led and executed transformations. As CEO of the Dutch Diagnosis Related-Groups (DRGs) and Pricing Office, Anna was a major force behind the adoption of DRG systems for providers and the introduction of a new national healthcare payment system.

Anna has a PhD in Economic Sciences from Erasmus University Rotterdam. She is fluent in English, French, German and Dutch.

Biography

Martin Vidal is a career diplomat with 20+ years of experience in the Uruguayan Foreign Service. Prior to his appointment as Ambassador to Canada and Representative of Uruguay to ICAO since September 2016, he served as Director General for Political Affairs at the MFA in Montevideo (2015-2016) and before that he was Deputy Permanent Representative of Uruguay to the United Nations in New York (2008-2013). He began his career abroad at the Trade Section of the Embassy of Uruguay in Brasilia in late 2000.

Biography

James Villeneuve is a Senior Strategic Business Advisor with Fasken. He served most recently as Canada’s Consul General to Los Angeles, wrapping up 4 ½ years in that post as of November 2018. During that time he was Canada's senior representative in Southern California, Arizona and Nevada.

Prior to his appointment, Mr. Villeneuve worked for Anheuser Busch InBev, the world’s largest brewing company and the parent company of Labatt Breweries, for more than 27 years. He started with Labatt in Toronto in sales and marketing and was later transferred to Vancouver, where he was regional director of government affairs for Western Canada.

In 1995, Mr. Villeneuve returned to Toronto to manage Labatt’s rebranding initiative and to run the company’s corporate and sports properties. He later became director of corporate affairs and then vice-president of corporate affairs for Canada. From 2007 to 2009, Mr. Villeneuve worked in Brussels to lead InBev’s global corporate affairs practice. After InBev purchased Anheuser Busch in 2009, Mr. Villeneuve moved to St. Louis to lead the company’s North American corporate affairs department.

Mr. Villeneuve has served on many boards during his career, including the Toronto Economic Development Corporation, the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, the 2008 Toronto Olympic Bid, the Granville Island Trust, the Association of Canadian Advertisers, Carleton University, the Canadian Club, Teach for America, the United Way and the Regional Chamber and Growth Association in St. Louis. He received a Bachelor’s degree from Carleton University in 1985.

Mr. Villeneuve is married to Kim Walker-Villeneuve and they have two children, Grace and Andrew.

Biography

As Chief Executive Officer of BNP Paribas in Canada, Sonja Volpe is responsible for leading the Canadian business strategy, overseeing the nearshoring operations platform and all aspects of regulatory and internal controls compliance. Sonja is a member of the Americas Executive Committee, the Americas Business Committee and the Global Banking Americas Executive Committee.

Sonja first joined BNP Paribas in 2015 as Head of Financial Institutions Coverage in Canada. In this role she was responsible for the firm’s global client relationships with the Canadian banks, insurance companies, pension plans and the government sector. She has been instrumental in building a strong client franchise across each client industry segment and establishing a high performance coverage team.

Sonja has 20 years of experience covering Canadian financial institutions and public sector clients. Prior to joining BNP Paribas, she was a Senior Banker at Citibank Canada where she covered a number of large global client relationships in the financial services sector.

Sonja has a Bachelor's Degree in Honours Modern Languages and Linguistics and an MBA from McMaster University.

Biography

David Walmsley was appointed the editor-in-chief of The Globe and Mail in March 2014. He is responsible for the content and editorial standards of the paper’s journalism across our suite of products in print and online.

Under his editorship, The Globe and Mail has dominated the domestic national newspaper awards and won the highest award in Canadian journalism, the Michener Award for public service journalism, three times. His team is based across Canada and internationally.

He represents Canada on the World Editors’ Forum of Wan-Ifra, the world association of news publishers and also sits on the International Media Council of the World Economic Forum, Davos.

David is a founding member of the advisory board of the global Trust Project, the most recent Board chair and current board member of the Canadian Journalism Foundation, and a trustee of the Burns Fellowship which offers journalists opportunities in Germany, the US and Canada. He is the creator of World News Day, a global day of awareness held every Sept 28 highlighting the important of journalism across all continents.

David is also a member of the Board of Governors of the Long Run Institute, providing insights from the historical analysis of long-run forces and trends. The Institute is co-headquartered in Toronto and at Queen’s University, Belfast.

He sits on the advisory board of the digital media zone at Ryerson University, and is a Board member of the Canadian Children’s Literacy Foundation.

Prior to coming to Canada in 1998, David worked at The Daily Telegraph and the Daily Mail in London, the Daily Record in Glasgow and The Belfast Telegraph.

He is the executive producer of the documentary Nike’s Big Bet.

David is working on the introduction of a Moral Injury Scale for newsrooms and commissioning editors to help manage exposure to extreme events.

Biography

Matt was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Guardians 1 July 2018. He is responsible for the general management of the Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation and of the New Zealand Superannuation Fund under delegation from the Board.

Matt joined the Guardians in May 2008 as General Manager, Private Markets. In 2014 Matt became Chief Investment Officer overseeing the Investments Group, responsible for the Fund’s portfolio construction and  investment activity in listed and unlisted markets, both directly and through investment managers. Matt’s achievements in this role included the development of the Fund’s climate change investment strategy, risk allocation process and risk budget framework, along with the strengthening of the Guardians’ New Zealand and international direct investment capabilities.

Before joining the Guardians, Matt was at Credit Suisse (Hong Kong) where he was Head of Financial Sponsor Coverage for nonJapan Asia. Prior to this, he was a Managing Director at First NZ Capital in New Zealand and a Vice President at Credit Suisse First Boston in New York. Matt began his career as a Barrister and Solicitor with Russell McVeagh in Auckland.

Matt is a member of Focusing Capital on the Long Term, a Director of Netball New Zealand and Co-Chair of the Aotearoa Circle’s Sustainable Finance Forum. Matt has previously served as a member of the World Economic Forum General Agenda Council on the Future of Investing, and as Chair of the InZone Education Foundation.

Biography

Darryl was appointed Chief Executive Officer of BMO in 2017. He chairs the bank’s Executive Committee and serves as a director of BMO Financial Group, as well as its U.S. subsidiary, BMO Financial Corp.

Darryl joined BMO’s investment and corporate banking business in Toronto in 1994 and returned to his hometown in 2006 as Head of Montreal Investment & Corporate Banking for BMO Capital Markets. In 2014, he was named CEO and Group Head, BMO Capital Markets, and in 2016 was appointed BMO’s Chief Operating Officer

Darryl is a member of the Ottawa-based Business Council of Canada, the Washington, D.C-based The Business Council, and the Mayor of Beijing’s International Business Leaders Advisory Council. Darryl also serves as a director of The Bank Policy Institute (BPI), a nonpartisan public policy, research and advocacy group, representing leading banks in the U.S.

A long-standing community builder with strong ties to the United Way Centraide movement, Darryl has volunteered for these organizations in Montreal, New York, Chicago and Toronto. In 2018, Darryl became Co-Chair of the Inclusive Local Economic Opportunity Roundtable, a partnership between BMO and United Way Greater Toronto that brings together business and community leaders to develop approaches to reduce economic disparity in the region.

An advocate for BMO’s efforts to ensure a diverse and inclusive workplace, Darryl serves as a member of the Catalyst Board of Directors and Vice-Chair of Catalyst Canada Advisory Board.

Darryl is a director of Unity Health Toronto, which includes St. Michael's Hospital, St. Joseph’s Health Centre and Providence Healthcare, and serves as Campaign Cabinet Co-President for the Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation. Darryl is also a director of the National Hockey League’s Montreal Canadiens and Alpine Canada, the governing body for alpine, para-alpine and ski cross racing in Canada.

Darryl holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario and has completed the Advanced Management Program at the Harvard Business School. He is a past recipient of Canada’s Top 40 under 40® Award.

Biography

Andrew Willis is a business columnist for the Report on Business at The Globe and Mail, based in Toronto. He has been in business communications and journalism for three decades. From 2010 to 2016, he was senior vice president of communications for Brookfield Asset Management. Andrew's career in journalism included stints at a number of publications, including writing the Streetwise column at the Globe and Mail from 1995 to 2010. He also worked at The Financial Post, The Financial Times of Canada, Dow Jones/Wall Street Journal, and Maclean’s magazine. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Western Ontario and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from University of King's College, Halifax.

Biography

Geoffrey Wilson is an international business leader with more than 25 years in the multimodal transportation, shipping, infrastructure and aviation businesses. Having held senior executive roles throughout North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific, with companies such as Triton Container International Inc., Budget Car and Truck Rental, and Kerr Steamship Agency Inc., Mr. Wilson brings a unique skill set and global perspective to his role as CEO of PortsToronto. A government business enterprise, PortsToronto owns and operates Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, Canada’s ninth busiest airport, the marine Port of Toronto, the Outer Harbour Marina, and several commercial properties along Toronto’s waterfront.

Mr. Wilson’s professional experience includes global infrastructure and asset management, international market development and strategic alliances. Prior to his current role, Mr. Wilson served as Chief Operating Officer of Cartel Communications Systems Inc., Canada's leading wireless equipment distributor and integrator.

Mr. Wilson holds his ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors through the Rotman School of Management. He serves on the advisory board of Toronto Global Forum, associated with the International Global Economic Forums of the Americas, and sits on the Board of Directors for the Empire Club of Canada, the Council of the Great Lakes Region, and Neuchâtel Junior College.

Biography

Jim has had a distinguished career. Most recently he was Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Oxford, United Kingdom. Previously, he was Chief of Perioperative Services, and Surgeon-in-Chief, Department of Surgery, and Vice President, Medical at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). Jim oversaw one of the busiest and most advanced paediatric surgery departments in Canada. Equally active in education, Jim won the Robert B. Salter Excellence in Orthopaedic Education Award in May of 1997. Since 1994, he has served as (or is currently serving as) primary or secondary supervisor for more than 30 MSc or PhD students. Additionally, in 2016 he was awarded the Order of Canada, Canada’s highest civilian order. Jim completed his surgical training at the University of Toronto, a clinical fellowship in Melbourne, Australia, graduate work in clinical epidemiology and a fellowship in the Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program at Yale University.

Biography

Member of Provincial Parliament for Elgin-Middlesex-London, Jeff Yurek, is a proud life-long resident of St. Thomas, Ontario.

Having grown-up with the family business, Yurek Pharmacy Ltd., which was started by his father Ed in 1963, Jeff’s natural ability and desire to help others directed him to follow in his father’s footsteps. Having graduated from the Pharmacy Program at the University of Toronto in 1995, Jeff also held a position as a teaching associate with the University of Toronto’s Structured Practical Experience Program for the School of Pharmacy. Jeff and Peter purchased the family business and together have continued to build on the Yurek reputation and expanded the operations to include home healthcare, mobility, bulk pharma packaging, and distribution.

Jeff has always recognized the value and importance of supporting one’s community. Despite the busy schedule that comes with growing a small business, Jeff has been actively involved with a number of local charitable and not-for-profit organizations such as: The Knights of Columbus; Rotary Club; Alzheimer’s Society, and the St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce.