Speakers - Growing the North

Ryan Blais

Meet Ryan Blais – a former Canadian National Ski Team athlete who found his second calling in the digital world. After hanging up his skis, Ryan dove into Digital Marketing and never looked back. He started GoSocial, a Social Media consultancy, which later joined forces with Nine10 Incorporated in 2012 and then merged with #1 competitor ImageDESIGN in 2021.

Ryan knows the ups and downs of business in a province that’s all about the boom and bust cycle. He’s a big believer in building a strong Brand foundation and a Digital-first approach to help businesses navigate their waters, no matter the economic tide. With AI changing the game, Ryan and Nine10 are excited about their Digital Marketing Training Academy where they empower businesses with the skills to take Brand & Digital Marketing into their own hands.

In his talk, learn why Ryan believes that Branding + Digital x AI = Business Resilience.

Monique Blough

Monique Blough, Project Director–The Social Impact Lab Alberta

Monique serves as the Project Director for The Social Impact Lab Alberta, with a pivotal role in the Lab since 2018. She is dedicated to creating spaces for people to be heard and designing responsive services. She is a Senior Service Designer and Transformation Consultant with global experience across four continents, excelling in open innovation and business transformation while placing human needs at the heart of her work. Her commitment to improving collaboration and systems-level work underpins her strategic approach.

Gregg Brown

Gregg Brown – Change and Future of Work Strategist

Gregg is an internationally recognized change leadership expert and best selling author working with organizations to build change-ready teams that thrive in the future of work.

With a career spanning 30 years, Gregg has engaged thousands of individuals on hundreds of stages in some of the world’s leading organizations – at Fortune 500 companies, governments and humanitarian organizations worldwide equipping them with the courage and practical tools to dive fearlessly into the never-ending waves of change.

His ideas on change and the future of work have been featured in Forbes, Newsweek, Rolling Stone, and Entrepreneur amongst others.

Over 50% of Gregg’s work has been in the public sector, along with Indigenous communities in BC and the Yukon. As a business owner, he volunteers with the Prince’s Trust Canada and mentors Canadian Veteran entrepreneurs, as well as entrepreneurs with the CGLCC, the National LGBT Chamber Commerce.

Gregg’s new book, Spark Action: How to Lead Change That Matters is an Amazon #1 Bestseller and is recommended as one of the top thought-leader books to read in 2024 by Thinkers360.

Kelsey Brown

Kelsey Brown, Project Designer–The Social Impact Lab Alberta

Kelsey is the project lead for Community Co-Design work in Athabasca. She has a degree in Behavioural Science and has worked in the homeless-serving sector, with youth in the justice system, and facilitating educational programming for people of all ages. Her passion for systems-level work has led her here to United Way and The Social Impact Lab AB, and she is keen to support communities in tackling big challenges using a collaborative and human-centered approach.

Barry Caplan

Barry Caplan, President & Founder, Neolithica, is a graduate of McGill University with an honours degree in Geological Science, and has over 35 years of experience in energy and metals resource development. He has served as a geologist in both mining and petroleum fields, leading multi-disciplinary teams from initial concept to commercial development.

Barry has been involved in Alberta’s lithium development for close to a decade after recognizing the growing importance of lithium, a key critical mineral needed to support Canada’s and the world’s transition to clean energy production. Under his leadership, NeoLithica has assembled a significant land position in northern Alberta, with its flagship Peace River Project hosting a NI43-101 inferred lithium resource of 10 million tonnes.

He is also the founding Chairman, and former Board member of the Canadian Lithium Association, the precursor to today’s Battery Metals Association of Canada.

Jackie Clayton

Jackie has been a resident of Grande Prairie since 1999 and was first elected to City Council in 2013. During her second term as Councilor, she was appointed as Interim Mayor in January 2021. Jackie was elected as Mayor at the 2021 election and now holds the distinction of being the first elected female Mayor in the City of Grande Prairie.

Jackie is an engaged Past-President of the Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce and has been a proud Rotarian since 2001. Jackie is an entrepreneur whose professional career has included many roles in the marketing and public relations sectors. In 2003, Jackie opened a retail franchise business, which she still owns today. After numerous years in her various retail businesses, Jackie followed her passion to be more involved in corporate business, most notably as the VP, Public Relations & Partnerships for Pomeroy Lodging, where she oversaw external and government relations for 19 hotels within the various markets they operate.

She is business minded and future focused and believes that together we can build strong communities. She is always ready to contribute, not afraid of hard work and truly committed to every initiative she is part of. She believes you can only expect a community to give you as much as you are willing to give it.

Mayor Clayton and her husband Rob have lived in Grande Prairie since 1999 and have always been deeply involved with and worked in the Grande Prairie business community. She is a mother of two sons age 13 and 16. The Clayton family is incredibly passionate about their community, sports, fundraising and education.

Brock Dickinson

Brock Dickinson has worked in economic development for more than 30 years. He holds a number of positions at the University of Waterloo including “Entrepreneur-in-Residence” and “Director of the Economic Development Program” which oversees professional certification for all economic developers in Canada.

Brock started his career with the United nations, working in more than 30 countries, and later was the founder and CEO of MDB Insight – named to Profit Magazine’s “Hot 50” list of Canada’s fastest growing startups – which he grew to be the largest economic development consultancy in Canada.

He advises a range of companies, governments and organizations on innovation, entrepreneurship and the economy, including the United Nations, the private equity firm Blue Cardinal Capital, the NAFTA-linked Commission for Environmental Cooperation, The Canadian Food & Wine Institute Innovation Centre, and the North American EcoInnovation Network.

Sandra Dufresne

Although new to economic development, Sandra is no stranger to sharing – and creating – opportunity. Sandra joined Economic Development Lethbridge in September 2023 in a role specifically tied to investment attraction in the agri-food sector in Canada’s Premier Food Corridor. She brings with her many years of experience in partnership and fund development, regional stewardship, external relations and communications in the post-secondary sector. In addition, Sandra has done advocacy work at all levels of government throughout her career. With a passion for making connections and showcasing all that southern Alberta has to offer, Sandra builds powerful relationships to advance the food corridor.

Courtney Elliott

Courtney Elliott, the Director of Sector Fundraising at Foresight CAC, is a seasoned cleantech funding strategist with a background deeply rooted in the energy economy. Having previously worked at the University of Calgary and the University of Victoria, her diverse experience reflects a comprehensive understanding of the cleantech sector’s intricacies. At Foresight, Courtney plays a pivotal role in planning and executing industry-specific fundraising initiatives, focusing on startup ventures in the carbon, water, power, built environment, agrifood, transportation, and bioeconomy sectors.

Since starting her career as a consultant in Wood Buffalo, Courtney’s professional journey has pivoted towards supporting the just energy transition through her previous work at Iron & Earth, emphasizing her dedication to equitable change in the energy sector. Her role at Foresight reflects her ongoing commitment to Growing the North, where she believes strategic philanthropy and collaborative efforts are vital for fostering innovation and building a resilient cleantech ecosystem in northern communities.

Pam Goertzen

Pamela Goertzen serves as the founding Executive Director of SSRIA, where she has successfully instituted a wide range of programs and initiatives designed to advance the organization’s mission of accelerating the adoption of innovative low-carbon building solutions. Her strategic leadership and unwavering commitment to forging meaningful partnerships have played a pivotal role in SSRIA’s growth and its positive impact on both the environment and the economy in Alberta.

Over the past two decades, Pam has demonstrated her dedication to the development and management of energy efficiency and social change programs in Alberta. Her career highlights include a senior position at Summerhill, where she oversaw the implementation and marketing of residential energy efficiency programs on behalf of Energy Efficiency Alberta. Prior to that, she spent 14 years at C3 (formerly Climate Change Central), where she contributed to the development and delivery of energy efficiency programs to Alberta homeowners and businesses.

Pam holds a Business Diploma with a specialization in marketing and a Bachelor of Management.

Andre Harpe

Andre Harpe is the Chair for the board of directors of Grain Growers of Canada, which represents over 65,000 canola, pulse and grain farmers from coast to coast. Andre also represents Region 2 for Alberta Canola Producers Commission. Over the past few years, Andre has seen that agriculture policy has become more and more important and that a common sense approach needs to be taken, to arrive at solutions that work for the farmer, and the need to lead the conversation instead of reacting.

Born and raised in the Peace Country, Andre continues to farm, near Valhalla Centre, with his wife Diane on their third generation family farm. Being a strong believer in community and representation, Andre has had previous experience including Peace Country Health, STARS and Alberta Summer Swimming Association. He also currently sits on the Agricultural Financial Services Corporation board of directors.

Jennifer Ireson

Balanced Perspectives Founder Jennifer Ireson’s mission is powerfully clear–to help business owners meet their mission by building strong teams and by creating an accessible path to the complex world of Human Resources. Jennifer’s passion stems from continuing to discover the multifaceted nature of her industry and connecting people to the best opportunities that will help them reach their full potential.

Jennifer’s integrity, methodical mind, and vibrant sense of humour strike the perfect balance of fun and approachable professionalism. Drawing from over 20 years of experience, Jennifer provides her own balanced perspective by considering all angles of a situation, determining the best course of action and guiding people through the process. She feels that growing companies need someone with experience to help set up their employees for success. She covers all areas of HR from HIRE to RETIRE but focuses on employee relations and setting companies up for HR success. A self-professed Policy Geek, Jennifer loves a good employee manual.

Jennifer has a proven track record in developing, implementing, supporting, and maintaining all Human Resource programs and best practices to support companies and employees. Her diversity of experience(and the resulting ‘trial by fire’ moments) has given her a broad set of tools and skills for helping companies grow the strength of their teams.

Karen Jensen

Karen Anne Jensen has more than 25 years of diverse experience in engineering, rail construction, business management, marketing, and operations across a variety of industrial industries and projects.

Karen is currently Senior Manager, Business Development in CN’s Sales and Marketing department in Vancouver, BC, a role that has allowed her to use her considerable expertise to grow CN’s business in Western Canada. Prior to moving to Vancouver, Karen was CN’s Rail Business Development Manager for 15 years in Edmonton, AB, which is the Company’s Western Canadian headquarters, where she dedicated herself to learning about CN’s rail network in Alberta and British Columbia. During that time, she successfully delivered numerous rail projects, including unit trains of crude-by-rail, propane-by-rail, and grain across Alberta. She also supported a propane-by-rail unit train receiving facility at the Port of Prince Rupert and a grain unit train rail facility in North Vancouver.

In 2021, Karen led CN’s Certified Rail Ready Site program, which makes it easier and faster for customers to find a location for their industrial project. Each site is strategically situated along CN’s 18,800-mile rail network and guaranteed to be ready for development. During that time, she located five sites in the Alberta Industrial Heartland, including the Greenview Industrial Gateway.

Prior to joining CN, Karen expertly secured an operations contract with the City of Winnipeg and successfully won a large natural gas contract with an Alberta school board. She also worked as a Project Engineer and Engineering Consultant at the TransAlta Sundance and Wabamun power plants in Alberta, where she was the only female engineer, earning her the nickname “Lone Wolf.” That trailblazing experience fuelled Karen’s resilience and drive.

Karen holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering and an MBA, both from the University of Alberta. She is a Professional Engineer. In her downtime, she enjoys golfing and traveling to warm destinations with her family.

Hon. Matt Jones

Matt Jones was sworn in as the Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade on June 9, 2023. He previously served as the Minister of Affordability and Utilities and the Minister of Children’s Services.

Prior to his service as an elected official, Mr. Jones worked as an investment banker helping Alberta based businesses with capital raises, acquisitions and divestitures.

Mr. Jones is a CFA Charter holder and holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Calgary’s Haskayne School of Business.

Matt Jones was first elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Calgary-South East on April 16, 2019 and was re-elected on May 29, 2023.

Arjen Kaput

Canadian Fiber Optics Corp. and Northern Lights Fiber – the Peace Country’s very own.

Canadian Fiber Optics Corp is a boutique telecommunications company that designs, constructs, and operates the most sophisticated telecommunications network in Canada, exclusively with fiber optics.

Northern Lights Fiber is the retail arm that is providing gigabit speed Internet connectivity to the communities of the Peace region with a multitude of accessories and options, while Canadian Fiber Optics is providing enterprise Internet connectivity to the energy sector.

Jodi and Arjen will speak about the Digital Divide and why fiber telecommunications is the future of connectivity in your home, business, community and the energy sector – and what it means for the Peace Region.

Jodi Bloomer Kaput

Canadian Fiber Optics Corp. and Northern Lights Fiber – the Peace Country’s very own.

Canadian Fiber Optics Corp is a boutique telecommunications company that designs, constructs, and operates the most sophisticated telecommunications network in Canada, exclusively with fiber optics.

Martin King

Martin King (“Marty”) has Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Economics from the University of Calgary. His work experience spans being an Economist at the Bank of Canada in Ottawa from 1990 to 1993, and at the National Energy Board in Calgary from 1993 to 1997. From 1997 to 2018 he was with FirstEnergy Capital Corp., later GMP FirstEnergy, in Calgary, where he eventually served as Director of Institutional Research and was responsible for the analysis, modeling and price forecasts of the crude oil and natural gas markets.

Since 2019, he has worked in Calgary with RBN Energy LLC, a Houston-based energy consultancy, where he currently serves as Managing Director, North America Energy Market Analysis.

Hon. Todd Loewen

The Honourable Todd Loewen became the Minister of Forestry, Parks and Tourism in the fall of 2022. After the Alberta provincial election in May 2023, Minister Loewen was asked to remain on, as the new Minister of Forestry and Parks. Minister Loewen was first elected in 2015, in the electoral district of Grande Prairie-Smoky. He was born and raised in rural Alberta, where he still resides with his family near Valleyview. His passion is the outdoors including hunting, fishing, and trapping.

Fun facts, he has been a taxidermist for almost 40 years and an outfitter guiding hunters from around the world for 30 years.

Bob Marshall

Elected as Reeve of the County of Grande Prairie in 2022, Bob Marshall was educated as an
Electronic Engineering Technologist specializing in Biomedical Electronics. The bulk of his career was spent at the Weyerhaeuser Lumber Mill in various roles spanning more than 23 years before being elected to County Council in 2013.

Reeve Marshall aims to prioritize community safety to make the County a desired place to live and raise a family, while addressing and finding solutions to minimize the impact industrial activity is having on residential life. He and County Council share a common goal to guide strategic and sustainable development in the County while advocating other levels of government to meet the needs of the County and Northern Alberta, including in the areas of economic development, improved transportation networks, and healthcare.

In his spare time, Reeve Marshall has coached Wolves minor basketball, minor soccer, little league baseball and junior high basketball, and served as a School Council member at both
Wembley schools. In his personal life, he enjoys spending time with his two children, granddaughter, and grandson, and pursuing his interests in woodworking, home improvement projects, and exploring the County’s tremendous outdoors on hikes with his dog.

Jeff McCammon

Jeff McCammon concentrates on the sale of development lands and investment product in the Alberta marketplace. During his 35 year tenure with the company, Jeff received the companies President Roundtable Award for exceptional Sales Performance on multiple occasions. Jeff has developed extensive contacts with developers and institutional investors, government officials, pension fund managers and local and international investors. in recent years, he has been very active in the Grande Prairie real estate market. Of note was the assembly (including acquisition on behalf of Trader Properties), planning and development of the Trader Ridge development.

Jeff entered the partnership in 2007 and is currently a full Partner of Cushman & Wakefield Edmonton. Jeff received the CCIM designation in 1999.

Hon. Ric McIver

Ric McIver was sworn in as the Minister of Municipal Affairs on June 9, 2023. He previously served as the Minister of Transportation, Minister of Infrastructure, Minister of Jobs, Skills, Training and Labour, and Minister of Municipal Affairs.

Prior to his service as an elected official at the provincial level, Mr. McIver served 3 terms on Calgary City Council. During that time, he served on the Police Commission and as Chair of the Calgary Housing Company, among many committee assignments. He has been a Calgary Stampede volunteer for over 15 years.

Mr. McIver is a husband, father, and grandfather who is active on several charitable and community causes. He chose Alberta as his home in 1981 and has been a proud resident since that time.

Ric McIver was first elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Calgary-Hays on April 23, 2012 and was re-elected on May 5, 2015, April 19, 2019, and May 29, 2023.

Kevin Moraes

Kevin Moraes, Director, Government & External Relations, Prince Rupert Port Authority (PRPA) is responsible for building relationships and advocating for policies and investment with all levels of government, corporate and community stakeholders that support the marine industry at the Port of Prince Rupert. Kevin is a government and public affairs professional with experience in the transportation sector, with previous experience as Manager of Government & Stakeholder Relations with the Greater Toronto Airports Authority.

Kevin started his career with the Ontario Ministry of Environment as a Policy Advisor and went on to work as a senior political aide, most recently as Senior
Advisor to Toronto Mayor John Tory. Kevin supported the implementation of the Mayor’s social, health and emergency services agenda, as well as building
relationships between the Mayor and community stakeholders throughout Toronto.

Born and raised in Toronto but now calling British Columbia home, Kevin completed an Honours degree in Environmental Studies & International Development Studies from the University of Toronto and a Master of Arts in Public Policy & Administration from Ryerson University.

Wendy Muise

Meet Wendy Muise, a true-blue entrepreneur who has been working in the start-up and scale-up space for nearly two decades! She kicked it all off working on an AI startup that shot to a jaw-dropping $120 million IPO. Wendy’s got serious skills in Tech, Marketing Strategy, Business Design, Entrepreneurial Strategy, Facilitation, and Mentoring. Her specialty lies in building robust entrepreneurial ecosystems through the support of entrepreneurial development. Wendy’s secret sauce? A data-driven approach to product and service analysis that’ll have you thriving in no time. She’s a pro at the whole product lifecycle, from brainstorming to scaling and everything in between. Wendy’s is on a mission to empower rural entrepreneurs and foster resilience and innovation in rural economic development through entrepreneurial development.

Brock Mulligan

Brock Mulligan is Senior Vice-President for the Alberta Forest Products Association. He has been with the organization since 2013. His work focuses primarily on government and community relations, advocacy, and communications, including the AFPA’s award-winning Love AB Forests campaign. Brock grew up on a farm near Bon Accord and now lives in Edmonton with his wife and two young children.

The AFPA represents 20 companies operating more than 50 facilities in communities throughout Alberta. AFPA members make pulp, newsprint, lumber, wood panels, pellets, and secondary wood products. The AFPA is very proud of its heritage, which stretches back to 1942. Its membership ranges from large, publicly-listed companies, to family-owned businesses that have been passed down through generations.

Cecilia Mzvondiwa

Meet Cecilia, a distinguished professional whose journey is marked by academic excellence and a profound commitment to human security, peace building, and inclusive leadership. Graduating from the University of Zimbabwe with a Bachelor of Arts Dual Honors in Philosophy and Religion laid the foundation for her intellectual pursuits. Fueling her passion, she ventured into Royal Roads University in Victoria BC, earning a master’s degree in human security and Peace Building. In 2014, she added a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of South Africa. Her educational journey reflects a commitment to interdisciplinary expertise, blending philosophy, law, and human security.

With over two decades of experience in Human Resources and Leadership development, Cecilia is a seasoned professional with a wealth of knowledge in entrepreneurship, leadership, and executive coaching. Her unique perspective is shaped by 18 years of living in the North, providing her with a deep understanding of the nuances of life and business in the region.

Cecilia’s multifaceted expertise extends to the legal realm, where she combines her legal background with Diversity and Inclusion proficiency, immigration, and human resources acumen. This integration offers a comprehensive and insightful approach to the challenges and opportunities faced by organizations in today’s dynamic landscape.

Notably, Cecilia is celebrated as an award-winning author, having penned the transformative book, “Beyond Tokenism: Embrace a Sense of Belonging and Stand Out as an Inclusive Leader.” Her work reflects her commitment to breaking barriers and fostering environments where everyone feels a genuine sense of belonging.

In every facet of her career, Cecilia exemplifies dedication, expertise, and a passion for creating positive change. As a thought leader, author, and seasoned professional, she continues to make significant contributions to the realms of law, leadership, and inclusive practices. Cecilia volunteers in the community and is a Director in a few Boards. She enjoys music and dance, travel and learning languages.

Tyler Olsen

Tyler Olsen, currently serving as the Reeve of the Municipal District of Greenview, has a rich background in the industrial and commercial trucking industry. A steadfast resident of Grande Cache, AB, Tyler’s commitment to his community is multifaceted and enduring.

His service spans 20 remarkable years as a volunteer firefighter, a role he continues to fill as the Captain at Grande Cache Station #33 under the Greenview Fire-Rescue Services department. This duty complements his responsibilities as a Greenview Councilor, demonstrating his deep-seated dedication to public service.

Additionally, Tyler has significantly contributed to the non-profit sector. His engagement includes crucial roles on Community Futures West Yellowhead and the Philip J. Currie Museum boards, where he applies his expertise and insight to support and enhance these organizations on behalf of Greenview Council.

Tyler joined the Greenview Council in January 2019 after the dissolution of the former Town of Grande Cache. Now, in his second term, his re-election is a testament to his constituents’ trust and confidence in him. Reeve Olsen stands as a pillar of civic duty and community involvement, continually striving to serve his community in multiple capacities.

Mark Parsons

Mark is Vice President and Chief Economist at ATB Financial. Over his 20-year career as an economist, he has served in key roles at Alberta Treasury Board and Finance, PwC and the Department of Finance Canada. Mark holds a Masters degree in economics from the University of Alberta.

Tab Pollock

Tab is a Local Business Person and is a Financial Advisor and Planner at Neil and Associates.   Tab was Born and Raised In Grande Prairie and has raised his family here as well.  Tab Served as Chair of the Grande Prairie and District Chamber of Commerce, Chair of the Alberta Chambers of Commerce and Sat on the Canadian Chamber of Commerce Board. Tab also served as Vice Chair and community board member of the GPRC Board of Governors. Currently Tab is a Board Member of the Maskwa Medical Centre and sits on the Community and Government Relations Committee. 

Kate Potter

Kate Potter has been the Mayor of the Town of Sexsmith since December of 2018 and loves serving in Municipal Government. As a member of Council, Kate has served on most of the local and regional municipal boards and committees, some of which include Peace Region Economic Development Alliance (PREDA), South Peace Professional Attraction & Retention Committee (SPPARC), and the Economic Development Advisory Committee & Sustainability Committee for the Town of Sexsmith. She has also served on standing committees with the Alberta Municipalities Association for the last 5 years.

She is passionate about seeing our region move forward and work together in new ways, particularly around tourism, healthcare, economic diversification, and sustainability. Kate regularly promotes all parts the region and what they have to offer, knowing that rising tides lift all boats. Her desire in serving is to help ignite the spark of innovation and progress and ensure everyone’s strengths are being used in the best capacity.

Kate’s professional experience ranges from finance to small business to emergency services to education and everything in between. She loves good governance, giving back to the community, strong & healthy organizations, and is always open to trying something new. Personally, Kate’s also a dedicated volunteer, mom to two munchkins, and wife to Luke. She loves new socks, great food experiences, and exploring (particularly in Alberta, where we have so much to offer).

Dr. Vanessa Sheane

I am honoured to serve students, staff, faculty and our community as the President and CEO of Alberta’s newest polytechnic. During my time at NWP, I have held various roles, including Provost and Vice President Academic, Dean, Chairperson, and tenured Faculty member with the Department of Nursing Education & Health Studies. In my current President and CEO role, I provide institutional leadership as well as guidance on NWP’s academic programs, applied research, and student services.  

Cord Spero

Born and raised in Grande Prairie, Cord Spero is a proud local supporter who strongly believes in the optimistic, tenacious people that call this city home and their ability to find solutions.

Growing up surrounded by small business, Cord carries a deep understanding of the Grande Prairie and District Chamber of Commerce and its integral role within the community. His unique perspective and joyful enthusiasm paired with his unconventional background make him a welcome addition to the Chamber Executive Board.

As Board Chair, Cord’s primary focus lies in advocating for businesses, being a clear channel of communication between stakeholders and political leaders, reducing utility costs and distribution fees, and completing essential infrastructure projects. He is excited to support the Chamber and especially appreciates all its accomplishments and its powerful, hundred-year history of strengthening and supporting local businesses.

After a decade of freestyle skiing for Team Canada, Cord stepped into coaching Team Australia, earning gold at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, as well as silver and bronze in 2014 before returning to Grande Prairie.

He currently serves on the The Canadian Freestyle Ski Association Board and is a successful commercial realtor with Re-Max.

Beyond work and volunteering, Cord loves to ski, mountain bike and enjoy time with his wife and their two children.

Eric Termuende

A globally recognized thought leader, bestselling author, and keynote speaker, Eric Termuende brings a fresh perspective to the future of work, leadership, workplace culture, and talent management. He has spent years studying the world’s greatest places to work to learn what sets amazing leaders apart and how to build resilient, innovative, and future-ready teams. Termuende’s refreshing, down-to-earth messaging not only leaves audiences excited about the future, but also equips them with the practical tools and know-how to thrive in it.

Termuende has delivered hundreds of keynotes around the world, with clients from category-leading companies like Amazon, Coca-Cola, Nationwide, IBM, Zoom, Nokia, John Deere, and Toyota, to name a few. His research and insights have also been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, Inc., and many other prominent publications. Termuende has been named one of the world’s Top 100 Emerging Innovators by American Express and is a former World Economic Forum Global Shaper.

In addition, Termuende is the co-founder of NoW of Work, where he advises industry-leading organizations, institutions, and associations on future-proofing their teams, talent management, and rehumanizing the workplace. His bestselling book, Rethink Work, has become a must-read for today’s leaders. From the stages of TEDx to BUILDEX to the Milken Global Conference, Termuende inspires, challenges, and opens minds to opportunities for growth.

Sagar Trivedi

Sagar embarked on his academic journey by earning a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Economics, laying the foundation for his intellectual pursuits. Building on this foundation, he achieved a Master of Management Degree in 2023, elevating his expertise and honing his business acumen. This educational journey equipped him with a discerning eye for promising ventures.

In his role as the Investment Attraction Coordinator, Sagar takes charge of pivotal responsibilities. Serving as the initial point of contact for inquiries, he conducts thorough research, leads the Request for Information and site selection processes, and plays a crucial role in the triage, vetting, and qualification of leads. Furthermore, Sagar proudly represents the Investment Growth Fund (IGF) as the intake partner on behalf of Invest Alberta Corporation. His multifaceted role positions him at the forefront of fostering investment opportunities and contributing to the growth of the organization.

Jennifer Gray Thompson

“We advocate, educate, and collaborate to address the Era of Megafire.”

Named as one of Forbes “50 over 50” IMPACT Leaders in 2022, Jennifer Gray Thompson has helmed Rebuild North Bay Foundation since January 2018, right after the North Bay megafire of October 2017. Gray Thompson took a fledging organization and became a powerhouse national nonprofit recognized as a national leader in recovery from megafires. She serves on the Bipartisan Policy Center Disaster Response Reform Task Force, recommending reforms to Congress in 2024/25.

Jennifer is a lifelong resident of Sonoma Valley in Northern California. After teaching high school for ten years, Jennifer earned a master’s in Public Administration from the University of Southern California’s Price School of Public Policy. Post-graduate school, Jennifer worked for the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. After the devastating fires in the North Bay of San Francisco in October 2017, she accepted a position as Executive Director of the newly formed 501c3 nonprofit Rebuild North Bay Foundation (RNBF), an organization dedicated to helping the region rebuild better, greener, safer, and faster.

Since “paying it forward” in the Camp Fire and Woolsey Fires of 2018, Jennifer has led delegations to 18 counties, again paying lessons forward to virtually every megafire-affected community in the United States. In response to the growing crisis, RNBF created After the Fire USA to help solve the issue of megafires, a climate-based disaster affecting millions of people globally. This initiative was born of practice in communities for several years and the increasing threat of the Era of Megafire.

As CEO of this organization, Jennifer has designed an effective and innovative Wildfire Leadership Network, implemented a Survivor Deployment Model for newly fire-affected communities, provided immersive and actionable After Action Reports to national organizations and communities, advocated with wildfire survivor leaders for sane and intelligent federal policies, and hosts a national summit on Wildfire Leadership annually in Sonoma, drawing upon leaders from frontline communities as well as the public, nonprofit, and private sectors.

Jennifer is committed to equitable and resilient recoveries for every community, regardless of their ability to pay. ATF USA (501c3) does not charge communities for their services. After the Fire USA is committed to supporting locally led and designed recoveries.

ATF USA has fostered a thriving resiliency program in partnership with CalFire and USDA/RCPP under the Parent Organization, Rebuild North Bay Foundation, which is the lead agency for nearly $10M in state and federal grants for wildlands fuel mitigation programs. These innovative programs are now being transferred to wildland management organizations, having proved the model and innovated to address a severe gap in service delivery.

Jennifer is nationally recognized as a leader in wildfire. She has presented at several national conferences at the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation, HAC, Fannie Mae, Brownsfield, Smart Cities, FEMA, and testifying before the U.S. Senate in 2023.

Jennifer is the creator and host of the “How to Disaster” podcast, which highlights proven and influential leaders with great ideas in the space of disaster.

Cole Thomson

Cole Thomson is an engagement leader and experienced project professional with over 15 years of industry experience in oil and gas, mining, electricity markets and regulatory affairs. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminology, a Master’s in Communications, post-graduate credentials in Social Responsibility and Sustainability and is passionate about supporting the social and economic health of communities. Cole is currently the Senior Manager of Project Delivery on TC Energy’s extensive Canadian project and operations portfolio including renewable energy, hydrogen, hydroelectric, oil and gas pipeline and energy storage projects.

Jack Weeks

Jack Weeks, Investment Director, Agriculture, Invest Alberta

Jack grew up in the UK and after completing a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, formed a career in grain & fertilizer marketing across Europe before moving into private consultancy services to the agriculture sector as well as forming his own forage trading agency. In 2019, he moved to Canada and developed skills as an operational leader and project manager in one of the provinces largest horticultural production facilities, leading a team of 185 staff.

Based in Calgary Jack is part of the Agriculture team that is ready to help businesses with ambitions to grow anywhere within the province. Jack has a clear focus on opening the door to Alberta, making the concept of a company expansion a reality.

Hon. Dan Williams

Dan Williams was sworn in as the Minister of Mental Health and Addiction on June 9, 2023. He was first elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Peace River on April 16, 2019 and was re-elected on May 29, 2023.

Throughout his first term as MLA, he served as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Culture and for la Francophonie. He was also Deputy Government Whip and Chair of the Standing Committee on Private Bills, Deputy Chair of the Special Standing Committee on Members’ Services, Deputy Chair of the Select Special Ombudsman and Public Interest Commissioner Search Committee and a member of the Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing and the Building Communities Cabinet Policy Committee.

Outside of work, Dan is an avid mountaineer who enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping. He has also found enjoyment in gardening alongside his wife.

Dan, his wife Maureen and their son Ben live in La Crete.

Ken Williamson

Ken Williamson – Avison Young

Ken is a commercial real estate sales professional with over 22 years’ experience managing complex real estate transactions including: receivership and foreclosure, asset underwriting, discounted cashflow analysis, asset repositioning, structured financing, sales, leasing, and land development. He operates in Edmonton, Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie and all northern Alberta energy markets with his Avison Young team of Carl Pedersen, Jason Williamson and Marjorie Elliott.

Prior to entering the real estate industry, Ken’s work experience included management of a $12 billion dollar debt portfolio at the Province of Alberta, and active duty as a CF-18 pilot with the Royal Canadian Air Force. Ken has demonstrated through these and other endeavours an ability to deliver results under pressure, to a consistently high standard.

Included in Ken’s personal interests are a variety of adrenaline sports, including flying, dirt biking, hunting, kite surfing, scuba diving, sky diving and downhill mountain biking. These high intensity activities translate directly into Ken’s work life as he continually pushes the limits of what is possible and captures the energy of every moment. A drive to succeed and the infusion of fresh perspectives from years of international travel are unique talents that Ken brings to every assignment.

Evident in a record of continual education, Ken is both a starter and a finisher, with an MBA from the University of Alberta (Finance and Operations Research), an undergraduate Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) degree, and a holder of the CFA designation for 17 years, until departing the CFA program in 2017.

Specialties: Foreclosures, receiverships, complex real estate leasing, sales, and developments within Alberta’s energy markets that require a sophisticated analysis of market dynamics, risk, and return, all backed by bulletproof underwriting and thoroughly documented process management.