Presenter: Mike Moffatt

Dr. Mike Moffatt is the founding Director of the University of Ottawa’s Missing Middle Initiative (MMI) and co-host of the Missing Middle Podcast.

Prior to joining MMI, Mike served as the Chief Innovation Fellow for the Government of Canada, advising Deputy Ministers on innovation policy and emerging trends.

Mike has worked with politicians and policymakers of all political stripes in several countries to craft more effective public policy. From 2013 to 2015, Mike served as an economic advisor to Liberal leader Justin Trudeau.

Event

From Ambition to Action

September 29, 2026, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

The Fairmont Château Laurier, Ballroom
1 Rideau St, Ottawa, ON K1N 8S7

On September 29, 2026, join Canada 2020 in Ottawa for the third instalment of “From Ambition to Action: Getting Big Things Done”—a one-day summit focused on the realities of delivering big, transformational projects in Canada.

Sixteen months into the Carney government, leaders in government, industry, and Indigenous communities are working to deliver the large-scale projects our economy, people, and future depend on. Whether it’s building more housing, unlocking our energy and mining potential, or transforming how we trade and move goods – Canada is working to build faster.

Building on the momentum of our two previous events, this follow-up event will once again convene top-level doers—developers, policymakers, Indigenous leaders, and industry builders—from across housing, infrastructure, natural resources, economic development, and trade. Together, they’ll share real-world insights, address persistent and emerging barriers, and shape actionable strategies to achieve national-scale progress.

From Ambition to Action: Getting Big Things Done 3.0

Tuesday, September 29, 2026
The Fairmont Château Laurier, Ballroom
Ottawa, ON

Early-Bird General Admission: $239
Early-Bird Full Table (8 Tickets): $1,800
General Admission: $295
Full Table: $2,220

Register Now

Join us in Ottawa in September to celebrate recent successes and discuss ways to further accelerate our efforts.

Featured Participants

Niko Nikolaidis

CFO, Innergex Renewable Energy
Biography

Niko Nikolaidis
Niko Nikolaidis joined Innergex in 2017 and, after serving as Vice President of Investments and Financing, was recently promoted to Chief Financial Officer, where he now oversees the organization's overall financial strategy, capital allocation, and investment decisions. Before becoming Vice President in 2021, he was Senior Director – Finance, Mergers and Acquisitions, a role in which he led Innergex's expansion into the U.S. market through various acquisitions and headed the team responsible for identifying, analyzing, and closing multiple financing opportunities. Before joining Innergex, he held positions at Ernst & Young, GEK TERNA, and most recently Nord/LB, in roles related to investment and financing activities in the infrastructure and energy sectors. He worked in various locations across Europe and the United States before settling in Canada to join Innergex. His past experience has given him deep knowledge of electricity markets and a broad network of contacts across the energy industry. Mr. Nikolaidis holds a bachelor's degree as well as a master's degree in electrical engineering from North Carolina State University (2004) and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Indianapolis (2007).
Warren Roy

CEO, Global Relay
Biography

Warren Roy
A life-long entrepreneur and 25-year veteran in the information technology sector, Warren worked in the architecture, engineering and construction industries during the transition to computer-aided design (CAD). In 1999, he founded Global Relay to offer one of the first hosted email archiving services, making Global Relay one of the true global pioneers of the Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) technology model that today is popularly known as the “cloud.” Warren’s vision has always been to create and build incredible technology that redefines communications and the way the world leverages data. Warren drives the overall strategic direction for Global Relay — focusing on the design and development of multi-lingual, enterprise-class cloud-based messaging, collaboration, and archiving solutions to address compliance requirements for the financial sector. Under Warren’s leadership, Global Relay has become an internationally recognized leader in compliance archiving and Thomson Reuters’ exclusive Strategic Partner for messaging compliance worldwide. Global Relay has received numerous awards, including Canada’s Best Managed Companies (2014, 2013), Best Companies to Work for in BC (2011, 2012), BC Business’ Most Innovative Companies (2013), ITAC Ingenious Award (2014), BCTIA Community Engagement Award (2013), and the City of Vancouver’s Award of Excellence for Business Innovation (2014). Global Relay has also won positions on the Deloitte Technology Fast 50/500 and Profit 500 lists — annual rankings of the fastest growing companies in Canada and North America. In 2012, Warren was celebrated as BC CEO of the Year by Business in Vancouver Magazine for his outstanding vision, strategy and leadership at Global Relay. He was also honored as the BC Technology Industry Association’s (BCTIA) Person of the Year for 2013 for his contributions to the BC technology community and named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year for 2013 in the Business-to-Business Products and Services Category for the Pacific Region.
Mia Morisset

Partner, Inovia Capital
Biography

Mia Morisset
Mia Morisset is a Partner at Inovia Capital, where she focuses on growth-stage technology investments across North America. Since joining the firm in 2018, she has participated in more than 12 transactions representing over $2 billion in aggregate capital raised. She led recent Growth Fund investments in Guesty, Novisto, and Motion, and works closely with portfolio companies including AlayaCare, Lark, Diamo, Talent.com, Super.com, and Wazo. In addition to investing, Mia plays an active role in developing Inovia’s growth strategy, fundraising efforts, and talent development initiatives. Prior to Inovia, Mia worked in private equity at PSP Investments and management consulting at Roland Berger. Mia is also Kauffman Fellow and recipient of a Next Gen Leadership award in venture capital.
Melika Carroll

Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Cohere
Thomas Pitfield

Co-Founder, Canada 2020
Biography

Thomas Pitfield
Thomas Pitfield is an entrepreneur, technology executive, investor, and public policy advisor with expertise in artificial intelligence, digital strategy, data analytics, and innovation. His career has focused on the application of technology to public policy, democratic participation, and organisational decision-making. Mr. Pitfield is the founder and former Chief Executive Officer of Data Sciences, a Canadian technology firm specialising in data analytics, digital engagement, research, and campaign strategy. He also worked as a consultant with IBM Canada, where he helped launch Canada’s first IBM Innovation Centre. He has been a long-time investor in Canada’s early-stage technology sector and is a co-founder of Canada 2020, an independent public policy think tank focused on innovation, economic growth, and Canada’s future competitiveness. Mr. Pitfield served as Senior Policy Advisor to the Leader of the Government in the Senate, the Honourable Jack Austin. He subsequently served as Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Mark Carney, advising on government priorities, including artificial intelligence, innovation, productivity, and Canada’s digital economy.
Dr. Derek Ruths

Associate Professor of Computer Science, McGill University
Biography

Dr. Derek Ruths
Derek is an Associate Professor of Computer Science at McGill University. He cares about impactful adoption of computing technology – particularly data science and AI. This has led him to focus on research, consulting, and humanitarian projects that prioritize solving real-world problems over the fanciness of algorithms, the power of AIs, and the elegance of the dataset. His research has appeared in top-tier journals including Science and PNAS. He's worked with a diverse array of organizations including the United Nations, the Government of Canada, and most of the major social media platforms, as well as a host of industry partners and clients. In addition, he's the President of Charitable Analytics International where he brings the benefits of AI to humanitarian and development work around the world.
John Watson

Group President, Business Markets, AI Fabric, Bell Cyber and Ateko
Biography

John Watson
With more than 30 years of experience in the communications sector, including 26 years at the executive officer level, John leads Canada’s largest enterprise communications business, supporting organizations in Canada and internationally with their digital and AI transformations. As Group President of Bell Business Markets, AI Fabric, Bell Cyber and Ateko, John oversees Bell’s core enterprise portfolio and has built a $1B start-up comprised of Bell’s Ateko, Fabric and Cyber with the target to double the business by 2028. His team is leading the development of Canada’s largest portfolio of Sovereign AI factories with a planned 800MW+ portfolio, and this is part of his team’s Canadian Sovereign Cloud and AI full stack. Prior to Bell, John held senior leadership roles in the management consulting, consumer packaged goods, and healthcare/pharma sectors with multinational organizations. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and MBA from the Schulich School of Business and serves as a board member of Sanctuary AI, Canada’s physical AI company on a mission to create industrial-grade humanoid robots.
Dr. Chris Miller

Author of Chip War: The Fight for the World's Most Critical Technology; Professor of International History, Tufts University
Biography

Dr. Chris Miller
Chris Miller is Professor of International History, where his research focuses on technology, geopolitics, economics, international affairs, and Russia. He is author of Chip War: The Fight for the World's Most Critical Technology, a geopolitical history of the computer chip. He is the author of three other books on Russia, including Putinomics: Power and Money in Resurgent Russia; We Shall Be Masters: Russia's Pivots to East Asia from Peter the Great to Putin; and The Struggle to Save the Soviet Economy: Mikhail Gorbachev and the Collapse of the USSR. He has previously served as the Associate Director of the Brady-Johnson Program in Grand Strategy at Yale, a lecturer at the New Economic School in Moscow, a visiting researcher at the Carnegie Moscow Center, a research associate at the Brookings Institution, and as a fellow at the German Marshall Fund's Transatlantic Academy. He received his PhD and MA from Yale University and his BA in history from Harvard University.
Simon Kennedy

former Deputy Minister, Innovation, Science & Economic Development
Biography

Simon Kennedy
Simon Kennedy advises companies, investors and mission-driven organizations on public policy, regulation and economic strategy, drawing on more than three decades at the most senior levels of the Government of Canada. He is a senior advisor to Bennett Jones LLP, the global advisory firm Teneo, and Esplanade Ventures, a Canadian venture capital firm focused on health technology. He also serves on the boards of Finchley Pharmaceuticals, Canada's largest domestically owned pharmaceutical producer, Quantum Valley Ideas Lab and the national charity Brain Canada. In government, Simon held six deputy minister-level appointments spanning central agency, economic, health and trade portfolios. From 2019 to 2024, as Deputy Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, he led one of the federal government's most active economic portfolios. He steered major industrial policy initiatives to rebuild domestic biomanufacturing after the pandemic, develop critical minerals and electric-vehicle battery supply chains, and position Canada as a leader in frontier technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing. He also directed legislative reforms to the Investment Canada Act, Competition Act and Telecommunications Act, and was responsible for Canada's foreign investment review process. As Deputy Minister of Health from 2015 to 2019, Simon led Health Canada's broad regulatory and health promotion mandate, including the implementation of cannabis legalization and regulation, reforms to pharmaceutical pricing, food labelling and tobacco control, and the federal response to the opioid crisis. Earlier in his career, as Deputy Minister of International Trade, he oversaw the conclusion of landmark trade agreements with the European Union and South Korea. He also served as the Prime Minister's G-20 Sherpa, advising on international economic affairs, and as the Prime Minister's lead negotiator with the White House on the Canada–U.S. Action Plan on Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness. Simon has previously served on the boards of the Mental Health Commission of Canada, the Canadian Institute for Health Information and the Ottawa Community Foundation, among others.
Elizabeth Wademan

President & CEO, Canada Development Investment Corporation
Biography

Elizabeth Wademan
Elizabeth Wademan is the CEO of Canada Development Investment Corp (CDEV) and is recognized as a mobilizing leader with a strong strategic focus and action-oriented, ambitious vision. Elizabeth brings deep private sector expertise from an established career in financial services and natural resources. Elizabeth is driven to continue to position CDEV as a results-oriented organization to further increase its impact and create value for Canadians from the Government’s most complex commercial interests . CDEV is a federal crown corporation that provides expert financial advisory to Government and acts as an active asset manager to over $75 billion through the CDEV Group of Companies, which includes Trans Mountain, Hibernia, Canada Growth Fund, Canada Large Enterprise Emergency Funding Corp., Telesat Loan Co., and the newly launched $10 bn Canada Indigenous Loan Guarantee Corp. Prior to joining CDEV, Elizabeth was a senior investment banker and capital markets executive, including a long career in investment banking, as Managing Director for BMO Capital Markets, one of Canada’s largest investment banks. She was one of the firm's most senior capital markets professionals and was Head, Global Metals & Mining Equity Capital Markets, where she advised on many of the most formative and transformational transactions in the resource sector on the continent. Elizabeth is also an experienced corporate director with extensive public company board experience. She has also been deeply involved in her community and with various not-for-profit organizations. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance & International Business) from McGill University and CFA & ICD.D designations.
Alison Nankivell

President & CEO, Export Development Canada
Biography

Alison Nankivell
Alison began her appointment as EDC’s president and CEO in February 2025, returning to lead the organization where she spent 14 years on various teams early in her career. Alison’s work life has spanned businesses and continents, from leading EDC’s Asian private equity investment strategy while based in Beijing, to holding several vice presidencies and a senior leadership role at BDC Capital in Ottawa and Toronto. During her time in Asia, she gained an understanding of the challenges Canadian exporters can face when working to scale their business in markets overseas. Throughout her career in finance, Alison has had the privilege of working with Canadian companies of all sizes and across all sectors. She knows the potential of these businesses is limitless, and that growing their presence in the international marketplace will help ensure prosperity in the Canadian and global economies. Her desire to drive EDC’s raison d’etre – to make Canada and the world better through trade – is a key reason Alison accepted the offer to take on the presidency. She also brings with her a 25-year track record of mentoring and leading high-performing teams, building strategic relationships with businesses, investors, fund managers and a range of stakeholders to drive success. Her profound experience in global trade finance, capital markets, risk management, international business development and the innovation economy will be critical as EDC and its customers continue to navigate today’s complexities, challenges and opportunities. Just prior to returning to EDC, Alison was CEO at MaRS Discovery District, North America’s largest urban innovation hub. Alison earned her Bachelor of Arts degree, in commerce and economics and with Honours, from the University of Toronto, before earning a Master in public administration and public policy from the London School of Economics and her Chartered Financial Analysts Designation. She is a founding member of the Private Equity Women’s Investment Network Canada, sits on the board of Toronto’s Good Shepherd Ministries and is a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors.
Matthew Zolnowski

Global Fellow at the Wilson Center & President of Greyfriars LLC
Biography

Matthew Zolnowski
Matthew D. Zolnowski is a Global Fellow at the Wilson Center and President of Greyfriars LLC, a deal pathfinder and supply chain consulting firm. Until 2022, Mr. Zolnowski was a Highly Qualified Expert at the Department of Defense, serving as Special Advisor for Strategic Materials and Portfolio Manager for Defense Production Act Investments. In these roles, he developed of the critical minerals report under Executive Order 14017 and oversaw its implementation by the Department. Mr. Zolnowski also managed more than $1 billion in Defense Production Act funds, covering materials and COVID-19 healthcare projects. Mr. Zolnowski has guest-lectured at the U.S. Army War College and National Defense University, focusing on industrial mobilization and critical minerals supply chains. He also was a guest speaker at the European Rare Earth Competency Network. Previously, Mr. Zolnowski held management and analyst positions at Alion Science & Technology, supporting the National Defense Stockpile and U.S. Army, and J.A. Green & Company, assisting mining companies and traditional / non-traditional defense contractors. Mr. Zolnowski is a graduate of the University of Chicago (History) and King’s College London (War Studies).
Eric Miller

CEO, Global Battery Materials Corp
Biography

Eric Miller
Eric Miller brings nearly 20 years of executive experience in battery materials, automotive, and advanced manufacturing sectors. Since 2023, he has served as an advisor to Global Battery Materials, where he was integral in establishing the business. His career highlights include senior CFO positions advancing critical mineral projects in silicon anode materials and synthetic graphite, strengthening the resilience of North American energy storage supply chains. As co-founder and CFO of Anovion Technologies, Mr. Miller launched the company, secured federal grant and financing initiatives, and co-founded industry coalitions dedicated to advancing U.S. and Canadian battery materials legislation and shaping industrial policy. Previously, Mr. Miller held senior leadership roles at Amsted Industries, a Tier 1 supplier to the automotive, rail, and heavy-duty truck sectors. In positions including Vice President of Business Development and Vice President of Finance and Strategy, he led over a decade of transformative M&A transactions, international expansions, and product launches with OEMs such as GM, Ford, Daimler, and Dow. His contributions delivered significant sales growth, global market entries, and substantial operational and margin improvements. Earlier in his career, Mr. Miller served in financial and operational leadership roles at Robert Bosch Group and Amsted Digital Solutions, where he drove supply chain innovation and operational excellence. Mr. Miller holds dual degrees in management science and finance from St. Bonaventure University.
Todd Stone

CEO, Association of Mineral Exploration
Biography

Todd Stone
Todd is the President and CEO of the Association for Mineral Exploration (“AME”). His strong advocacy for the role of mineral exploration in British Columbia’s economy is driven by his broad public and private sector experience and leadership. Todd’s background in government and public affairs includes serving as MLA for Kamloops-South Thompson for almost 12 years, and holding cabinet portfolios of Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, Minister Responsible for Emergency Management, and Deputy Government House Leader. During his time in office, Stone was recognized and respected for his results-focused and thoughtful approach that helped shape many successful public policies and programs that the province benefits from today. Prior to being elected for the first time in 2013, Todd was Founder, President and CEO of iCompass Technologies. Here, he built and mentored a strong team to create cutting-edge tech solutions for hundreds of local government and other public sector organizations across Canada and the United States.
Caroline Wawzonek

Deputy Premier; Minister of Finance; Minister Responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation and Minister Responsible for Strategic Infrastructure, Energy and Supply Chains
Biography

Caroline Wawzonek
Caroline Wawzonek was first elected to the 19th Legislative Assembly in 2019 as the Member for Yellowknife South. Ms. Wawzonek served as Minister of Justice, Minister of Finance, Minister responsible for the Status of Women and the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment. In 2023, Ms. Wawzonek was acclaimed to the 20th Legislative Assembly and returned to Executive Council as Deputy Premier, Minister of Finance, Minister of Infrastructure and the Minister Responsible for the NWT Power Corporation. Ms. Wawzonek holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Calgary (2000) and a law degree from the University of Toronto, Faculty of Law (2005). Her academic journey included language studies in China and Taiwan, as well as legal internships in the Philippines and England. Born in Calgary, AB, she has called Yellowknife home since 2007. After establishing her criminal law practice post-admission to the Law Society of the NWT, Ms. Wawzonek appeared in all levels of NWT courts and engaged in circuit court travel. She later joined Dragon Toner, expanding her practice to general litigation and administrative law until becoming a member of the 19th Assembly. Since 2007, she has taken on leadership roles in the legal community, including the presidency of the Law Society of the Northwest Territories (LSNT), section chair for the Canadian Bar Association Northwest Territories Branch (CBA-NT), and committee membership in various working groups. Her community involvement extends to appointments in multiple Yellowknife organizations, and she received a national award in 2017 for her contributions to Canadian Women in Law. Ms. Wawzonek, a mother of two, enjoys running, paddleboarding, and time outdoors.
Mark Cliffe-Philips

Executive Director, Mackenzie Valley Review Board
Biography

Mark Cliffe-Philips
Mark Cliffe-Phillips is the Executive Director of the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board (Review Board), which is an independent co-management tribunal responsible for the environmental impact assessment process in the Mackenzie Valley of the NWT. The Review Board is the result of modern comprehensive land claims that created a co-management resource management system that enabled Indigenous peoples of the NWT to have greater say in the decision making process. Prior to joining the Review Board, Mark was the Executive Director of the Wek’èezhìı Land and Water Board, which was responsible for the licensing and permitting of Canada’s largest diamond mines. Mark has been working in the resource co-management sector in the Northwest Territories for over 20 years. He was also a founding Board member of the Indigenous Centre for Cumulative Effects, where he is now a member of the Technical Advisory Committee. He frequently participates in various environmental assessment improvement and cumulative effects initiatives across the North and the rest of Canada.
Ehren Cory

Chief Executive Officer, Canada Infrastructure Bank
Biography

Ehren Cory
Ehren Cory, CEO of the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB), is a leader in sustainable finance and infrastructure investing in Canada. He joined the CIB in 2020 with a focus on accelerating new infrastructure investment through partnerships with the private and public sectors. Previously, he was the CEO of Infrastructure Ontario, one of North America’s largest public infrastructure developers, and a partner at McKinsey & Company advising project clients in both the private and public sectors. Ehren also serves on the Boards of the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships and Unity Health Toronto, and is involved in a number of leading sustainable investment organizations including the Institute for Sustainable Finance at Queen’s University. He received an MBA from INSEAD and an Honours BA from the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario.
Tim Murphy

Executive Vice President and Chief Strategic Affairs Officer, Aecon Group Inc.
Biography

Tim Murphy
Tim Murphy is Executive Vice President & Chief Strategic Affairs Officer, working with Aecon’s leadership team to drive and execute Aecon’s strategy with responsibility for identifying opportunities where Aecon can grow and scale, partner to achieve operating sector objectives, and foster strong relationships with key clients and stakeholders. Mr. Murphy has over three decades of experience in legal and management, public service, and private and public transactions with a focus on infrastructure, project finance and Public-Private Partnerships. Prior to joining Aecon, he served as Managing Partner and Chief Executive Officer of McMillan LLP, as well as Managing Director of McMillan Vantage Public Affairs. Mr. Murphy previously served as Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister of Canada, Chief of Staff to the Finance Minister of Canada, and as an elected Member of Provincial Parliament in Ontario. He serves on the Board of Morguard REIT and the Canadian National Institute of the Blind and was also previously Chair of the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority Board of Directors, as well as a variety of public, private and non-profit Boards. Mr. Murphy holds a Master of Laws from Osgoode Hall Law School at York University and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Toronto, where he is currently an adjunct professor in the Faculty of Law.
Dr. Andrew Furey

Vice Chair, National Bank of Canada, Experienced Executive, Physician, Humanitarian and former Premier of Newfoundland & Labrador
Biography

Dr. Andrew Furey
✓Leadership of generational initiatives for the province of NL related to Churchill Falls hydro-electrical development - including negotiation of a rate mitigation agreement with the federal government worth $5.2-billion and a new $227-billion MOU with Québec ✓ Leadership through the COVID-19 pandemic, leveraging Masters’ education in Clinical Epidemiology ✓ Led negotiations that secured the future of NL’s oil and gas sector ✓ Launched new clean energy industry in province of NL based on wind and hydrogen. ✓ Created strategic fiscal and policy decisions that produced a much-needed credit rating upgrade for NL ✓ Deep experience in high-level policy and economic discussions with senior leaders such as Prime Minister Mark Carney and provincial Premiers, with a focus on cross-border and interprovincial trade. Chair Canadian Atlantic Premiers: 2020 and 2024 ✓ Progressive thinking Liberal with strong relationships across the political spectrum, including close alignment with Prime Minister Carney’s economic and leadership vision. ✓ International leadership and diplomatic skills – participation in various international trade missions - and successful repatriation of an Unknown NL Solider from France to NL ✓ Founded and led Team Broken Earth. Built relationships with foreign professionals, government representatives and NGOs to meet in-country needs. Scaled operations from a single mission to a global initiative, delivering critical medical aid in disaster zones and conflict areas, including Haiti and beyond. Built and managed a multidisciplinary team of over 1,000 volunteers, secured CRA charitable status and funding partners. ✓ Experienced Orthopaedic Surgeon, having held positions including Chief of Orthopaedics, Eastern Health 2015-2020, Associate Professor of Surgery (Orthopaedics), MUN 2006-2020 and Fellowship in Orthopaedic Trauma, University of Maryland/Johns Hopkins (2006-2007) ✓ Published author: Hope in the Balance: A Newfoundland Doctor Meets a World in Crisis, Penguin Random House, 2020 ✓ Recipient of various awards and recognitions including: Memorial University Alumnus of the year (2012), King’s Coronation Medal (2025) and Honorary Doctorate – Canadian University Dubai (2024) and Humanitarian of the Year, Canadian Red Cross NL (2017)
Michelle Mungall

Former BC Minister for Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources
Biography

Michelle Mungall
Michelle is a go-getter, problem solver and a passionate voice for Canadians. After serving as her community’s youngest City Councillor in history, she was elected as the region’s first female Member for BC’s Legislative Assembly and served 12 years building strong relationships with her colleagues, First Nations and other levels of government. In 2017, Michelle was appointed as Minister for Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources in the John Horgan government. There, she steered critical files such as LNG, BC Hyrdo’s Site C dam, and Zero-emission Vehicles. Shortly after she took on the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Competitiveness, the Covid-19 pandemic hit. Michelle worked closely with small businesses across the province as well as key economic sectors to plan for economic mitigation and recovery. Michelle was born and raised in Alberta before moving to BC in 2002. She recently moved from rural Nelson BC to Vancouver with her two children. She loves reading, cycling, figure skating, and skiing with her children.
Cheryl Oates

Principal, GT Executive Advisors; Former Chief of Staff, Premier of BC
Biography

Cheryl Oates
Cheryl Oates has spent two decades inside rooms most consultants only read about. She started as a journalist, spending nearly a decade in newsrooms covering everything from breaking news to politics, training that taught her how a story lands before she ever had to manage one. She then became Communications Chief to Alberta Premier Rachel Notley, running the province's message through wildfire crises and a bruising fight to reposition Alberta's energy and climate story on the national stage. In 2026, BC Premier David Eby called her back to government, asking her to step in as Chief of Staff at a critical juncture for British Columbia. She helped set the government's priorities, ran the office and led political negotiations for the Canada–B.C. Cooperative Prosperity Agreement - a multi-billion-dollar deal that will shape the province's economy for a generation. Cheryl has served as a senior political advisor on three Alberta elections and a Manitoba election, and as Campaign Director for the Saskatchewan NDP's 2024 campaign. She's also worked internationally with the National Democratic Institute in Armenia and Kyrgyzstan. Now a Principal at GT Executive Advisors, Oates advises C-suite leaders who need someone who's held the pen, not just read the memo. She teaches at McGill's Max Bell School and is a regular political commentator on CBC's Power & Politics.
Johanne Senécal

Vice President of Sustainability, External Relations and Indigenous Affairs, Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP)
Biography

Johanne Senécal
Johanne Senécal joined CAPP in October 2022 as Vice President of Sustainability, External Relations and Indigenous Affairs and is based in Ottawa. Johanne is a seasoned government and regulatory affairs expert with over 30 years of experience as a senior executive working in the areas of public policy development, government relations, regulatory affairs, indigenous affairs and strategic communications, both in the public and private sectors. She has worked in the mining and telecommunications sectors and has an extensive political background having worked for the Prime Minister of Canada, various Ministers and serving as Chief of Staff to the Leader of the Official Opposition. Johanne has also held several directorships and was the inaugural Co-Chair of the Board of Directors of the Canada Digital Technology Supercluster as well as a member of the Mining Industry Human Resources Council Board of Directors. Johanne holds a Bachelor of Law from the University of Ottawa and is a member of the Quebec Bar. She has pursued Executive Leadership Development at the Harvard Business School and has an Institute of Corporate Directors ICD.D certification from the Rotman School of Management (University of Toronto).
Mark Maki

CEO, Trans Mountain Corporation
Biography

Mark Maki
Mark Maki was appointed as Trans Mountain’s Chief Executive Officer in September 2024. Before that, he served as the company’s Chief Financial Officer, a role he assumed upon joining the company in 2020. Prior to joining Trans Mountain, Mark spent nearly 34 years at Enbridge, where he held several executive roles in both Canada and the US, including President of Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P. in Houston, Chief Accounting Officer, Senior Vice President of Finance, and Senior Vice President of Corporate Planning and Sponsored Vehicles. Mark holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin–Superior and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Anne McLellan

Co-chair, Coalition for A Better Future
Biography

Anne McLellan
Honourable A. Anne McLellan, P.C., O.C., A.O.E. served four terms as the Liberal MP for Edmonton Centre, during which she was Deputy Prime Minister of Canada and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Minister of Health, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, and Minister of Natural Resources. Ms. McLellan serves on the board of Invest Alberta Corporation as vice-chair. Among her many community commitments, she is chair of the board of the TELUS Edmonton Community Board. She also serves on the boards of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research and the Institute of Corporate Directors. Ms. McLellan is Co-Chair of the Coalition for a Better Future, a diverse group of over 140 organizations working together to focus on sustainable, inclusive economic growth. In 2022, Ms. McLellan was appointed Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel for the 41 Combat Engineer Regiment (41 CER), a Reserve unit of the 41 Canadian Brigade-Group (41 CBG). In July 2009 Ms. McLellan was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada and in October 2013 she received the Alberta Order of Excellence. From 1980 – 1992 she was a professor in the University of Alberta's Faculty of Law and served as both Associate Dean (1985 – 1987) and Acting Dean (1991 – 1992) of the Faculty. Ms. McLellan holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Law degree from Dalhousie University and a Master of Laws degree from King's College, University of London.
Mike Moffatt

Founding Director, Missing Middle Initiative
Biography

Mike Moffatt
Dr. Mike Moffatt is the founding Director of the University of Ottawa's Missing Middle Initiative (MMI) and co-host of the Missing Middle Podcast. Prior to joining MMI, Mike served as the Chief Innovation Fellow for the Government of Canada, advising Deputy Ministers on innovation policy and emerging trends. Mike has worked with politicians and policymakers of all political stripes in several countries to craft more effective public policy. From 2013 to 2015, Mike served as an economic advisor to Liberal leader Justin Trudeau.

September 29, 2026, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

The Fairmont Château Laurier, Ballroom
1 Rideau St, Ottawa, ON K1N 8S7

Summit Presenting Partner

Summit Featured Partner

Summit Partner

Summit Session Partner

Event

Shaping Public Policy in Canada

September 23, 2025, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

The Westin Ottawa
11 Colonel By Dr, Ottawa, ON K1N 9H4

Canada 2020’s annual policy summit returns with a forward-looking agenda focused on unlocking the next era of national progress.

Across the country, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and civic leaders are facing decisions that will shape the future of Canada: how to lead in artificial intelligence, optimize our immigration systems for long-term growth, expand financial access through open banking, and rebuild the civic and social fabric that keeps communities strong.

At a time when the world is shifting fast, this summit asks a clear question: how can Canada shape—not just react to—the forces defining our future?

On September 23rd join Canada 2020 in Ottawa for Future Forward: Shaping Public Policy in Canada—a full-day gathering of leading thinkers, builders, and decision-makers from across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.

This year’s conference will explore how Canada can:

•Lead in global AI competition;
•Modernize immigration policy to meet demographic and economic realities;
•Deliver open banking that expands competition and consumer choice;
•Reinvest in the civic commons and social trust;
•And advance an abundance agenda—from housing and energy to innovation and capital deployment.

Future Forward is Canada 2020’s annual platform to confront the country’s biggest policy questions—and spark the ideas and coalitions that will drive real-world change.

Register Now

Future Forward: Shaping Public Policy in Canada

Tuesday, September 23, 2025
The Westin Ottawa
Ottawa, ON

*Only available until August 15*
Early Bird General Admission: $395
Early Bird Full Table (8 Tickets): $3000

General Admission: $470
Full Table (8 Tickets): $3570

Register Now

Featured Participants

Dominic Barton

Chairman, Rio Tinto
Biography

Dominic Barton
Dominic is Chair of Rio Tinto and Chair of LeapFrog Investments, an impact-investment firm focused on emerging markets; he has also been appointed as the new Chair of Asia House, the London-based think tank, effective September 2025. He is also a Senior advisor and partner at Radical Ventures, a leading AI investment firm, and an Advisory Board Member of the Olayan Group, a private family-owned company. Dominic concluded his tenure as the Chancellor of the University of Waterloo in 2024. Previously, Dominic was a Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company and served as Global Managing Partner for 3 terms from 2009 to 2018. Dominic completed his role as the Ambassador of Canada to the People’s Republic of China in 2021, appointed by the Right Honourable Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in 2019. He was the Chair of the Canadian Minister of Finance’s Advisory Council on Economic Growth and was Chair of the Seoul International Business Advisory Council. He served as Chairman of Teck Resources and Non-Executive Director at the Singtel Group (Singapore) and Investor AB (Sweden), was a Senior Trustee of the Brookings Institution, a member of the Singapore Economic Development Board’s International Advisory Council, and a member of the boards of Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York City and the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada. He is one of the founders of FCLT Global (Focusing Capital on the Long Term), has co-authored four books, including Talent Wins, published in 2018 and is also an Adjunct Professor at Tsinghua University, Beijing. Dominic is the recipient of 8 honorary doctorates from the University of Toronto, the University of British Columbia and the University of Edinburgh, among others. He graduated from the University of British Columbia with a BA Honours in economics and has a M.Phil in Economics from Oxford University, where he studied as a Rhodes Scholar.
Andrew Graham

Co-founder and CEO, Borrowell
Biography

Andrew Graham
Andrew is the co-founder and CEO of Borrowell. With a passion for finance and public policy, Andrew is dedicated to helping Canadians make safe decisions about their finances. He was named an EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2019 award winner in Ontario. In his free time, Andrew enjoys spending time outdoors and with his family.
Simon Kennedy

former Deputy Minister, Innovation, Science & Economic Development
Biography

Simon Kennedy
Simon Kennedy advises companies, investors and mission-driven organizations on public policy, regulation and economic strategy, drawing on more than three decades at the most senior levels of the Government of Canada. He is a senior advisor to Bennett Jones LLP, the global advisory firm Teneo, and Esplanade Ventures, a Canadian venture capital firm focused on health technology. He also serves on the boards of Finchley Pharmaceuticals, Canada's largest domestically owned pharmaceutical producer, Quantum Valley Ideas Lab and the national charity Brain Canada. In government, Simon held six deputy minister-level appointments spanning central agency, economic, health and trade portfolios. From 2019 to 2024, as Deputy Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, he led one of the federal government's most active economic portfolios. He steered major industrial policy initiatives to rebuild domestic biomanufacturing after the pandemic, develop critical minerals and electric-vehicle battery supply chains, and position Canada as a leader in frontier technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing. He also directed legislative reforms to the Investment Canada Act, Competition Act and Telecommunications Act, and was responsible for Canada's foreign investment review process. As Deputy Minister of Health from 2015 to 2019, Simon led Health Canada's broad regulatory and health promotion mandate, including the implementation of cannabis legalization and regulation, reforms to pharmaceutical pricing, food labelling and tobacco control, and the federal response to the opioid crisis. Earlier in his career, as Deputy Minister of International Trade, he oversaw the conclusion of landmark trade agreements with the European Union and South Korea. He also served as the Prime Minister's G-20 Sherpa, advising on international economic affairs, and as the Prime Minister's lead negotiator with the White House on the Canada–U.S. Action Plan on Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness. Simon has previously served on the boards of the Mental Health Commission of Canada, the Canadian Institute for Health Information and the Ottawa Community Foundation, among others.
Hon. Jason Kenney

Senior Advisor, Bennett Jones
Biography

Hon. Jason Kenney
The Honourable Jason Kenney served as the 18th Premier of Alberta, where he led the development and diversification of the province's energy sector, built partnerships with Indigenous communities and created new opportunities for businesses to grow and attract investment. He served for more than 25 years in Canadian federal and provincial elected office. Jason provides an extraordinary combination of leadership, vision and public policy experience to Bennett Jones clients. As Premier, he led the creation of Alberta's Recovery Plan, Natural Gas Vision and Strategy, Hydrogen Roadmap and the first-of-its-kind Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation. From 2007-15, he served as Canada's Minister for Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism; Minister of Employment and Social Development; Minister of National Defence; and Chair of the Cabinet Operations Committee. He was first elected a Member of Parliament (MP) in 1997 and was re-elected six times. Jason was the President of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation in the 1990s before starting his political career.
Lucas Matheson

CEO, Coinbase Canada
Biography

Lucas Matheson
Lucas Matheson is Coinbase's Canadian Country Director. He is committed to helping create a more equitable financial system in Canada through the power of blockchain. Lucas has always believed in Coinbase’s mission. He opened his Coinbase account back in 2014, long before joining the company. In his role, he ensures Coinbase is built for Canadians and with their interests in mind. Working with partners, government and regulators, he is making crypto more accessible to Canadians. Prior to Coinbase, he was the founder and CEO of Pinshape (exit Formlabs), and Senior Director at Shopify leading various operational and finance teams. Lucas is passionate about entrepreneurship. He spends his spare time advising entrepreneurs and founders on how they can grow and scale, and actively invests in web3 projects and infrastructure.
Anne McLellan

Co-chair, Coalition for A Better Future
Biography

Anne McLellan
Honourable A. Anne McLellan, P.C., O.C., A.O.E. served four terms as the Liberal MP for Edmonton Centre, during which she was Deputy Prime Minister of Canada and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Minister of Health, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, and Minister of Natural Resources. Ms. McLellan serves on the board of Invest Alberta Corporation as vice-chair. Among her many community commitments, she is chair of the board of the TELUS Edmonton Community Board. She also serves on the boards of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research and the Institute of Corporate Directors. Ms. McLellan is Co-Chair of the Coalition for a Better Future, a diverse group of over 140 organizations working together to focus on sustainable, inclusive economic growth. In 2022, Ms. McLellan was appointed Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel for the 41 Combat Engineer Regiment (41 CER), a Reserve unit of the 41 Canadian Brigade-Group (41 CBG). In July 2009 Ms. McLellan was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada and in October 2013 she received the Alberta Order of Excellence. From 1980 – 1992 she was a professor in the University of Alberta's Faculty of Law and served as both Associate Dean (1985 – 1987) and Acting Dean (1991 – 1992) of the Faculty. Ms. McLellan holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Law degree from Dalhousie University and a Master of Laws degree from King's College, University of London.
Marc Miller

MP, Ville-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-Soeurs, Québec
Biography

Marc Miller
Born and raised in Montréal, The Honourable Marc Miller was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Ville-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-Sœurs in October 2015. In 2019, he was re-elected and appointed Minister of Indigenous Services by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Following further re-election in 2021, Marc was appointed Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations. Marc is a devoted community leader who has always believed in the power of public service. He has been a strong advocate for middle-class families in Montréal, working hard to increase federal investments in affordable housing, public transit, and the Canada Child Benefit. Before politics, Marc was a practicing lawyer with international experience in Montréal, Stockholm, and New York City, specializing in mergers and acquisitions. Marc has been involved in several charitable and pro bono legal initiatives and has authored articles on constitutional and human rights law. He previously served as an infantry soldier in the Canadian Armed Forces. Minister Miller is a graduate of the Université de Montréal, where he earned a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. He also graduated from McGill University with degrees in Common Law and Civil Law. As a Member of Parliament, Minister Miller made history in 2017 when he delivered a statement in the House of Commons entirely in Mohawk, marking the first time the language had been spoken in either the House of Commons or Senate since Confederation. He is a strong advocate for the rights of Indigenous peoples. Marc continues to work hard every day to bring the voices of families, workers, and businesses in Ville-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-Sœurs to Ottawa. Together with Prime Minister Trudeau and the Liberal team, Marc believes in building a Canada where everyone has a fair shot at success.
Mike Moffatt

Founding Director, Missing Middle Initiative
Biography

Mike Moffatt
Dr. Mike Moffatt is the founding Director of the University of Ottawa's Missing Middle Initiative (MMI) and co-host of the Missing Middle Podcast. Prior to joining MMI, Mike served as the Chief Innovation Fellow for the Government of Canada, advising Deputy Ministers on innovation policy and emerging trends. Mike has worked with politicians and policymakers of all political stripes in several countries to craft more effective public policy. From 2013 to 2015, Mike served as an economic advisor to Liberal leader Justin Trudeau.
Dawn Nakagawa

President, Berggruen Institute
Biography

Dawn Nakagawa
Dawn is the President of the Berggruen Institute which was launched in 2010 and today has offices in Los Angeles, Beijing and Venice. The mission of the organization is to deepen understanding of the profound transformations of our time and develop social, economic, and political institutions adapted to them. The key projects of the institute include the Renovating Democracy, Future Humans, and the Planetary. Special initiatives include, the Berggruen Prize, The Berggruen Essay Competition, Noema Magazine and the podcast, Futurology, for which Dawn is the host. The main format of much of the work of the institute involves gathering diverse groups of experts, leaders and thinkers into working groups to work on policy development projects or ideation around emerging themes or new solution spaces. In addition, she has organized citizen engagement processes in various parts of the world on topics from climate to community policing to urban planning. Prior to joining the Berggruen Institute, Dawn was worked for McKinsey & Company where she developed growth strategies for Fortune 500 companies in a variety of industries, including high tech, biotech and healthcare. She transitioned to policy as the Executive Vice President of the Pacific Council on International Policy, a global affairs organization based in Los Angeles. Dawn holds an MBA from University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and an undergraduate degree in Political Science from the McGill University. Dawn sits on the boards of BES, the Athens Democracy Forum, The Thomas Mann House in Los Angeles as well as the advisory boards of the Center for Media, Technology and Democracy at McGill University. She lives in Hermosa Beach California with her husband Gene and two children, Ty and Jada.
Marc Etienne Ouimette

Affiliated Researcher, Cambridge Bennett Institute
Biography

Marc Etienne Ouimette
Marc E. Ouimette is a consultant advising global firms and governments on the intersection of AI, public policy, and industrial strategy. As the head of global AI policy at AWS, Marc worked closely with senior leadership to develop strategic policy positioning for the company and led engagements with numerous governments and multilateral bodies. He notably sat on the B7’s advisory committee, was a member of the OECD network of experts, was board chair of the Global Partnership on AI’s Centre of Expertise, and is on the policy advisory board of the Partnership on AI. He has given talks on AI policy for the Club de Madrid, SXSW, for the Rockefeller Foundation, the Global AI Summit, G7 Ministerial meetings, the InterAmerican Development Bank, and others. Before AWS, he served as the Head of Public Policy at Element AI, a global AI product company headquartered in Montreal, Canada; as a general counsel representing Canadian universities; and as a corporate lawyer in one of Canada’s major firms.
Nadir Patel

Senior Strategic Advisor, Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP
Biography

Nadir Patel
Nadir Patel is senior strategic advisor in our business law group. He provides strategic advice on regulatory affairs, global government relations, ESG-related matters, and doing business in international markets. Prior to joining us, Nadir held a series of high-level government positions over a distinguished career in Canada's public service. Most recently, he served as Canada's high commissioner for the Republic of India, where he oversaw Canada's largest embassy abroad with eight offices across the country. He managed Canada's presence and programs in India and the nearby region, including political and diplomatic relations, security and defence ties, public affairs, consular, migration, and developing one of Canada's fastest growing commercial relationships where he addressed complex market access issues, advised on two-way market entry and investment strategies with Canadian and Indian CEOs, their executive teams and senior government leaders. Prior to his arrival in India, Nadir served as assistant deputy minister and chief financial officer for Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, where his mandate included strategic planning, finance, human resources, labour relations, information technology, risk management, contracting, procurement, and real property. In 2009 to 2011, Nadir was Canada's consul general in Shanghai, managing Canada's presence in Eastern China, facilitating trade, investment and political relations, and promoting Canada's participation in World Expo 2010. Prior to that, Nadir held a series of high-level government positions, including chief of staff to the national security advisor to the prime minister, where he helped write Canada's first national security policy. He also served as senior policy advisor to the Clerk of the Privy Council and secretary to the Cabinet, and subsequently became Canada's chief air negotiator, negotiating an unprecedented 43 international airspace treaties, including a groundbreaking open-skies agreement with the European Union. Nadir began his career as a tax auditor at the Kitchener-Waterloo offices of Revenue Canada, and subsequently served in progressively senior positions in the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency's offices in Montreal and Ottawa, including senior departmental assistant to the minister of national revenue, director of ministerial services, and corporate secretary. Nadir is managing director at Fairfax Consulting, strategic advisor to the president of Huron University, and on the boards of Canadian Tire Corporation and Jumpstart Charities. He has served on several private, Crown corporation, and not-for-profit boards, and is a frequent speaker/presenter.
Patrick Rogers

CEO, Music Canada
Biography

Patrick Rogers
Patrick Rogers is CEO of Music Canada, the trade association representing Canada’s major labels: Sony Music Entertainment Canada, Universal Music Canada and Warner Music Canada. Under Patrick’s leadership, Music Canada advocates for digital regulation that respects intellectual property, drives responsible innovation, and values human creativity and artistry. Prior to joining Music Canada in 2016, Patrick was Director of Policy for the Minister of Canadian Heritage. He previously spent eight years in federal politics, including four years in the Prime Minister's Office. He currently serves on the boards of the global recorded music industry association, IFPI and Ontario public broadcaster, TVO.
The Hon. Mélanie Joly

Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
Sonia Verma

Global News
Rana Sarkar

Consul General of Canada in San Francisco
Biography

Rana Sarkar
Mr. Rana Sarkar was appointed as Consul General of Canada in San Francisco Silicon Valley in 2017, with accreditation for Northern California and Hawaii. He is also a member of Canada’s NAFTA Advisory Council. Sarkar previously served as National Director for High Growth Markets at KPMG Canada, and co-chairman of the advisory board at the Munk School of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto. From 2009 - 2013, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canada-India Business Council. In 2005, Sarkar co-founded Content Partners, a global content agency (sold in 2009), and, in 2001, the advisory firm Rawlings Atlantic Limited. He began his career as a consultant at Roland Berger Strategy Consultants in London and Munich and helped establish Roland Berger in India. He also served as a visiting lecturer at the London School of Economics and the CASS Business School at the University of London. He attended the London School of Economics, Queen’s University at Kingston, Ontario, and the INSEAD Executive Program in France. He is a member of the advisory council of the Mowat Centre for Policy Innovation, Canada2020, and The Literary Review of Canada and a Distinguished Fellow at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, University of Toronto.
André Beaulieu

Chair of the Board, Public Policy Forum
Biography

André Beaulieu
André Beaulieu is a senior business executive and Board member. From 2015 to 2024, he was Senior Vice-President, Corporate Services for BCE, responsible for one of the largest procurement portfolios in Canada, and the Strategic Business Transformation team which leads all major restructuring initiatives as well as the integration of BCE acquisitions. He was also in charge of Real Estate operations, Corporate Security — including cyber-security and corporate responsibility, including ESG, for BCE. Between 2012 and 2015, André served as Senior Vice-President for Wholesale, a business unit serving 700 telecommunications customers in 180 countries. During the same period, he was President of BCE Nexxia, the entity that owns and manages Bell’s network in the U.S. Between 2007 and 2011, André occupied a series of executive functions, including VP Corporate Strategy. Before joining Bell, André was a strategy consultant with Kearney and Bain & Company in Paris and Boston. His main areas of client service were in private equity investment on the buy side and strategy for large technology companies. Previously, André worked with the Privy Council Office of the Government of Canada and the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development. He sits on the Boards of CORIM, Equitas, the Azrieli Foundation and the Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation.
Janice Charette

Former Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet of Canada
Mark Schaan

Deputy Minister, Department of Artificial Intelligence & Digital Services
Alana Barnes

Vice President, Digital Policy in the Payments & Digital Division, Canadian Banker’s Association
Biography

Alana Barnes
Alana Barnes serves as the Vice President, Digital Policy in the Payments & Digital Division at the Canadian Bankers’ Association (CBA) where she leads the development of the industry’s digital policy positions. She provides strategic guidance and thought leadership on various emerging issues, including policy initiatives such as consumer-driven banking (open banking) and artificial intelligence. She is responsible for working with Canada’s banks to effectively advocate on behalf of the banking industry to positively shape policy development with key stakeholders in government in open banking. Previously, Alana held several positions as an Advisor at the CBA where she led research and development of industry responses on issues such as digital currencies and non-financial risk, including third-party risk management and cyber security.
Kevin Chan

Senior Policy Campaigns Director, Meta
Biography

Kevin Chan
Kevin Chan is Senior Policy Campaigns Director at Meta, focusing on the future of the internet including artificial intelligence, the metaverse and the creator economy. A former government executive and university administrator, he launched Facebook’s Canadian policy function and spent 7 years as its Head and then Director of Policy. Kevin has driven impact in areas as diverse as platform integrity and the promotion of Indigenous languages online. His work fighting white nationalists made NOW Magazine’s 2019 Year In Review, and his efforts leading Facebook's Canadian Election Integrity Initiative in 2019 and 2021 were recognized with a Harvard Technology and Democracy Fellowship. In 2023, UNESCO named his effort translating Facebook into Inuktitut an initiative of “digital empowerment driving the International Decade of Indigenous Languages”. In 2024, Kevin was elected Chair of the Board of MediaSmarts, Canada’s digital literacy centre. A Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, he was awarded the Quest Medal in 2025 for contributions to the discovery of Quest, Shackleton’s last ship, and laying the groundwork for digital immersive experiences that explore this discovery. He is also the recipient of Canada’s Meritorious Service Medal.
Senator Tim Kaine

United States Senator, Virginia
Susan Holt

Premier of New Brunswick

September 23, 2025, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

The Westin Ottawa
11 Colonel By Dr, Ottawa, ON K1N 9H4

Read Canada 2020's Stablecoins White Paper by Mike Moffat Agenda

Session Partner

Event

From Ambition to Action

October 23, 2025, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

The Westin Ottawa
11 Colonel By Dr, Ottawa, ON K1N 9H4

Across Canada, leaders in government, industry, and Indigenous communities are facing a common challenge: how to move beyond inertia and deliver the large-scale projects our economy, people, and future depend on. Whether it’s building more housing, unlocking our energy potential, or transforming how we trade and move goods, the imperative is clear—Canada must get big things done.

Ambition alone won’t deliver results. In a country marked by regulatory delays, fractured jurisdictions, capital constraints, and risk aversion—execution is everything. Now is the time to learn from those who’ve broken through the gridlock and chart a path for what comes next.

On October 23, 2025, join Canada 2020 in Ottawa for the second instalment of “From Ambition to Action: Getting Big Things Done”—a one-day summit focused on the realities of delivering transformational projects in Canada.

Building on the momentum of the inaugural June edition, this follow-up event will once again convene top-level doers—developers, policymakers, Indigenous leaders, and industry builders—from across housing, infrastructure, energy, economic development, and trade. Together, they’ll share real-world insights, address persistent and emerging barriers, and shape actionable strategies to achieve national-scale progress.

This is not a summit for theorizing—it’s for decision-makers focused on action.

Featured Participants

Anne-Raphaëlle Audouin

CEO, Nukik Corporation
Biography

Anne-Raphaëlle Audouin
Anne-Raphaëlle Audouin is the Chief Executive Officer of Nukik Corporation, where she leads a team dedicated to advancing renewable energy development, Arctic infrastructure, and economic reconciliation through community-led, clean energy projects. With over 15 years of experience in the natural resources and infrastructure sectors, she specializes in shaping innovative, large-scale initiatives that support Indigenous leadership and sustainable regional development. At Nukik, she is spearheading groundbreaking work, including the Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link — a first-of-its-kind project delivering renewable electricity and broadband to Nunavut — while building cross-jurisdictional partnerships and securing federal, provincial, and Inuit support. Previously, Anne-Raphaëlle served as President and CEO of WaterPower Canada, where she strengthened the organization’s influence, grew its membership, and helped position hydropower as a key pillar of Canada’s clean energy future. A recognized thought leader, she is frequently featured in national media and policy forums, and contributes to several boards and think tanks focused on sustainability, Indigenous partnerships, and energy transition. She was appointed by the Government of Canada to the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation – Joint Public Advisory Committee (JPAC), and elected Chair in 2025, where she promotes trilateral collaboration on climate and environmental protection between Mexico, Canada and the United States.
Ehren Cory

Chief Executive Officer, Canada Infrastructure Bank
Biography

Ehren Cory
Ehren Cory, CEO of the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB), is a leader in sustainable finance and infrastructure investing in Canada. He joined the CIB in 2020 with a focus on accelerating new infrastructure investment through partnerships with the private and public sectors. Previously, he was the CEO of Infrastructure Ontario, one of North America’s largest public infrastructure developers, and a partner at McKinsey & Company advising project clients in both the private and public sectors. Ehren also serves on the Boards of the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships and Unity Health Toronto, and is involved in a number of leading sustainable investment organizations including the Institute for Sustainable Finance at Queen’s University. He received an MBA from INSEAD and an Honours BA from the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario.
Leona Aqlukkaq

Director, West Kitikmeot Resources Corp
Biography

Leona Aqlukkaq
The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq is an experienced politician and government administrator from the Kitikmeot Region of Nunavut. First elected as a Member of Parliament in 2008, in 2009 she became the first Inuk in Canadian history to be appointed to Cabinet as Minister of Health. Ms. Aglukkaq is also a respected business leader, serving as a Director of Agnico Eagle Mines Limited.
Debbie Gamble

Group Head, Chief Strategy & Marketing Officer, Interac Corp
Biography

Debbie Gamble
Debbie is a visionary technology leader with a passion for leveraging digital innovations to improve people’s lives. With over 35 years of experience in payment and secure transaction technologies, she has led ground-breaking initiatives in digital ID, crypto currencies, contactless and mobile commerce, AI and micro-finance on an international scale. Debbie champions collaboration and diversity of thought, inspiring her staff to achieve award-winning success in their fields. Her leadership and expertise have been recognized through numerous industry awards, including Top 50 Canadian Executives, FemTech Leader of the Year, Top 50 Women in FinTech and Most Influential Women in Payments. Through her work, Debbie is driving the success of the digital economy and transforming the way we think about technology leadership.
Joshua Jeffery

Founder, Bellwether
Biography

Joshua Jeffery
Joshua Jeffery is a technologist and designer in the California Bay Area. With roots in entertainment technology, he has built a career of fostering and growing teams and projects at the intersection of wildly different disciplines. As an original member and current Senior Program Manager of Bellwether at X, the moonshot factory (formerly Google X), Josh oversees the operations of the project’s Climate Risk and Resilience Platform. This ‘moonshot’ aims to understand and anticipate changes across our planet by harnessing AI and Earth information data to understand the probability of severe weather and predict its impact on communities, landscapes, and the built environment. Bellwether partners with the public and private sector to help with disaster planning, response, and recovery. Prior to X, Josh spent 7 years leading the design and build of high-profile real estate locations across Google’s global portfolio. He also served for 5 years as the founding Director of Technology for The Andy Warhol Museum. Joshua holds a Master of Entertainment Technology from Carnegie Mellon University and a B.F.A. in theatrical scenic design. He is an avid outdoor enthusiast, a proud resident of the Santa Cruz mountains, a licensed paragliding pilot, and serves on various grant committees across the arts and cultural sector.
Lisa Baiton

President & CEO, Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP)
Biography

Lisa Baiton
Lisa Baiton is the sixth CEO of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP). CAPP represents the Canadian upstream oil and natural gas industry, and CAPP’s member companies operate from coast-to-coast and are responsible for nearly three quarters of Canada’s annual oil and natural gas production and approximately 450,000 jobs in nearly all regions of Canada. Since her appointment in 2022, Lisa has overseen the strategic realignment of CAPP’s priorities and advocacy efforts, re-establishing CAPP as a non-partisan evidence-based research advocacy organization and authoritative resource on energy industrial policy. Prior to joining CAPP, Lisa spent a third of her career through three CEO tenures on the global leadership team of one of the ten largest retirement funds in the world (CPP Investments) as its first Managing Director & Head of Global Public Affairs. Lisa built a new global geopolitical risk management function as the Fund expanded its international footprint, including into emerging markets, and had responsibility for strategy development and program execution covering 56 countries. Lisa has held other leadership roles including as Vice President & Practice Lead at a North American public affairs firm, and within three federal and provincial governments in Canada. She has a BA in Political Science from the University of Saskatchewan, a MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management (Northwestern University) and Schulich School of Business (York University), with global electives completed at the Hong Kong University of Science & Technology. Lisa has an Institute of Corporate Directors ICD.D certification (University of Toronto, Rotman School of Management) and has served 20+ years on various boards of directors.
Stéphan Déry

President & CEO, Canada Lands Company
Biography

Stéphan Déry
Stéphan Déry, President and CEO of Canada Lands Company. In this role, Mr Déry leads a national organization of hundreds of employees responsible for the development and management of major real estate holdings and the operation of some of Canada’s most cherished attractions. Canada Lands Company’s attractions include the CN Tower and Downsview Park in Toronto, the Montréal Science Centre and the Old Port of Montréal. He is a seasoned real estate professional having served in the Government of Canada as Assistant Deputy Minister of Real Property Services at Public Services and Procurement Canada, an organization with over 4,000 employees. In this role, Stéphan was responsible for the delivery of the entire suite of real property services to federal departments and agencies. Over his 30-year career in the public service, he also held several other executive positions in the areas of acquisitions and corporate services. Stéphan is a chartered professional accountant and holds a master’s degree in public administration.
Vern Yu

President & Chief Executive Officer, Alta Gas
Biography

Vern Yu
As President and Chief Executive Officer, Vern Yu leads the development and execution of AltaGas’ strategy, oversees operations and manages the business and affairs of AltaGas. Vern is an experienced executive with a proven track record of success across the energy infrastructure value chain including within North American Midstream and Utilities markets being AltaGas’ core focus areas. Vern joins AltaGas after a successful three-decade career at Enbridge Inc., most recently serving as Executive Vice President, Corporate Development, Chief Financial Officer and President, New Energy Technologies. Prior to that, Vern held various commercial, operational, and financial roles including serving as Executive Vice President, President Liquids Pipelines and as Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer, where he played a leading role in securing more than $30 billion in new growth projects, completion of major pipe replacement projects, leading entry into new markets, and various acquisitions. Vern holds a Master of Business Administration degree in Finance from the University of Toronto, as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Science from Queen’s University. He previously served as the Vice Chair of the Alberta Cancer Foundation’s Board of Trustees and served on the Boards of DCP Midstream, Énergir Inc. and Calgary Economic Development.
Mark Sutcliffe

Mayor of Ottawa
Biography

Mark Sutcliffe
Mark Sutcliffe was born at the Riverside Hospital to parents John and Florence, who were both immigrants to Canada. Mark has lived his whole life in Ottawa. He was elected Mayor of Ottawa on October 24, 2022. Prior to entering municipal politics, Mark was an award-winning journalist, entrepreneur, volunteer, and community activist. For over 30 years, Mark covered politics and current events as a broadcaster for CFRA, CityNews, Rogers TV, and CPAC, and as executive editor and columnist for the Ottawa Citizen. Mark started his first business when he was 19 years old. He co-founded the Ottawa Business Journal in 1995 and founded and led several other small and medium-sized businesses. He has been a coach, mentor, and adviser to more than one hundred CEOs, entrepreneurs, small-business owners, and not-for-profit leaders. Mark has been a passionate volunteer and fundraiser. He served as chair of the board of United Way Ottawa, the Ottawa Board of Trade, OrKidstra, the Great Canadian Theatre Company, Ottawa Community Housing Foundation, and Run Ottawa. He also served as board member for Algonquin College, Invest Ottawa, Kind Ottawa, the Ottawa International Writers Festival, and the Royal Ottawa Hospital Foundation. His contribution to the city was recognized in 2016 when he was inducted into the Order of Ottawa and named the United Way’s Ambassador of the Year. In 2018, Mark delivered a highly regarded TEDx Talk about the role of luck in his life. Mark is an avid marathon runner who has raised more than $250,000 for Ottawa charities with his fundraising runs. He is the author of four books, including Long Road to Boston, which chronicled his quest to qualify for the Boston Marathon, which he completed in 2015 and 2018. Mark and his wife Ginny have three children.
Marko Dekovic

Vice President of Public Affairs, Global Container Terminals (GCT)
Biography

Marko Dekovic
Marko is the Vice President of Public Affairs at GCT Global Container Terminals, overseeing government relations, regulatory affairs, communications, media relations, Indigenous and stakeholder engagement, as well as GCT’s ESG and decarbonization initiatives. Previously, he contributed to transformative strategies at the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, including a major public awareness campaign promoting diversified trade infrastructure and managing communications during key events. As a senior advisor to the Minister of International Trade and Foreign Affairs, Marko played a key role in stakeholder engagement and project prioritization for the Asia Pacific Gateway. He currently serves as Chair of the BC Marine Terminal Operators Association (BCMTOA) and is an active member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILTNA). He previously served as Board Secretary and member of the National Association of Waterfront Employers (NAWE) in the U.S. A University of British Columbia graduate and proud father of three, Marko actively supports his community through initiatives like the VGH-UBC Hospital Foundation Vitality Gala and the “What Really Matters” YMCA campaign in Coquitlam. Marko was named one of Business in Vancouver’s Top Forty under 40 in 2017 and received King Charles III’s Coronation Medal in 2025.
Clint Davis

CEO, Cedar Leaf
Biography

Clint Davis
Clint is the CEO of Cedar Leaf Capital Inc., the first Indigenous majority-owned investment dealer in Canada that will act as a bridge for greater participation of Indigenous people, businesses, and communities in capital markets. Clint’s career path has certainly not been linear. He was a lawyer in his home province of Newfoundland and Labrador. He was a federal public servant and advisor to two different cabinet ministers. Clint also led Indigenous banking at two financial institutions: first at the Bank of Montreal and later at TD. He was the CEO of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business, the preeminent Indigenous business association, and later set up the advisory firm North35, where he attempted to establish an Indigenous Infrastructure Fund, a first-of-its-kind fund aimed at furthering investment into Indigenous communities. Frequently turned to for insights into Indigenous business and economics, Clint has been a featured expert in major media such as APTN, CBC, BNN, and the Globe and Mail, and he’s a former blogger for the Financial Post. He was recognized for his contribution to Indigenous business with the Indspire Award in the Business and Commerce category, the highest honour awarded to an individual by the Indigenous community. He was installed as an Hon. Lt. Col of the Queen’s York Rangers, an Army Primary Reserve Canadian Armoured Corps regiment based in Toronto and Aurora. A graduate of Harvard University, Clint holds a master’s of public administration degree in business and government policy. He was also a Canada–U.S. Fulbright Scholar. Before earning his master’s degree, Clint completed his Bachelor of Laws in Indigenous, business, and criminal law from Dalhousie University and his Bachelor of Business Administration from Acadia University. In 2015, Clint was recognized as a Distinguished Alumni by Acadia University. Clint is an Inuk from Nunatsiavut, Labrador, born and raised in Goose Ba
Mike Moffatt

Founding Director, Missing Middle Initiative
Biography

Mike Moffatt
Dr. Mike Moffatt is the founding Director of the University of Ottawa's Missing Middle Initiative (MMI) and co-host of the Missing Middle Podcast. Prior to joining MMI, Mike served as the Chief Innovation Fellow for the Government of Canada, advising Deputy Ministers on innovation policy and emerging trends. Mike has worked with politicians and policymakers of all political stripes in several countries to craft more effective public policy. From 2013 to 2015, Mike served as an economic advisor to Liberal leader Justin Trudeau.
The Hon. Gregor Robertson

Minister of Housing and Infrastructure
Sonia Kastner

Co-Founder & CEO, Pano AI
Biography

Sonia Kastner
Sonia Kastner is co-founder and CEO of Pano AI, a company that provides advanced tools for wildfire detection and intelligence. Founded in 2020, Pano AI monitors over 16 million hectares of land across 13 U.S. states, five states in Australia and B.C. Canada. Previously, Sonia spent over ten years building and leading supply chain and manufacturing organizations within fast-growing, mission-driven start-ups. Her experience spans Nest Thermostats, multiple solar energy companies, and extensive work across the IoT ecosystem. Prior to starting her career in technology, she worked in economic development for New York City under Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Sonia was included in the BBC 100 Women list in 2023 and Entrepreneur Media’s list of 100 Women of Influence in 2022. Pano AI was also included in Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies in Artificial Intelligence list in 2023, and TIME's 100 Most Influential Companies in 2025.
Dan Myerson

CEO & Executive Chairman, Foran Mining Corporation
Biography

Dan Myerson
Mr. Myerson, previously head of Glencore’s Canadian zinc business, has vast global experience in the metals and mining sector; including refined metal and concentrates trading, mining and smelting operations, and capital markets. Before joining Glencore, Mr. Myerson worked for Morgan Stanley in their Equity Capital Markets team based out of Sydney, Australia. He holds a Master of Finance degree from the Queensland University of Technology.
The Hon. David McGuinty

Minister of National Defence
Hannah Thibedeau

Executive Communications Officer, Global Public Affairs
Biography

Hannah Thibedeau
Hannah Thibedeau is the Executive Communications Officer at Global Public Affairs, where she supports clients across Canada with communications strategy, media relations, and public affairs. An award-winning journalist and broadcaster with more than 20 years of experience covering Parliament Hill, she has reported on seven federal elections, four Prime Ministers, and many of the defining moments in Canadian politics and media. A Canadian Screen Award winner for her coverage of the Ottawa convoy protests, Hannah now brings her deep political insight, on-camera experience, and storytelling expertise to help Global’s clients communicate with impact and ensure their messages resonate with key audiences and decision-makers.
Premier David Eby

Premier of British Columbia
Biography

Premier David Eby
David Eby is a determined problem-solver who has spent a lifetime taking on powerful interests to get things done for people. As Premier of B.C., David is taking action on the biggest challenges facing British Columbians. He’s standing up to wealthy speculators and investors to deliver more homes middle-class people can afford. He’s working to ease the pressure of everyday costs, from reducing car insurance and childcare bills to making prescription birth control free. And he’s strengthening health care by building hospitals and hiring more family doctors. Under David’s leadership, B.C. is an economic leader in Canada—creating tens of thousands of good-paying jobs to deliver the lowest unemployment rate and some of the fastest growing wages in the country. Alongside John Horgan, David got the influence of big money out of B.C.’s elections and cracked down on money laundering in casinos and real estate. He took on opioid manufacturers and delivered a first-of-its-kind settlement to hold corporations accountable for the overdose crisis. He stood up to the trial lawyers and removed legal costs from ICBC process to reduce car insurance rates by an average of $500 a year for drivers. He even went after organized crime—closing down Hells Angels clubhouses and targeting the proceeds of crime to make our communities safer. Before being elected as the MLA for Vancouver-Point Grey, David was an award-winning lawyer and legal scholar. He started his career on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, defending the homes of low-income people from big developers and slum lords. His work on human rights and democratic freedoms has been recognized by the United Nations Association in Canada and the B.C. Human Rights Coalition. David was an adjunct professor of law at the University of British Columbia, president of the HIV-AIDS Legal Network, and served on the Vancouver Foundation’s Health and Social Development Committee. From 2009 to 2013, David ran the B.C. Civil Liberties Association as executive director. David was raised in a suburban middle-class home. The son of a schoolteacher and a lawyer, he remains grounded in the values he grew up with – commitment to family, community, and helping the less fortunate. He is now a proud husband and father with three children of his own, Ezra, Iva, and baby Gwen. He loves playing with his kids, practising yoga and hanging out with his wife Cailey, a family doctor in Vancouver. As B.C.’s 37th premier, David is working hard to build a better, stronger future for everyone. Because he believes his kids and all British Columbians deserve the same opportunities to build a good life.
Reva Seth

Board Member, Canada 2020
Biography

Reva Seth
Reva, a global storyteller, best-selling author, and communications strategist, builds campaigns and content platforms that transform, disrupt, connect, and persuade. She works with leaders and teams to increase their impact and influence, and her specialty is building timely and purpose-driven narratives to leverage public and industry moments. Reva is a former international trade and competition lawyer (Dentons), the best-selling author of two non-fiction books, and the co-founder and former C.E.O. of a leading cannabis media company. Her ideas on the future of work and leadership have been in Fast Company, The Atlantic, Rotmans Management Magazine, The Huffington Post, and The Globe and Mail, among others. She holds an L.L.M. in international trade & competition law from Osgoode Law School, an L.L.B. from The University of Western Ontario, and studied International Relations at the University of British Columbia. She lives in San Francisco with her three boys and partner, Rana Sarkar, Canada’s Consul General, Northern California & Silicon Valley, San Francisco & Hawaii.
Trevor Ebl

President, Canadian Natural Gas Pipelines, TC Energy
Biography

Trevor Ebl
As President, Canadian Natural Gas Pipelines, Trevor Ebl has overall accountability for the growth, operation and profitability of TC Energy’s federally and provincially regulated natural gas pipeline assets in Canada. Since joining TC Energy in 2020, Trevor has held senior roles in Safety, Operations, Engineering and Projects. In his previous role as Senior Vice-President, Safety and Technical Services, he was responsible for safety and technical services across the Canada, US and Mexico natural gas transmission and storage businesses. As Senior Vice-President of Operations, Engineering and Project Execution, Trevor was accountable for the safe, reliable and efficient operations of our Canadian Natural Gas Pipeline assets. Prior to joining TC Energy, Trevor spent 19 years in the power generation industry at AGL Energy and TransAlta Corporation. At AGL Energy in Australia Trevor was the Head of Engineering Services for a portfolio of generation assets and responsible for engineering services, asset management and improving portfolio integrated planning. Prior to AGL, Trevor worked at TransAlta Corporation for 17 years in a variety of leadership positions in Canada and the U.S. across Engineering, Commercial and Operations. Trevor holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Alberta and a Master of Engineering Management from Saint Martins University. He is a registered professional engineer in Alberta and a registered chartered engineer and engineering executive with Engineers Australia.
Sahir Khan

Executive Vice-President, The Institute of Fiscal Studies and Democracy
Biography

Sahir Khan
As a co-founder and executive vice-president of IFSD, Sahir Khan focuses on IFSD’s strategic direction, business development and engagement management. Professionally, Sahir was a turnaround and restructuring specialist with New York-based RKG Osnos Partners LLC and with Deloitte Consulting’s New York office. In 2004, Sahir was recruited to the Canadian federal public service to manage problem files and emerging fiscal pressures by serving as the Director of Oversight and Expenditure Management at the Treasury Board Secretariat. At the Privy Council Office (PCO), he provided the prime minister with analysis and advice on budget, economic, tax and expenditure management issues and then joined the PBO as the Assistant Parliamentary Budget Officer. This mix of private and public sector experience has enabled him to get a better understanding of decision support in complex environments while running and reforming organizations. Sahir is a regular commentator with national and regional media on budgetary matters. Sahir has a B.Com. (Hons) from Queen’s University and an MBA in finance from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Business. He also serves on the Board of Governors at Ottawa’s Ashbury College.
Alexandre Guilbault

Vice-president, AI Business Enablement, TELUS
Biography

Alexandre Guilbault
Alexandre Guilbault is the Vice-president, AI Business Enablement, and Founder of the TELUS AI Accelerator, leading the company’s AI transformation efforts since 2020. His team, comprising over 120 specialized AI professionals, acts as strategic consultants to drive the transformation of core business processes, leveraging applied, generative, and agentic AI to deliver measurable business value.
Christina Smith

Mayor of Westmount
Biography

Christina Smith
Christina M. Smith was elected to Westmount City Council on November 3, 2013, as the Councillor for District 5. She was also the Commissioner of Administration during that mandate. In April 2017, Christina Smith was named interim mayor by her fellow Council members when Peter Trent retired as Mayor of Westmount. On November 5, 2017, Christina Smith was elected the Mayor of the City of Westmount. During the 2017-2021 mandate, she was a member of the Finance Commission with the Agglomeration of Montreal as well as the Economic Development Commission and the Audit Committee. In November 2021, she was elected mayor of Westmount for a second term and is the Vice-President of the Public Security Commission with the Agglomeration of Montreal. Mayor Smith is also a member of the executive of the Association of Suburban Municipalities. Prior to entering municipal politics, Christina was the Director of Industry and Government Affairs for Coca-Cola. Christina was also the Policy Advisor to the Federal Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs. Involved in many community organizations, Christina believes in civic engagement to ensure our community is one where all residents benefit from our many programmes and services. Christina has a Bachelor of Political Science from Bishop’s University. Christina and her husband have three young children who enjoy many of Westmount’s sports programmes and activities.
Photinie Koutsavlis

Vice President, Economic Affairs and Climate Change Mining Association of Canada
Biography

Photinie Koutsavlis
Ms. Koutsavlis is dedicated to advancing the mining industry's comprehension of critical economic matters, encompassing taxation, international trade, investment, infrastructure, and innovation. Additionally, she guides the Mining Association of Canada (MAC) and its members in supporting an orderly transition towards a more sustainable, low-carbon future. Her leadership positions MAC as a constructive partner in the fight against climate change.
Mark Cameron

Cerulean Global Advisory
Biography

Mark Cameron
Mark Cameron has over three decades of experience in government, business and consulting. He is currently Vice-President, External Relations with the Pathways Alliance. Mark has served in several roles with the Government of Canada, including in Ministers’ offices, the Privy Council Office, and as Director of Policy and Research in the Prime Minister’s Office. Mark has also served as Deputy Minister of the Policy Coordination Office in the Government of Alberta. He has worked in executive roles with Ontario Power Generation, BlackBerry, and Hill + Knowlton Strategies. He served as the Executive Director of Canadians for Clean Prosperity. Mark has also served in board or advisory roles with the Banff Forum, Canadian-American Business Council, Canada-India Business Council, Canada 2020, Cardus, the Energy Futures Lab and Smart Prosperity. Mark holds a BA and MA in political science from the University of British Columbia. Mark first joined PPF as a Fellow from 2017 to 2019, and again in 2024.
Tiara Folkes

Manager, Indigenous Relations Public Policy, TC Energy
Biography

Tiara Folkes
Tiara Folkes is a proud member of the Piikani Nation, raised on the coast of Newfoundland and now based in Ottawa. With over a decade of experience in Indigenous relations, policy, and government affairs, she has worked across federal government and industry to advance reconciliation and Indigenous economic empowerment. Now leading Indigenous public policy at TC Energy, Tiara brings a strong voice to national conversations on equity, energy, and sovereignty. She is also a mother of two and a passionate advocate for Indigenous women in leadership.
Sean Boyd

Chair of the Board, Agnico Eagle
Biography

Sean Boyd
Mr. Boyd serves as the Chair of the Board of Agnico Eagle Mines Limited. Prior to this role, he was the Executive Chair of the Board from February 2022 until his retirement in December 2023, and Vice Chairman and Agnico Eagle's CEO from 1998 to 2022. Before his appointment as CEO, Mr. Boyd served as the Chief Financial Officer from 1990 to 1998 and Comptroller from 1985 to 1990. During Mr. Boyd's tenure as CEO, Agnico Eagle grew from a small, single mine gold producer to a multi-mine international gold mining company. In December 2020, the Globe and Mail ROB Magazine recognized him as its Global Visionary of the Year CEO. He was recognized as The Northern Miner's Mining Person of the Year in 2007 and 2017, and appeared on the list of The Best-Performing CEOs in the World in the Harvard Business Review in 2010, 2016 and 2017. In 2019, Mr. Boyd was recognized by the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario (CPA Ontario) as a Fellow, the highest honour bestowed upon a CPA within the accounting profession. In 2021, he received the degree Doctor of Laws honoris causa, from St. Francis Xavier University (Nova Scotia). Mr. Boyd served on the Board of Directors of The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation (2013-2022). He has also served on the Boards of the World Gold Council and the St. Francis Xavier University Board of Governors. Prior to joining Agnico Eagle in 1985, Mr. Boyd was an accountant with Clarkson Gordon (Ernst & Young). He is a Fellow Chartered Professional Accountant (FCPA, FCA) and a graduate of the University of Toronto (B.Comm.).
Susan Smith

Co-Founder, Canada 2020
Biography

Susan Smith
Susan co-founded Bluesky Strategy Group with Tim Barber in 2003 and is recognized as one of The Hill Times’ Top 100 lobbyists. With more than 30 years of experience, she provides private and public sector clients with strategic communications, public affairs and crisis and media relations advice and training. Susan is trusted for her advice to C-Suite leaders, Cabinet Ministers, politicians and leaders of organizations and officials on how to craft and present their messages to achieve their communications and policy goals creatively and effectively. Her client files span the food and agri-food, Indigenous economic development and reconciliation, natural resources and energy/alternative energy sectors, health care, sport, manufacturing, fin-tech, post-secondary, telecom and culture. She provided global media relations advice and support to the Assembly of First Nations delegates for the 2022 Vatican visit and papal visit to Canada. Susan is also one of the co-founders of Canada 2020, a progressive policy think tank, based in Ottawa. Since 2006, Canada 2020 has grown into the “go-to” policy forum for influential discussion, debate, ideas, great thinkers, and VIP speakers for the federal public policy community and beyond. Susan’s networks in government and the national media help clients deliver their messages to the most important audiences, through the most effective channels. As a veteran consultant and one of the leading women in the field, she is a trusted voice, leadership mentor and a sought-after political pundit, public relations commentator, panel moderator and public speaker, appearing regularly on CBC News Network, CTV National News Network, CPAC, as well as radio and print throughout the country. Fluently bilingual, Susan is a graduate of Queen’s University and holds an ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors at the Rotman School. She is an elected member of the Queen’s University Council and an independent director of the PayPal Giving Fund Canada.
Patrick Lortie

Senior Vice-President and Chief Strategy Officer, CN
Biography

Patrick Lortie
Patrick Lortie was appointed Senior Vice-President and Chief Strategy Officer of CN in February 2023. In this role, he leads the development and implementation of CN’s corporate strategy, including an enhanced focus on network strategies and interline relationships. Patrick is a recognized expert in designing growth strategies and leading business transformations in the transportation industry. He has advised Boards and Executive Teams on a global basis for more than two decades. Before joining CN, he was at Oliver Wyman, where he led the firm’s global Transportation and Services Practice and oversaw the firm’s activities in Canada. He was also a member of the firm’s Global Leadership Council. Prior to that, he worked for regional airlines in France and Argentina, and for Virgin Trains, a leading passenger train operator in the United Kingdom. Patrick sits on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Club of Montréal, and is a member of the Business Advisory Committee of the Northwestern University Transportation Center, a leading interdisciplinary education and research institution serving the transportation industry. Patrick holds a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from the École Polytechnique de Montréal, an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management, and a certificate in Strategies for Sustainable Business from MIT Sloan School of Management.
JP Gladu

Principal, Mokwateh
Biography

JP Gladu
JP Gladu is currently Principal of Mokwateh and previously served as the President and CEO of the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business for approximately eight years. Mr. Gladu has over 30 years of experience in the natural resource sector including working with Indigenous communities and organizations, environmental non-government organizations, industry and governments from across Canada and the globe. Mr. Gladu serves on the boards of Suncor, the Institute of Corporate Directors and BHP’s Forum for Corporate Responsibility. He has completed a forestry technician diploma from Sault College, obtained an undergraduate degree in forestry from Northern Arizona University, holds an Executive MBA from Queens University, an ICD.D from Rotman School of Management University of Toronto and an honorary doctorate in law from Carleton University in 2024. He is a senior fellow with the Macdonald-Laurier Institute and served as the Chancellor of St. Paul’s University College Waterloo from 2017 to 2020. JP’s achievements have been recognized by the Public Policy Forum as a prestigious 2024 Honouree.

October 23, 2025, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

The Westin Ottawa
11 Colonel By Dr, Ottawa, ON K1N 9H4

Summit Featured Partner

Summit Partner

Session Partner

Event

From Ambition to Action

June 10, 2025, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Fairmont Château Laurier
1 Rideau St, Ottawa, ON K1N 8S7

View Agenda Here

On June 10, 2025, join Canada 2020 in Ottawa for “From Ambition to Action: Getting Big Things Done”, a one-day summit dedicated to the practical realities of delivering transformational projects in Canada. This event will bring together top-level doers—developers, policymakers, Indigenous leaders, and industry builders—from housing and infrastructure to energy, Indigenous economic partnerships, and trade. They will share real-world lessons, tackle barriers, and forge actionable strategies for national-scale progress.

This is not a summit for theorizing—it’s for decision-makers focused on action.

From Ambition to Action: Getting Big Things Done

Tuesday, June 10, 2025
Fairmont Château Laurier
Ottawa, ON

General Admission: $360
Full Table (8 Tickets): $2,735

SOLD OUT

AGENDA

Featured Participants

Nancy Southern

Chair & CEO, ATCO Ltd.
Biography

Nancy Southern
Nancy Southern, A.O.E., B.E.M., is Chair & Chief Executive Officer of ATCO Ltd., and Executive Chair of Canadian Utilities Limited, an ATCO Company. Reporting to the Boards of Directors, she is responsible for the vision, strategic direction, and ongoing operational success of both companies. She also serves as Executive Vice President of Spruce Meadows Ltd. and is a founding Director of AKITA Drilling Ltd., a Director of Sentgraf Enterprises Limited, an Honorary Director of BMO Financial Group, and a Director Emeritus of the Rideau Hall Foundation. Ms. Southern has long played a prominent role in advocating on social issues of global importance—most notably, the rights of Indigenous peoples and the role of women in business. She is an Honorary Chief of the Kainai (Blood Tribe of Alberta) who bestowed the name Aksistoowa'paakii, or Brave Woman, upon her in 2012. Over the course of her career, Ms. Southern has served with many respected business and academic organizations. She is a member of the Business Council of Canada, the American Society of Corporate Executives, and is a Canadian member of the Trilateral Commission. She is also a member of the University of Calgary School of Public Policy Advisory Council. Ms. Southern is the recipient of numerous honours for her community leadership and commitment to democratic principles and free enterprise. In 2025, Ms. Southern was honoured with the King Charles III Coronation Medal in recognition for her outstanding services to Alberta, Canada, and her fellow citizens, noting her pivotal role in shaping industry and community progress. In 2024, she was honoured as a member of the Alberta Order of Excellence, the highest honour the Province of Alberta can bestow on a citizen. Also in 2024, Canada’s True Patriot Love Foundation awarded Ms. Southern with the Patriot Award for ATCO’s leading role in supporting the Canadian Armed Forces and its Veterans as well as ATCO’s support of the Invictus Games movement. In 2023, Ms. Southern received the Lifetime Business Achievement in the Americas Award from the Canadian Council for the Americas and was named Energy Person of the Year by the Energy Council of Canada. In 2022, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce honoured her with the Canadian Business Leader Lifetime Achievement Award. Also in 2022, she was honoured with the Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal and, in 2020, she was awarded the British Empire Medal for services to British equestrian, military, and commercial interests in Alberta. In 2018, she received the Canadian Business Leader Award from the University of Alberta and was named a Distinguished Policy Fellow by the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy in recognition of her lifetime commitment to Canadian public policy. She was inducted as a Companion into the Canadian Business Hall of Fame in 2017. Born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, Ms. Southern studied economics and commerce at the University of Calgary, which also awarded her its highest academic honour, an Honorary Doctor of Laws, in 2014. She also holds Honorary Doctor of Laws degrees from Mount Royal University, the University of Lethbridge, and Western University.
Mike Moffatt

Founding Director, Missing Middle Initiative
Biography

Mike Moffatt
Dr. Mike Moffatt is the founding Director of the University of Ottawa's Missing Middle Initiative (MMI) and co-host of the Missing Middle Podcast. Prior to joining MMI, Mike served as the Chief Innovation Fellow for the Government of Canada, advising Deputy Ministers on innovation policy and emerging trends. Mike has worked with politicians and policymakers of all political stripes in several countries to craft more effective public policy. From 2013 to 2015, Mike served as an economic advisor to Liberal leader Justin Trudeau.
Ana Bailão

Head of Affordable Housing and Public Affairs, Dream Unlimited
Biography

Ana Bailão
Ana Bailão is the head of affordable housing and public affairs for Dream Unlimited Corp. She is a municipal leader and housing expert, former Deputy Mayor of Toronto, long-time City Councillor, and former candidate for mayor. After establishing a successful career in the private sector Ana was first elected to City Council in 2010. In her 12 year tenure at Toronto City Hall she served on multiple committees, and represented Toronto at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, achieving national recognition for her work as one of Canada’s leading voices for city-building and housing. As the city’s inaugural Chair of Housing and Planning Ana secured unprecedented billions in investment from other governments for housing, and championed innovative solutions including historic planning and zoning changes, and established CreateTO to manage city real estate. In 2023 Ana placed a solid second in the largest by-election in Canada’s history. Today, Ana remains focused on making cities more livable and inclusive, working with partners across all sectors and regions.
Sam Watts

CEO, Welcome Hall Mission
Biography

Sam Watts
Sam joined Welcome Hall Mission as CEO in 2016. He brings with him a wealth of experience in leading teams and coaching leaders in a variety of contexts. He is described by colleagues as a visionary leader who focuses on creating an environment that promotes innovation and implementation.
Mark Sutcliffe

Mayor of Ottawa
Biography

Mark Sutcliffe
Mark Sutcliffe was born at the Riverside Hospital to parents John and Florence, who were both immigrants to Canada. Mark has lived his whole life in Ottawa. He was elected Mayor of Ottawa on October 24, 2022. Prior to entering municipal politics, Mark was an award-winning journalist, entrepreneur, volunteer, and community activist. For over 30 years, Mark covered politics and current events as a broadcaster for CFRA, CityNews, Rogers TV, and CPAC, and as executive editor and columnist for the Ottawa Citizen. Mark started his first business when he was 19 years old. He co-founded the Ottawa Business Journal in 1995 and founded and led several other small and medium-sized businesses. He has been a coach, mentor, and adviser to more than one hundred CEOs, entrepreneurs, small-business owners, and not-for-profit leaders. Mark has been a passionate volunteer and fundraiser. He served as chair of the board of United Way Ottawa, the Ottawa Board of Trade, OrKidstra, the Great Canadian Theatre Company, Ottawa Community Housing Foundation, and Run Ottawa. He also served as board member for Algonquin College, Invest Ottawa, Kind Ottawa, the Ottawa International Writers Festival, and the Royal Ottawa Hospital Foundation. His contribution to the city was recognized in 2016 when he was inducted into the Order of Ottawa and named the United Way’s Ambassador of the Year. In 2018, Mark delivered a highly regarded TEDx Talk about the role of luck in his life. Mark is an avid marathon runner who has raised more than $250,000 for Ottawa charities with his fundraising runs. He is the author of four books, including Long Road to Boston, which chronicled his quest to qualify for the Boston Marathon, which he completed in 2015 and 2018. Mark and his wife Ginny have three children.
Carole Saab

CEO, Federation of Canadian Municipalities
Biography

Carole Saab
Carole is a tireless champion for cities and communities, driving an ambitious vision for local government leadership in building a more sustainable, prosperous, and inclusive Canada. Carole is an accomplished strategist with a decade of experience in federal and municipal advocacy. High performing and goal oriented, Carole has been a driving force behind watershed achievements for municipalities, securing unprecedented investment and progress for cities and communities. Recognized by peers as tenacious, ambitious and a game-changer and consistently voted as one of the Top 100 Lobbyists in Canada. She is a 2020 recipient of “Canada’s Top 40 Under 40”, and the "Women of Influence in Local Government Award" from Municipal World. Carole’s leadership and effective team-building have positioned FCM as one of the most respected and effective advocacy organizations in Canada.
Martin Imbleau

CEO, ALTO
Biography

Martin Imbleau
Martin Imbleau brings to Alto exceptional leadership skills and vast expertise in the realization of complex infrastructure projects in green zones. His impressive network of contacts, comprised of stakeholders from Indigenous communities, experts, national and international partners, business managers and players from all levels of government, is a precious asset for the Alto project. Before joining Alto, Mr. Imbleau was CEO of the Montreal Port Authority. Under his guidance, the organization built a reputation as an environmental and sustainable development leader. At Hydro-Québec, he was Vice-President, Corporate Strategy and Business Development for Canada and the United States. He also worked for Énergir as vice-president in several important roles, among them as regards renewable energy sources, community relations, security, gas supply and transportation. Martin holds a master’s in law from Université de Montréal and a bachelor’s in law from Université du Québec à Montréal. He has been a member of the Barreau du Québec since 1997. While working on the development of major infrastructures, he pursues his commitment to defending human rights around the world and has authored numerous works on international law as it regards human rights, genocide and transitional justice. Mr. Imbleau is chairman of the board of directors of Université du Québec à Montréal’s Raoul Dandurand Chair in Strategic and Diplomatic Studies. He is the cofounder of the Chaire de gestion du secteur de l’énergie at HEC Montréal.
Mark Cameron

Cerulean Global Advisory
Biography

Mark Cameron
Mark Cameron has over three decades of experience in government, business and consulting. He is currently Vice-President, External Relations with the Pathways Alliance. Mark has served in several roles with the Government of Canada, including in Ministers’ offices, the Privy Council Office, and as Director of Policy and Research in the Prime Minister’s Office. Mark has also served as Deputy Minister of the Policy Coordination Office in the Government of Alberta. He has worked in executive roles with Ontario Power Generation, BlackBerry, and Hill + Knowlton Strategies. He served as the Executive Director of Canadians for Clean Prosperity. Mark has also served in board or advisory roles with the Banff Forum, Canadian-American Business Council, Canada-India Business Council, Canada 2020, Cardus, the Energy Futures Lab and Smart Prosperity. Mark holds a BA and MA in political science from the University of British Columbia. Mark first joined PPF as a Fellow from 2017 to 2019, and again in 2024.
Terence Hubbard

President, Impact Assessment Agency of Canada
Biography

Terence Hubbard
Terence Hubbard was appointed President of the Impact Assessment Agency (IAAC) on November 28, 2021. In his role, he is responsible for leading all reviews of major projects under the Impact Assessment Act, in cooperation with other Government of Canada regulatory agencies, as well as provinces and territories and Indigenous groups. Prior to joining IAAC in 2018, Terence was Director General of the Petroleum Resources Branch with Natural Resources Canada. In this role, he had responsibility for Canada's oil and gas policy, including overseeing the development and implementation of Canada's pipeline safety and offshore oil and gas regulatory regimes as well as serving as Canada's representative on the Governing Board of the International Energy Agency. He is a graduate of the University of Saskatchewan where he obtained both his Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees in economics and now lives in Ottawa.
Byng Giraud

President, Sedgwick Strategies
Biography

Byng Giraud
Byng is the President of Sedgwick Strategies. He specializes in obtaining approvals for major projects in the industrial, natural resources and infrastructure sectors. Byng has been using his experience to help client’s de-risk large scale projects at early stages to allow for construction. Byng founded Sedgwick Strategies in early 2019. Previously, Byng was with Woodfibre LNG Limited as the company’s first North American employee. During the development stages of the project Byng served as Vice President of Corporate Affairs and then led the project locally as Country Manager. Byng concurrently served five years as Chairman of Ridley Terminals Inc. a Canadian government owned bulk export terminal in Prince Rupert, BC.
Stephen Crozier

Vice President, Sustainability, Wyloo
Valerie Helbronner

Partner, Torys LLP
Biography

Valerie Helbronner
Valerie has been at the forefront of the development and financing of renewable energy projects across Canada. She worked on some of the earliest and most innovative renewable projects, including Erie Shores Wind Farm, Grand Renewables Solar and Henvey Inlet Wind Farm, as well as PPAs in connection with Emera’s proposed Atlantic Link Project. Valerie acts for the spectrum of clients involved in project development and financing, including Indigenous groups, project proponents, lenders, investors, contractors and governmental authorities. Trusted counsel to Indigenous and non-Indigenous project participants, Valerie often advises on complex infrastructure projects impacting Indigenous interests and parties, where she brings a robust perspective on different parties’ interests and priorities. She is the co-head of Torys’ Indigenous practice and her recent project work related to Indigenous involvement notably includes acting as co-counsel to CDEV in conjunction with the Federal Department of Finance, on the possible economic participation by over 100 Indigenous groups in British Columbia and Alberta in Trans Mountain Corporation, the Wataynikaneyap Transmission Project in northwestern Ontario and working with The Honorable Frank Iacobucci in advising the Government of Canada in its re-initiated consultation process with Indigenous groups on the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion Project. Valerie has held various industry appointments in the power sector, including serving as a board member of the Canadian Wind Energy Association, past Chair of the Ontario Waterpower Association, and past member of the Independent Electricity System Operator Stakeholder Advisory Committee.
Elizabeth Wademan

President & CEO, Canada Development Investment Corporation
Biography

Elizabeth Wademan
Elizabeth Wademan is the CEO of Canada Development Investment Corp (CDEV) and is recognized as a mobilizing leader with a strong strategic focus and action-oriented, ambitious vision. Elizabeth brings deep private sector expertise from an established career in financial services and natural resources. Elizabeth is driven to continue to position CDEV as a results-oriented organization to further increase its impact and create value for Canadians from the Government’s most complex commercial interests . CDEV is a federal crown corporation that provides expert financial advisory to Government and acts as an active asset manager to over $75 billion through the CDEV Group of Companies, which includes Trans Mountain, Hibernia, Canada Growth Fund, Canada Large Enterprise Emergency Funding Corp., Telesat Loan Co., and the newly launched $10 bn Canada Indigenous Loan Guarantee Corp. Prior to joining CDEV, Elizabeth was a senior investment banker and capital markets executive, including a long career in investment banking, as Managing Director for BMO Capital Markets, one of Canada’s largest investment banks. She was one of the firm's most senior capital markets professionals and was Head, Global Metals & Mining Equity Capital Markets, where she advised on many of the most formative and transformational transactions in the resource sector on the continent. Elizabeth is also an experienced corporate director with extensive public company board experience. She has also been deeply involved in her community and with various not-for-profit organizations. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance & International Business) from McGill University and CFA & ICD.D designations.
Tiara Folkes

Manager, Indigenous Relations Public Policy, TC Energy
Biography

Tiara Folkes
Tiara Folkes is a proud member of the Piikani Nation, raised on the coast of Newfoundland and now based in Ottawa. With over a decade of experience in Indigenous relations, policy, and government affairs, she has worked across federal government and industry to advance reconciliation and Indigenous economic empowerment. Now leading Indigenous public policy at TC Energy, Tiara brings a strong voice to national conversations on equity, energy, and sovereignty. She is also a mother of two and a passionate advocate for Indigenous women in leadership.
Stacey McDonald

Independent Director, Board of Directors, Birchcliff Energy
Biography

Stacey McDonald
Ms. McDonald is a corporate director and an independent businessperson. She is the Chair of Birchcliff’s Environment, Health, Safety and Sustainability Committee and is also a member of the Corporation’s Audit, Compensation, Nominating and Reserves Evaluation Committees. Ms. McDonald has over 19 years of experience in the energy and financial sectors. From September 2016 to July 2018, Ms. McDonald was Managing Director – Institutional Equity Research (Energy) at GMP FirstEnergy and its predecessor, GMP Securities, each of which was an independent global investment bank. She joined GMP Securities in February 2006 as a research associate and began publishing independently as an Equity Analyst in 2009. She is also currently a director of Bonterra Energy Corp., a publicly traded oil and natural gas company, where she is the Chair of the Audit Committee and is also a member of the Reserves and Governance and Nominating Committees. Ms. McDonald holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Finance from the University of Alberta. She is also a holder of the Institute of Corporate Directors’ Director designation.
Steve Robins

Group Head, Strategy, Canada Infrastructure Bank
Biography

Steve Robins
Steven Robins has been the Head of Strategy at the Canada Infrastructure Bank (“CIB”) since December 2020. In this capacity, Steven leads the strategy team and is responsible for impact measurement, our Investment Framework, our overall portfolio strategy and the identification of new opportunities to achieve the CIB’s priority outcomes. Before joining the CIB, Steven was the Commercial Program Director for the Ontario Subway expansion at Infrastructure Ontario, where he stood up the commercial team to structure and deliver four planned subway extensions in Toronto and led the team to commence procurements on-schedule. Prior to joining Infrastructure Ontario, Steven was a consultant, leading client engagements for electric and gas utilities, and infrastructure clients on energy transition strategy and capital program delivery. Steven also holds an MBA and a Masters in Public Policy from Harvard University, where he graduated as a Baker Scholar. He also received an Honours Degree in Business Administration from the University of Western Ontario.
The Hon. Christy Clark

former Premier of British Columbia (2011-2017)
Hillary Thatcher

Managing Director, Investments, Canada Infrastructure Bank
Biography

Hillary Thatcher
Hillary Thatcher leads the CIB’s Indigenous and Northern Infrastructure investments team. She is part of the CIB’s senior team that provides advice to Indigenous and northern leaders, and structures investments that are consistent with the CIB’s focus on infrastructure in priority sectors – clean power, green infrastructure, transit, trade and transportation and broadband. Hillary joined the CIB from her role as the head of Innovation at Indigenous Services Canada. Prior to joining ISC, Hillary spent 15 years with the Ontario Public Service in senior roles across Indigenous Affairs, Energy and Infrastructure and Natural Resources. With significant experience in Indigenous relations, public policy and program delivery, Hillary has a proven track record of building linkages among government, industry and Indigenous interests. Hillary’s Métis heritage is from northern Alberta and has been an active member of the urban Indigenous community of Toronto through her volunteer roles at the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto, Red Sky Performance and the Downie Wenjak Fund. Hillary graduated from Concordia University in Montreal and attended the Indigenous Governance graduate studies program at the University of Victoria.
Robert Johnston

School of Public Policy, University of Calgary
Biography

Robert Johnston
Robert (“RJ”) Johnston is Senior Director of Research at the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University. RJ was previously the founder and Managing Director of the Eurasia Group’s Energy, Climate, and Resources practice, and served as the firm’s CEO from 2013 to 2018. RJ is an independent advisor to the First Nations Climate Initiative and serves as an advisor on North American energy policy to a New York-based diversified investment management firm. Recent notable achievements include serving as a counselor for the Canada-US Trade Council. He also served as Project Director for the Aspen Institute Task Force on US Critical Minerals Policy. RJ is a member of the Trilateral Commission and co-chairs the Open Minds Next Generation initiative on the dual energy/climate policy challenge. He was a Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council Global Energy Center from 2017 to 2021. RJ holds a doctorate in international relations from American University, a master’s degree in political science from McMaster University, and a bachelor’s degree in political studies from Bishop’s University.
Naheed Nenshi

Leader, the Alberta New Democrats
Biography

Naheed Nenshi
On June 22, 2024, Naheed Nenshi was selected as leader of the Alberta New Democrats During his three terms as mayor between 2010-2021, Calgary was named the third best city to live in globally. His leadership in Calgary saw an unprecedented investment in quality of life including transit, roads, recreation centers and libraries. He also saw the City of Calgary through four states of emergency, including devastating floods in 2013 and the COVID-19 pandemic and was named the best mayor in the world in 2014. Naheed is focused on what is truly important to all Albertans, today and into the future, because better is possible. In 2024, Naheed reentered political life to run for the Alberta NDP leadership. He sees the potential for the province and for the party and that by working together we can do better for Alberta. He was elected with 86% of the vote to become the next leader of the Alberta NDP and is proud to usher the party into its next era.
Corey Hogan

Member of Parliament (Calgary Confederation)
Simon Kennedy

former Deputy Minister, Innovation, Science & Economic Development
Biography

Simon Kennedy
Simon Kennedy advises companies, investors and mission-driven organizations on public policy, regulation and economic strategy, drawing on more than three decades at the most senior levels of the Government of Canada. He is a senior advisor to Bennett Jones LLP, the global advisory firm Teneo, and Esplanade Ventures, a Canadian venture capital firm focused on health technology. He also serves on the boards of Finchley Pharmaceuticals, Canada's largest domestically owned pharmaceutical producer, Quantum Valley Ideas Lab and the national charity Brain Canada. In government, Simon held six deputy minister-level appointments spanning central agency, economic, health and trade portfolios. From 2019 to 2024, as Deputy Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, he led one of the federal government's most active economic portfolios. He steered major industrial policy initiatives to rebuild domestic biomanufacturing after the pandemic, develop critical minerals and electric-vehicle battery supply chains, and position Canada as a leader in frontier technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing. He also directed legislative reforms to the Investment Canada Act, Competition Act and Telecommunications Act, and was responsible for Canada's foreign investment review process. As Deputy Minister of Health from 2015 to 2019, Simon led Health Canada's broad regulatory and health promotion mandate, including the implementation of cannabis legalization and regulation, reforms to pharmaceutical pricing, food labelling and tobacco control, and the federal response to the opioid crisis. Earlier in his career, as Deputy Minister of International Trade, he oversaw the conclusion of landmark trade agreements with the European Union and South Korea. He also served as the Prime Minister's G-20 Sherpa, advising on international economic affairs, and as the Prime Minister's lead negotiator with the White House on the Canada–U.S. Action Plan on Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness. Simon has previously served on the boards of the Mental Health Commission of Canada, the Canadian Institute for Health Information and the Ottawa Community Foundation, among others.
Sean Boyd

Chair of the Board, Agnico Eagle
Biography

Sean Boyd
Mr. Boyd serves as the Chair of the Board of Agnico Eagle Mines Limited. Prior to this role, he was the Executive Chair of the Board from February 2022 until his retirement in December 2023, and Vice Chairman and Agnico Eagle's CEO from 1998 to 2022. Before his appointment as CEO, Mr. Boyd served as the Chief Financial Officer from 1990 to 1998 and Comptroller from 1985 to 1990. During Mr. Boyd's tenure as CEO, Agnico Eagle grew from a small, single mine gold producer to a multi-mine international gold mining company. In December 2020, the Globe and Mail ROB Magazine recognized him as its Global Visionary of the Year CEO. He was recognized as The Northern Miner's Mining Person of the Year in 2007 and 2017, and appeared on the list of The Best-Performing CEOs in the World in the Harvard Business Review in 2010, 2016 and 2017. In 2019, Mr. Boyd was recognized by the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario (CPA Ontario) as a Fellow, the highest honour bestowed upon a CPA within the accounting profession. In 2021, he received the degree Doctor of Laws honoris causa, from St. Francis Xavier University (Nova Scotia). Mr. Boyd served on the Board of Directors of The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation (2013-2022). He has also served on the Boards of the World Gold Council and the St. Francis Xavier University Board of Governors. Prior to joining Agnico Eagle in 1985, Mr. Boyd was an accountant with Clarkson Gordon (Ernst & Young). He is a Fellow Chartered Professional Accountant (FCPA, FCA) and a graduate of the University of Toronto (B.Comm.).
The Hon. Gregor Robertson

Minister of Housing and Infrastructure
Martha Hall Findlay

Director of the School of Public Policy, University of Calgary, and Palmer Chair in Public Policy
Biography

Martha Hall Findlay
Martha is the School of Public Policy’s Director and James S. and Barbara A. Palmer Chair in Public Policy. She is excited to be ‘back’ at the SPP, having been an Executive Fellow at the School in its early years, authoring a major report on supply management which continues to be cited. Martha Hall Findlay recently retired as Chief Sustainability and Chief Climate Officer for Suncor Energy. She led Suncor’s efforts to address the nexus of climate and energy, plus all other aspects of ESG (Environment, Social and Governance), including indigenous and other community relations, government and public relations and communications, working to build a future for sustainable Canadian energy. Martha was instrumental in the development of the multi-company Oil Sands Pathways to Net Zero by 2050 initiative. She was named a Canadian Climate Champion in 2021 by the British High Commission and the Canada Climate Law Initiative; she was named as one of Canada’s Clean50 for 2022; she was named by the Energy Council as a top global female oil and gas executive and one of the top 275 women influencers. She was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal in 2023. Prior to joining Suncor, Martha was the President and CEO of the Canada West Foundation, one of Canada’s most important public policy think tanks, where her focus was on strong public policy recommendations for the economic and social prosperity of western Canada, and by extension Canada as a whole. She has written dozens of essays, articles and op eds for national publications in both official languages, most recently the ‘Energy and Climate Change’ chapter of “The Indo-Pacific – new strategies for Canadian engagement with a critical region” (2022, Fen Osler Hampson, Goldy Hyder and Tina Park, eds). She has frequently appeared as a thought leader in national print and broadcast media. As a twice-elected Member of Parliament, she served in the Official Opposition shadow cabinet for International Trade; Finance; Transport, Infrastructure and Communities; and Public Works and Government Services, and she served on the House of Commons Standing Committees for all of those portfolios. She has many years of experience as a corporate lawyer, international trade expert, senior executive and successful entrepreneur, supporting major multinationals as well as start-ups – primarily in wireless telecommunications and mobile payments before diving into energy, both in Canada and in Europe. Martha’s community engagement has included serving as an advisory council member, board director and executive for a variety of policy, environmental, community and cultural organizations including the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Energy Futures Lab, Positive Energy (University of Ottawa), Protein Industries Canada, the Glenbow Museum, the Couchiching Institute on Public Affairs; Georgian Bay Association and CKUA Radio Network. She is currently a member of the Deputy Minister of International Trade’s Trade Expert Advisory Council; of the Asia Business Leaders Advisory Council (ABLAC); of the Steering Committee of the Canada-Korea Forum; and serves on the Energy Advisory Board for MaRS. She was Canadian Championships silver medalist in alpine skiing (1976), coached several young skiers who went on to compete in the Olympics, and more recently served six years of the Board of Alpine Canada, her last two as Chair.
Dakota Kochie

Director of Government and External Relations, Nuclear Waste Management Organization
Biography

Dakota Kochie
Dakota Kochie (he/him) is currently the Director of Government and External Affairs at the Nuclear Waste Management Organization. Dakota previously served as Chief of Staff for the Assembly of First Nations, Canada’s largest Indigenous advocacy organization. Dakota is an advocate for First Nations issues and advancing Canada’s climate goals. Dakota is a board member of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation and an Indigenous Advisory Council Member at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada. Dakota is a proud Anishinaabe citizen from Pinaymootang First Nation (Treaty Two).
Michael D. Penner

Advisory Partner and Chairman, Partners Group; Former Chairman of the Board, Hydro Quebec
Biography

Michael D. Penner
Michael Penner has served as Chairman, CEO, and a Board Director in both the corporate and public sectors, in the United States, Canada and Latin America. Since 2018, Mr. Penner has been an Operating Partner, an Advisory Partner at Partners Group AG (“PG”). He has also been Chairman of Partners Group Canada. PG is a European based leader in private equity with US$ 135 billion in assets under management in private equity, private infrastructure, private real estate and private debt. Mr. Penner acts, or has acted, as Chairman of several portfolio companies including United States Infrastructure Corporation and Enfragen Renewable Energy. Mr. Penner has also acted as a Senior Global Advisor to Partners Group AG by focusing on Infrastructure, Renewable Energy and ESG. Additionally, he currently serves on the Board of Directors of Scotia Bank, a Toronto headquartered financial services company. Mr. Penner was Chairman of the Board of Directors of Hydro-Quebec from 2014 to 2018. He was also the President and Chief Executive Officer of Peds Legwear prior to selling his company to Gildan Activewear Inc. in 2016. Mr. Penner has been active in the community, on the Board of ICD Quebec and has served as a member of the Board of Directors of Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montreal and Selwyn House School. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from McGill University and a Juris Doctor from Hofstra University in New York.
The Hon. Evan Solomon

Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for FedDev Ontario