David Lametti is the Member of Parliament representing LaSalle-Émard-Verdun and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade. Mr. Lametti was recently a Professor of Law at McGill University. He was Associate Dean (Academic) between 2008 and 2011. He is a Member of the Institute of Comparative Law, and was a founding Member of the Centre for Intellectual Property Policy (CIPP); he served as its Director from 2009 to 2012. He obtained a B.A. in Economics and Political Science from the University of Toronto in 1985, and received his Common and Civil law degrees from McGill in 1989. Mr. Lametti received an LL.M. from the Yale Law School in 1991, and a doctorate in law at Oxford University; his thesis was entitled “Ethical Aspects of the Theory and Practice of Private Property”. Professor Lametti was a clerk to Justice Peter Cory of the Supreme Court of Canada in 1989-90. He is an internationally-recognized expert in property and intellectual property, with numerous publications, and has taught or lectured in many of the world’s most well-known universities in French, English and Italian. Mr. Lametti is also a member of McGill University’s Senate and is a Governor of the Fondation du Barreau du Québec.

David Tsubouchi is the Registrar and CEO of the Ontario College of Trades. Mr. Tsubouchi holds a B.A. from York University, a J.D. from Osgoode Hall Law School and LL.D. from Assumption University in Windsor, a D.S.Litt. from Huntington University and C. Dir. from The Directors College.

David Tsubouchi holds the distinction of being the first Japanese Canadian to have been elected to any position in Canada. In 1988, he was elected as a Councillor for the Town of Markham serving for 6 years. In 1995, he became the first Japanese Canadian to be elected to a provincial legislature and also to serve as a Cabinet Minister. David Tsubouchi has served as the MPP for Markham for two terms and has held several cabinet posts in the Ontario Legislature including Minister of Consumer and Commercial Relations, Solicitor General, Chair of Management Board and Minister of Culture. Prior to serving in the Ontario Legislature, Mr. Tsubouchi served as a Councillor for the Town of Markham for two terms.

Mr. Tsubouchi currently sits on the Board of Directors for OMERS Administrative Corporation and the Board of Governors for Seneca College, the largest college in North America. He was appointed as the Honorary Consul General for Mongolia (Toronto). He has served on many boards of directors including the Markham Stouffville Hospital, Hitachi Canada, York University, the Canadian Professional Golf Tour and Teranet Income Trust. He was also appointed as the Co-Chair of the Canada Vietnam Business Council by the Republic of Vietnam.

Mr. Tsubouchi, as the campaign chair, has raised millions of dollars for non-profit organizations and institutions including Seneca College, George Brown College, the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre and the Rising Sun Campaign to assist the victims of the tsunami and earthquake in Japan.

Mr. Tsubouchi has received numerous awards and honors including the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal, The Bruce Bryden Award (York University), The Award of Merit From the Japanese Canadian Community, the Canadian Horse Racing Industry Award of Recognition and the NAAAP 100 Award from the National American Association of Asian Professionals.

David Tsubouchi has been an international key note speaker in many countries including Dubai, Macau, China, Japan and the United States. He is a frequent lecturer at universities and colleges on a number of topics including equity, the imprisonment of the Japanese Canadians during WWII, politics and business development. His memoir, “Gambatte” was recently published by ECW Press and was nominated for the Speaker’s Book Award.

Arun M. Kumar was confirmed, by the U.S. Senate on March 13, 2014, as Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Global Markets and Director General of the US and Foreign Commercial Service. In this role, Mr. Kumar leads the trade and investment promotion efforts for the U.S. Government. With offices in over 100 U.S. cities and in 72 world markets, he also serves as the International Trade Administration’s lead official advocating for better market access for U.S. exporters.

Kumar has extensive global experience in the business world. Prior to his nomination by President Obama, he was a partner and member of the Board of Directors at KPMG, LLP. He led the firm’s West Coast Management Consulting practice serving major global clients as well as emerging Silicon Valley ventures while creating thought leadership to advance business practices in finance management. He also founded and led KPMG’s US-India Practice.

Previously, Kumar was a Silicon Valley entrepreneur, as founding CEO and CFO of three technology ventures in Silicon Valley, near his home in California. Over the years, he has been a mentor and advisor to a number of new ventures in Silicon Valley and India.

Kumar served on advisory councils at Stanford University and the University of California, Santa Cruz. An early Charter Member of TiE Silicon Valley, he served on its Board. He also served on the Board of Directors of the US India Business Council.

Kumar is the author of a book of poetry, Plain Truths, published by Current Books, 2010, and co-editor of Kerala’s Economy: Crouching Tiger, Sacred Cows, published by DC Books, 2007.

Kumar received his master’s in management from the Sloan School of Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Kerala, India. He started his career in India as a member of TAS, the central management cadre of the Tata Group.

Kumar and his wife Poornima have two sons, Ashvin and Vikram.

Kathleen Wynne is Ontario’s 25th Premier.

Since taking office in February 2013, some of Premier Wynne’s accomplishments include the largest infrastructure investment in Ontario’s history and completing the single-largest climate change initiative in North America by eliminating coal-fired electricity generation in the province. She also introduced a ground-breaking plan to stop sexual violence and harassment.

Premier Wynne’s economic plan for Ontario builds on her number-one priority: growing the economy and creating jobs. Her four-part plan invests in talent and skills, including helping more people get and create the jobs of the future by expanding access to high-quality college and university education. In addition to infrastructure investments in roads, bridges, transit, schools and hospitals, her plan is investing in a low-carbon economy driven by innovative, high-growth, export-oriented businesses. The plan is also helping working Ontarians achieve a more secure retirement.

Premier Wynne serves as Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs. During her first year as Premier, she also served as Minister of Agriculture and Food. Prior to becoming Premier, she served as Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, Minister of Transportation and Minister of Education.

First elected to the Ontario Legislature in 2003 as the MPP for Don Valley West, Premier Wynne was re-elected in 2007, 2011 and 2014. She became the leader of the Ontario Liberal Party in January 2013. On June 12, 2014 Premier Wynne’s government was re-elected with a majority mandate.

Before becoming an MPP, Premier Wynne served as a trustee on the Toronto District School Board. Prior to that, she led citizens’ groups in a number of grassroots community projects and played a major role as an organizer and facilitator.

Premier Wynne has lived with her partner, Jane, in North Toronto for more than 25 years. She has three children and three grandchildren.

As a seasoned entrepreneur and political strategist, Mr. MacNaughton brings a unique set of skills and experiences to his new role as Ambassador.

In the 1980s, Mr. MacNaughton transformed the public affairs industry by building an organization that comprised government relations, public opinion research and public relations. After selling his business in 1989, Mr. MacNaughton became President of Canada’s largest government and public relations firm and subsequently North American President of the world’s largest public relations firm. From 1995 until 2003, Mr. MacNaughton was President of Strathshore Financial and was an advisor to one of Canada’s leading investment banks.

Mr. MacNaughton’s public sector experience includes work at both the federal and provincial levels, including as advisor to the Minister at the Departments of Transport, Industry and Foreign Affairs. He was principal secretary to the Premier of Ontario from 2003 to 2005 and the Chairman of StrategyCorp from 2005 until his appointment.

Active in community affairs, Mr. MacNaughton has served on the boards of the North York General Hospital, the Stratford Festival, the National Ski Academy, TV Ontario, the Toronto French School and the Toronto International Film Festival.

Brad Duguid currently serves as Minister of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure and as the Minister responsible for the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. The Minister’s focus is on creating jobs, promoting Ontario as a smart place to invest, building a culture of entrepreneurship and growing a strong, innovative economy that is inclusive to people of all abilities.

Some of Minister Duguid’s key achievements include ushering in the Attracting Investment and Creating Jobs Act, 2012, which established the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund and made the Eastern Ontario Development Fund permanent; launching Ontario’s first Long-Term Energy Plan, building on Ontario’s commitment to clean energy; and launching PLAY, a program for aboriginal youth using participation in sports and activities to teach life-skills.

Minister Duguid lives in Scarborough with his wife, Crystal, and two sons, Kennedy and Jordan.

Bruce Heyman was confirmed as President Obama’s personal representative to Canada on March 12, 2014. He is a 33 year veteran of Goldman Sachs, where he served as the managing director of the Private Wealth Management Group from 1999 until December of 2013.

Mr. Heyman has served as a board member for the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and the Northwestern Memorial Hospital Foundation. He also served as an advisor to the Fix the Debt CEO Council of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. He has been a member of The Economic Club of Chicago, The Executives’ Club of Chicago, and the Facing History and Ourselves Chicago Advisory Board.

A magna cum laude graduate with both a BA and an MBA from Vanderbilt University, Mr. Heyman continues to maintain close ties to his alma mater. He is past president of the Alumni Board and a former member of the Board of Visitors at the university’s Owen Graduate School of Management.

He is married to the former Vicki Simons of Ashland, Kentucky. They have three grown children, David, Liza, and Caroline, and three grand-children, Emma, Clara, and Brooks.

State of the Great Lakes Economy Session

Douglas Porter has over 25 years of experience analyzing global economies and financial markets. As Chief Economist at BMO Financial Group, he oversees the macroeconomic and financial market forecasts and co-authors the firm’s weekly flagship publication, Focus. Mr. Porter manages the team that won the prestigious Lawrence Klein award for forecast accuracy of the U.S. economy, and was named by Bloomberg as top Canadian forecaster.

As a respected commentator on economic and financial trends, he is regularly quoted in the national press and often interviewed on radio and television.

Before joining BMO, Mr. Porter held the positions of Economist and Country Risk Analyst with other Canadian financial institutions, and also worked at the Bank of Canada.

Mr. Porter has been a member of C.D. Howe’s Monetary Policy Council since 2008 and also serves on the Investment Management Committees of the Bank of Montreal’s Pension Fund Society and Western’s Endowment Fund.

Mr. Porter has been a Chartered Financial Analyst since 1995 and earned a masters degree in Economics from the University of Western Ontario.

Mr. Desjardins-Siciliano joined VIA Rail in 2010 and was appointed President and CEO in May 2014. He previously served as the Corporation’s Chief Corporate & Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary. A seasoned executive, Mr. Desjardins-Siciliano leads with passion, respect and transparency. He is known for embracing innovation and encouraging creative ideas. A natural communicator, he is in high demand as keynote speaker at conferences, business events and universities. He prides himself on being an accessible CEO, and values every opportunity to meet and converse with both travellers and employees.

Prior to VIA Rail, Mr. Desjardins-Siciliano earlier held senior positions in legal affairs, regulatory and government relations, business and corporate development, marketing communications and finance, in both the private and public sectors. Mr. Desjardins-Siciliano holds a law degree (LL.L.) from l’Université de Montréal and completed Graduate Studies in Law at McGill University. He also has a designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD.D). Mr. Desjardins-Siciliano is a member of the Barreau du Québec and Past President of the Canadian Bar Association, Quebec Division.

Valerie Brader is the Executive Director of the Michigan Agency for Energy. Her service with the administration began in 2011 and prior to this role, she served as Deputy Legal Counsel and Senior Policy Advisor to Governor Snyder, including work on the City of Detroit bankruptcy case. Before her service in state government she was a member (partner) at Bodman PLC, practicing primarily environmental and corporate law (with a specialization in assisting new or expanding businesses, from incorporation to securing permits and tax credits). A Rhodes Scholar and published author in both the legal and scientific presses, Brader previously worked as the career law clerk for the Hon. John Feikens of the Eastern District of Michigan, as an environmental consultant to the EPA and Department of Defense, and for Gov. Phil Batt (R-Idaho) on environmental and natural resource issues. Brader, who was the youngest person in the country to be selected to assist a federal court under the "Special Master" rule, was selected by Crain’s Detroit Business as one of the “40 under 40” in Metro Detroit, by Michigan Lawyer’s Weekly as a “rising star," and by the Joyce Ivy Foundation as its Leader of the Year.

Brader received her AB magna cum laude in government from Harvard and Radcliffe Colleges, has two masters degrees from the University of Oxford (an MSc in Environmental Change and Management and an MSt in Historical Studies), and a J.D. magna cum laude from Georgetown Law Center. Brader was the past winner of the Harvard College Women's Leadership Award and was first-runner up in the Pacific Legal Foundation's national writing competition. Brader served as an officer of the Women’s Caring Program, Harvard Club of Eastern Michigan and Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Catherine Clark is a nationally respected broadcaster, public speaker, emcee and writer, and the President of Catherine Clark Communications Inc.

Through her work in television and radio, Catherine has interviewed Canada’s most influential people to reveal the personal, human side of public life. She also served as the host and co-producer of The Residences, a television documentary series offering an unprecedented look behind the scenes at the homes of Canada’s leaders at Rideau Hall and 24 Sussex Drive.

Catherine is the Giving Back columnist for Ottawa at Home Magazine, has written for the Toronto Star and The Ottawa Citizen, and been published in The Globe and Mail, Canadian Living and Magazine FORCES.

Catherine is a member of the national board of CARE Canada and of the organizing committee of the Politics and the Pen Gala benefitting The Writers’ Trust.

A self-described political junkie, Kelsey Johnson is a graduate of Carleton University’s School of Journalism.

Since launching her career in Ottawa with iPolitics in 2013, Ms. Johnson has become one of this country’s most recognized agricultural reporters, providing daily updates from Parliament Hill on policy issues crucial to Canadian farmers. Her award-winning coverage includes stories about Canadian grain transportation, food safety, agricultural trade, and labour shortages on Canadian farms – issues that have risen to the top of the national political and news agendas.

In addition to her work with iPolitics. Ms. Johnson writes a regular column for The Western Producer. A proud Albertan, in her spare time, she enjoys hiking, cycling, cooking and cheering on her beloved Edmonton Eskimos.

Dr. Marion Joppe is a Professor in the School of Hospitality, Food and Tourism Management at the University of Guelph. Marion specializes in destination planning, development and marketing. She was a member of the International Joint Commission’s Upper Great Lakes Study Group and its Technical Working Group on Recreational Boating, Cruise Ships and Tourism.

JAMES BAXTER is the founding editor and publisher of iPolitics. Over his nearly 30-year-career in journalism, he has worked in Canada and the U.S. as an award-winning sportswriter, political journalist, bureau chief and editorial writer. A third-generation public affairs journalist, James’s work covering politics, first in Ottawa and then in Alberta, earned him a prestigious Nieman Fellowship at Harvard University in 2007-08, where his studies focused on the future of media businesses and the role of the press in democracy. Born and raised in Ottawa, he holds degrees in international relations, journalism, and media-business administration. He lives in Ottawa with his wife, Sarah, and three young children, he coaches football, soccer and hockey, and, with what little time he has to spare, remains an exuberant skier.

Steve has been working with the aquaculture industry in Ontario for close to 30 years. For the past 18 years he has been with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) as the provincial aquaculture specialist working with the fish farming and aquaponics sectors and other government agencies on the many issues that have evolved as the aquaculture industry has grown in Ontario. Prior to OMAFRA he worked for the Aquaculture Centre at the University of Guelph from 1987 to 1997 in aquaculture research, education and extension activities assisting fish farmers in Ontario.

Nadia serves as a senior vice president in the international government relations group and is also the managing director for McGuireWoods Romania. Her main responsibilities are to expand and promote McGuireWoods' cross-border and international projects at all levels. In her role as a trusted advisor, she assists clients and investors in Europe, South America, Asia and the Middle East.

She joined the McGuireWoods team in February 2007 to help open the firm's office in Bucharest. Based on a combination of skills in diplomacy, international affairs and media relations, Nadia focuses her practice primarily on strategic advice to foreign and local investors, government relations , strategic communications, commercial diplomacy and business development.

Prior to joining the firm, Nadia served as first secretary at the Embassy of Romania in Washington. In that capacity, she was responsible for promoting Romania's policies and interests before the US Senate; strengthening relations with American investors in Romania; and articulating the Romanian perspective on international security to various Washington think tanks. Before that, she worked as a consultant for the International Olympic Truce Center of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs and as a program assistant for the International Center for Journalists. Nadia is also an accomplished journalist having worked for two newspapers and as a correspondent for Romanian National Television. She has written extensively on foreign policy related to the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Latin America.

While earning her master's degree at Tufts University, Nadia served as editor-in-chief of the Fletcher Ledger and was honored as a recipient of the HB Earhart Fellowship. As an undergraduate, she studied at Illinois State University with a double major in Political Science and Spanish and has studied and taught at Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico in Taxco, Guerrero and Babes-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca, Romania.

Pamela Ritchie is an experienced financial reporter skilled at hosting fast-paced, live, breaking-news programs through the opening and close of trade. Ritchie regularly interviews industry titans such as CEO of TD Bank, Bahrant Masani, CEO of the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, Michael Sabia, Founder of Barrick Gold, Peter Munk, and Canada’s Finance Minister, Bill Morneau. Prior to joining Bloomberg TV Canada, Ritchie anchored BNN’s flagship morning show 'The Street'. With access to so many top lawmakers, and with her particular interest in The Middle East and International Affairs, Ritchie brings a unique perspective when discussing today's political economy and its impact on the market.

Jim Dickmeyer is the North American Competitiveness Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars. Detailed from the U.S. Department of State, he works with the Center’s Canada and Mexico Institutes to develop programs that support the North American Leaders Summit initiatives. More broadly, Jim advises the Wilson Center programs on collaborative opportunities with public and private sector stakeholders who have an interest in developing North American competitiveness.

Mr. Dickmeyer served as Consul General of the United States of America in Toronto from 2012 to 2015. He was Minister Counselor for Public Affairs at the U.S. embassy in Mexico, where he served from 2002 to 2007. A career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Mr. Dickmeyer has served in six countries – Brazil, Guatemala, Paraguay, Bolivia, Mexico and Canada – during his 31 years of diplomatic service. In his domestic assignments, Jim was a faculty member at the National Defense University in Washington, D.C., where he taught national security studies; Director of the Office of Policy, Planning and Resources of the Undersecretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs; and director of the State Department’s Foreign Press Centers located in Washington, D.C. and New York City, serving over 3,000 foreign journalists based in the United States.

Jim earned a Masters degree in History from the Ohio State University and completed his undergraduate studies at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He is married to Heather Dickmeyer. They have two grown sons.

Sarah Goldfeder brings clients high-level insight on the inner workings of the U.S. and Canadian governments, including how they work together on important issues. With 15 years of experience in the U.S. federal government, Sarah most recently served as Special Assistant to two U.S. Ambassadors to Canada, fostering bilateral relationships at the most senior levels. Her expertise in a wide range of policy issues enables her to provide practical short and long-term advice on managing the economic, cultural and political dynamics in North America.

Prior to her arrival in Ottawa, Sarah spent three years in Mexico, as a Foreign Service Officer, cultivating a deep understanding of U.S./Mexico border issues and appreciation for a region revitalizing itself after years of violence and fear. Her experiences have convinced her of the potential for a stronger, more cohesive partnership across the North American continent. In her work, she seeks to maximize the region's ability to advance the movement of people, goods, and services; the supply, production, and use of energy; and balancing the energy and environment equation. Sarah has also served in Southeast Asia, giving her a global perspective on North American policy development and an appreciation of the opportunities available both within and beyond the Western hemisphere.

Sarah is a North American nomad, with a father from Brooklyn, a mother from Chicago, and a life lived in eight states, six countries, and three continents. She calls the West her home, having studied at the University of Oregon and Colorado State University. In addition to her consulting work with the Earnscliffe team, she also serves as a North American advisor at Canada 2020.

David Scanlan is the managing editor for Canada at Bloomberg News. He's responsible for the news coverage in the country from bureaus in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Ottawa, Montreal and Winnipeg.

Scanlan joined Bloomberg in 1996 when he opened the office in Bogota, Colombia. He later served as bureau chief in Lima, Sao Paulo and Madrid, before returning to his hometown of Toronto in 2003.

His awards and scholarships include the Canadian Committee to Protect Journalists scholarship to report on human rights abuses in Guatemala; a finalist notation for investigative reporting by the Canadian Association of Journalists and an Ottawa community service award for his series on the homeless in Canada's capital. He speaks Spanish and Portuguese.

Before joining Bloomberg, Scanlan was a business and features reporter at the Ottawa Citizen. The honors journalism graduate from Carleton University has also worked for the CBC, The Economist, The Financial Times, Miami Herald, Toronto Star and Maclean's magazine. Scanlan is married with three children, who, like him, love to play hockey.

Jennifer Fox, Vice President Trade & Security – With CTA 10 years, Jennifer Fox is the Vice President, Trade and Security for the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) and the Ontario Trucking Association (OTA).

During her career she has held various senior roles related to international trade for a major Canadian importer, a Canadian manufacturer, an exporter and a large North American transportation company.

Jennifer has extensive involvement with both US Customs and Border Protection and Canada Border Services Agency working as industry’s representative for reducing regulatory burden and facilitating border crossing experiences for trucking.

During her career in the trucking industry, Jennifer has served on numerous provincial, national and international committees and task forces dealing with international trade, border management, safety and security. Jennifer is a member of both US CBP’s Trade Support Network and CBSA’s Border Commercial Consultative Committee, maintaining active contribution to such initiatives as Canada’s Advanced Commercial Information, Partners in Protection, Customs Self Assessment, and the US’ Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism and Automated Commercial Environment and the bi-national Free And Secure Trade. Jennifer serves as lead on cargo crime and works closely with Insurance Bureau of Canada, local, regional and federal law enforcement agencies as well as all levels of government.

Jennifer handles all day-to-day trade, security and compliance issues for both the Ontario Trucking Association and the Canadian Trucking Alliance.

Susan Cole is a producer of Ontario freshwater farmed rainbow trout. She, and her husband Geoff, own Cole-Munro Foods in St. Thomas, Ontario where they process and market farm-raised rainbow trout. They also work in partnership with the Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation on Manitoulin Island, operating freshwater farm sites.

Susan currently sits as a director on the Ontario Aquaculture Association and the Canadian Industry Alliance Association boards as well as the DFO\Aquaculture Industry Workgroup.

Susan’s focus has most recently been on the Food Safety, Environmental Monitoring, Animal Health and Social Welfare of aquaculture in Ontario.

Kevin has worked closely with the commercial fishermen and fish processors of the Laurentian Great Lakes since 1992. He has been the Fisheries Biologist for the Ontario Commercial Fisheries’ Association (OCFA) since November 2002. Previously, he was involved in Great Lakes fisheries research and management as an Associate at Beak Consultants Limited. He currently serves as a commercial fishing representative on numerous Great Lakes fisheries committees such as the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry’s Fisheries Advisory Councils for Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, Lake Huron and Georgian Bay/North Channel and the Lake Erie Percid Management Advisory Group (LEPMAG). He is also a member of the Scientific Committee of the NSERC Canadian Fisheries Research Network. A graduate of the Honours Fisheries Science Program at the University of Guelph in 1984, Kevin has worked as a professional fisheries scientist since 1989 when he graduated from Trent University with a M.Sc. degree from the Watershed Ecosystems Graduate Program. Kevin also holds a doctorate in fisheries ecology from the University of Guelph. His research is focused on Bayesian methods for interdisciplinary risk assessment and management of Great Lakes fisheries.

Tim Hoeffner is the Office of Rail Director. This new office has responsibility for all rail-related activities at the Michigan Department of Transportation, including the department's relationship with the rail industry, rail economic development, regulatory activities associated with grade crossings and rail clearances, funding for grade crossings and railroad engineering, as well as passenger and freight operations. He is also Governor Snyder's representative on the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission, where he serves as chair. Mr. Hoeffner holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Michigan Technological University.

Mr. Hoeffner has more than 35 years of experience and many assignments at MDOT including manager of the Freight Safety and Services Division; manager of the Rail Passenger Services Division; and administrator of the Intermodal Policy Division, where he served as policy advisor on critical transportation issues, and analyzed and monitored federal and state legislation.

As an International Trade Specialist for the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporations (SLSDC), Ms. Yackley performs statistical research and analysis, supporting trade and economic development policies and programs. In addition, she performs various activities related to the promotion and marketing of the SLSDC and the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System.

Rebecca manages the SLSDC’s cruise marketing activities to encourage additional cruise vessel tours in the Great Lakes Seaway System. She works with industry to identify and resolve regulatory impediments to increased and improved Great Lakes cruising.

Rebecca maintains an extensive knowledge of maritime laws and regulations, port capabilities and performance, industry/business transportation needs, intermodal transportation systems, towing/docking availability, inland waterways, and direct/indirect costs associated with shipping products within the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System.

Since joining the SLSDC in May 2000, she has gained a significant amount of experience in promoting and educating domestic and international maritime industry leaders about the Great Lakes Seaway System. She promotes the safety, efficiency and reliability of the Seaway System for ship owners and operators who are seeking a more competitive route for cargo movement into the heartland of North America, as well as enhancing the cruising experience in the Great Lakes.

Prior to joining the SLSDC she was an Intelligence Analyst for the Department of the Navy and the Department of Defense (1983-2000). During her 18 years with the intelligence community she provided analytical support to various government agencies that worked directly with the maritime community.

As a native of Chesapeake, Va., Mrs. Yackley has directed her studies towards maritime industry operations. In October 1999 she completed studies on Internal Shipping and Trading from the International Maritime Bureau in Blankney UK., Seatrade Academy at the Cambridge Academy of Transport, Cambridge Academy of Transport, Cambridge University in Cambridge., U.K., and Port Management Training Program Oakland, CA.

Rebecca and her husband, Scott resides in Pasadena, MD.

With 25 years of experience in analytics and business intelligence, Matt leads CGI’s Digital Insights practice for CGIfrom his base in San Francisco, California. He was the founder of the customer relationship analytics practice that created CGI’s decision-science IP solution – Strata. In previous roles he was an executive in BI and analytics startup companies in Silicon Valley.

Bruce Winchester is the Executive Director of the Canadian Natural Gas Vehicle Alliance (CNGVA).

Prior to joining the CNGVA he served in a variety of roles in the not for profit and government sectors with two decades of experience in public-policy and advocacy.

Mr. Winchester has substantial communications experience, having appeared in the national media, and contributed opinion editorials to newspapers and news magazines.

Known as a strong advocate, Mr. Winchester brings a wealth of experience to deploy in raising awareness and encouraging natural gas vehicle adoption.

He has an undergraduate degree from the University of Toronto and a Master’s degree from the University of Windsor.

Robert M. Clark, retired Rear Admiral in the United States Navy, is Chief Operating Officer of Leveraged Green Energy (LGE), a Fund formed to invest in, develop and commercialize clean-tech innovations in the waste, energy, environmental remediation and de-risking, and waste-to-energy sectors. He is also President of BC International, Inc. (BCI), a global electric power industry consulting company –renewable/nuclear/fossil – engaged in addressing technical, operational and market issues globally. His chief area of focus has been in the electric power utility sector, technology development and process optimization for energy efficiency and energy security, and developing economically viable renewable energy solutions that lower GHG emissions. RADM Clark has extensive senior level international experience as a corporate executive with Westinghouse Energy Systems, in his responsibilities representing the U.S. Government’s interests as a Rear Admiral (Ret.) in the U.S. Navy, and in his current international business with Leveraged Green Energy.

Mr. Korosec has extensive experience and knowledge regarding border security issues between the United States and Canada. His proficiencies include organizational management, transportation, security, emergency management, government relations, complex problem and risk analysis, strategic solution development, stakeholder relationships, border management, security operations, and consensus building. Mr. Korosec has served on numerous bi-national comminees and organizations focused upon border issues, including the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (Borders and Transportation Committee), Detroit Regional Chamber (Northern Border Economic and Security), Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce (Transportation Committee), International Bridge Tunnel and Turnpike Association, Lyndon Security Services, Inc. Advisory Board, and Transportation Border Working Group (Can Am Border Trade Alliance). He served as President of the Public Border Operations Association, which represents all of the publicly-owned border crossings between Ontario and Michigan/New York State. Mr. Korosec has also testified before the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Congressional Subcommittee regarding border infrastructure and security issues.

Mr. Korosec holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree (with Honours) in Business Administration, as awarded by the University of Windsor, in Canada. He has also completed a range of professional courses and certifications, including Emergency Site Management, Emergency Measures Ontario, Emergency Response Team Training, Advanced Patrol Training, Leadership Academy, Organizational Management, Security and Maintenance, First Nations Cultural Awareness, Fraud Investigation, Trucks and Terrorism, Facilities Management, Advanced Police Studies, Management Development, Emergency Operations Center Management, and Corporate/Board Governance Training.

Mr. Korosec is currently employed by The Canadian Transit Company in the position of Director of Security, Canadian Government Relations. As such, Mr. Korosec has assumed responsibility for directing and managing all aspects of border security on the Canadian side of the Ambassador Bridge. He liaises with various Canadian governmental entities regarding issues such as road improvements and taxation, ensuring that the company's views are fully represented. Mr. Korosec oversees managers and supervisors in discharging the fuII range of border security issues, and hires and controls the activities of consultants, as required. He ensures that security efforts on both the Canadian and U.S. sides of the Ambassador Bridge are properly coordinated. Mr. Korosec reports directly to the President of both the Detroit International Bridge Company and The Canadian Transit Company.

From 2003 to 2013, Mr. Korosec served as Vice President, Operations for Blue Water Bridge Canada. As such, he was responsible for all aspects of the bridge's security operations, and liaised extensively with both U.S. and Canadian governmental agencies in order to increase cooperation with local, state, provincial, and federal governments on both sides of the border. Mr. Korosec led and developed a high-performance management team, responsible for a total payroll of approximately $3 million and an operating budget of approximately $1.5 million. He projected costs, prepared budgets, and ensured compliance with same. Mr. Korosec ensured compliance with the Blue Water Bridge Act and all applicable government regulations, and was responsible for all operational, security, and emergency management issues. He collaborated with stakeholders in order to increase the processing capacity of U.S.-bound vehicles, thereby reducing crossing times by 50%. Mr. Korosec led the efforts of a multi-agency team to implement the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program at the Blue Water Bridge (thus receiving the Ontario Transportation Program of the Year Award), and championed an effort amongst stakeholders to mitigate rates of fatal auto accidents on or near bridge property. He prepared and delivered speeches and presentations to both U.S. and Canadian governmental and non-governmental agencies regarding Blue Water Bridge activities, and ensured that bridge interests were addressed by both U.S. and Canadian border authorities. Mr. Korosec analyzed traffic patterns and statistics in order to propose a series of initiatives to increase capacity and decrease delays for U.S.-bound commercial traffic, and developed the Blue Water Bridge Canada Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest Policy. He ensured compliance with Canadian anti-money laundering and proceeds of crime legislation, and enhanced the bridge's security policies and programs, including coordinating disaster simulation exercises, emergency response procedures, and upgrades to physical security at key vulnerable locations. Mr. Korosec developed and merged protocols between the Canada Border Services Agency and the Ontario Provincial Police regarding the implementation of powers of arrest for customs officers. He enhanced ongoing communications and cooperation with local law enforcement and security agencies with respect to possible threats against the Blue Water Bridge facility.

Mr. Korosec served with the Ontario Provincial Police from 1985 to 2003, a role in which he served as a Detachment Commander, led a district emergency response team, and served on an emergency response working group formed in response to the 9/11 attacks. In this capacity, Mr. Korosec led the team that identified critical infrastructure, performed associated threat assessments, and improved security precautions at the Blue Water Bridge, among other installations. He also served as a federal officer with Immigration Canada from 1983 to 1985.

Paul E. Taiclet is Vice President of American Cruise Lines and Pearl Seas Cruises overseeing a combined fleet of 9 cruise ships and riverboats specializing in small ship cruising, enticing destinations, and cultural enrichment. The brands appeal to well-traveled and affluent guests seeking the exceptional.

Mr. Taiclet has served as Vice President since 2008 and has worked for American Cruise Lines, the largest fleet of US-Flagged cruise ships, for 14 years. He was directly involved with developing the Pearl Seas Cruises’ brand and introducing the Pearl Mist to the travel industry.

Mr. Taiclet oversees and is responsible for operations across the fleets and is directly involved with hotel and ship operations; ship deployment and new itinerary expansion; and company growth initiatives including new ship builds. He coordinates with Chesapeake Shipbuilding for the exclusive design and construction of new vessels for American Cruise Lines.

Mr. Taiclet began his career in the cruise industry working shipboard in hotel management, culinary operations, and various maritime positions. Mr. Taiclet received his Bachelor of Science in Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management from the Pennsylvania State University.

Prior to joining Ontario Power Generation, Paul Nadeau was a senior officer with the RCMP. He has extensive experience in the area of drug enforcement, intelligence gathering and analysis, media liaison and labour relations. His background includes uniform policing, plainclothes investigations, major case management, VIP security and undercover operations. Prior to coming to OPG he was the National Director of the Drug Program for the RCMP in Ottawa. He spent 26 of his 28 years with the RCMP in British Columbia where he worked undercover and coordinated major international drug investigations. Paul has lectured internationally on many topics related to drug enforcement and organized crime. He has acquired extensive experience with the media as official RCMP spokesperson on issues related to drugs and organized crime. In March 2008, Paul retired from the RCMP and started a new career with Ontario Power Generation as Director of Operations, Nuclear Security. He became Vice President, Nuclear Security in March, 2010 and Vice President of Security and Emergency Services in May, 2012.

Michael Dubé was born and raised in Ontario, Canada. He has worked for 30+ years in various industries in the private and public sectors. From 1978 to 1990, Michael worked as a Second Nuclear Operator with Ontario Hydro (now Hydro One), as a field supervisor and control room panel monitor. Additionally, he performed duties involving high hazard radiation exposures, control entry officer and radioactive material shipments. From 1991 to 2008, Michael worked full time as a municipal structural firefighter with the City of Greater Sudbury. During this time, he performed duties as an Infection Prevention Officer as well as Acting Captain and Incident Commander. Michael achieved the rank of Training Officer in 2006 and remained in this role until moving to the Office of The Ontario Fire Marshal in 2008 as a Program Specialist. Here he was a team member with Emergency Preparedness and Response Unit (EPRU). This team provides assistance to municipal and provincial teams (including OPP UCRT) for emergency response to various fires and disasters. Michael performed various Business Continuity Management revisions and Continuity of Operations functions for the OFM. He is a Certified Organizational Resilience Specialist with the International Consortium on Organizational Resilience. He has provided advice and assistance on the provincial Critical Infrastructure Assurance Program, Radio Interoperability, and CBRNE program as part of the (EPRU). Michael was also responsible for establishing and maintaining communications and monitoring equipment (including computer peripherals and satellite transmission equipment) for the EPRU as well as six provincial operations level CBRNE teams. He performed these functions for the Consequence Management teams for the G8 Conference held in Huntsville in June 2010. Michael assisted in planning and participated in several small and large-scale exercises at the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre as part of the Ministry of the Attorney General (MAG) team and regional hazardous materials response exercises around Ontario. Currently, Michael is the founder, president and primary consultant for Emergency Preparedness and Logistics Consulting (EPLC Ltd.). He has written a manual for resiliency and emergency planning/preparedness, “Everyday Readiness Guidance©” due for release late 2016. Please contact Michael for further details.

Jeremy Depow is the Executive Director and Founder of Canada’s Digital Policy Forum (CDFP) a non-profit organization that regularly convenes governments, civil society, the private sector, academia and other relevant stakeholders together to strengthen dialogue on public policy that can position Canada as a leader in the global digital economy. Jeremy has more than 17 years of public policy experience. He believes that the best public policy is developed through meaningful collaboration between government, private sector and NGOs. He is frequently sought out to advise a broad range of organizations that include Fortune 500 companies, start-ups and non-profits to help them engage in meaningful dialogue with policy-makers.

Jeremy’s public policy work has focussed on science and technology driven sectors included internet-based and bio-pharmaceutical industries where his expertise was used to develop and implement large-scale policy development and engagement strategies. Jeremy has served in the corporate affairs offices of:

• Pfizer Inc.
• Intuit
• BIOTECanada

Jeremy began his career as a policy analyst in the Canadian House of Commons for the Rt. Hon. Joe Clark. He subsequently broadened his experience at the Yankee Group as an industry analyst for the information and communication technologies sectors.

Jeremy earned a Bachelor of Arts, Political Science at the University of New Brunswick.

Mr. Lemaire brings extensive experience and perspective from the produce industry with a keen focus on vertically integrated supply chains and systems philosophy. Spending over 15 years working with the Canadian Produce Marketing Association, Ron has engaged and supported the trade and marketing of both domestic and imported fruit and vegetables inside and outside Canada.

Mr. Lemaire’s professional background features a host of diversified national and international experiences, such as association management and governance, strategic and corporate development, government relations and issue management, marketing, advertising and communications, public private partnerships and capacity building.

Ron is a Carleton University graduate with a combined Bachelor’s Degree in both Law and Sociology.

Throughout an exceptional 30-year career in the public service, Nick Mulder served as the Economic Advisor to the Premier of New Brunswick and as the Deputy Minister of various federal departments including Transport Canada, Environment Canada, Employment and Immigration, and Supply and Services.

During his 15 years at Transport Canada, including a tenure as Deputy Minister (1994-1997), Nick was a principal architect of a broad commercialization agenda which included the privatization of CN Rail, the development of the authority model governing ports and airports and the creation of NAV Canada. He was also responsible for overseeing the policy and regulatory framework governing the transportation sector, the Canada Transportation Act, and its associated enforcement agency, the Canadian Transportation Agency. Nick has been an active proponent of building the most efficient delivery system of government services including collaborative partnerships with the private sector.

Prior to joining Global, Nick served as President of Stentor Telecom Policy Inc., the policy development, communications and government relations corporation representing the Canada-wide Stentor Telecommunications Alliance. He also served for several years as a consultant to the Government of the Republic of Indonesia pertaining to budget planning and poverty reduction strategies.

Nick has been and continues to be involved with a range of boards and foundations such as the Institute of Public Administration, the United Way of Canada, the Kidney Foundation of Canada, the Canadian Council for International Business, the Air Transport Security Corporation, the Canadian Transportation Research Forum and the World University Service of Canada. He was previously Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Ottawa Hospital and served on the Advisory Board to the Institute of Intergovernmental Affairs at Queen’s University. Nick also previously served as Chairman of Hickling Asia.

In recognition of his many contributions to Canada, Nick was named an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1997. He is also a recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Nick holds a B.A and M.A in Economics as well as an Honourary Doctorate from the University of New Brunswick.

Mike Chesney is the Federal Preparedness Coordinator and the Director of the National Preparedness Division for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Region V based in Chicago. He coordinates a range of preparedness activities for the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Mike has previously served with FEMA Region V in a military capacity as the assigned Defense Coordinating Officer. He most recently completed 30 years of honorable military service in the United States Army with several years of executive-level management experience, culminating in the rank of Colonel. He completed his last military service assignment as the Department Chairman of Leadership and Management at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Prior to that assignment, he served with FEMA V where he supported preparedness programs throughout the region, and responding to a number of disasters when requested. Most notably, he successfully commanded the military recovery operation, at the request of the Department of Transportation, to a local authority for the I-35 Minnesota bridge collapse in 2007.

Other key assignments throughout Mike's military service include positions as a senior staff officer in Combined Forces Command Afghanistan, where he led the coalition in the development of programs that strengthened the role of the Afghan government in national security matters. He also served as a special assistant to the Chief of Staff of the Army, where he advanced the communication efforts regarding Army-wide transformation initiatives and the development of the Army’s Senior Leadership Development Course. Mike has benefited with numerous command level assignments throughout his career in leading soldiers, but has also served in unique strategic-level staff assignments at Joint Commands and Department of Defense level activities, supporting a wide range of contingency operations and national military policy development programs.

Academically, Mike holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Northern Illinois University and a Master’s degree in National Security Studies from the U.S. Army War College.

Marie-France Lalonde was first elected to the Ontario legislature in 2014 as the MPP for Ottawa-Orléans.

Lalonde currently serves as Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure, focusing on economic development, and to the Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs and Chief Government Whip.

She serves on the Standing Committees on Government Agencies and was a member of the Select Committee on Sexual Violence and Harassment.

With a degree in social work from the University of Quebec in Hull, she put her leadership and skills to work in a career that began at the Children's Aid Society, followed by the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario and the Ottawa Hospital.

Throughout the last decade, Marie-France continued her career in caring for people and became the co-owner and executive director of the Portobello Manor in Orléans. Ms Lalonde opened Portobello Manor in 2008 to not only effect change in the community, but to address a growing need of long term and senior care.

During her career at the Portobello Manor, Lalonde’s work and passion in senior care led to her receiving the 2010 New Business of the Year Award from the Orléans Chamber of Commerce. In 2013, Portobello Manor was recognized as the Community Service Business of the Year at the 2013 Orléans Business Excellence Awards.

Lalonde – who has lived in Ottawa-Orléans for 15 years – was also a Regional Director of Marketing and Sales in Eastern Canada for All Seniors Care Living Centres.

Along with her career in social work, Ms Lalonde has also served on the Community Advisory Committee for the Champlain Community Access Centre and was part of the working group on affordable housing for seniors with the United Way. Lalonde also served as Vice-President of CARP Ottawa where she continued her advocacy for seniors and senior care.

In 2012, her community involvement earned her a Leading Women Building Communities award from the Government of Ontario.

DHS Attaché Leslie Lawson is the Secretary of Homeland Security’s personal representative within Canada, the Homeland Security Advisor to the US Ambassador and the Senior DHS policy representative in country.

Attaché Lawson entered on duty with the United States Customs Service as a part-time Customs Inspector in Burlington, Vermont, in March, 1992. She then transferred to the Immigration and Naturalization Service as an Immigration Examiner in St. Albans, Vermont, later that same year. She became a U.S. Border Patrol on August 1, 1994, as a member of Class 270. Her first duty assignment as a Border Patrol agent was at the Chula Vista Station in the San Diego Sector.

As her career progressed, she promoted to Senior Patrol Agent in San Diego and then Supervisory Border Patrol Agent at the Ramey Station in Puerto Rico. In 2001, she promoted to the Patrol Agent in Charge of the Ramey Station and later became an Assistant Chief Patrol Agent in the Swanton, Vermont Sector. In June 2006, she promoted to Associate Chief at Border Patrol Headquarters in Washington, DC.

In February 2009, PAIC Lawson was selected as the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City, Mexico, where she was the Commissioner’s representative within Mexico with responsibility for advising the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico on CBP policy and procedure. In July 2011, she became the Patrol Agent in Charge of the Nogales, Arizona, Border Patrol Station, the largest station in the country. She assumed her current duties in October 2015.

During her 20-plus year career, PAIC Lawson has been fortunate enough to be assigned around the country and world with DHS, CBP and the Border Patrol, having served on the southwest, northern and coastal borders, as well as in the capitals of the United States, Mexico and Canada. She was also the first female to permanently lead the Nogales Station and won the prestigious “Outstanding Advocate for Women” award from Women in Federal Law Enforcement.

PAIC Lawson earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and history from the University of Vermont. She also earned a Master of Science degree in criminal justice from Michigan State University.

Leslie M. Lawson is 46 years old and a native of Sheldon, Vermont. Her husband, John, also served in the U.S. Border Patrol.

John Proctor, VP, Global Cyber Security, is responsible for CGI’s global security portfolio and overall cyber strategy, which involves CGI’s 1400+ security professionals around the world, John leads the design and negotiation of large security opportunities across the global organization, building and fostering client relationships through consistent excellence in delivery. John is based at the Canadian Security Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Ottawa, which comprises over 200 security and privacy professionals, a 24/7/365 Security Operations Centre and one of three accredited security evaluation test centres.

With over 22 years of experience in the British and Canadian forces prior to joining the private sector, John is a qualified Intelligence Officer, HUMINT operator, Hostage/Crisis Negotiator, has served as aircrew flying helicopters in the Royal Navy, and spent six years working with Canadian Special Forces. John draws upon his unique technical background mixed with his individual and organizational behaviour expertise to support the people and organizational pillars in cyber security and privacy.

Known for his ability to communicate effectively with both a technical and a business audience, John has quickly become one of CGI’s global cyber security subject matter experts and is a sought after speaker at numerous industry conferences and CGI client events. John is a member of the Department of Foreign Affairs ICT Advisory Board, is CGI’s advisor to the Canadian Council for Chief Executives Cyber Security Advisory Council and is a member of the CATA Cyber Council.

Christopher Smillie’s current role is Senior Advisor – Government Relations and Public Affairs for the Building and Construction Trades Department, AFL-CIO, Canadian Office, also known as the Canada’s Building Trades Unions. CBTU represents more than 550,000 skilled tradespeople in fifteen trades in every province and territory.

Chris is responsible for government relations and public affairs with the Government of Canada in Ottawa, On. Chris interacts with Members of Parliament and various federal government departments on national issues affecting the construction and energy industry. Chris works for and with the affiliated construction trades to deliver a united message in Ottawa for the membership in Canada.

Chris attended and graduated from the University of Western Ontario in London,ON and holds an honours Political Science degree. Chris is currently a master’s candidate at McMaster University / Syracuse University’s Master of Communication Management program.

Chris is originally from Oakville, ON and now resides in Ottawa, ON with his daughter Aislynn. Chris worked for the Royal Bank of Canada and the Business Development Bank of Canada for a number of years as a relationship manager and commercial lender.

Bob Armstrong, CITP, PLog, CMILT, is President of Armstrong Trade and Logistics Advisory Services Inc. (ATLAS). On August 1, 2012 Bob was appointed President of The Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport in North America (CILTNA). Bob has over 40 years of experience in the fields of Global Supply Chain, International Trade, Cross Border Logistics and Customs Regulations and procedures. Bob also served as President of Supply Chain & Logistics Association of Canada (SCL) from November 2007 to July 2012.

Bob Armstrong further served as President and CEO for the Canadian Association of Importers and Exporters Inc. for nine years and as President of the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers of Canada (AIAMC) for nine years.

Prior experience includes nine years in Senior Management in the Supply Chain & Logistics industry and several years in Ottawa with a major Government Relations Firm and earlier as a Partner of a Major Public Accounting Firm.

Bob has developed and led trade logistics missions to Hong Kong and China, SE Asia and the USA and has extensive experience assisting Canadian companies to find new sources of supply and/or customers for their products while ensuring their goods are moved cost effectively, efficiently with visibility and supply chain resilience to and from global markets.

Bob has also performed consulting engagements with respect to multimodal transportation hubs/gateways in Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan. ATLAS through the efforts of Bob Armstrong has performed numerous consulting/new business consulting projects for Ports of Belledune, Thunder Bay and Hamilton. Similar projects have been done for McMaster Institute of Transport & Logistics (MITL).Bob performed a rail connectivity project at the Port of Hamilton early 2014.Bob recently completed a Feasibility Study in partnership with CPCS Transcom for a Rail-on-Apron project in Port Colborne. Other current projects relate to international trade, government affairs, transportation management, and developing new marine services. Currently, Bob is involved with the University of Windsor, Cross-Border Institute performing a Feasibility Study for new proposed Customs and Logistics Specialty Services at the Gordie Howe International Bridge connecting Windsor and Detroit.

Bob Armstrong is a known national and international speaker, author, and expert on issues related to International Trade, Cross-Border Logistics, the Global Supply Chain, and Customs and Security issues. Bob is very active on the Board of Directors of the St.Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation as Ontario government representative, Ontario Chamber of Commerce (Past-Chair), Past National Chair, of Hong Kong Canada Business Association.

Malini Giridhar was appointed to the position of Vice President Business Development in November 2015. She is responsible for new business initiatives that will extend and complement growth in its core gas distribution business.

In her previous position as Vice President, Gas Supply and Business Development, she led gas supply procurement and dispatch activities, strategic planning and received regulatory approval to build a major natural gas pipeline in the Greater Toronto Area.

She joined Enbridge in 1994 as a financial analyst and held progressively more senior positions in the Regulatory and Gas Supply groups.

Malini is a Chartered Financial Analyst and has a graduate degree in Economics. She lives in Toronto with her husband and two children.

Vaughn MacLellan is a Toronto-based partner with DLA Piper (Canada) LLP, a global law firm with lawyers located in more than 30 countries, practising corporate and securities law. He focuses on advising issuers, investors and dealers with respect to corporate and securities matters generally, with an emphasis on corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions and securities compliance matters. He regularly acts on a variety of transactions for early stage and mature companies, private and public, including public offerings, private placements, acquisitions, and stock exchange listings.

He is a member of the TSX Venture Exchange Local Advisory Committee (Ontario) and a past member of the TSX Venture Exchange National Advisory Committee and the Ontario Securities Commission’s Exempt Market Advisory Committee. He was a contributing author to Halsbury’s Law of Canada – Securities, and is an instructor in Corporate Transactions at the University of New Brunswick Faculty of Law. He is a director of The Macdonald-Laurier Institute, an Ottawa-based public policy think tank.

Robert Landis is a partner in the New York office of The Riverside Company, a private equity firm investing in premier companies at the smaller end of the middle market. Robert joined Riverside in 2002 and has over 36 years of commercial and investment banking experience gained at Deutsche Banc Alex Brown (18 years) and its predecessors, and at Citibank.

At Deutsche, he developed industry expertise in the consumer, industrial, transportation, and telecommunications sectors and in his last position (1998-2002) he led the aerospace and defense group in North America. Robert headed the firm's North American corporate finance group as it transitioned to an investment bank in the mid 1990's. At Citibank, he was Vice President of the Multi-National Group. Prior to that, Robert was a Major (ret.) in the U.S. Army. He holds a BS from the University of Colorado and an MBA in International Management from the Garvin School of International Management.

At The Riverside Company he is responsible for a team of 11 professionals that coordinate origination and structuring opportunities for Riverside's investment portfolios.

A serial entrepreneur who has started over 20 businesses in a variety of industries, Patrick J. Whalen is Interim Director of the Niagara Global Tourism Institute and Managing Partner of Capstone Scientific, LLC.

Pat served as the Chief Operating Officer of the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, Inc. (BNMC) for nearly eight years until November of 2015. In addition to managing the BNMC day-to-day operations Pat was the BNMC’s unofficial “entrepreneur–in-residence.” As such, Pat worked to foster collaboration and job creation on campus and throughout the bi-national region.

Among the businesses Pat has started is Fulfillment Systems International (FSI), a technology driven logistics services provider. FSI grew from a 1-man startup in 1985 to a firm with annual sales of $20 million and over 200 employees in 5 locations in Canada, Europe, and the USA before being sold to UPS in 2000. It is now part of UPS Supply Chain Solutions.

He currently sits on the board of directors of: the Association of University Research Parks; World Trade Center Buffalo Niagara; Canadian American Border Trade Alliance; WNY Public Broadcasting WNED | WBFO; Health Science Charter School; Kaleida Health Foundation; New Buffalo Capital; and Continental 1.

He was the secretary of the Direct Marketing Industry Working Group in Washington, D.C.; and has served on the boards of the Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority; Rotary Club of Buffalo (twice); the American Red Cross Buffalo Chapter; Bi-National Tourism Alliance; the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership Alumni Association (twice) and Buffalo Niagara WorldConnect. He was the co-chair of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership’s Logistics Council and conceptualized and co-founded Come-to-America which seeks to utilize the Buffalo Niagara region’s logistics assets to attract international companies. A Rotarian since '86, he was an organizer of the new Rotary club on the BNMC where he served on its board of directors during the club's inaugural year.

He is a graduate of the University at Buffalo’s School of Management Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership and attended Canisius College.

Kevin Kelly currently serves as the Acting President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for Bruce Power, Ontario’s largest independent electricity producer and operator of the World’s largest nuclear facility.

Through his CFO role, Kevin is responsible for Supply Chain, Site Services, Business and Capital Planning, Corporate Finance and Reporting, Treasury and Taxation, Energy Trading, Information Technology and Pension Asset Management.

Kevin brings more than 20 years of experience in the areas of strategic and operational planning, financial reporting and cost management, treasury, taxation, pension and insurance. More recently, he was part of the Bruce Power Team who successfully negotiated a long-term commercial framework with the Province of Ontario enabling the life extension of the facility up to 2064.

Kevin joined Bruce Power as the Head of Finance when the company was formed in 2001 after working with British Energy when that entity acquired 80% of Bruce Power. In 2005, he was appointed as Vice-President Finance and supported the 2005 Bruce Power Refurbishment Agreement negotiation team and the related restructuring of Bruce Power.

Prior to his role at Bruce Power, Kevin was responsible for setting up the reporting and governance structure for British Energy in North America. During this time he also served on the due diligence and transition team focusing on the transaction between Bruce Power and Ontario Power Generation. Kevin has also worked at BDO’s Toronto Office where he was responsible for managing various operational and financial client groups that consisted of both owner-managed businesses and public companies.

Kevin is a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Reactor Technology Course for Utility Executives. He is a CPA and received his Chartered Accountant (CA) designation from the ICAO in 1997 and holds a Bachelor of Accounting degree from Brock University.

Judson Greif is a government affairs analyst in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office. He represents clients on a wide range of issues before both houses of Congress as well as the Executive Branch. He works with the firm’s clients and lobbyists to develop legislative strategies and has focus practice areas of transportation, finance, energy, health care, environment and defense.

Mr. Greif manages the firm’s transportation and infrastructure financing policy team, leading numerous public, private, and non-profit entities in innovative finance and public private partnership policy debates. He successfully lobbied for the inclusion of multiple innovative proposals in the Financing America’s Surface Transportation Act of 2015 and worked closely with Congressional authorizers on tax and finance incentives for public infrastructure projects. He has authored and co-authored legislative proposals to increase capital flow for infrastructure financing and development, and works regularly with staff at the US Department of Transportation, US Treasury Department, and the National Economic Council on development and implementation of new strategies.

Prior to joining K&L Gates, Mr. Greif served as a Vice President at a Washington, D.C. lobby firm, where he provided services to a range of clients based in the Pacific Northwest. Prior to relocating to Washington, D.C., Mr. Greif was the Manager of Legislative Programs at Premera Blue Cross, headquartered outside of Seattle, WA. In that role, he studied health care public policy proposals at the state and federal levels and helped advise and implement legislative strategies for the company.

Mr. Greif has served as the Director of Public Policy at a Seattle-based political consulting firm and has consulted to numerous elected officials in local, state and federal government. In 2004, he served as Finance Director for Senator Patty Murray’s re-election campaign and as Political Director to the Senator following her re-election effort.

Mr. Greif received a Master of Business Administration from the Foster School of Business at the University of Washington and a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Government from The University of Puget Sound.

Representative Cory Mason
Assembly District 66 (D - Racine)

Born Racine, January 25, 1973; married; 2 daughters, 1 son. Graduate Case H.S. (Racine); B.A. in philosophy UW-Madison. Full-time legislator. Member: Great Lakes Legislative Caucus (Chairman)River Alliance of Wis. (fmr. bd. mbr.); UW Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention (fmr. bd. mbr.); League of Conservation Voters; Racine Heritage Museum; Root River Council; Wild Root Co-op; I-94 Labor Development Com. (fmr. co-chp.). Former member: Wis. Coastal Management Bd.; Racine Rotary West. Redevelopment Authority of Racine 2005-11 (commissioner).

Elected to Assembly 2006; reelected since 2008.

Dr. Christian Ketels is a member of the Harvard Business School faculty at Professor Michael E. Porter's Institute for Strategy and Competitiveness.

He holds a PhD (Econ) from the London School of Economics and further degrees from the Kiel Institute for World Economics and University of Cologne.

Dr. Ketels has led cluster and competitiveness projects in many parts of the world. He is member of economic advisory groups in Europe and the Americas, has written widely on economic policy issues, is the co-editor of the Competitiveness Review, and has been a frequent speaker on competitiveness and strategy in Europe, North America and Asia.

Andrew Swart has been consulting for more than 13 years and is a Partner in Monitor Deloitte based in Toronto. Over his twelve years at Monitor he has developed corporate and competitive growth strategies for clients in a range of industries including oil and gas, mining, CPG, professional services and government.

The majority of his focus in the last few years has been in Mining, Oil & Gas.

He has worked for clients around the world including Canada, Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan , Germany, India, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

Prior to joining Monitor, he worked for five years at Fluor Daniel, an international Fortune 500 EPC company. Here he was involved in the design and project management of plants in the oil, gas and petroleum sectors. Prior to working in the engineering and construction sector, he spent two years working for Anglo American.

He has a BSc and an MSc in Chemical Engineering from the University of Natal (South Africa). He also holds an MBA from the University of Cape Town (South Africa).

Until recently, he served on the International Board of Right to Play, a Canadian NGO. He remains actively involved in the organization and Chairs the International Development Committee

Dennis Donohue practices in the area of environmental law, with a focus on mining and resource development. Dennis has unique experience in applying his expertise in the National Environmental Policy Act, the Clean Water Act, wetlands and mine permitting to help companies obtain the regulatory and social licenses needed to successfully develop sustainable resource development projects throughout the Upper Great Lakes Region. In addition, Dennis's environmental permitting and enforcement experience across a range of regulatory programs, including programs governing remediation of contaminated property and sediments, enables him to assist clients in managing a broad spectrum of environmental risk, transactional due diligence and compliance issues. Dennis is the Chair of the American Bar Association Section on Environment, Energy and Resources Mining and Mineral Extraction Committee and incoming Chair of the State Bar of Michigan Environmental Law Section.

State Senator Dave Senjem (pronounced SEN-jum) was first elected to the Minnesota State Senate in 2002. He represents Senate District 25 which includes most of Dodge County in southeast Minnesota, plus portions of Olmsted County including half of the City of Rochester.

In November 2006, Senjem was elected by his caucus to serve as the Senate Republican Minority Leader. As Minority Leader, Senator Senjem led the Republican Caucus to the majority in the 2010 election - a significant achievement in the political history of the state of Minnesota. He is known for his stabilizing presence in the Minnesota Senate and was elected to serve as Majority Leader of the Minnesota Senate in 2012.

Presently, Senator Senjem serves as the minority lead member of the Capital Investment Committee, plus serves on Tax, Transportation and Transportation Public Safety Committees.

Senjem has played key roles in bringing forth Mayo Clinic’s Destination Medical Center innovative economic development initiative. This is set to secure Minnesota's status as a global medical destination now and in the future. Among the list of successful legislation, Senator Senjem was key in formally established the University of Minnesota’s Rochester campus, and securing funding for dredging Lake Zumbro.

Before joining the Legislature, Senator Senjem had already built up an impressive resume of public policy work, which includes 11 years on the Rochester City Council, 4 years as a Park Board member, and 6 years as a member of the Olmsted County Environmental Commission. He spent 16 years on the Minnesota Emergency Response Commission, and 4 years on the Minnesota OSHA Advisory Committee. He also served as Vice Chair for the Community and Economic Development Committee of the National League of Cities.

Senator Senjem graduated from Hayfield High School – in southeastern Minnesota, and received a BA from Luther College in Iowa. He was inspired into a life of public service by his father who was mayor of Hayfield and through his involvement with the Rochester Jaycees.

Senator Senjem joined Mayo Clinic in 1964. While at Mayo he worked as an institutional biosafety officer and was responsible for all aspects of environmental regulatory compliance. Senator Senjem retired after forty-four successful years.

To contact Senator David Senjem or schedule an appointment please call (651)296-3903, or email sen.david.senjem@senate.mn. Senator Senjem’s senate office is located at 113 State Office Building, St. Paul, MN 55155

Dan is an international trade and customs lawyer who specializes in Canada-United States matters. In addition to his legal practice, Dan serves as the firm’s Cross-Border Business Development Director as Dickinson Wright is one of a limited number of legal service providers that have full-service offices located in Canada and the United States. In contrast to the customary model where law firms have offices staffed by foreign legal consultants or operate in silos, Dickinson Wright operates a fully integrated Canada-U.S. Platform on the “front lines” and in the key trading corridors of the Canada-US relationship in markets such as Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arizona, Nevada, and Washington, D.C. Dan collaborates with more than 400 Dickinson Wright attorneys who regularly assist businesses that are navigating the cross-border regulatory and legal environment. Dan also provides public policy counsel to government officials and industry leaders in areas of regulatory cooperation, border security, economic development, labor mobility, and public-private-partnerships.

A US-licensed lawyer, Dan is one of the few individuals that has served in the US and Canadian governments, as well as private practice and academia. Prior to joining Dickinson Wright, Dan served as an officer in Canada’s foreign ministry where he was responsible for coordinating a network of government departments and Canada-US industry associations toward improving North America’s borders and ports-of-entry. Dan was the Managing Director of the Canada-United States Law Institute, an organization of cross-border corporate executives and in-house counsel, law firms, public policy experts, scholars and the media housed at Case Western Reserve University and the University of Western Ontario. Dan was a visiting professor of law at Case Western Reserve University School of Law for nearly a decade and managed a lab that served as a legal adviser to the US Department of Homeland Security and the US Coast Guard. Dan was the co-faculty advisor for the Canada-United States Law Journal and the Case Western Reserve Journal of International Law. Dan’s US government experience also includes serving as a Career Judicial Law Clerk to United States District Judge Peter C. Economus (OHND) where he participated in federal criminal and civil trial litigation, including performing by designation in cases pending before the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

Mike Moffatt is Chief Economist of the Mowat Centre, Ontario’s non-partisan, evidence-based voice on public policy. In addition, Mike is an Assistant Professor in the Business, Economics and Public Policy group at Ivey Business School at Western University where he teaches courses in international trade and firm-level strategy.

As President of Energy East, John Soini has overall responsibility for the Energy East Pipeline Project. The Energy East Pipeline is a 4,600 km pipeline that will safely and responsibly connect receipt points in Alberta and Saskatchewan to provide Western Canadian crude oil access to refineries in Eastern Canada and to export markets.

Mr. Soini has been with TransCanada for over 18 years in various roles, most recently, as Vice President of Project Management of the Energy East Pipeline Project. Prior to that, John led the development and safe installation of all facilities and pipeline infrastructure projects within TransCanada’s Natural Gas and Power Divisions in Canada and the United States.

Prior to this, Mr. Soini was the Vice President of the Bruce A Restart Project for Bruce Power where he had accountability for the refurbishment of two nuclear power plants totalling 1,500 MW. This was a first in kind mega project undertaken by Bruce Power and has successfully contributed to making Bruce Power the largest nuclear power plant in the world, safely providing almost one third of Ontario’s power.

Originally from northern Ontario, and still deeply rooted there, John is a proud tradesman, holding an Interprovincial Millwright Red Seal. He also holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration, with distinction, from the Haskayne School of Business. He is a Mechanical Engineering Technologist and a Fourth Class Power Engineer.

• Studies of nautical science and navigation in Hamburg
• Unlimited Master’s certificate for deep sea navigation
• Graduation at University of Applied Sciences, Hamburg
• Served onboard various cargo and passenger vessels (cruise and ferry, incl. former MV “Astor”, now MV “Saga Pearl II”) in worldwide trade
• different operational functions as well as managing director for the Aug. Bolten Shipping Group, Hamburg (including the post of Managing Director and head of HR and head of technical department for ferry operators TT-Line + OLAU Line based in Hamburg)
• former Founder and Managing Co-Owner of Hanseatic Cruises (operating company for the expedition vessels MV “Hanseatic” and MV “Bremen”)
• former Managing Director of Deutsche Seetouristik and Arkona Reisen (operating company and tour operator for the first AIDA (now MV “AIDAcara”), both being part of DSR-Group, Rostock and Frankfurt)
• Founder and Managing Director of SeaConsult Group of Companies since 20 years (founded 31 Aug. 1997)
• NE Managing Director of several one ship owning companies
• Managing Director and Past-President of IG RiverCruise – The European River Cruise Association
• National Director of CLIA Germany
• Member of Hamburg Cruise Center
• Member of Cruise Research Society
• Advisory Board Member of Hamburg Cruise Initiative (part of Hamburg State Government and chaired by the Senator for Transportation, Economics and Innovation)
• Advisory Board Member of Hamburg Cruise Days
• Member of the users’ committee of Hamburg cruise terminals (part of Hamburg Port Authority & Cruise Gate Hamburg)

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

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

Mr. Wilson serves on the advisory board of Toronto Global Forum, associated with the International Global Economic Forums of the Americas, and sits on the Board of Directors for Moorelands Community Services, an organization providing programs and support for low-income children residing in Toronto, and the Empire Club of Canada, the country’s oldest and largest speaker’s forum.

Sarah Powell is one of Canada's leading environmental lawyers. She has extensive experience in all aspects of environmental law, including strategic advice on environmental and social impact assessments, environmental approvals and Aboriginal risk assessments. She is certified by the Law Society of Upper Canada as a Specialist in Environmental Law. Sarah is the Public Affairs Liaison and past chair of the Environmental Law Section of the Ontario Bar Association. Sarah is also past chair of the National Environmental, Energy and Resource Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association.

Sarah is a member of the firm's Management Committee.

Bill Anderson joined the University of Windsor as the Ontario Research Chair in Cross-Border Transportation Policy in 2008. He was formerly on the faculties of McMaster University, where he was Director of the McMaster Institute for Energy Studies and Boston University, where he was Associate Director of the Center for Transportation Studies.

An economic geographer, his interests include the Canada-US border; economic analysis of transportation infrastructure investments; Canada-US economic integration; urban and regional economic development; transportation and border security; international trade and transportation planning. He is author of the textbook Economic Geography and co-author of the recently published Knowledge Economy in the Megalopolis. He has conducted research for numerous federal, state and provincial agencies in Canada and the US and has been a consultant to the World Bank.

At Windsor, he founded the Cross-Border Institute, which conducts research on the movement of goods and people across the Canada-US border and the economies of the border regions. His report The Border and the Ontario Economy is available from the CBI website: http://www.uwindsor.ca/crossborder/research-0.

Joe Colyn leads the agri-food consultancy Originz, LLC out of Battle Creek, MI where we help clients deliver “food systems for a healthier world”. We use the comparative adjective “healthier” – we are never satisfied with the status quo. We believe and act from the position that mankind (society) can best care for the earth (the environment) when our economy prospers – that those interests can be complimentary rather than competitive. We envision a world that is both thriving and sustainable!

Joe Colyn brings scenario planning, strategic thinking and a broad base of business and technical knowledge to helping companies, trade associations, and other clients envision and realize new opportunity. He has supported aquaculture development in the region for the past five years. He was born, raised, and received his formal education in Ontario, Canada and has lived in Michigan for 23 years from where he has helped a number of clients realize cross-border opportunity.

Jeff Lyash is the President and CEO of OPG. Lyash was formerly the president of CB&I Power where he was responsible for a full range of engineering, procurement and construction of multi-billion dollar electrical generation projects in both domestic and international markets. He also provided operating plant services for nuclear, coal, gas, oil and renewable generation.

Prior to joining CB&I in 2013, Lyash served as Executive Vice President of Energy Supply for Duke Energy. He led engineering, maintenance and operations of the company's 42,000-megawatt generation fleet, fuel procurement, power trading, major projects and construction, environmental programs, and health and safety programs.

Before the merger of Progress Energy and Duke Energy, Lyash served as Executive Vice President of Energy Supply for Progress Energy. In this role, he oversaw Progress Energy's diverse 22,000-megawatt fleet of generating resources including nuclear, coal, oil, natural gas and hydroelectric stations. In addition, he was responsible for generating fleet fuel procurement and power trading operations.

Lyash began his career in the utility industry in 1981, joining Progress Energy in 1993. Before assuming the role of Executive Vice President of Energy Supply, he served as Executive Vice President of Corporate Development, President and Chief Executive Officer of Progress Energy Florida, Senior Vice President of Energy Delivery Florida, and Vice President of Transmission. He also held a wide range of management and executive roles in Progress Energy's nuclear program, including Operations Manager, Engineering Manager, Plant Manager, and Director of Site Operations.

Before joining Progress Energy, Lyash worked for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in a number of senior technical and management positions throughout the northeast United States and in Washington, D.C, receiving the NRC Meritorious Service Award in 1987.

Lyash earned a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Drexel University, and was honored with the Drexel University Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2009. He has held a Senior Reactor Operator License from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and is a graduate of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management Executive Training Program and the Duke Fuqua School of Business Advanced Management Program.

Andrew Bond is a leader in Deloitte’s Consumer Business practice which focuses on Tourism, Hospitality and Leisure, Retail and Consumer Goods companies. Prior to joining Deloitte he has over 10 years of experience working in this industry and brings unique functional perspectives in finance, strategy and sales to his role at Deloitte. In particular Andrew advises companies requiring performance improvement and turnaround support to generate rapid value enhancement. His clients include large and small organizations as well as industry associations across all sectors of the Consumer Business industry.

Andrew holds a Bachelor of Commerce from McMaster University and a Master of Business Administration from Queen’s University.

James Scongack is currently the Vice-President of Corporate Affairs for Bruce Power, Ontario’s largest independent electricity producer and operator of the largest nuclear facility in the World.

Reporting to the President and CEO, the Vice-President of Corporate Affairs is responsible for media/investor relations, external communications, employee communication, community relations, corporate social responsibility, aboriginal affairs, environment and sustainability and stakeholder relations.

Prior to his role in Corporate Affairs, James held the role as Executive Assistant to the President & CEO, while managing various company initiatives including new build development projects for the company. Prior to that James worked within Bruce Power in the areas of Business Development and in Corporate Communications.

James is currently a Board member of the Energy Council of Canada and serves as Chair of World Nuclear Association Communications Committee as well as the Bruce Power-Saugeen Shores-Kincardine Physician Recruitment Committee.

James also sits on the Board of Directors for Easter Seals Ontario and the Southwest Economic Alliance. James has a Master’s Degree from the University of Guelph College of Management and Economics in Leadership and a BA (Hons.). James is also a Chartered Director through the DeGroote Business School Directors College.

James, his wife Jennifer, and daughter reside in Port Elgin, Ontario.

James can be reach via email at james.scongack@brucepower.com or at his office: 519-361-3900.

Rob Southwick is the President of Southwick Associates. For over 25 years, Southwick Associates has been the leader in fish, wildlife and outdoor economics and market research. Southwick Associates helps the outdoor community understand trends, and how hunting, fishing and other recreational activities translate into jobs, revenues and more. Major clients include the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, the Outdoor Industries Association, the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, the majority of state fish and wildlife agencies and many more. Rob received his business and economics training at the University of Florida. With over a dozen very talented experts, Southwick Associates provides the fishing and hunting community with the intelligence needed to improve participation and profits.

With a genuine enthusiasm for student success and an unwavering dedication to his college and the community, Dan Patterson, PhD, has been Niagara College’s president since 1995. Under his leadership, the College has doubled its enrolment to over 10,000 full time students in over 100 programs with an operating budget of over $150 million. Patterson also led the largest campus expansions in Niagara College history.

Patterson is a passionate advocate for the role that colleges play in their communities, and he’s a strong proponent of experiential learning for students preparing for the world of work. He’s overseen the creation of Canada’s first teaching winery and teaching brewery -- which serve as a model for applied learning -- as well as the development of applied research centres for advanced manufacturing and culinary innovation.

Patterson’s public service has been recognized with various awards including the Canadian Red Cross Power of Humanity and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal as well as a Visiting Fellowship at Green Templeton College (Oxford University, U.K.).

Patterson received his BA from the University of Windsor, his MSc from The London School of Economics, and his MEd from the University of Toronto. He later attended Oxford to complete its Senior Management Development program. Committed to lifelong learning, he earned his PhD from the University of Toronto in the field of higher education. In recognition of his achievements within the college system, Patterson was conferred an Honourary Doctorate from Niagara University in 2003 and an Honourary Doctorate of Laws from Brock University in 2009.

John Fleming previously served dual roles as chairman and CEO of Ford of Europe and executive vice president, Global Manufacturing and Labor Affairs.

Fleming was responsible for overseeing the global operations of 75 assembly, stamping and powertrain plants. He also was responsible for the company’s worldwide engineering support for stamping, vehicle and powertrain manufacturing, and Ford’s Material Planning & Logistics, Ford Production System, Manufacturing Business Office and Labor Affairs organizations.

In his role as Ford of Europe’s chief, Fleming was responsible for Ford of Europe, Volvo Car Corporation and Ford’s Export Operations & Global Growth Initiatives. He was elected to the position in October 2008 after serving as a Ford group vice president and president and chief executive officer, Ford of Europe since 2005. Prior to that, he was vice president, Manufacturing, Ford of Europe.

Before taking over as vice president manufacturing, Fleming was executive director of the Ford Stamping Business Unit in the United States, an operation he was responsible for establishing. Fleming joined Ford in 1967 at the company’s Halewood facility on Merseyside, where he was involved in manufacturing processes for the then new Ford Escort.

Born in Liverpool, England, in January 1951, Fleming holds an Honorary Degree from the John Moores University in Liverpool and production engineering qualifications from North East London Polytechnic.

Mr. Conibear has more than 30 years experience in corporate and asset management of all phases of mining investments in North and South America, and several African countries. Originally from the mining centre of Sudbury, he brings to Lundin Mining and its investments a practical background of 18 years in mining project and construction management followed by 15 years as a corporate officer and director for several successful Lundin group public companies.

As Chief Operating Officer then President/CEO and a Director of Tenke Mining Corp for many years until its merger with Lundin Mining, Mr. Conibear was instrumental in progressing the world class Tenke Fungurume copper/cobalt project towards development. In this capacity he has also been active in advancing the group's corporate social responsibility initiatives and is one of founding directors of the Lundin Foundation, a charitable entity established to support sustainable development in countries where Lundin Group companies are active.

Mr. Conibear now serves as President, CEO & a Director of Lundin Mining, positions held since 2011. He has been responsible for the Company’s significant growth, becoming a highly successful mid-tier base metals producer with 6 underground mines and one large open pit, with those operations located in Sweden, Portugal, United States and Chile.

Robyn Gabel is from Evanston and has represented the people of the 18th District in the Illinois House of Representatives since 2010. During her time in the legislature, she has become a legislative leader in ensuring the safety of our children, guaranteeing the rights of women, strengthening and improving our healthcare system and protecting our natural resources.

Her legislative accomplishments include bills to protect young people from the dangers of tanning beds, children from nicotine poisoning from e-cigarette liquids, and to save newborns by early detection of heart defects. She created new laws to increase the quality of healthcare by streamlining standards for certified community health care workers and designated stroke care centers. She is a leader in efforts to promote wind, solar and other renewable energy, and through her efforts many barriers faced by community gardeners have been alleviated. She has argued in support of landmark reforms to help parents get the best education for their special needs children and for the compassionate use of medical cannabis for adults and children.

Her legislative record has won her recognition from the March of Dimes, Midwest Asian Health Association, the ARC of Illinois, Metropolitan Chicago Breast Cancer Task Force, the Illinois Public Health Association, and the Illinois Environmental Council, among others.

Robyn serves as the Chair of the House Human Services Committee, the Vice-Chair of the House Human Services Appropriations Committee, and as a member of the committees on Insurance, Environment, Mass Transit, Business Growth and Incentives, and Museums, Arts and Cultural Enhancements. In 2015 Robyn was appointed co-chair of the newly formed Violence Prevention Task Force.

Before coming to the legislature she was the Executive Director of the Illinois Maternal and Child Health Coalition from 1988 to 2010. She has a B.A. from Beloit College and M.S.P.H. from the University of Illinois Chicago, School of Public Health. She also has an M.J. in health law from Loyola University Chicago.

Jean Paul (JP) Gladu is currently the President and CEO of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) based in Toronto. Anishinaabe from Thunder Bay JP is a member of Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek located on the eastern shores of Lake Nipigon, Ontario. JP completed a forestry technician diploma in 1993, obtained an undergraduate degree in forestry from Northern Arizona University in 2000 and holds an Executive MBA from Queens University.

JP has over two decades of experience in the natural resource sector. His career path includes work with Aboriginal communities and organizations, environmental non-government organizations, industry and governments from across Canada. In JP’s current capacity at CCAB, he speaks extensively not only across Canada but internationally as he shares the challenges and successes of Aboriginal business in Canada today. In 2014 he addressed delegates at the World Indigenous Business Forum in Guatemala; in 2015k, he presented at both the Sodexo Quality of Life Conference and the Corporate Leadership Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Building a Community of Practice Conference in New York City.

Currently, JP serves on the Colleges and Institutes Canada (previously ACCC), the Northern Policy Institute, Canadian Foundation for Economic Education, is an advisory member to the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, a committee member to the Provincial Forest Policy Committee and was recently appointed to Ontario Power Generation’s Board of Directors. In 2014, he was identified as a Diversity 50 Board Ready Candidate from the Canadian Board Diversity Council and a recipient of the Community Service Award – Transformation Awards from Diversity Magazine.

As a father to his young daughter Chloe, along with a passion for his community, his culture and traditions; JP brings the past, present and future to the table, moving non-Aboriginal and Aboriginal business toward sustainable partnerships and shared economic prosperity.

As Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Tourism Toronto, Andrew leads the organization’s global marketing and communications program to position Toronto as a top travel destination, develop new market opportunities and establish strategic partnerships.

Andrew has been a member of the executive team at Tourism Toronto for 10 years and is an advocate and frequent spokesperson for the tourism industry in the Toronto Region, elevating the industry’s recognition as a vital economic sector. He currently serves on numerous advisory boards in tourism and related sectors.

Prior to joining the tourism industry, Andrew served as Communications Director to an Ontario Cabinet Minister and spent nine years in communications and business development in the health care and biotechnology sector.

Derrick Watchman is the Chief Executive Officer for the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise. Formerly he was Vice President and Senior Relationship Manager at JP Morgan Chase Bank’s Native American Banking Group. He provided tribal financial and banking services, including structuring over $500 million in tribal credit transactions and treasury services. Derrick is a member of the Navajo Nation and was raised on the Navajo reservation. Derrick was principal with Watchman & Associates of Window Rock, Arizona providing business advisory and development services. He is formerly the Chief of Staff for the Navajo Nation where he managed the Executive Branch program and services.

Mr. Watchman has also served as Director of Indian Affairs at the U.S. Department of Energy. Previously, he worked for the Wells Fargo Bank handling Native American banking and financing. Mr. Watchman was Chief Operating Officer and General Manager of the Navajo Nation’s Dinè Power Authority where he advised on Navajo Nation energy projects. He also held the Navajo Tax Commission Director post. Mr. Watchman also worked with Prudential Capital Corporation as a private placement banker. Among several directorships, he is the current chairman of the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development Board of Directors. Mr. Watchman holds a MBA from the University of California and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona.

Munroe Eagles is Director of the Canadian Studies Academic Program, a Professor of Political Science at the University at Buffalo - State University of New York, where he has taught since 1989. Prior to coming to UB, he taught for three years at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He has a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of California, Irvine, an MA from Queen’s University in Kingston, ON, and a BA (Hons) from Acadia University in Nova Scotia. He is currently serving as President of the Association of Canadian Studies in the United States (ACSUS) which has been headquartered at UB since January 2014.

After almost three decades in national security, Ray now works with a variety of client organizations to help them gain a deeper understanding of intelligence and security matters in a global context, and the impact on their business environments. Ray is also a sought after public speaker on national security issues, including cyber and terrorism.

Currently, as President of I-Sec Integrated Strategies (ISECIS), Ray delivers business intelligence solutions affecting core challenges such as cyber and insider threats, while guiding resilience building around the principles of proactive defence. Ray also works with Hill + Knowlton Strategies, delivering bespoke advice to clients in relation to mergers and acquisitions, and other areas with potential National Security complexities.

After five years in federal policing, Ray joined the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) in 1984 and retired in 2012 as the Assistant Director, Intelligence. During his tenure, Ray was involved in broad facets of security intelligence operations, from leadership of the Counter Terrorism domain, to driving national security priorities pertaining to Operational Risk management, Data Exploitation programs, Human Source management, Foreign Collection framework and all Special Operations efforts.

Ryan Eickmeier is the Senior Director, Public Affairs at GS1 Canada, the world’s leading supply chain standards organization. Ryan brings a wealth of experience in the field of government and stakeholder relations, with his current work spanning various industry sectors including digital/open data, agriculture, border and healthcare. Ryan earned his Bachelor of Arts (B.A) in political science from New England College, Master of Public Policy (M.P.P.) from The American University School of Public Affairs, Master of Law (LL.M) at York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School, and is currently completing his Executive Master of Business Administration (e.M.B.A) at the University of Fredericton’s Sandermoen School of Business.

Stephen Cryne is the President and CEO of the Canadian Employee Relocation Council, CERC. CERC is the leading provider of professional education and information to the relocation industry in Canada. CERC also works with government to effect change to legislation and regulatory practices that impede workforce mobility.

Prior to joining CERC in September 2002, Stephen had his own consulting practice providing strategic planning and communication services. He has an extensive background in association management and government relations. Between 1995 and 2001 Stephen held senior management positions in the Ontario Government. He has 16 years experience in the automotive industry, holding management positions in accounting and human resources. Stephen is a regular speaker at human resources management conferences and relocation industry meetings.

Bob Lambe is currently the Executive Secretary for the Great Lakes Fishery Commission (GLFC), a binational organization based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The GLFC was established by the 1955 Convention on Great Lakes Fisheries between Canada and the United States. The Commission’s primary functions include: coordination of fisheries management among eight U.S. Great Lakes states, Ontario, and U.S. Aboriginal organizations; development and coordination of research in support of Great Lakes fisheries; and formulation and implementation of a program to control sea lamprey populations in the Great Lakes.

Prior to joining GLFC in 2013, Bob was the first Executive Director of the Canada-Ontario Invasive Species Centre (ISC) based in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, a position he held between January 2012 and June 2013. Prior to his work at the ISC, Bob was the Regional Director General (RDG) for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Central and Arctic Region, based in Sarnia, Ontario. He held the RDG position from June 2004 until his retirement from the Public Service of Canada in September 2011.

Throughout the last ten years, Bob has been quite engaged in a myriad of natural resource management issues within Canada and in particular, within Ontario and the Great Lakes region. Bob has been particularly invested in invasive species issues, first as RDG and more recently in the two positions he has held since leaving the Public Service. Bob has also served on the Board of Directors for the North American Invasive Species Network and remains as a member of the Board of Directors for the Canadian Aquatic Invasive Species Network (CIASN). Bob holds a masters degree in business (MBA) and a degree in electronics engineering technology.

Jan De Silva is President & CEO of Toronto Region Board of Trade, a role she assumed in January 2015. The Toronto region is Canada’s largest metro region comprising 20 per cent of the national GDP. The Board represents the business interests of 12,000 members and 200,000 business professionals across this dynamic urban region.

For 14 years Ms. De Silva has led businesses internationally. She was CEO of Sun Life Financial’s business in Hong Kong and its Mainland China joint venture and then co-founded and was CEO of Retail China Limited, a company that was acquired in 2010. In 2011 Ms. De Silva became Dean of Ivey Asia, leading the Hong Kong campus and Mainland China operations of Ivey Business School of Western University.

Highly respected in the business community, Ms. De Silva has served terms as both Chair and President of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong and Chair of Canada China Business Council, Beijing. She currently sits on the board of the Greater Toronto CivicAction Alliance. She has been named one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women and a Woman of our Time by Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post. In 2012, Ms. De Silva was named to the Canadian Board Diversity Council’s inaugural Diversity 50 List of board ready candidates and presently serves on the boards of Intact Financial Corporation (TSX:IFC) and Blue Umbrella Limited an Asian based due diligence and risk management service provider.

She holds an MBA from Ivey Business School of Western University received an honorary doctorate by Thompson Rivers University.

Peter Anastor is the Director of the Agriculture Development Division at the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). In this position, Peter is responsible for leading activities focused on economic development, export, grant management and the Grape and Wine Industry in order to support the growth of the agriculture industry in Michigan

Prior to his current focus, Peter served as a Managing Director at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) where he focused on the development and implementation of a logistics and supply strategy for the State of Michigan. Prior to that, he served as the Senior Policy Director for the MEDC where he developed broad policy initiatives that encouraged economic development. He has served as Manager of Community and Urban Development and as Program Manager for Brownfield Redevelopment at the MEDC. Prior to joining the MEDC, Peter served as a Budget Analyst in Michigan’s Office of the State Budget.

Peter earned a Bachelors degree from James Madison College at Michigan State University and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University.

As eBay Canada’s managing director, Andrea Stairs leads the Canadian strategy and operations of one of the world’s largest online marketplaces and Canada’s second largest e-commerce business. In this role, Andrea is responsible for cultivating eBay’s community of Canadian users -- from individual consumers to established brands and retailers -- and for overseeing all of eBay’s Canadian functions, including product management, marketing, business development, and public and government relations.

Andrea was most recently head of marketing for eBay Canada, managing the brand’s marketing strategy and execution. She was also instrumental in launching eBay’s French-Canadian website and in leading the eBay Motors team in Canada.

After receiving a BA from McGill University, Andrea obtained LLB and MBA degrees from the University of Toronto.

Andrea sits on executive committee of the board of directors of the Information Technology Association of Canada (ITAC).

A native of Montreal, Andrea now lives in Toronto with her husband and young son and daughter.

Stephen Burnett’s early career includes management positions with Globus Holidays in Switzerland, Four Winds Holidays in New York and Japan, Holiday House, Fiesta Holidays and Jonview in Canada. He was President of Toronto-based Horizon Holidays, where he worked closely with Germany’s Oberramergau Passion Play, the single largest cultural tourism event in Europe - extending its marketing reach in North America. While at Jonview, he inaugurated Canada’s “Learning Travel Forum”.

In Ontario, he plays a pivotal role in the development of Great Lakes Cruising as Executive Director of the bi-national Great Lakes Cruising Coalition. Over the past fifteen years the coalition has incubated the long dormant Great Lakes cruise trade and brought this industry back into the Great Lakes.

Stephen co-authored a proprietary product development process targeted at the cultural tourism segment entitled “The development of the Cultural Corridor”. He is also a published author with two books currently being sold in five countries and a third work being researched.

Stephen is a motor-racer, an avid boater and was instrumental in the development of an experimental Amphibious vehicle. Stephen lives in Kingston Ontario with his wife, two boats, a vintage racecar and 48 lavender plants.

Ken Horn has lived in Saginaw County for over 30 years. He currently lives in Frankenmuth with his wife Veronica. They have two children, Kevin and Andrea. Kevin and his wife Ruth have one child, Liam. Ken graduated from Concordia University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice.

Ken was a small business owner for nearly 15 years, owning and operating Horn’s Restaurant in Frankenmuth. In addition, he has served as a substitute teacher in Bridgeport and Frankenmuth schools. In 2004, Ken accepted the position of Vice President of Donor Services at the Saginaw Community Foundation where he managed over 300 funds and oversaw nearly $1.2 million in grant programs that helped to improve Saginaw County.

Ken was a Saginaw County Commissioner for 14 years, representing Birch Run, Bridgeport and Frankenmuth Townships and the city of Frankenmuth. He served as chairman of the Legislative Sub-Committee and also served on Courts & Public Safety, Community Corrections Advisory Board, County Services, Budget/Audit Appropriations, Saginaw County Airport Commission and the Saginaw County Event Center Board.

In 2006, Ken was elected to serve the 94th District in the Michigan House of Representatives. From 2007 to 2012 he represented the cities of Birch Run, Chesaning, Frankenmuth and St. Charles in addition to 12 townships in Saginaw County. Ken served as chairman of the House Energy & Technology Committee.

The 32nd District elected Ken to the Michigan Senate in 2014. He will represent all of Saginaw County and the western portion of Genesee County. Ken has been appointed to chair the Senate Economic Development and International Investment Committee and serve as vice chair of the Senate Transportation Committee. He has also been appointed to the Senate Energy & Technology and Insurance Committees.

Ken has been an activist and leader in Saginaw County for decades through his volunteer work with area organizations including Frankenmuth Rotary International, Saginaw Art Museum, Habitat for Humanity, Saginaw Field and Stream, Frankenmuth Conservation Club and many local chambers of commerce. In addition, Ken completed Michigan State University’s Political Leadership Program, Leadership Saginaw County, the Saginaw County Vision 2020 One Thousand Leaders Initiative, and received a fellowship from the Council of State Governments to the Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development.

Jamison Steeve is the Executive Director at the Institute for Competitiveness & Prosperity and the Martin Prosperity Institute, two of Canada's leading think tanks.

In these roles Jamison is responsible for the day to day operation of both institutes, as well as the development of the strategic plan, communication vehicles and policy agenda. He hopes to build upon the successful legacy of the institutes while forging an exciting future and make a real policy impact.

Since joining the MPI and ICP, the institutes have been making waves. The ICP has published a number of papers on subjects ranging from tax reform to dead cash to its widely read annual report. In addition, the ICP launched a new website, along with blog content, to become a more relevant and timely voice in Ontario public policy.

Jamison's most important roles continue to be husband to Carolyn and father to Will and Natalie.

Michael Bourassa is a Partner in the Toronto office of Fasken Martineau and was the global mining group’s co-ordinator from 2004 to 2012. He has expertise in commercial agreements (joint ventures, royalties, options) related to mineral exploration and mining, as well as extensive experience in Canadian and international mining due diligence issues concerning title, technical matters and environmental risk. He has also written articles on corporate social responsibility trends in the mining industry and is a member of the firm's CSR Practice group.

Michael is a director of the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada, the first vice-chair of the mining executive committee for the International Bar Association, and a Member-at-Large of the Board of the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation (RMMLF).

Who’s Who Legal named Fasken Martineau as “Global Mining Law Firm of the Year” in 2005 to 2009, 2011 and 2015 and Michael as “Mining Lawyer of the Year” in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014.

Stephen E. Biegun is a corporate officer and vice president of International Governmental Affairs for Ford Motor Company. In this role for Ford, Mr. Biegun oversees all aspects of Ford’s international governmental relations, including trade strategy and political risk assessment.

Prior to joining Ford, Mr. Biegun served as national security advisor to Senate Majority Leader, Senator Bill Frist, M.D. In this capacity, he provided analysis and strategic planning for the United States Senate’s consideration of foreign policy, defense and intelligence matters, and international trade agreements.

Before joining the staff of the Majority Leader, Mr. Biegun worked in the White House from 2001-2003 as Executive Secretary of the National Security Council. He served as a senior staff member to the National Security Advisor, Condoleezza Rice, and performed the function of chief operating officer for the National Security Council.

Prior to joining the White House staff, Mr. Biegun served for 14 years as a foreign policy advisor to members of both the House of Representatives and the United States Senate. During this time, he held the position of Chief of Staff of the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations from 1999-2000 and was the Committee’s senior professional staff member for European affairs from 1994-1998. In addition, Mr. Biegun served as a staff member of the United States House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs for six years. In this role, he was responsible for the foreign assistance budget, trade policy, and European affairs.

From 1992 to 1994, Mr. Biegun served in Moscow, Russia as the Resident Director in the Russian Federation for the International Republican Institute, a democracy-building organization established under the National Endowment for Democracy.

Mr. Biegun, born March 1963, graduated from the University of Michigan where he studied Political Science and Russian Language. He is a third generation Ford Motor Company employee. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Aspen Strategy Group, and is a member of the boards of the US-Russia Foundation for Economic Development and the Rule of Law, the Moscow School of Politics, Freedom House, the US-Russia Business Council, the US-ASEAN Business Council and FordSollers, Ford Motor Company’s joint venture operating in the Russia Federation.

Patrick Smyth is vice president of safety and engineering at the Canadian Energy Pipeline Association (CEPA) where he and his team work with industry partners to enhance industry performance and reputation. Prior to joining CEPA in September 2014, Patrick spent seven years in an executive leadership role with Canada’s National Energy Board and eight years in various roles with the province of British Columbia where he split his time between the Ministry of Energy and Mines and Oil and Gas Commission. During his time with the B.C. Public Service, Patrick was instrumental in defining and executing the province’s oil and gas development strategy.

Patrick began his career in the trades and progressed into a quality assurance role obtaining certification in both Canada and the United States in welding inspection and non-destructive examination. With a passion for life-long learning, he has earned a diploma of technology from the British Columbia Institute of Technology, and a BComm and MBA from Royal Roads University. He is a passionate safety professional holding designation as a Canadian Registered Safety Professional and a deep interest in advancing safety culture within the Canadian pipeline industry.

Stephen Brooks was appointed President of the Chamber of Marine Commerce in April 2013 following seven successful years as the binational organization’s Vice-President in charge of government, stakeholder and public relations.

The Chamber of Marine Commerce represents more than 150 U.S. and Canadian companies that rely on marine transportation to deliver products and materiel that serve people all over the world. Mr. Brooks has more than 25 years’ experience in business development, government and political operations, including his role as the Director of Operations to the Leader of the Opposition in the Canadian House of Commons from 2003-2005. In that position, he managed a team of thirty-five employees in the areas of public affairs, outreach, technical services and correspondence.

That appointment followed 10 years working on Parliament Hill, beginning in 1993 as Legislative Assistant to a Member of Parliament to where he eventually formed his own consulting firm, S Brooks & Associates, providing public affairs, technical expertise and communications services to a range of public figures and organizations.

Through his public affairs consulting, Mr. Brooks has also represented such companies as GlaxoSmithKline Inc., Canada’s Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies, Rx&D and conservation leader, Ducks Unlimited.

Stephen Brooks has a degree in Political Science and Economics from the University of Ottawa.

Greg Hanifee is associate dean of Executive MBA (EMBA) programs at Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. He directs the Evanston and Miami EMBA programs and Kellogg’s Global EMBA Network. Greg brings to Kellogg more than 25 years of international management experience in telecommunications, consulting and higher education. Most recently he was assistant dean of executive programs at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business. Contact Greg at g-hanifee@kellogg.northwestern.edu or @greg021 on Twitter.

Hans Rood began his career in the travel industry more than 25 years ago and has held executive management positions at KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Royal Caribbean, Cunard/Seabourn, Holland America, Hurtigruten, and recently joined Haimark Ltd as their President. His active involvement in the development of sales strategies, branding and global sales and marketing efforts has brought him accolades within the industry. Hans has lived for the various brands he managed in London, Oslo, New York , Seattle and Miami. With a strong management, travel industry and cruise orientation, his current job will focus on the fast growth of the Haimark river and ocean cruise programs , offering its unique destinations focus in the Far East, Amazon, Great Lakes and central and South America. The combined fleet of Haimark exceeds 9 river and ocean ships. These ships sail under various brands, with Haimark managing the highest quality brand standards that the tour operators require.

Born and raised in The Netherlands, Hans earned a master’s degree from the University of Amsterdam as well as an MBA from New York University and is fluent in several languages.

Peter Boag is President & CEO of the Canadian Fuels Association, the organization that represents the industry that supplies 95 percent of Canada’s transportation fuels. He provides executive leadership to a team of business and public policy professionals that bring knowledge, expertise and practical insight to fuels policy making. Canadian Fuels engages all levels of government – federal, and municipal – focusing on environmental, health and safety policy and regulation.

Mr. Boag has more than 20 years of public policy advocacy and industry association leadership experience. He was appointed President of the Canadian Petroleum Products Institute, Canadian Fuels’ predecessor, in 2007. From 1992 to 2007, he worked at the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada, serving as its President and CEO from 2003 to 2007.

Mr. Boag is a graduate of the University of Waterloo’s Faculty of Environmental Studies, and has a Masters degree in Business Administration from Queen's University.

Phil Jarvis is Career Cruising’s Director of Inspire Partnerships. He has inspired and led numerous national and international initiatives to help students craft their careers. Among them are CHOICES, Canada Prospects, The Real Game Series, The Edge Magazine, the Blueprint for LifeWork Designs, Smart Options, and Career Cruising - which are currently used in over 50,000 sites in 12 countries by millions of youth and adults every day. Phil is a frequent speaker at national and international conferences. His chapter in Career Development Practice in Canada (CERIC, 2014) links individual career planning to regional economic prosperity. He advocates for whole community mobilization with employers and community agencies collaborating with educators to prepare students to transition from school to success. He was a first winner of the prestigious Stu Conger Gold Medal for Leadership in Career Development in Canada (2004).

Cristina Falcone is Vice President of Public Affairs for UPS Canada. UPS is a global leader in logistics, offering a broad range of solutions including transporting packages and freight; facilitating international trade, and deploying advanced technology to more efficiently manage the world of business.

During her sixteen year tenure at UPS, Cristina has held several management roles in the areas of Product Management, Customer Loyalty and Public Relations. In her current role, she works actively with governing bodies to advocate for effective policy that benefits Canadian businesses and consumers. A particular area of focus is on the development of regulatory framework and solutions that help to reduce friction at the North American border.

Cristina serves as Chair of the Board of the Canadian Courier and Logistics Association (CCLA), which represents a broad-based membership of time-sensitive delivery and logistics services providers operating in Canada. She also serves on the board of the Canadian American Business Council, which is dedicated to elevating the private sector perspective on issues that affect Canada and the United States.

Cristina leads UPS Canada’s Women’s Leadership Development Committee, including mentorship of candidates for development into future leadership roles.

Cristina earned her BA from York University.

Website: www.ups.com

Over the course of an extensive career in public service, Michael Fenn has been an Ontario Deputy Minister under three Premiers, municipal chief administrator in Hamilton and Burlington, and the founding CEO of both regional transportation authority Metrolinx and regional health authority Mississauga Halton LHIN.

As Senior Advisor with StrategyCorp, Michael works mainly with clients in the public sector, especially in municipal government and healthcare. He is a also Board Director with both the C$78 billion OMERS AC pension fund and the Toronto Board of Education’s realty arm, the Toronto Lands Corporation. He is a certified board director, having attained the C.Dir. designation in 2014.

In addition to publications on municipal asset management, his recent research publications include:

• “Recycling Ontario’s Assets: A New Framework for Managing Public Finances” and co-authored, “Vital Capital: Using Alternative Procurement and Financing Models to Capitalize on the ‘Infrastructure Moment’ in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Region”, both for the Mowat Centre, at the University of Toronto;
• “Approaching an Inflection Point: Provincial-Municipal Relations in Ontario” (co-authored with André Côté), for the Institute of Municipal Finance and Governance, at the U of T’s Munk School of Global Affairs; and,
• “Unlocking Ontario’s Advantages: Building new infrastructure on the foundation of existing public assets”, and “Building Our Tomorrow: The Future of Ontario’s Infrastructure – How the impact of megatrends and rise of new infrastructure will change the province (and Canada)”, both for the Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario (RCCAO), an organization representing labour unions and companies in the Ontario construction industry.

Michael’s career achievements have been acknowledged by a number of professional awards, including the Lieutenant Governor’s Medal of Distinction in Public Administration for Ontario, and the highest award for career achievement from two leading municipal professional associations, the AMCTO’s Prestige Award, and the Municipal Administrators’ Association’s Robert Baldwin Award. In 2010, he was added to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario’s Honour Roll. Michael’s municipal management career was recently profiled in a chapter in the book: “Leaders in the Shadows: The Leadership Qualities of Municipal Chief Administrative Officers”, by Professor David Siegel of Brock University.