James Scongack

As Chief Development Officer, James leads the company’s medical isotope business, net zero initiatives, power trading, business development and indigenous/community economic partnerships. He is committed to Canada’s leading global role in the fight against cancer, serving as Chair of the Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council and the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario (POGO) and as a Board Member on the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada. He also serves on the Board of LifeLabs, Canada’s largest provider of medical laboratory services.
He has been awarded the Provincial Diamond Leadership Award by EasterSeals for his work supporting the organization and kids with physical disabilities and is a recipient of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40.

Marc Arsenault

Marc is a proud Ironworker by trade and brings hard work, strategic thinking and determination to every job. Marc was elected to the position of Business Manager and Secretary-Treasurer of the Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario at the organization’s 64th annual Convention in 2021.

Prior to being elected, Marc served as the Director of Stakeholder Relations with Ontario’s Ironworkers District Council, where he used his 25 years of experience to form collaborative partnerships with purchasers of construction services, contractors, training providers, and provincial and federal authorities responsible for investments in training and apprenticeship. In his role as Business Manager, Marc oversees the Ontario Building Trades’ membership in Canada’s Nuclear Workers’ Council (CNWC).

Marc has extensive experience with Ontario’s nuclear energy sector, having worked at the Return to Service Refurbishment at Pickering Nuclear Generating Station. Marc was also involved with the development and implementation of the Nuclear Project Agreement which involved Ontario Power Generation (OPG), Bruce Power, the Electrical Power Systems Construction Association (EPSCA), and the Building Trades working collaboratively to establish the Nuclear Qualified Worker Training Program.

Marc is a strong advocate of nuclear power in Ontario’s energy mix and is committed to ensuring that the province’s homes and businesses have steady access to affordable and reliable electricity.

Jill Baker

Jill Baker is an environmental and social assessment executive, with over 20 years of diverse leadership experience working for the Alberta and federal governments, international financial institutions, the private sector, and non-profit organizations. She has worked on projects and policy development in the Canadian energy sector including nuclear.

Jill is the past Executive Director of the International Association for Impact Assessment, a global network of assessment professionals. She was also a Vice President at the Public Policy Forum. She was a Director of Policy in the federal government with both the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE), as well as Natural Resources Canada, and started her career in Ottawa with Environment and Climate Change Canada.

Gerald Butts

Gerald has successfully led Canadian and global organizations in the public and private sectors for 20 years. With experience on a multitude of public policy and geopolitical issues, he has developed deep expertise on climate change, trade, energy, sustainable finance, and artificial intelligence and advises Eurasia Group clients across these areas.

As the principal secretary to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau from 2015-2019, Gerald was responsible for providing executive direction on the development, implementation, and communication of the government’s agenda. This work included overseeing economic policy, the negotiation of the Paris climate accord, and the creation of Canada’s first national climate change plan—which included an economy-wide price on carbon. Gerald played a major role in managing relations with the US administrations of Barack Obama and Donald Trump, as well as in the renegotiation of NAFTA.

Prior to his work with the prime minister, Gerald served as policy secretary and principal secretary to the premier of the province of Ontario, where he led the implementation of the government’s $100 billion core agenda. Gerald was also the CEO of WWF-Canada, where he was responsible for international engagement and global projects to decarbonize the supply chains of multinational companies.

A successful leader in politics as well as public policy, Gerald designed the strategies for the Liberal Party’s 2015 and 2019 national election campaigns, as well as Trudeau’s bid to win the party’s leadership in 2013. The 2015 campaign, widely recognized as one of Canada’s most innovative and successful, allowed the Liberal Party to move from third place in parliament to forming a majority government. Its gain of 148 new seats was the largest in Canadian history.

In addition to his work with Eurasia Group, Gerald leads New Climate Group, a private consultancy that advises global financial firms, educational institutions, and philanthropists on strategic investments in climate mitigation and resilience, and artificial intelligence. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from McGill University.

Professor Claudette Commanda

Professor Claudette Commanda is an Algonquin Anishinabe from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation located in the province of Quebec. An alumni of the University of Ottawa Faculty of Common Law and Faculty of Arts, Claudette has dedicated the last 35 years promoting First Nations people, history, culture and rights in various capacities as a University of Ottawa student, professor, member and chair of the Aboriginal education council; and via public speaking events.

She is a professor for the University of Ottawa’s Institute of Women’s Studies; Faculty of Education; Faculty of Law; and the Aboriginal Studies Program, teaching courses on First Nations Women; Native Education; First Nations People and History; Indigenous Traditions; and Decolonization. In addition, she is the Executive Director of the First Nations Confederacy of Cultural Education Centres, a national organization which protects and promotes First Nations culture, languages and traditional knowledge. She is inducted into the Common Law Honour Society; served two terms on the Board of Governors for the First Nations University of Canada; and three terms on the Kitigan Zibi band council.
In 2017, Claudette is the first First Nation appointed Elder in Residence for the Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa; and the first person of a First Nation heritage to be appointed to the Board of Governors for the University of Ottawa. She is the Special Advisor on Reconciliation, for the Dean, Faculty of Law. Claudette is a proud mother of four and a grandmother to ten beautiful grandchildren. In March 2020, Claudette received the 2020 INDSPIRE Award for Culture, Heritage and Spirituality

Julianne den Decker

As Senior Vice-President, Project Delivery, Julianne den Decker is responsible for all Canadian Nuclear Major EPC Projects and New Reactors. In this capacity, she is responsible for SNC-Lavalin’s role in the Ontario refurbishment projects at Bruce Power and Ontario Power Generation as well as all new reactor design and delivery including new builds and SMR development support. She leads the Nuclear Sector’s Center of Excellence for Major Project Delivery, and is functionally responsible for all of Nuclear Canada’s project managers and project controls personnel.

Before joining SNC-Lavalin in 2019, Julianne was a Project Director at Aecon supporting the major Ontario Refurbishment Programs. From 2009-2016, Julianne worked for Chicago Bridge & Iron (CB&I) as the Engineering Manager responsible for the AP1000 BOP standard plant design for projects at VC Summer and Vogtle. Prior to that, Julianne spent nine years with Areva/Framatome performing Steam Generator replacements at 13 different nuclear facilities in the USA and working briefly on the EPR plant design.

Julianne is a licenced Professional Civil Engineer in North Carolina and has participated in the Aecon Next Generation Leaders Program, CB&I’s Advanced Leadership Program and Shaw’s Developing Leaders Program. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Princeton University. Julianne is also the Chair of SNC-Lavalin’s Ontario chapter of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion network. She has three young boys and spends a lot of time with them shooting pucks and losing basketball games.

Fred Dermarkar

Fred Dermarkar is AECL’s President and CEO. He was appointed in February 2021 for a term of three years.
Prior to joining AECL, Fred was President and CEO of the CANDU Owners Group, where he led the not-for‐profit organization to advance collaboration between CANDU nuclear reactor operators worldwide.

Fred has been working in the Canadian nuclear industry for close to 40 years. Throughout his career, he has occupied a variety of key technical and senior leadership positions at Ontario Power Generation in support of the design, commissioning, operation and refurbishment of its CANDU reactors.
Fred has received the Canadian Nuclear Association’s Ian McRae award in recognition of his substantive engineering contributions, leadership and positive influence on the Canadian nuclear industry and the advancement of nuclear energy in Canada, and the Nuclear Excellence Award from the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) in recognition of his contributions to Ontario Power Generation’s overall post-Fukushima response.

As President and CEO of AECL, Fred is leading the organization in its oversight role, seeing that the priorities of Government are delivered safely and efficiently under the Government-owned, Contractor-operated model. Fred holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Toronto and is a registered professional engineer in the Province of Ontario.

Jason Dion

Jason Dion is the Mitigation Research Director at the Canadian Climate Institute. His work focuses on net zero, Canadian climate policy, electricity systems and clean electrification, and carbon pricing. His team is currently engaged on a project focused on aligning Canadian electricity systems with net zero. The Climate Institute’s February 2021 report, Canada’s Net Zero Future, identified non-emitting electricity and electrification as key pillars in the transition to net zero. This new project focuses on policy actions for ensuring Canadian electricity systems are positioned to deliver on this potential, with its final report due in May (for more information, visit www.climateinstitute.ca/electricity). Previously, Jason was Lead Researcher with Canada’s Ecofiscal Commission and a project manager and economist at the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD). He serves on the board of the Canadian Association of Professionals in Climate Change.

JP Gladu

JP Gladu is currently Principal of Mokwateh and previously served as President and CEO of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) from September 2012 until April 2020. Anishinaabe from Thunder Bay JP is a member of Sand Pont First Nation. He completed a forestry technician diploma in 1993 from Sault College, an undergraduate degree in forestry from Northern Arizona University in 2000, an Executive MBA from Queens University and ICD.D from Rotman School of Management University of Toronto.

His career path includes work with Indigenous communities and organizations, environmental non-government organizations, industry and governments from across Canada.

Currently, JP serves on the board of Suncor, Noront Resources, Institute of Corporate Directors, Chair of Boreal Leadership Champions and Senior Fellow at the Macdonald Laurier Institute and previously served on the Board of Ontario Power Generation, past Chair of the Mikisew Group of Companies and Chancellor of St. Paul’s University College Waterloo in 2017 for a three-year term.

David Harris

Since joining Kinectrics in 2003 as President and CEO, David Harris has successfully grown the company, both organically, and through strategic acquisitions.  Today, the rapidly expanding Toronto-based organization provides technical services to the electricity industry in Canada, USA and internationally.
Kinectrics’ key successes under Harris — increased revenue, enhanced customer satisfaction and staff morale, and improved safety–have significantly broadened the company’s established client base.
Prior to moving to Canada, Harris held a variety of senior management, and technical roles in AEA Technology Plc, and its predecessor UKAEA. Harris has a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Leeds University in England.

Ken Hartwick

Ken Hartwick is Ontario Power Generation’s President and CEO. Ken joined OPG in March 2016 as OPG’s Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President – Finance, where he led all operations under Finance, Business Development, Strategy, and Risk. As CFO and SVP – Finance, Ken also led the launch of Canada’s first utility green bond as well as OPG’s expansion to the U.S. through the acquisition of Eagle Creek Renewable Energy LLC.

Ken joined OPG from Wellspring Financial Corporation, where he was CFO and Treasurer. He was also interim President and CEO at Atlantic Power Corporation, a generating company that does business in Canada and the U.S. For ten years prior, Ken was the President and CEO of Just Energy Corporation, a Canadian-based energy retailer. In addition, he held the position of CFO at Hydro One between 2001 and 2004. He also held senior positions at Cap Gemini and was a partner at the accounting firm Ernst and Young.

Ken is a Chartered Professional Accountant with an Honours Bachelor of Business Administration. He serves on a number of boards.
Originally from Norwood, Ontario (near Peterborough), Ken now lives in Milton with his wife. He has three grown children.

Kathryn Hayashi

Ms. Kathryn Hayashi is President and CEO of TRIUMF Innovations, the business interface and commercialization arm, connecting TRIUMF, Canada’s particle accelerator centre, to the private sector via industry partnerships, licensing, and company creation.

Ms. Hayashi is a Chartered Professional Accountant with more than 25 years of operational and strategic planning, finance and governance experience in not-for-profit organizations, public and private companies, start-ups, and commercialization accelerators/incubators.

Prior to TRIUMF Innovations, she was the Founding Chief Financial Officer of The Centre for Drug Research and Development, Canada’s national drug development and commercialization engine. In addition to her work establishing CDRD as a leader in pre-clinical translational research and commercialization, Ms. Hayashi presides as a Director and Audit Committee Chair of the Center for Commercialization and Cancer Immunotherapy at the Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, as well as the Discovery Parks technology incubator, and has served on the boards of several spinoff companies.

Andy Hayward

Andy Hayward is Director of Advanced Reactor Development for NB Power. He has been with Point Lepreau for 14 years in various managerial capacities including Chief Nuclear Engineer. Prior to that Andy worked in the specialty cellulose industry up to and including general management of a mill complex in northern Quebec and was involved in construction and commissioning of two conventional power generation facilities.

Jerry Hopwood

Since 2016, Jerry Hopwood has acted as President, UNENE (University Network of Excellence in Nuclear Engineering), leading Canada’s University-Industry partnership in nuclear research and education.
Jerry has extensive experience in the nuclear industry over four decades. Starting in the nuclear field in Great Britain, Jerry moved to Canada to join Atomic energy of Canada Limited as a reactor safety specialist, participating in the Bruce and Point Lepreau nuclear plant build projects. After secondments to Point Lepreau during its initial operation, and later to Korea as Technical Director for AECL, Jerry held progressive positions in design, product development and business development with AECL, and since 2011 with SNC Lavalin Candu Energy, as Vice President for Product Development. Jerry is active internationally, consulting with the IAEA, and with the Canadian Nuclear Society, serving on the Society Council and International Affairs committee. In June 2019, Jerry received the CNS/CNA Harold Smith Outstanding Contribution Award for services to the nuclear community.

Dazawray Landrie-Parker

Dazawray Landrie-Parker (Métis) is the Director, Nuclear Sector at Creative Fire. She is also a PhD Candidate in Public Policy at the University of Saskatchewan (U of S) and an instructor at Yukon University. She is also the former Director of Operations for the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan. In 2014, Dazawray was appointed as a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Commanding Officer’s Aboriginal Advisory Committee for “F” Division (RCMP COAAC), which builds on her extensive background working with Métis Nation-Saskatchewan (MNS) where she held several senior positions – including Director of Operations, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs and Senior Policy Analyst. Dazawray’s Métis ancestry fueled her focus on Indigenous communities and inspired her undergraduate degree in Native Studies from the U of S. and her subsequent degree-Master of Governance and Entrepreneurship in Northern and Indigenous Areas offered jointly by University of Tromsø-The Arctic University of Norway and the U of S. As the culmination of her program, Dazawray researched and built a community engagement framework for nuclear energy engagement in northern communities and the Policy for Public Engagement for the City of Saskatoon.

Guy Lonechild

Mr. Lonechild (White Bear First Nations- Treaty #4) is a well-known advocate in creating new economic opportunities and serves as President and CEO of First Nations Power Authority connecting both Indigenous and Industry leaders in renewable and alternative energy development. As a first of its kind organization, Mr. Lonechild heads the organization as our strategic leader and serves the FNPA Board and provides leadership direction to the FNPA Team.

Guy served as Vice-Chief and Chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (1999-2008 and 2009-2011), where he oversaw the 25-year Economic Development Strategy highlighting important work in Alternative Energy, Oil and Gas, Agriculture, Tourism, Gaming, Housing and Community Infrastructure, Education, Health and Social Development.

Before entering politics, Guy served in various capacities as band administrator and private consultant to First Nations in Business and Community Development. He holds a Masters of Business Administration in Strategic Leadership from Cape Breton University and Associates Degree in Golf Complex Operations Management. He and his wife Leah have one child, Darian Lonechild and enjoy quality time with friends and extended family.

John MacQuarrie

John R. MacQuarrie is President of the Nuclear Power Group segment of BWX Technologies, Inc., (BWXT) which includes BWXT Canada Ltd., (BWXT Canada), its subsidiaries BWXT Nuclear Energy Canada Inc., BWXT Precision Manufacturing Inc., and Intech International Inc. as well as BWXT Canada’s affiliate, BWXT Medical Ltd. (BWXT Medical). BWXT Canada and BWXT ITG are subsidiaries of BWXT. BWXT is headquartered in Lynchburg, Virginia.

BWXT’s Nuclear Power Group serves the global commercial nuclear power industry with engineering, critical components, services and fuel, and it serves the nuclear medicine industry with medical isotopes and radiopharmaceuticals. With 28 years of nuclear industry experience, Mr. MacQuarrie’s career includes over 21 years with the Company. Previously, Mr. MacQuarrie served as Vice President, Business Development & Marketing for the Company’s commercial nuclear energy operating group. Prior to that he was the Vice President of Nuclear Services for the Company where he was responsible for global services delivery. He assumed this role after several years as the General Manager of Nuclear Services and Equipment for the Company’s Canadian operations. John holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degrees of applied science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Toronto and is a licensed professional engineer in the province of Ontario. John is also the Chair of the Board of Directors for the Canadian Nuclear Association, is a board member with the Nuclear Innovation Institute and sits on an Advisory Committee for Women in Nuclear.

Robin Manley

Robin Manley is the Vice-President of New Nuclear Development at Ontario Power Generation (OPG). OPG is the largest and most diverse nuclear operator in Canada, operating 10 CANDU nuclear reactors. OPG is currently pursuing implementation of Small Modular Reactors at both on-grid and off-grid scales. Robin has spent over 30 years in the nuclear industry, including senior roles in Radiation Protection and Licensing. Since April 2019 Robin has been accountable for the implementation of Small Modular Reactors at OPG, including the Dec 2021 announcement that OPG has selected GEH as its SMR technology partner for the Darlington New Nuclear Project, to deploy Canada’s first grid-scale Small Modular Reactor. In 2022 Robin’s focus has transitioned to business development opportunities for additional SMRs to fight climate change and grow the business.

Joe McBrearty

Joseph (Joe) McBrearty is an accomplished senior executive with over 35 years of experience in the nuclear industry.
Holding executive-level roles at complex nuclear installations in both the United States and Canada, Mr. McBrearty’s
expertise includes nuclear reactor and high hazard nuclear facility operations, maintenance, training and oversight.
As President and CEO at CNL, Mr. McBrearty oversees the operations of Canada’s national nuclear laboratory complex,
and is enacting transformational change to improve the company’s research program, safety performance, security
posture, capital program, and waste management activities. Included in Joe’s mandate is the operation of Canada’s
national nuclear research program, the delivery of major environmental remediation projects and the modernization of
CNL’s Chalk River campus, a $1.2 billion project that will revitalize essential infrastructure, decommission aging buildings
and construct new world-class facilities. Before assuming the role of President and CEO, Mr. McBrearty oversaw internal
operations at CNL as its Chief Operating Officer (COO).

Prior to joining CNL, Joe served as Deputy Director for Field Operations with the Office of Science at the U.S. Department
of Energy (DOE), where he led operations for 10 U.S. national laboratories and over 25,000 contract and federal staff. In
this role, Mr. McBrearty realized major improvements in nuclear operations, led strategic planning, management,
oversight, and coordination of laboratory operations, and spearheaded infrastructure and management policy changes
in support of the U.S. DOE’s research and development program.

Mr. McBrearty also served in the U.S. Navy with extended tours of duty on board four nuclear submarines, including
command of USS DALLAS (SSN-700). Ashore, he served in various high-profile positions, including the Nuclear Propulsion
Examining Board, command of the TRIDENT Refit Facility (TRF), King’s Bay and the U.S. Navy’s Officer Training Command.
Mr. McBrearty also has extensive experience in community and stakeholder relations, leading the revitalization of the
American Museum of Science and Energy in Oak Ridge, Tennessee; in trades and education, guiding the reestablishment
of an Apprenticeship Training Program at TRF; and in site revitalization, working to lay the foundation for the U.S. DOE to
develop strategic plans to assess, fund, and ultimately upgrade their general purpose infrastructure.

Mr. McBrearty holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from the University of Maryland and a Master’s Degree
from the U.S. Naval War College.

Doug Opseth

Doug Opseth is the Director of Generation Asset Management and Planning at SaskPower. In this role, Doug leads the team with the challenging task of ensuring the growing demand for power in Saskatchewan can be met while at the same time dealing with ageing generation facilities and increasing pressures on greenhouse gas emissions. Much of Doug’s work the past several years has been focused on the development of SaskPower’s long-term plans towards a net zero future and SaskPower’s SMR development work. Previously Doug had been responsible for SaskPower’s work with Independent Power Producers and led the negotiations of Power Purchase Agreements with private companies and neighbouring Canadian provinces.

Mike Rencheck

Michael W. Rencheck is President and Chief Executive Officer of Bruce Power. Bruce Power provides over 30% of the electricity for Ontario, and produces medical grade isotopes that help to sterilize 40% of the single-use medical devices around the world, while also treating cancer. Bruce Power provides electricity from eight nuclear reactors, and a five-turbine wind energy facility. We believe in our social responsibility and have award-winning economic development and community betterment initiatives.
Over the last 36 years, Mike has served in a number of roles. Prior to joining Bruce Power in 2016, he served as the Deputy Chief Operating Officer for AREVA Group, overseeing its extensive global capital portfolio of nuclear and renewable projects. Prior to this, he served as President and CEO of AREVA Inc. in North America, leading its diverse nuclear manufacturing and services business in Canada and the United States with a workforce of about 5,000 people.

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

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

Saskatchewan Minister of Energy and Resources

Bronwyn Eyre was elected MLA for Saskatoon Stonebridge-Dakota in the 2016 provincial election. She has previously served as Minister of Advanced Education and Minister of Education, as well as Minister responsible for SaskWater and SaskEnergy.

A former radio broadcaster and columnist, Bronwyn was also a Saskatoon public school board trustee. Previously, she was a senior writer/editor for UK-based legal publications Commercial Lawyer and European Lawyer. She attended McGill University and the University of Saskatchewan (BA’93; LLB’96) and speaks French, German, and Italian.

Kim Rudd

Kim Rudd has been a lifelong entrepreneur and an advocate on the federal and provincial levels for small businesses, child care, and post-secondary education. In 2011, she was named as one of RBC’s Canadian Woman Entrepreneur of the Year and served as Vice-Chair of the Ontario TCAF Secretariat.
Additionally, Rudd was Founding Executive Director of the Association of Private Colleges and Vice-President of the Ontario Association of Career Colleges. Rudd has also been a lifelong volunteer in organizations ranging from the United Way to serving as President of the Northumberland Central Chamber of Commerce.
Rudd was elected as Member of Parliament for Northumberland—Peterborough South in 2015 and served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources from 2015-2018. Rudd lead the government engagement on the nuclear file domestically and internationally. Rudd is a former a member of the Arnprior Aerospace Advisory Board and as a consultant for the Canadian Nuclear Association, continues her passion for clean energy as a pathway to achieving our climate change goals.
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Eddie Saab

Eddie Saab was appointed president of Westinghouse Electric Canada on June 1, 2018. Mr. Saab will be focused on building the Westinghouse’s commercial and operational footprint across Canada through a balanced approach of investments in technology and talent development, the formation of collaborative organizational partnerships, and ensuring that customers’ needs are supported in a safe, transparent and timely manner.
With over 16 years of nuclear experience, Mr. Saab has been leading dedicated teams focused on the Canadian nuclear industry, supporting key producers, researchers, engineers and developers such as Bruce Power, Candu Energy, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, Nordion, NB Power, and Ontario Power Generation. A dedicated advocate for the advancement of clean, safe and reliable nuclear power, he believes that nuclear will need to play a greater role in the battle against climate change.

Prior to joining Westinghouse, Mr. Saab was the vice president of Business Development & Innovation at NA Engineering Associates, Inc. There he led the firm’s sales and marketing efforts with a targeted focus on the Canadian nuclear industry, and oversaw innovation throughout the organization and the expansion of its engineering capabilities portfolio. He also held leadership roles at Lakeside Process Controls, where he led the Nuclear, Commercial & Renewable Power business and served as the business unit manager for valves and power water systems.

Mr. Saab attended the University of Waterloo, completing his Bachelor of Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering/Management Science. He is a member of the Professional Engineers of Ontario (PEO) and Canadian Nuclear Society (CNS), and represents Westinghouse at the Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries (OCNI). Mr. Saab is actively involved on the CNA Public Affairs Advisory Committee and the Nuclear Leadership Forum.
A native of Toronto, Eddie, his wife and their three children now reside in Richmond Hill, Ontario.

Hon. Todd Smith

For over 25 years, Todd Smith has been a trusted voice in the Quinte region. Born and raised in Riverview, N.B., he has lived in the Belleville area since the early 1990s.

A graduate of Loyalist College, he embarked on a 16-year career in radio news broadcasting, rising to the news director of Quinte Broadcasting. In 2011, Smithwas nominated to run as the Progressive Conservative candidate provincially. As a first-time candidate, he unseated a well-tenured Liberal cabinet minister.

While in opposition, Smith served the Prince Edward-Hastings riding for seven years. He served as the PC critic on several files, including small business and red tape reduction, Pan and Parapan American Games, the Hydro One sale, natural resources and forestry, and energy.

Also during that time, he put forward Private Members’ bills dealing with tax fairness for realtors, market access for craft beverage producers, and mobile soccer net safety. He also was an instrumental supporter of several important projects in his riding, including advocating for the protection of Prince Edward County’s natural south shore, the ongoing operations of Belleville’s Sagonaska Demonstration School, and the continued funding and sustainability of small and rural hospitals.

He has always had an open ear for the interests of business and a willingness to find common sense solutions that reduce red tape and barriers to success.

In June 2018, Smith was elected in the new Bay of Quinte riding as part of a Progressive Conservative majority government. Premier Doug Ford named him Government House Leader and Minister of Government and Consumer Services in June. In November, he was named Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation, and Trade while remaining Government House Leader. From June 20, 2019 to June 18, 2021, he sat as Minister of Children, Community and Social Services. Currently, Smith is Ontario’s Minister of Energy.

Beyond politics, Smith has been active with numerous charitable and community causes. He is a past chair of Operation Red Nose Quinte and he has served as volunteer hockey coach for several years.

Amid all of his commitments, Smith’s family remains his most important priority. He enjoys spending time with his wife Tawnya, a local high school teacher, and his daughters Payton and Reagan.

Laurie Swami

Ms. Laurie Swami is the President and CEO of the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO). She was appointed to the role in 2016 and is responsible for implementing Canada’s plan for the long- term management of used nuclear fuel.

Prior to joining the NWMO, Ms. Swami spent 30 years, primarily in nuclear operations, at Ontario Power Generation. She served as Senior Vice-President of Decommissioning and Nuclear Waste Management, overseeing the operation of nuclear waste management facilities and planning for the
decommissioning of a nuclear generating facility.

Ms. Swami has extensive experience leading Environmental Assessment projects, including nuclear refurbishments. She has appeared before Joint Panel Reviews (CEA and CNSC) for the Darlington New Nuclear Project and OPG’s Deep Geologic Repository Project.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Chemistry from Queen’s University and a Master of Business Administration from the Schulich School of Business.

She is an ardent supporter of and advocate for the advancement of women to leadership positions. In recognition of this contribution, she received the Women in Nuclear Canada Leadership Award in 2016.

Greg Thede

Greg joined Aecon Nuclear in January 2021 and leads Aecon’s Nuclear Strategy and Business Development activities focusing on medium to long term opportunities aligned with Aecon’s growth objectives. He has recently taken over expanded responsibilities including Engineering, Procurement & Supply Chain, Proposals & Estimating as well leading the Nuclear Communications, Indigenous Relations and Community & Industry outreach programs.

Greg has held progressively senior level roles within Supply Chain, Project Management, Commercial Strategy and Business Development over the past 15 years in the nuclear industry working for Bruce Power, Ontario Power generation (OPG) and ES Fox Limited. Prior to his career in Nuclear, Greg has experience in various industries including Manufacturing, Defense, and Automotive. He has traveled extensively and conducted business internationally while established and building long-term strategic relationships for various organizations. Greg lived in Germany in 2005-2007 to lead and support a strategic growth initiative for the Volvo AB in the central European Market.

Greg has a Mechanical Engineering Diploma from Fanshawe College in London, Ontario and a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario. In addition, Greg sits as the Chairman of the Board for the School Screening Association, which is a non-for-profit, providing student screening for both hearing and vision with the goal to identify potential issues impacting key years of learning and contributes to maximizing children’s full potential.

Rumina Velshi

Rumina Velshi was appointed ​President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission​ in August 2018, and has extensive technical, regulatory and adjudication expertise in the energy industry.

Key priorities for Ms. Velshi include ensuring that the CNSC and other nuclear regulators are ready to respond to innovation and accelerating technological change, are collaborating with a view to eventually harmonize regulatory reviews, and are continuing to find ways to gain and enhance public trust. In February 2020, Ms. Velshi was appointed Chairperson of the Commission on Safety Standards (CSS), established by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), for a four-year term. Ms. Velshi very actively promotes careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), especially for young women.

Ms. Velshi holds a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in civil engineering, a Master of Engineering degree in chemical Engineering and a Master of Business Administration, all from the University of Toronto.

Raj Verma

Raj Verma is the Lead of the Next Gen initiative at Bruce Power and has responsibility of managing Bruce Power’s future nuclear development program. Raj has spent over 22 years in the nuclear industry and has held senior roles in many key nuclear suppliers. He has significant global experience in operations, engineering and business development with a technical background in CANDU reactor maintenance and refurbishment programs.

Chief Emily Whetung

Chief Emily Whetung grew up in Curve Lake First Nation and left for just long enough to pursue a higher education at Trent University and Osgoode Hall Law School. She married a Mohawk from Wahta and convinced him to build a life on the Chemong side of Curve Lake. She practiced Real Estate Law in Peterborough for a decade while she started to work on the next generation of Whetungs, raising two lovely little boys.

Elected as Chief of Curve Lake in 2019, Chief Emily is passionate about the rights of First Nations people. She works to ensure that her community has every opportunity to thrive and protect the environment for all future generations. She is dedicated to the protection of Treaty Rights, finding ways to ensure economic advancements occur in sustainable manners, and building healthy relationships between First Nations and Canadians.

Eight months after taking office, Chief Emily was faced with dealing with the global pandemic. Shifting the community to online work, finding ways to support families in staying home, working on developing agricultural lands to ensure food security, and ensuring First Nations had access to vaccinations on the manufacturer’s recommended dosage schedule, Chief Emily pivoted to deal with the issues facing her community. In the summer of 2021, she seconded the nomination of the woman who would become the first female National Chief at the Assembly of First Nations.

Building on 40 years of advocating for access to clean drinking water for Curve Lake, Chief Emily took on the task to be one of the representative plaintiffs that settled a national class action with the Government of Canada to provide 8 billion dollars to end long term water advisories on First Nations across Canada before 2030.

Chief Emily has recently been elected to the Anishinabek Nation Leadership Council and appointed the vice-chair to the Indigenous Advisory Council for Small Modular (Nuclear) Reactor Action Plan. She continues to sit on many committees and working groups with the Mississauga Nation Chiefs, the Chief’s of Ontario and the Anishinabek Nation. She continues to use her expertise and knowledge to ensure that that voices of Indigenous people are heard and respected.

Dan Whicklum

Dan has 25 years of experience managing research, driving innovation, and fostering collaboration in and among industry, government, academia and civil society. He was CEO of Canada’s Oil Sands Innovation Alliance, was Executive Director of the Canadian Forest Innovation Council, and has been a senior manager at Environment and Climate Change Canada and Natural Resources Canada. He was a Research Assistant Professor at the University of Montana, and has a PhD in Aquatic Ecology from the University of Montana, a M.Sc. in Toxicology from the University of Calgary, and a BSc. in Ecology from the University of Guelph. He is currently co-chair of Canada’s Net-zero Advisory Body. His initial career was football as a linebacker for the Calgary Stampeders and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Alice Wong

Alice serves as senior vice-president and chief corporate officer at Cameco, one of the largest global providers of the fuel needed to energize a clean-air world. She has held diverse and increasingly senior leadership roles at the company for more than 30 years. She provides executive oversight for human resources, safety, health, environment, quality, information technology, supply chain management, regulatory affairs, internal audit and corporate ethics. She is also providing executive oversight and leadership to enhance the company’s sustainability approach to meet evolving ESG requirements and is the executive sponsor of the company’s digital transformation journey.

She has been integral in Cameco’s position as a leading industrial employer of Indigenous peoples in Canada. She also provided leadership for ground-breaking collaboration agreements with Cameco’s home communities in the north – focusing on workforce development, business development, environmental stewardship, community engagement and community investment.

She has guided Cameco’s multiple Canadian operations through complex regulatory/licensing systems and upheld safety and environmental performance at the highest level, resulting in longer license terms for Cameco’s operations.

She is a tireless advocate for advancing women and championing inclusion in the workplace. In recognition of these efforts, she received a Catalyst Champions Business Leader award in 2021.

She holds a Master of Arts (Economics) and Bachelor of Commerce, from the University of Saskatchewan and the Corporate Directors Designation (ICD.D).