Expert Speakers
Tobias Abt
Manager- Raw Material Procurement and Strategic Market Development - Mercedes-Benz
Tobias Abt is a Manager for Raw Materials Procurement and Strategic Market Development with extensive experience in the global automotive industry. He possesses comprehensive expertise across key areas of the value chain, including cost and supply chain management, as well as the strategic development of international sourcing structures.
Throughout his professional career, Tobias has held a variety of positions within the automotive industry, specializing early on at the intersection of engineering, business economics, and global raw materials markets. In various roles related to cost management and material and component strategy, he plays a key role in reducing procurement risks, enhancing competitiveness, and creating market access for critical industrial raw materials.
Internationally, Tobias has gained significant experience across Europe, the United States, and various regions of Asia. This global perspective forms the foundation of his strategic capabilities in developing international supply networks and understanding regional market dynamics.
Academically, he holds degrees in Industrial Engineering and Strategic Management. Through his experience and his focus on sustainable and resilient raw material strategies, Tobias contributes to guiding Mercedes-Benz successfully through the complex challenges of global procurement and raw materials markets.
Bruce Achneepineskum
Chief - Marten Falls First Nation
Bruce Achneepineskum is the Chief of Marten Falls. He has been Chief of Marten Falls First Nation since 2015. Under his leadership Marten Falls First Nation redefined its economic and social development objectives including what the community wanted to do on the development of the Ring of Fire. He has led the community to become an Indigenous proponent of large projects as the community became the proponent of the Community Access Road and the Northern Road Link Project. As Chief, his portfolio includes the sustainable development of these projects and the Ring of Fire and in this role, he works to ensure that his community’s commitments as stewards of their traditional territory are upheld.
Prior to serving as Chief, Chief Achneepineskum was a councillor in Marten Falls as well as an entrepreneur and ran the community store in Marten Fall. He believes that prosperity and sovereignty for his nation are possible through economic development based on resources available in his traditional territory and he continues to work towards the social, economic, and cultural development.
Jason Batise
Executive Director - Wabun Tribal Council
Jason Batise is the Executive Director of the Wabun Tribal Council, serving six First Nation communities in North Eastern Ontario. As a First Nations group, and in large part due to the efforts and the experience of the Wabun leadership, the member First Nations have established partnerships with industry and government that allow them to operate in a more self-sustaining manner. Wabun and Jason have led negotiations with over a dozen operating mines in Ontario’s busiest gold mining region. The resulting agreements have increased the First Nations capacity to manage their own affairs in a way that communities identify priorities, and invest resources to resolve issues most important to the First Nations. Over time, Wabun and its management team can claim nearly 2 billion dollars of direct and indirect own source revenue benefits to its member First Nations. Jason is a proud member of the Matachewan First Nation and resides in Timmins, where he raised three children. Jason looks forward to continued successes as he works toward a positive future for his two grandchildren.
Yannick Beaudoin
President and Chief Executive Officer - Canada Growth Fund Investment Management
Yannick Beaudoin is the President and CEO of Canada Growth Fund Investment Management Inc. (CGFIM). In this capacity he is responsible for the $15B Fund’s portfolio construction strategy and investment execution activities, in alignment with Canada Growth Fund’s important mandate to unlock investment in Canada’s energy, natural resources and clean technology sectors to grow Canada’s economy and promote efficient and cost-effective emissions reductions across the country. Until recently Yannick was Managing Director, Head of Asia-Pacific and Europe, Natural Resources at the Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP Investments), where he oversaw a portfolio of over $8 billion. Prior to joining PSP Investments, Yannick was Vice President of Corporate Finance and Development at Gildan Activewear and Director of Strategic Development at Molson Coors Brewing Company in Denver, Colorado. Yannick holds an MBA from McGill University, a BAA from the École des Hautes Etudes Commerciales (HEC) of Montréal, the Director designation (ICD.D) from the Institute of Corporate Directors, as well as the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.
Marc Bédard
Chief Operating Officer, Custom Metallurgical Assets - Glencore Canada
Marc Bédard is Chief Operating Officer, Custom Metallurgical Assets at Glencore. In this role, Marc oversees Glencore’s copper, nickel, zinc and lead smelters and refineries in Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Norway, Italy and Spain. His leadership emphasizes metallurgical expertise, operational excellence, sustainable practices, and workforce development.
Marc began his career as a process engineer at Glencore’s Canadian Copper Refinery in Montréal. Over his career, he has worked at Glencore’s Altonorte copper smelter in Chile, first as a metallurgist and later as General Manager. Marc also worked at the Kidd Metallurgical Site in Timmins (formerly Glencore’s site) as Operations Superintendent and at Glencore’s Horne Smelter in Rouyn-Noranda, Québec as Director of Operations. Additionally, Marc held a commercial and business development role at Xstrata's corporate office in Toronto.
Fluent in French, English and Spanish, Marc holds a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Polytechnique Montréal and an MBA from the University of Toronto (Rotman School of Management).
Caleb Behn
CEO - BC First Nations Energy and Mining Council
Caleb Behn is Eh-Cho Dene and Dunne-Za from Treaty 8 territory in northeastern British Columbia. A lawyer by training (UVic Law, Environmental Law and Sustainability; called to the BC Bar in 2015), his work spans water, energy, and Indigenous law.
He is the Chief Executive Officer of the BC First Nations Energy and Mining Council, and was previously the Lands Manager for West Moberly First Nations. Caleb spent six years in Ottawa as Special Advisor on Water to the Assembly of First Nations, Legal Policy Advisor to National Chief Perry Bellegarde, and Director of the Rights Sector at AFN. He has also served as Senior Researcher at the Centre for International Governance Innovation, was a founding member of the Decolonizing Water Research Collective, and is the subject of the documentary film Fractured Land.
Based in his mother’s home community of West Moberly First Nations, Caleb continues to hunt, fish, harvest, and support Elders in Treaty 8. His current work sits at the interface of Indigenous law, technology, and academic research—most recently with the Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society at Harvard Law School and as a founding Advisory Board Member of the Indigenous Research Support Initiative at the University of British Columbia.
Chris Benedetti
Managing Partner & CEO - Sussex Strategy Group
Chris Benedetti is Managing Partner and Chief Executive Officer of Sussex Strategy Group. Drawing on more than 25 years of experience in federal and provincial government, public affairs, and strategic communications, he advises clients on policy, government relations, and stakeholder engagement. His expertise spans energy, infrastructure, trade, the environment, and public administration, helping organizations navigate complex policy and regulatory landscapes.
Chris serves on the boards of the Ontario Energy Association, the Association of Power Producers of Ontario, and Outward Bound Canada, and is a member of the Advisory Board of Red Jar Capital and the CEO Council of the Empire Club of Canada. In 2025, he received the King Charles III Coronation Medal for his contributions to environmental stewardship and youth education, and in 2024 was awarded the Hedley Palmer Award for his contributions to Ontario's power generation industry.
Before joining Sussex, Chris held senior public affairs roles in the private sector and served with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, as well as in advisory positions in the House of Commons and the Senate of Canada. He holds degrees from Carleton University, McMaster University, and the University of Bath.
Thomas Benjoe
CEO, Flowing River Capital
Thomas Benjoe is an Indigenous Business Leader and Entrepreneur from Muscowpetung First Nation. He is currently a Founding Partner & CEO of Flowing River Capital, an Indigenous Private Equity Firm, and Founding Partner at OneHoop, an Indigenous Advisory firm based in Saskatchewan. Through his leadership, he has grown several multi-million dollar investments across multiple sectors using his unique business models and strategy. Those investments were often made with limited resources and capital and in one such investment he started, scaled and sold Saskatchewan’s first Indigenous tech company for an 1,150% return. Thomas also leads several strategies in Indigenous Engagement, Procurement, Indigenous HR, and Investments. Through the strategies he has built he has helped to unlock many new opportunities for Indigenous business to thrive and Indigenous talent to be built sustainably.
Thomas currently serves on the Board of Directors at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Board of Director of Economic Development Regina, Member of Regina Growth Board, and member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders Indigenous Task Group. He also serves as Chair on the board of Pathway Supply,
Darrell Bricker
Global CEO - Ipsos Public Affairs
Darrell Bricker is Chairman of Ipsos Canada. Prior to this role, he served as Global CEO of Ipsos Public Affairs for 25 years, leading the organization's public opinion and social research activities worldwide.
Before joining Ipsos in 1990, Dr. Bricker served as Director of Research in the office of Canada's Prime Minister. He also worked as a research consultant with firms in Ottawa and Toronto, building expertise in public opinion and political research.
Dr. Bricker holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from Carleton University, and both a BA and MA from Wilfrid Laurier University. He has been awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree by Wilfrid Laurier University, which named him one of their top 100 graduates in the last 100 years. He is also a Senior Research Fellow with the Munk School of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto and at the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) in Waterloo, Ontario.
Joel Karlsberg
Chief Procurement Officer - PowerCo Canada
Joel Karlsberg is the Chief Procurement Officer at PowerCo Canada Inc. and a procurement and manufacturing leader with more than 12 years of experience across the automotive, industrial, and manufacturing sectors. His international career has included leadership roles with Volkswagen Group in Wolfsburg, Beijing, and Chattanooga, as well as positions with STIHL, Kenworth, and ZF. Most recently, Joel led North American procurement activities at STIHL, bringing extensive expertise in strategic sourcing, supply chain management, global operations, and procurement transformation.
Joel has lived and worked across multiple international markets, including more than 11 years in Germany. In addition to his native language, he speaks German and has working knowledge of Mandarin and Russian, reflecting his passion for global collaboration and cross-cultural leadership.
His professional journey is characterized by a deep understanding of manufacturing operations, procurement excellence, and the automotive industry. A dedicated automotive enthusiast, Joel combines his industry expertise with a genuine passion for innovation, technology, and performance mobility.
Isabella Chan
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister - Natural Resources Canada
Isabella Chan is the Senior Assistant Deputy Minister for the Lands and Minerals Sector at Natural Resources Canada and serves as Canada’s Special Envoy for the Critical Minerals Production Alliance. With 20 years of experience across various departments in the Government of Canada, they have held significant roles, including Assistant Deputy Minister at Health Canada and Director General at Finance Canada. Isabella is known for their visionary leadership, fluency in multiple languages, and dedication to integrity, diversity, and inclusion. They have received several awards for their contributions to public service and are currently pursuing executive education at Harvard Kennedy School.
Rajshekar DasGupta
CEO - Electrovaya
Raj was appointed as CEO in May 2022. He has been with the Company since 2009 having been involved with every aspect of the business from cell manufacturing, engineering activities and business development. He has been an author on several key patents and led Electrovaya’s current key strategic business relationships. Raj attended Imperial College, London; Massachusetts Institute of Technology; and the University of Cambridge, where he received his Doctorate in Materials Science.
Paul Davis
Vice President of Exploration - EV Nickel
Mr. Davis has over 30 years of executive, exploration and mine management experience for large multinational and junior companies. Most recently, Mr. Davis was VP Exploration at FNI Mining and over his career he has headed mining and exploration teams in the discovery, development and mining of projects in Canada, Finland, Australia and Peru.
His responsibilities include scoping and feasibility studies; project and mine permitting, environmental compliance and reporting, off-take and acquisition agreement negotiation, implementation and monitoring, corporate development, asset evaluation, due diligence analysis and economic models. Mr. Davis also has direct experience in other corporate functions including budgeting, financing, investor relations and regulatory reporting and compliance. Mr. Davis graduated from the University of Western Ontario (BSc- Honours Geology) and the University of Alabama (MSc- Economic Geology).
Linda Debassige
Grand Council Chief - Anishinabek Nation
Linda Debassige, Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief, Former Ogimaa Kwe (Chief) of M'Chigeeng First Nation, Former Political Advisor to Grand Chief Madahbee-Anishinabek Nation. Born and raised in M’Chigeeng First Nation, Linda Debassige currently serves as the Grand Council Chief of the Anishinaabek Nation. She is a mother to two children and grandmother to one. Linda graduated with honours from Civil Engineering Technology in Thunder Bay and she holds a Certificate in Negotiations from Osgoode Hall Law School. First elected to M’Chigeeng First Nation Council in 2013, Debassige was Chief from 2015-2023. During her tenure within the governance of M’Chigeeng, she participated in numerous portfolios, committees and boards locally, regionally and nationally and across many sectors including but not limited to treaty, infrastructure, water, housing, environment, policing, mental health and addictions, community safety, economic development, education, health, emergency management and community development. She was elected Grand Council Chief of the Anishinabek Nation in 2024.
Rachel Doran
Executive Director - Clean Energy Canada
As our Executive Director, Rachel brings nearly 20 years of experience in policy, politics, and law to advance clean energy solutions for Canada’s sustainable economy. Before taking on this role, Rachel led our policy work across the energy transition and was a frequent commentator on energy policy, the electric vehicle market, and the broader energy transition. Prior to joining Clean Energy Canada, Rachel occupied numerous roles in two governments, serving most recently as Senior Special Advisor on Climate and Director of Legal Affairs to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change. She also served as policy advisor to the Prime Minister, and chief of staff to Ministers of Justice and Indigenous Services. She was counsel for both the Ontario and federal governments, specializing in Indigenous consultation in natural resource management. She has a background in the management of non-profit organizations, and holds a law degree BA from McGill University and was called to the bar in both Ontario and Quebec.
Anca Drexler
Chief Investment Officer - Building Ontario Fund
Anca Drexler is Chief Investment Officer at Building Ontario Fund (BOF), where she leads investment strategy and oversees the fund’s overall investment activities, working closely with institutional investors and public sector partners to mobilize private capital into Ontario’s priority infrastructure projects.
Anca is a seasoned executive with over 25 years of experience across institutional investing, treasury and risk management. Prior to joining BOF she held senior leadership roles at OMERS, most recently as Executive Vice-President and Head of Treasury and previously served as Chief Risk Officer at OPTrust.
She holds a Master of Mathematics from the University of Waterloo and a B.Sc. from the University of Toronto. Anca is a CFA charter holder and an alumna of the Harvard Business School. She also serves on the boards of the Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada and Sunnybrook Hospital Foundation’s Investment Committee.
Sylvain Eckert
Partner - Infravia
Sylvain Eckert is a graduate of Mines ParisTech and brings over 20 years of experience in the metals and mining sector, with in-depth industry expertise and an extensive international network.
He was previously head of the Metals and Mining team at Natixis Global, where he managed over 30 mandates with mining clients worldwide.
He believes that responsible commodity production is the key to a sustainable future. He enjoys engaging with developers and exploring new frontiers in emerging geological provinces, as well as discovering new ways to produce the materials we all need.
Sylvain is truly passionate about rocks and metals.
Paul Fowler
Executive Vice President - Magna Mining
Paul is an experienced Mining Executive with over 21 years of experience in the Canadian mining sector, and a background in Corporate Development and Capital Markets. Paul joined Magna Mining in 2018, helping to grow the company into a publicly listed, multi-asset, development and exploration company focused on the Sudbury mining district in Canada. Paul currently has responsibility for commercial, corporate development, M&A, marketing, and capital raising departments.
Alex Forstner
Chief Technology Officer - Cyclic Materials
Alex Forstner is the Chief Technology Officer and a founding team member at Cyclic Materials. He has a degree in Engineering Physics from Queen’s University and an MBA from the University of Toronto Rotman School of Management. Alex’s career has been devoted to the global energy transition. First, from an infrastructure perspective where he worked to help Ontario transition away from coal power and integrate more renewable energy into the electricity grid and then to the commodity side where he spent 7 years working on and leading hydrometallurgical laboratory research programs on process innovations to extract the critical minerals necessary to facilitate electrification. Passionate about natural resources and their role in developing society, Alex is dedicated to making societal progress more efficient and less harmful to the planet and it is this reason that Alex is excited to be at Cyclic Materials and the forefront of the circular economy for rare earth elements.
Christiane Fox
Deputy Minister - National Defence, Government of Canada
Christiane Fox was appointed Deputy Minister of National Defence in January 2026. She brings extensive leadership experience across the federal public service, having held senior deputy minister roles in national security, intergovernmental affairs, immigration, and Indigenous relations.
Before joining the Department of National Defence, Christiane served as Deputy Clerk of the Privy Council and Associate Secretary to the Cabinet, as well as Deputy Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs. She previously served as Deputy Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Deputy Minister of Indigenous Services Canada, and Deputy Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, where she played a key role in advancing federal priorities and strengthening collaboration across governments. She also serves as Deputy Minister Champion of the Federal Youth Network.
Earlier in her career, Christiane held a number of senior positions at the Privy Council Office, including Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet for Communications and Consultations, Director of Operations in the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Relations Secretariat, and Director General of Communications. She began her career at Industry Canada, working in communications and science policy.
Christiane holds a BA in Mass Communications and Psychology from Carleton University and a Master's Certificate in Public Administration from the University of Ottawa..
David Galea
Vice President of Business Improvement - Impala Canada
David Galea joined Impala Canada in 2017 with more than a decade of experience in mining and natural resources. At the time, he was based at Impala’s Lac des Iles mine working to operationalize the company’s growth strategy and financial turnaround. In his current role, David is responsible for business optimization and strategic initiatives, leading the development of people, process and technology to support Impala’s goals.
Prior to joining Impala, David worked as a consultant with Partners in Performance, assisting international mining clients with continuous improvement, supply chain strategy, cost reduction and capital planning.
David holds an MBA from Queen’s University, a Bachelor of Engineering Science from the University of Western Ontario and a P.Eng. designation in the Province of Alberta.
Jeff Gaulin
Vice President of Corporate Affairs - Vale Base Metals
Jeff Gaulin is Vice President of Corporate Affairs & Communications for Vale Base Metals, the global critical minerals company focused on supplying the nickel, copper and cobalt needed for the world's energy and security transition. He leads the company's global public policy, government relations and communications activities, and serves on the boards of the Mining Association of Canada and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce Critical Minerals Council.
Jeff joined Vale Base Metals in 2023 from Invest Alberta, where he was Chief Corporate Development Officer, leading global investment attraction efforts and supporting strategic business growth. He has also held senior public affairs and communications roles with Philip Morris International (Canada), the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, Tervita Corporation, TransAlta Corporation and the Government of British Columbia. Earlier in his career, he was an award-winning journalist.
Jeff holds an MBA from the University of Victoria, an MA in Journalism from Western University and a BA from McGill University. He is of Métis heritage, a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographic Society, and is widely recognized for his passion for exploration and the outdoors.
Luca Giacovazzi
CEO - Wyloo
Luca Giacovazzi is Chief Executive Officer of Wyloo, where he leads a diversified portfolio of mining operations, development projects, exploration assets and strategic investments across Australia and Canada. Since becoming CEO, he has overseen the acquisition of Noront Resources, securing ownership of the Eagle's Nest nickel-copper-platinum-palladium project and a major chromite resource in northern Ontario, as well as the acquisition of Mincor Resources and the formation of a joint venture for the Yangibana Rare Earths and Niobium Project.
Luca has also overseen Wyloo's cornerstone investment in Greatland Gold, enabling its consolidation of the world-class Havieron gold-copper project and the Telfer gold-copper mine, as well as a number of other investments in the mining and metals sector. Under Luca's direction, Wyloo also plans to develop a downstream processing facility in Ontario, Canada, for the Canadian critical minerals supply chain. Committed to responsible resource development, he champions high environmental standards and partnerships with local and First Nation communities. Before joining Wyloo, Luca worked at Credit Suisse, advising on major metals and mining transactions across Australia and internationally. He holds degrees from the University of Johannesburg, the University of Sydney and the London School of Economics (CEMS).
Alden Greenhouse
CEO, Avenir Minerals and Vice President, Critical & Strategic Minerals - Agnico Eagle Mines
Alden Greenhouse is Chief Executive Officer of Avenir Minerals and Vice President, Critical & Strategic Minerals at Agnico Eagle. He leads Avenir's strategy to build a diversified portfolio of critical and strategic mineral assets, with a focus on securing long-term supplies of materials essential to energy, defence, and advanced manufacturing industries.
Since helping establish Agnico Eagle's Critical & Strategic Minerals initiative in 2022, Alden and his team have built one of the industry's most diversified critical minerals portfolios, with fourteen investments across seven commodities. As CEO of Avenir Minerals, he has overseen the acquisition of the Martison phosphate project in Ontario and the expansion of Avenir's portfolio through investments and partnerships currently in cesium and antimony. He works closely with governments, Indigenous partners, and industry participants to advance the development of North American critical mineral supply chains.
Prior to his current role, Alden held a series of senior strategy and corporate development positions at Agnico Eagle, including Vice President, Corporate Development & Business Strategy. He joined Agnico Eagle in 2013 after serving as Chief Financial Officer of a junior mining company and earlier working in Fixed Income and Currencies at RBC Capital Markets.
Alden holds an M.Sc. from the London School of Economics and Political Science and an Honours B.Comm from McMaster University. He is also a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder and Certified Management Accountant (CMA).
Claude Guay
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources - Government of Canada
Now serving as Member of Parliament for LaSalle–Émard–Verdun and as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Claude Guay is deeply committed to building a strong, inclusive economy through his public service. As Parliamentary Secretary, he has particularly focused on mining and critical minerals policy, as Canada seeks to meet the energy and resource demands of the future effectively, sustainably, and responsibly.
With over 40 years of leadership in technology and innovation, including as former President of IBM Canada, he brings deep expertise in AI, cybersecurity, digital transformation and quantum computing across sectors such as finance, manufacturing, transportation, aerospace, energy, and the public sector.
A passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, he has championed initiatives supporting women, visible minorities, and Indigenous youth in technology and business. Claude has a strong record of community engagement, working with nonprofits, educational programs, and all levels of government to advance equity and opportunity. His work reflects a lifelong dedication to purpose-driven leadership and meaningful public impact.
Tushar Handiekar
Vice President, Structured & Project Finance - Export Development Canada
Tushar Handiekar joined the Structured & Project Finance (S&PF) team at Export Development Canada in 2006. Tushar is currently the Vice President and group head of the S&PF team overseeing a group of 50 structured financing specialists in Ottawa and Singapore offices as well as EDC’s presence worldwide in London, Mumbai and Sydney. Tushar is also co-leading the Sustainable Finance initiative across the organization as well as co-leading EDC’s effort to managing the LIBOR transition.
The S&PF group is critical to serving EDC’s large and medium segment customers in cleantech and sectors of the future to increase their trade opportunities and competitiveness. Over the years, the group has amassed a sizable portfolio and expertise in a variety of industries, including mining and metals, infrastructure, telecommunications, energy, renewables, and clean technology.
Prior to joining EDC, Tushar was an entrepreneur, and has held various positions in Investment Banking across Canada and India. Tushar holds an MBA degree from Ivey Business School in London, Ontario, a Masters in Finance from University of Mumbai, and a Bachelor of Engineering degree from BAM University in India.
David Herle
Partner - Rubicon Strategy
With over 30 years of experience in public opinion research, David builds precise communication strategies that boost reputations, advance policy and secure public support. A lifelong political strategist, David has led many successful campaigns at both federal and provincial levels, and served as top advisor to Prime Ministers and Premiers. David leverages his rare blend of communication skills, public environment insight and political acumen to analyze complex problems and devise practical strategies that hit the mark. When he’s not uncovering deep insights from public opinion data, David is a podcast host, dedicated sports fan and devoted dog dad.
Terence Hubbard
President - Impact Assessment Agency of Canada
Terence Hubbard was appointed President of the Impact Assessment Agency (IAAC) on November 28, 2021. In his role, he is responsible for leading all reviews of major projects under the Impact Assessment Act, in cooperation with other Government of Canada regulatory agencies, as well as provinces and territories and Indigenous groups.
Prior to joining IAAC in 2018, Terence was Director General of the Petroleum Resources Branch with Natural Resources Canada. In this role, he had responsibility for Canada's oil and gas policy, including overseeing the development and implementation of Canada's pipeline safety and offshore oil and gas regulatory regimes as well as serving as Canada's representative on the Governing Board of the International Energy Agency.
He is a graduate of the University of Saskatchewan where he obtained both his Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees in economics and now lives in Ottawa.
John Kwarta
Strategic Account Executive - Schneider Electric
John Kwarta is a Strategic Account Executive at Schneider Electric, supporting a Digital, Electric and Sustainable Mining and Metals industry.
With extensive experience, he builds partnerships and collaborations to promote meaningful advances in efficiency, decarbonization, and technology adoption.
John, a seasoned professional with a career exceeding 25 years, has thrived in various roles, including field service, technology research and development, marketing, and relationship management.
At Schneider Electric, John contributes to shaping a sustainable future through open collaboration with one of the world's largest diversified energy resource companies.
Koby Kushner
CEO - Libra Energy Materials
Koby Kushner, P.Eng., CFA, is the Chief Executive Officer and a director of Libra Energy Materials and Athena Gold. He has spent most of his career as a mining engineer and more recently, an equity research analyst. Prior to entering finance, Mr. Kushner worked at several mines in Ontario and Manitoba, including Hemlo (Barrick Gold), Detour, Rice Lake, and others. During this time, Mr. Kushner has seen projects advance through all stages of development, including exploration, production, and closure. He then moved into equity research at Red Cloud Securities, a mining-only investment bank, where he wrote on over 100 companies across various stages of development and a wide range of commodities, with a particular focus on precious and energy metals. He holds a BSc in Mining Engineering from Queen’s University, is a licensed Professional Engineer in the province of Ontario and is a CFA charterholder.
Susanna Laaksonen-Craig
Deputy Minister of Energy and Mines, Government of Ontario
Susanna is a seasoned executive leader with over 25 years’ experience in government, research, and development across Canada and abroad, as well as deep professional experience in energy, natural resources, change management and executive leadership.
Prior to joining the Ontario Public Service, Susanna served as Deputy Minister of Energy and Resources with the Government of Saskatchewan from March 2021, and before that as Director General for the National Research Council of Canada’s (NRC) Energy, Mining and Environment Research Centre.
Before joining the NRC in 2018, Susanna held several executive positions within the Government of British Columbia at the Assistant Deputy Minister and Executive Director level.
On an academic front, she worked as an assistant professor at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Forestry, and as the Assistant Director of the University of California Forest Products Laboratory. Since 2007 she has been an Adjunct Professor at the University of Toronto’s Daniels Faculty of Forestry.
Susanna holds a master’s degree in forestry from the University of Helsinki and a PhD in Wildland Resource Science from the University of California at Berkeley.
Brad Lavigne
President & Partner - Counsel Public Affairs
Brad Lavigne is President and a Partner at Counsel Public Affairs in Toronto. Named one of The Hill Times' Top 100 Lobbyists, he has more than 30 years of experience in communications, government relations and public affairs, advising clients at the federal, provincial and municipal levels across Canada.
Brad is widely recognized for his leadership in Canadian politics, having served as the New Democratic Party's National Campaign Director during the 2011 federal election, when the party became Canada's Official Opposition for the first time. He also served as Principal Secretary and Director of Communications to the Hon. Jack Layton, as well as National Director and Director of Communications for the NDP. He is the author of the bestselling book Building the Orange Wave: The Inside Story of the Historic Rise of Jack Layton and the NDP.
Earlier in his career, Brad advised two British Columbia premiers and served as Chief of Staff to the B.C. Minister of Finance. He is a regular political commentator on CBC News Network's Power & Politics, a Fellow at the Broadbent Institute, and a Board Member of the Douglas Coldwell Layton Foundation for Social Democracy.
Dennis Mahony
Partner - Torys LLP
Dennis is Head of Torys' Environmental, Health and Safety Group, a senior member of the firm's Mining Group, and one of Canada's leading environmental and major project approvals lawyers. He is consistently recognized by Chambers Global (Band 1), The Legal 500 Hall of Fame, Best Lawyers, Lexpert and Who's Who Legal. His award-winning book, Law of Climate Change in Canada, remains a leading reference in the field.
For more than 30 years, Dennis has advised public and private sector clients on environmental, regulatory and impact assessment matters, with a particular focus on major infrastructure, mining, energy and transportation projects. He is widely recognized for guiding complex projects through environmental approvals and defending those approvals under intense regulatory and public scrutiny. In 2025, he was appointed to the federal Minister of Environment's Impact Assessment Advisory Council, becoming the first private-sector lawyer to serve in that role.
Dennis currently advises on several of Canada's highest-profile development projects, including Wyloo's Eagle's Nest project in Ontario's Ring of Fire. He is known for helping clients navigate complex regulatory requirements while supporting successful project development through construction and into operations.
Jamie Levy
President & CEO - Generation Mining
Jamie Levy has over 25 years’ experience in financing and management of Canadian mining companies. He was formerly the President and CEO of Pine Point Mining, which was acquired by Osisko Metals. He ison the board of Moon River Moly Ltd, Conquest Resources Ltd., Montero Mining & Exploration Ltd. and Kenorland Minerals Ltd.
Ian McCallum
Chief Operating Officer - Global Battery Materials
Ian McCallum has spent nearly 30 years at the confluence of the advanced materials manufacturing, energy storage, and transportation industries in a variety of global leadership roles, including business strategy, R&D, product engineering and development, marketing, sales, and operations. His experience in the battery materials and electrochemical energy storage industries spans 15 years worldwide, covering lithium-ion batteries, fuel cells, and redox flow batteries. He holds five patents in lithium-ion battery technologies.
Before joining Global Battery Materials, Mr. McCallum was a founding member and Chief Growth Officer of Anovion Technologies, where he led the sales, marketing and technology R&D organizations. That role followed his time as Vice President at Amsted Graphite Materials, where he led the launch of its lithium-ion anode materials business, which ultimately spun out to become Anovion. Mr. McCallum’s career also includes technical and global business leadership roles at Alcoa, UCAR/GrafTech International, Celgard, and Asahi Kasei.
Mr. McCallum holds a bachelor’s degree in materials engineering from Drexel University and an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University with a focus on strategy, operations, and marketing.
Ryan McEachern
Managing Director - Mining Suppliers Trade Association Canada (MSTA CANADA)
Ryan McEachern is currently the Managing Director of the Mining Suppliers Trade Association Canada (MSTA CANADA) and is responsible for the administration, member services, and government relations for the association. He has over 30 years of experience working in the mining industry in Canada and internationally for multinational mining, investment banking, and global manufacturing-drilling services firms. Mr. McEachern holds an MBA from Wilfred Laurier University, a Bachelor of Science (Geology) from Lakehead University, and is recognized as a Professional Geologist in Ontario.
Scott McLean
President and CEO - Transition Metals
Scott McLean is a professional geoscientist, mining executive, entrepreneur and award-winning mineral explorer with more than 35 years of experience in mineral exploration, discovery, corporate leadership and capital markets. He is a co-founder of Transition Metals Corp., SPC Nickel Corp. and Canadian Gold Miner Corp., and currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Transition Metals Corp., one of Canada's leading project generation companies.
Before co-founding Transition Metals, Scott spent 23 years with Falconbridge Limited and Xstrata Nickel, where he held senior exploration and management roles. He contributed to several significant mineral discoveries, including the world-class Nickel Rim South nickel-copper-PGE deposit in the Sudbury Basin. His achievements have been recognized with the PDAC Prospector of the Year Award, the Northwestern Ontario Prospectors Association's Bernie Schneiders Discovery of the Year Award, and the Professional Geoscientists Ontario Award of Merit. Scott has also served on numerous public and private company boards and completed two terms as President of the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario, where he championed the advancement of the geoscience profession.
Peter McPherson
Managing Partner - Apeiron
Peter McPherson is a Métis leader, entrepreneur, and community advocate with more than 25 years of experience working across Indigenous relations, governance, economic development, environmental stewardship, and resource development. He is the Managing Partner of Apeiron Companies Inc., a majority Indigenous-owned company that works alongside Indigenous Nations, governments, industry, and communities to support meaningful participation in economic development opportunities. As reflected in Apeiron's project materials, Peter is helping lead the development of a Critical Minerals Information Series for Indigenous Nations and communities that will be delivered through YouTube, providing accessible information on critical minerals, Indigenous participation, regulatory processes, environmental considerations, and economic opportunities.
Peter has held leadership roles with numerous Indigenous and community organizations and is known for bringing together diverse perspectives to build practical solutions and lasting partnerships. His work focuses on ensuring Indigenous communities have the information, capacity, and opportunities needed to make informed decisions about major projects and economic opportunities.
At the Ontario Critical Minerals Forum, Peter is interested in connecting with Indigenous leaders, industry representatives, investors, government officials, and others who are advancing responsible critical minerals development and Indigenous participation across Canada
Trent Mell
CEO - Electra Battery Materials
Trent Mell is the Founder and CEO of Electra Battery Materials Corporation, driving its mission to establish North America's first fully integrated and environmentally sustainable battery materials park. Under his leadership, Electra is building the continent's first battery grade cobalt sulfate refinery, a critical step in advancing U.S. efforts to onshore key components of the battery supply chain and reduce reliance on foreign imports.
With 25 years of international business and operational experience, Trent has a proven track record in corporate finance, M&A, mine development, and operations. His leadership roles span industry leaders such as Barrick Gold, Sherritt International, and North American Palladium.
Bobby Narcisse
Deputy Grand Chief - Nishnawbe Aski Nation
Bobby Narcisse is an Ojibway from Aroland First Nation in Treaty 9 territory with more than 20 years of experience in Indigenous leadership, community development, social services and education. He studied Political Studies and Law at Lakehead University and completed an internship at the Native Law Centre at the University of Saskatchewan. Bobby previously served as a Band Councillor for Aroland First Nation and as Director of Social Services for Nishnawbe Aski Nation, where he led social services reform, child and family services, and family well-being initiatives. He also led NAN's intervention before the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, which found the federal government had discriminated against First Nations children through inequitable child welfare funding and the failure to implement Jordan's Principle.
Throughout his career, Bobby has worked extensively with First Nation youth, led community development initiatives in Canada and internationally, and held leadership roles in education, athletics and recreation. He has also worked in Indigenous theatre and the performing arts, using creative approaches to engage young people on social issues. Bobby continues to mentor Indigenous youth and remains committed to strengthening First Nation communities through leadership, education and advocacy.
Melanie Paradis
President - Texture Communications
Melanie Paradis is the President and Founder of Texture Communications, one of Canada’s premier strategic communications and government relations consultancies. Texture’s clients are nation-builders and thought leaders whose opinions and projects make Canada stronger.
Melanie is an expert writer of speeches and op-eds for leading industry executives and politicians. Her work has been published in Canada’s most-read newspapers, and heard on airwaves and streaming services across the nation.
Melanie has over 18 years of experience in strategic and crisis communications and media, government, and public relations. She has worked with executives on Bay Street and politicians on Parliament Hill during high-stakes crises and moments of transformation.
Prior to founding Texture, Melanie served in senior communications roles at leading national public affairs and government relations firms. Her previous in-house work at one of the world’s largest mining companies and a major Indigenous organization gives her unique insights into Canada's critical minerals landscape.
Melanie appears each week on CTV PowerPlay’s Front Bench panel as a political pundit, drawing on her federal and provincial campaign experiences for Premier Doug Ford and former Conservative leader Erin O’Toole.
Daniel Peltonen
President - Boliden Smelters
Daniel has a Master of Science (MSc) in Chemical Engineering with Industrial Economics from Åbo Academy University, Finland. Daniel has broad experience in the process industry. Before joining Boliden AB, Daniel has many years of experience from industrial companies i.e. as Business Area Manager, as site Manager for Business Units both in Sweden and internationally.
Daniel highly values the People side of change, to have common values that empower the organization and to provide a common structure that simplify every day work are essentials in the strive towards excellence and the company vision; To be the most climate friendly and respected metal provider in the world.
David Rhodes
Managing Director - Endeavour Financial
David Rhodes is Managing Director of Endeavour Financial and has over 30 years’ experience in mining finance, having arranged more than US$14 billion of funding for mining companies and projects globally. Prior to Endeavour, he held senior roles at Standard Bank London and Barclays Capital. David is also Executive Chairman of Empress Royalty Corp. and a Director of Luca Mining Corp.
Greg Rickford
Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation/Minister Responsible for Ring of Fire - Government of Ontario
The Honourable Greg Rickford was first elected as MPP for Kenora—Rainy River in 2018 and re-elected in 2022 and 2025. He currently serves as Ontario's Minister of First Nations Economic Reconciliation and Minister Responsible for Ring of Fire Economic and Community Partnerships. Since 2018, he has also held several key cabinet portfolios, including Indigenous Affairs, Northern Development, Energy, Mines, and Natural Resources & Forestry, while serving as Chair of the Cabinet Committee for Economic and Resource Policy.
Before provincial politics, Minister Rickford served as the federal Member of Parliament for Kenora from 2008 to 2015, including as Canada's Minister of Natural Resources and in several other senior federal roles. His career spans nursing, law and public service. He worked for nearly a decade as a nurse in remote Indigenous communities across Canada before practising law, where he focused on Indigenous governance, economic development and health, including work on the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement. He holds degrees in nursing, law and business from Mohawk College, the University of Victoria, McGill University and Université Laval.
Margaret Sault
Chief - Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation
Margaret Sault was elected as Chief of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN) in December of 2025.
Margaret has dedicated over four decades to serving MCFN, beginning her career in 1977 as Director of Lands, Membership, and Research, and then taking on the role of Governance Director, before retiring in May 2023. Throughout her career, Margaret has been instrumental in the successful settlement of four land claims in collaboration with MCFN, developed numerous educational resources, and delivered countless talks on MCFN history. Her leadership has been pivotal in guiding the First Nation’s progress towards self-governance beyond the Indian Act. Margaret also previously served as an elected Councillor for one term and contributed to various committees and boards.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Margaret is deeply involved in her community. She co-founded the New Credit Cancer Support Group in 2017 and continues to actively volunteer and fundraise in the Six Nations and New Credit communities. For the past 13 years, she has been a key organizer of the annual Historical Gathering, an event that attracts hundreds of attendees to learn about the rich history of the First Nation from a diverse array of speakers.
A proud member and resident of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, Margaret is a devoted mother of three sons and grandmother of six, and she is known for her exceptional cooking skills!
Stephen Saunders
Portfolio Manager & Economist - Orion Resource Partners
Mr. Saunders joined Orion in 2022. Prior to Orion, Mr. Saunders spent nearly ten years working in both the Mining & Metals Global Investment and Corporate banking groups at Scotiabank. Most recently Mr. Saunders held the title of Director within the Global Mining & Metals Investment Banking group where he worked on a myriad of global precious, base and battery metal sector transactions, including sell-side and buy-side M&A, corporate debt financing, project financing, and equity financing. Prior to joining the Investment Banking group, he worked on a number of mining & metals corporate lending transactions for some of the largest to smallest counterparties within the sector, including single-asset project financing transactions.
Mark Selby
CEO & Director - Canada Nickel Company
Mark was formerly President & CEO of RNC Minerals (Royal Nickel Corporation) where he led a team that successfully raised over $100 million and advanced the Dumont nickel-cobalt project from initial resource to a fully permitted, construction ready project.
He has held a number of senior management roles with Quadra Mining, Inco, and Purolator Courier, and was a partner at Mercer Management Consulting.
Since 2001, Mr. Selby has been recognized as one of the leading authorities on the nickel market. He graduated from Queen’s University with a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) and has also served on the boards of multiple junior mining companies.
Roman Shimonov
CEO, Roshel - Smart Armored Vehicles
Roman Shimonov is the founder and CEO of Roshel, the leading North American producer of smart armoured solutions. He immigrated to Canada 10 years ago. Before establishing Roshel, he founded and led a successful encryption company that provided services to defence clients.
In 2016, shortly after founding Roshel, Roman assembled a team of experienced professionals with decades of expertise in secure transportation. Under his leadership, Roshel quickly grew into one of the largest manufacturers of smart armoured vehicles for government institutions and commercial corporations in North America and beyond.
Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Roshel has pivoted to the mass production of its signature armoured personnel carriers (APCs) and mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles (MRAPs), including the Senator platform, for the needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and other agencies involved in the defence effort. Roman strongly believes in self-reliance and the ingenuity of his team, which enable Roshel to deliver high-quality products with industry-leading turnaround times.
With over 400,000 sq. ft. of production space and more than 400 employees, Roshel manages the entire manufacturing process in-house, allowing for significant flexibility in customization and rigorous quality control. Roman also emphasizes continuous investment in innovation and R&D to ensure Roshel remains at the forefront of advanced armoured solutions.
Kristan Straub
President and CEO - Canada Indigenous Loan Guarantee Corporation
Kristan Straub is the President and CEO of the Canada Indigenous Loan Guarantee Corporation, a newly launched financial crown corporation issuing loan guarantees empowering Indigenous groups to participate in economic opportunities. Kristan has over 25 years of global experience in the mining industry across mineral exploration, mining and metallurgical operations, and senior executive leadership. Before joining Canada Indigenous Loan Guarantee Corporation, Kristan served as CEO of Wyloo Canada and held senior leadership roles at Glencore, including Vice President of Exploration for Glencore Nickel, President of Koniambo Nickel SAS in New Caledonia, and Vice President of Glencore’s Raglan Mine in Nunavik. He also served on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors for the Mining Association of Canada and Ontario Mining Association.
Kristan is a proud band member of Henvey Inlet and French River No.13. He holds an Honours B.Sc in Geology and was awarded an Honourary Doctor of Laws from Laurentian University in 2025 in recognition of his significant contributions to the global mining industry. In March 2026, Kristan was appointed Chancellor at Laurentian University.
Rahim Suleman
President & CEO - Neo Performance Materials
Rahim Suleman is President and CEO, and Director, having been appointed on July 7, 2023. Previously, he was President from January 1, 2023, and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since January 16, 2017.
Rahim was Chief Financial Officer at Stackpole International since 2010. From 2009–2010, he was Global Finance Manager with GE Digital Energy Protection and Control. Prior to 2010, he held successively senior finance positions in public accounting, manufacturing, internet technology and financial consulting firms.
He is a Canadian Chartered Accountant holding a Master of Accountancy and a Bachelor of Arts in Accountancy from the University of Waterloo.
Shane Tabobondung
Chief - Wasauksing First Nation
As the Ogimaa (Chief) of Wasauksing First Nation, Chief Shane Tabobondung has Ojibwa and Pottawatomi ancestry, extensive cultural knowledge, and a master’s degree in Indigenous Studies from Wilfrid Laurier University. Over the past 20 years, he has been professionally involved in social and economic community development for the Nation. Chief Tabobondung has served for 10 years in First Nation politics. He has also worked as a Director and Administrator of First Nations Programs and Services for over 20 years. Currently, Chief Tabobondung's focus has been at the self-governance level to advance Wasauksing First Nation's Inherent Rights and Title within an Anishinaabe law paradigm.
Priya Tandon
President - Ontario Mining Association
Priya leads all OMA activities and represents the association publicly. She is a member of OMA's Board of Directors and its Executive Committee and provides broad policy guidance to the OMA Chair. Priya joined the OMA following a distinguished career in the public sector. She embarked on public service in 2009 as a legislative assistant in the Minister's Office at the former Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry, and soon became Chief of Staff to the Ministers of Natural Resources and Northern Development and Mines. She joined the Ontario Public Service as the Director of the Corporate Policy Secretariat at the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines in 2015 and became Director of the Strategic and Indigenous Policy Branch at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry in 2020. Priya brings a background in engineering and public policy to the organization.
Kerem Usenmez
President & CEO, Volta Metals
Kerem is a Geological Engineer (M.Sc., P.Eng.) with over 25 years of global experience across exploration, development, and operations. As President and CEO of Volta Metals, he is advancing the Springer Rare Earth and Gallium deposit in Ontario, a project positioned to supply critical minerals essential to North America's battery and semiconductor supply chains.
Previously, Kerem served as President and CEO of Metallum Resources, where he acquired and advanced Canada's highest-grade zinc-copper deposit at Superior Lake. He founded Atom Bits, a diamond drilling bit manufacturer, which was acquired by a leading North American drilling products supplier. Kerem sits on the board of the PDAC and chairs the Securities Committee of PDAC and is a licensed Professional Engineer in Manitoba and Ontario.
His experience spans project development, capital financing, supply chain partnerships, and navigating the permitting landscape across multiple Canadian jurisdictions. He brings deep knowledge of translating early-stage exploration success into mine development and managing the technical and commercial complexities of bringing critical minerals to market.
Paul Veldman
CEO - BMI Group
Paul Veldman is a founding partner of The BMI Group, guiding its evolution from a small family enterprise into one of Canada’s leading privately held developers of industrial and infrastructure assets. With more than two decades of experience in business formation, partnership development, and adaptive reuse, Paul couples entrepreneurial vision with a deep commitment to community renewal.
He launched his first venture at age fifteen and went on to build and scale companies across multiple sectors before co-founding TodayTomorrow Ventures, an impact investment fund supporting local enterprise in Ethiopia. He also led award-winning projects including the restoration of Stratford’s historic Bradshaw Lofts and the transformation of the former Thorold Paper Mill into the Bioveld Niagara Industrial and Innovation Campus in partnership with the Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority (HOPA).
Paul’s continued focus on strengthening the connectivity and economies of Northern Canada—revitalizing legacy industrial properties into networks of employment, energy, and innovation—has culminated in the advancement of Canada’s Critical Mineral Corridor, in partnership with the Port of Baie-Comeau and its relationship with the Port of Rotterdam, as well as the growth of BMI’s emerging cleantech portfolio.
Steve Virtue
President and CEO - Ontario Prospectors Association
Steve Virtue is a seasoned public affairs executive with more than 20 years of experience shaping high-impact communications, regulatory strategies, and stakeholder coalitions across global markets. As the Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Ontario Prospectors Association (OPA), he directs the organization's strategic policy positions, membership growth, and board governance frameworks during a pivotal transition period for the mineral exploration sector. Throughout his career, Steve has been a dedicated champion for the extractive industries, specializing in translating complex geopolitical and political risks into actionable business strategies. His deep sector expertise includes leading Public Affairs and Communications for the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) and leading global external affairs for Yamana Gold, where he managed multi-jurisdictional government relations and engagement strategies across the Americas. Steve is a trusted advisor to C-suite leaders and boards, Steve holds an M.A.Ed. from Central Michigan University and a B.A. in Political Science from York University.
Trevor Walker
President and CEO - Frontier Lithium
Trevor Walker has led Frontier Lithium since 2010, serving as President for over 14 years and assuming the additional role of CEO in 2017. He brings a blend of business acumen and technical insight that has guided Frontier’s evolution from an exploration company into an emerging, fully integrated lithium producer. Under his leadership, Frontier Lithium has advanced the PAK Lithium Project in Ontario — the first project selected under the province’s One Project, One Process (1P1P) framework to modernize and streamline mine permitting. Walker has also overseen the company’s strategic partnership with Mitsubishi Corporation, positioning Frontier as a key contributor to North America’s growing lithium supply chain. His long-standing commitment and strategic vision continue to drive Frontier’s ambition to become a leading domestic supplier of lithium for the electric vehicle and energy storage markets. Walker holds an Honours BA from the University of Western Ontario and an MBA from Webster University Geneva, Switzerland.
Lorraine Whitehead
Chief, Webequie First Nation
Mirco Wojnarowicz
CEO - Rock Tech Lithium
Mirco Wojnarowicz brings over 15 years of international leadership experience in the industrial and energy sectors. Since joining Rock Tech in 2022 as Vice President of Business Development, he has successfully driven strategic initiatives, including securing offtake and feedstock agreements and establishing Rock Tech’s lithium joint-venture with Transamine SA in Switzerland. Prior to Rock Tech, he held senior leadership roles at Hitachi and Mitsubishi, where he led international teams and oversaw major commercial and risk management programs.
Peter Xavier
Chief Operating Officer, Canada Metals - Glencore
Peter Xavier is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Glencore's Canada Metals Region, which includes the operating assets of Raglan Operations in Quebec, the Sudbury Integrated Nickel Operations in Ontario, and Kidd Operations until divested in mid 2026.
Significant projects currently underway within the region include the Craig Mine Onaping Depth Project and the Nickel Rim Extension Project, a joint venture with Vale.
A graduate of Laurentian University's Mining Engineering program, Peter currently serves on the boards of the Ontario Mining Association (OMA), the Canadian Mining Innovation Council (ReThink Mining), and the Kivi Park Community Foundation.
Previously, Peter served on the boards of Laurentian University, the Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI), the Ultra Deep Mining Network (UDMN), and the Canadian Institute of Mining (CIM) Sudbury Branch.