Our Past Speakers

We choose individuals based on their unique stories and expertise - these are the leaders who advance the decentralised energy industry.

2023 Speakers

  • Kristin Baetz

    DEAN, FACULTY OF SCIENCE, UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY

  • James Bererton

    PRINCIPAL ENERGY INNOVATOR, STANTEC

    “Combining heat pumps with thermal storage is the key to Good Grid Citizenship. These two elements are instrumental to harnessing our existing grid connections as we electrify heating with minimal infrastructure upgrades.”

  • Myrna Bittner

    CEO & FOUNDER, RWI SYNTHETICS

    “When you walk people into their community's decarbonized future, they can’t unsee it. There are investment opportunities today that will dramatically change people’s lives. Learn more about how the latest people- and place-based intelligence tools are compelling ‘what’s next’ in energy transition, resilience and equity.”

  • Desmond Bull

    GRAND CHIEF OF THE CONFEDERACY OF TREATY NO. 6 FIRST NATIONS

  • Jonathan Blundy

    ROYAL SOCIETY RESEARCH PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF EARTH SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD

    “Critical minerals are the building blocks for the future of our energy future and digital economy. Discover how green mining and geothermal power can work hand-in-hand to dramatically reduce the environmental impact of conventional mining.”

  • Mark Chapeskie

    VICE PRESIDENT OF PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT, ELECTRICITY HUMAN RESOURCES CANADA

    “By 2050, Canada is looking to double/triple electricity generation to meet the needs of the energy transition. Find out how we can grow this highly skilled workforce to meet this unprecedented change for the industry.”

  • Tamara Connell

    CHEIF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, ACADEMY FOR SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION

    “It's absolutely critical that all professionals within Canada start to see themselves as part of the climate solution. We need to nurture new competencies that will effectively lead us towards a low-carbon, socially-inclusive future, and we need to do so in a way that is bold, collaborative, and highly intentional.”

  • Elliot Cudmore

    EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT, COPOINT

    Pitch Competition Judge!

  • Loreto Duffy-Mayers

    PROJECT MANAGER, CARIBBEAN HOTEL AND TOURISM ASSOCIATION

  • Dan Erhardt

    CEO, ARCUS POWER CORPORATION

    “Our energy landscape is evolving, and with it, our need to understand and anticipate changes. Predictive analytics offers a path to ensure that energy is not only sustainable but also tailored to our needs, making it more inclusive and resilient. As we discuss the digital evolution of our energy systems, your thoughts and contributions will be instrumental in shaping a future that benefits us all. Join me as we explore the potential of data-driven insights in revolutionizing our energy future.”

  • Nancy Foran

    PRESIDENT & FOUNDER, ESG PARTNERS

    "The decisions we make today will determine the sustainability of our future tomorrow. Hear inspiring examples of responsible industry engagement with natural resources, and learn more about the deep transformations taking place in energy value chains to achieve a more resilient and affordable energy future.”

  • Jana Gerber

    PRESIDENT, NAM MICROGRID, SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC

    “Empowered and educated consumers are driving the ‘Prosumer’ era with the ability to produce their own energy and seamlessly switch between power sources to optimize cost and enable resiliency. In this new electric world, it is the prosumers that are in the driver’s seat to define the path to net zero.”

  • Glen Gordon

    CEO, UNICO POWER CORPORATION

  • Brent Harris

    COO, EGUANA TECHNOLOGIES

  • Rhonda Jewett

    DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, ARCUS POWER

  • Stephen Kakfwi

    AUTHOR AND PRESIDENT OF KAKFWI AND ASSOCIATES

  • Brian Keating

    HEAD NATURALIST, GOING WILD

    Explore nature with one of Canada’s most celebrated conservationists. Lake Louise is the crown jewel of Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies and is one of the Seven Wonders of Canada. Lake Louise was first named Horâ Juthin Îmne (translating to lake of little fishes) by Stoney First Nations people that were the first inhabitants of the area. You will learn about the rich diversity of the region and its lake that sits 1,600 meters above sea level.

  • Anouk Kendall

    PRESIDENT, DECENTRALISED ENERGY CANADA

    “In many regions of Canada electricity is six times more expensive than it was 20 years ago and delivery charges have surged from 25% of your bill to over 75%. The cost to generate electricity hasn’t changed much but the cost of delivering electricity is skyrocketing which is prompting the deployment of distribution-connected energy systems and microgrids.”

  • Maureen Kolla

    CO-PROJECT LEAD, ENERGY FUTURES LAB

  • Natasha Kostenuk

    FOUNDER AND CEO, AYRTON ENERGY

  • Owen Lewis

    OPERATIONS MANAGER, GLOBAL SOUTH, RMI

  • Frederick Morency

    VP SUSTAINABILITY, STRATEGIC INITIATIVES & INNOVATION, SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC

  • Jonathan Neufeld

    PARTNER, GNO-SYS TECHNOLOGIES

    “Location-based information will drive the growth of decentralised energy systems, fostering community-level resilience and self-sufficiency. As location technology continues to evolve, it will play an indispensable role in shaping an energy landscape that is sustainable, adaptable, and interconnected.”

  • Kevin Noble

    DIRECTOR, DISTRIBUTION PLANNING, FORTIS ALBERTA

  • Mike Quashie

    CHIEF MODELLING OFFICER, ARCUS POWER

    Pitch Competition Judge!

  • Justin Reimer

    CEO, EMISSIONS REDUCTION ALBERTA

    “A net zero future offers one of the greatest economic and environmental opportunities for Alberta. ERA is proud to play a critical role that enables this.”

  • John Rilett

    VICE PRESIDENT, BUSINESS MODEL & TECHNOLOGY PATHWAYS, ALGONQUIN POWER & UTILITIES

    “While the path to a net-zero energy system is convoluted and complex, it is clear that we need a broad, collaborative approach, and we need to move now. There are no magic solutions, so let’s focus on a comprehensive approach and work to transition to the energy system we need.”

  • Jesse Row

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALBERTA ENERGY EFFICIENCY ALLIANCE

    “Deployment of demand side resources will be essential to energy systems of the future. Demand flexibility, energy efficiency and distributed energy resources all have an increasing role to play in creating affordable and agile energy systems. Supply and demand side resources need to work hand-in-hand to deliver energy systems of the future.”

  • Luisa Da Silva

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, IRON AND EARTH

  • Han Stegeman

    HEAD, GRID INNOVATION, TENNET

    “We only have one earth and we have the technology to save it. Together, we can give the energy transition the acceleration it needs!”

  • Denis Tanguay

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & CEO, EFFICIENCY VALUATION ORGANIZATION

    “Banks and other financial institutions will increasingly be pressured to demonstrate that their loan portfolios produce tangible decarbonization results. By addressing the accuracy of carbon reduction calculation, structured measurement and verification strategies help quantify doubts and provide insights into a project. It allows project risk allocations in a structured and repeatable manner and potentially reduces financing costs by providing standardization.”

  • Randy Thompson

    CHAIR AND CEO, VALHALLA PRIVATE CAPITAL

    Pitch Competition Judge!

  • Robert Tremblay

    POLICY MANAGER, ENERGY STORAGE CANADA

  • Ted Vogel

    CARIBBEAN ALLIANCE FOR SUSTAINABLE ASSOCIATION

  • Jan de Wolde

    GENERAL MANAGER, CALGARY DISTRICT HEATING

  • Peter & the Wolves

    ENTERTAINMENT

    Photo from Starbelly Jam by Louis Bockner. A fresh hot rockabilly group from Calgary, Alberta putting a shimmy in our shake after the work day.

2022 Speakers

  • Adam Kramer

    Adam Kramer

    CEO
    nZero
    -

  • Andre Bernier

    André Bernier

    Director General
    NATURAL RESOURCES CANADA
    -

  • Andrea Kraj

    Andrea Kraj

    Fulbright Arctic Scholar
    FULBRIGHT ASSOCIATION
    -

  • Andrew Matthews

    President
    DOUGLAS MCNEILL CONSULTING LTD.

  • Ashley Graham

    Ashley Graham

    Program Manager Sustainability
    ZIBI
    -

  • Bradley Maynes

    Bradley Maynes

    Managing Director Energy & Infrastructure
    CITY OF MEDICINE HAT

  • Brenna Walsh

    Brenna Walsh

    Energy Coordinator
    ECOLOGY ACTION CENTER
    -

  • Brent Lakeman

    Brent Lakeman

    Director, Hydrogen Initiative
    EDMONTON GLOBAL
    -

  • Chantal Guay

    Chantal Guay (KEYNOTE)

    CEO, STANDARDS COUNCIL OF CANADA

  • Chris Burgess

    Chris Burgess

    Director Project Operations
    ROCKY MOUNTAIN INSTITUTE
    -

  • Daniel Goodwin

    Director, Government Relations
    SUNCOR
    -

  • Darryl Hill

    Director
    TRANE CANADA (WEST)
    -

  • David Dodge

    David Dodge (Master of Ceremonies)

    Producer
    GREEN ENERGY FUTURES

  • Desmond Bull

    Desmond Bull

    Chief
    LOUIS BULL TRIBE OF THE MASKWACIS NATION

  • Elisa Wood

    Elisa Wood

    Editor-in-Chief
    MICROGRID KNOWLEDGE
    -

  • Erin Bradley

    Erin Bradley (KEYNOTE)

    Head of Business Development RNG Canada
    SHELL

  • Frederick Morency

    Frederick Morency

    VP Sustainability, Strategic Initiatives & Innovation
    SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC

  • Ivette Vera-Perez

    Ivette Vera-Perez

    President and CEO
    CANADIAN HYDROGEN AND FUEL CELL ASSOCIATION

  • Jana Gerber

    Jana Gerber (KEYNOTE)

    NA Microgrid President
    SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC

  • Jen Hiscock

    Director, Electricity, Transportation & Buildings Innovation
    NATURAL RESOURCES CANADA

  • John Loncar

    John Loncar

    Specialist RNG
    ENBRIDGE GAS DISTRIBUTION
    -
    -

  • John Rilett

    John Rilett

    Vice-President
    ALGONQUIN POWER & UTILITIES
    -
    -

  • Justin Riemer

    Justin Riemer (KEYNOTE)

    CEO
    EMISSIONS REDUCTION ALBERTA
    -

  • Mario Pieries

    Mario Pieries

    Director Business Development
    HATCH
    -
    -

  • Mark Chapeskie

    Mark Chapeskie

    VP Program Development
    ELECTRICITY HUMAN RESOURCES CANADA

  • Michael Dennis

    General Partner
    LAST40 VENTURES
    -

  • Mike Fletcher

    Manager
    CITY OF OTTAWA
    -

  • Mike Kelland

    Mike Kelland

    Chief Operating Officer
    PLANETARY TECHNOLOGIES
    -

  • Rhonda Jewett

    Rhonda Jewett

    Director or Corporate and Business Development
    ARCUS POWER

  • Tammy Kim-Newman

    Associate Director, Career Education and Development
    YORK UNIVERSITY

  • Teruel Carrasco

    Teruel Carrasco

    President
    VALHALLA PRIVATE CAPITAL
    -

  • Thomas McAndrew

    Thomas McAndrew

    Founder and CEO
    ENCHANTED ROCK
    -

  • Tim Feduniw

    Tim Feduniw

    Director Sustainable Economic Development
    CITY OF SELKIRK

  • Tom Vair

    Tom Vair

    Deputy CAO
    CITY OF SAULT STE MARIE
    -

  • Tonja Leach

    Executive Director
    QUEST
    -

  • Trevor Hennigar

    Chief Operating Officer
    RIMOT
    -

  • Vanessa Völkel

    Vanessa Völkel (KEYNOTE)

    Deputy Head at ITPO Germany
    UNIDO