Minister Carr has been a dedicated business and community leader in Winnipeg for more than 30 years. He began his career as a musician, as an oboist and trustee with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. He then moved on to journalism, working as an editorial writer and columnist with the Winnipeg Free Press as well as for CBC Radio. Jim entered public life in 1988, when he was elected to represent Fort Rouge in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. He was also the deputy leader of his party. Jim later became the founding CEO of the Business Council of Manitoba, where he worked alongside business leaders to address issues critical to Manitobans and Canadians. Jim was the founding co-chair of the Winnipeg Poverty Reduction Council, member of the board of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, member of the board of the Canada West Foundation, and member of the board of the Arthur V. Mauro Centre for Peace and Justice at the University of Manitoba. Jim’s community leadership has earned him numerous awards, including the Canada 125 Medal, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, and the Order of Manitoba.

Minister of Natural Resources Canada

Cam’s current priorities include the Clean Fuel Standard. He has served at five federal departments, including most recently at Natural Resources Canada. He was a legal officer at both Global Affairs Canada and with the United Nations. ...

Executive Director, Oil, Gas and Alternative Energy Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada

Anne Waddell has been Vice President Government Affairs at BioAmber since 2012. Her work with federal, provincial and state governments involves her in every aspect of the Company’s operations including sales, research and development, plant operations and industry liaison. Prior to joining BioAmber, she had a distinguished career with the Ontario government in a variety of capacities including finance, trade policy, and investment retention and attraction.

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Vice President Government Affairs, BioAmber Inc.

Mr. Spaeth serves as the U.S. DOE’s Bioenergy Technologies Office Advanced Development & Optimization Program Manager.  His portfolio includes the DOE investments in integrated biorefinery projects focused on the development of advanced biofuels and bioproducts.  Mr. Spaeth is also the international lead for the DOE Bioenergy Technologies Office and is the current Vice Chairperson of IEA Bioenergy.  

Program Manager, Advanced Development & Optimization, Bioenergy Technologies Office, US Department of Energy

Astrid Jakobs de Pádua has been serving as Minister Counselor for Food and Agriculture at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Washington, DC, since 2014. She served in the Federal Ministry for Food and Agriculture as an advisor for International Fisheries Policies (1992-1997), International Relations with the Americas and Africa (2002-2006) and as a senior adviser for Cabinet, Parliament and Protocol issues (2006-2008). In 2008 she was promoted to Head of Division for Food Security in the German Agriculture Ministry. Ms. Jakobs has a degree in Law.

Minister Counselor Food and Agriculture, German Embassy, Washington, DC

Stephen began his current position in 2014. Prior to joining the firm at the end of 2005, he was the Founder and President of Delta Pressure Generation Systems. Prior to that, he was the President of UtiliSave LLC, where he represented many of the nation's largest industrial, commercial, and institutional utility end users. He is involved in government regulations and lobbying at both the state and federal level. He began his career as an Attorney with WolfBlock, where he maintained a diverse practice specializing in tax, business, and personal planning. He is an honours graduate of Harvard Law School.

Chief Commercial Officer, Origin Materials

Ben joined Morris Industries in September, 2015. Previously, he was President and CEO of MLTC Resource Development LP, a private equity investment partnership owned by the nine Meadow Lake First Nations. He is a graduate of Agricultural and Bioresource Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan, and the Directors Education Program from ICD-Rotman. Prior to joining MLTC, he was CEO of the Entrepreneurial Foundation of Saskatchewan Inc. from 2005 to 2008. Ben is a 4th generation owner of a grain farm near Spiritwood, Saskatchewan.

President, Morris Industries, Saskatoon, SK

Frank was appointed ADM of Innovation and Energy Technology Sector in May 2013. Prior, he served as General Director, Tax Policy at Finance Canada and as Assistant Secretary, Priorities and Planning at the Treasury Board Secretariat. He served as NRCan’s Director General, Strategic Policy Branch from 2003 to 2007. Between 1998 and 2003, he worked in Intergovernmental Affairs at the Privy Council Office as Chief of Staff to the Deputy Minister and Director, Economic and Fiscal Analysis. Frank holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Harvard University (Fulbright Scholar).

Assistant Deputy Minister, Innovation and Energy Technology, Natural Resources Canada

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Director General, Global Affairs Canada

Henk van der Zwan joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1985 and was posted in Tunis (Tunisia) and in Brussels (Belgium) at the Secretariat of the Council of Ministers of the European Union. At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs he held the positions of head of UN political affairs, director of the consular affairs department, and head of the private office of the deputy minister of Foreign Affairs. He also has been Principal Secretary to Queen Beatrix. He became Netherlands Ambassador to Canada in 2016.

Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Canada

Douglas Russell is the Chief Business Development Officer for Cogent Energy Systems. Cogent is commercializing a ground breaking waste conversion technology to serve distributed energy markets.  As an executive in both the public and private sectors, Mr. Russell has been actively involved in energy and climate change policy and carbon markets.

Chief Business Development Officer, Cogent Energy Systems

Dr. Preto’s field of expertise is Thermochemical Conversion of Biomass. He works on developing new and improved technologies to make biomass a sustainable, efficient and clean source of energy. His research is focused on thermochemical or heat-associated chemical processes. He holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Queen’s University at Kingston and works at Natural Resources Canada’s laboratories in Ottawa.

Canadian Lead, Sustainable Biofuels Innovation Challenge, Mission Innovation

David Mackett has led community development initiatives for Whitesand First Nation since 2009. This includes design and implementation of the Community Sustainability Initiative. After a 15 year career with Abitibi-Price he returned to school and graduated from Confederation College’s Geographic Information Systems Program in 1992. He then worked for 17 years as GIS manager for a First Nation owned not-for-profit organization which supported community economic development and land use planning initiatives. David’s work with Whitesand aims to create a stronger and happier community through better communication and relationships with governments and industry.

Community Sustainability Initiative, Whitesand First Nation

John Wilkinson is the Senior Vice President, Sustainability for Greenfield Global, Canada's largest ethanol and specialty alcohol producer.  Formerly, John served in the Ontario Government as Minister of the Environment, and as Minister of Research & Innovation.

Senior Vice President Sustainability, Greenfield Global; former Ontario Minister of Research & Innovation, and Ontario Minister of the Environment

Mr. Tom Rosser joined Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) as the Assistant Deputy Minister of Strategic Policy in January 2017. Previously, he was the Senior Assistant Deputy Minister of Strategic Policy at Fisheries and Oceans Canada where he was responsible for leading Strategic Policy; prior to that, he was the Assistant Deputy Minister, Canadian Forest Service (CFS), Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). A British Chevening Scholar, Tom holds a Master of Science in Environmental and Resource Economics from the University of London as well as Masters and Bachelor’s degrees in Public Administration from Carleton University in Ottawa.

Assistant Deputy Minister Strategic Policy Branch, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Joško Bobanović joined Sofinnova in 2010 as Partner dedicated to activities in renewable chemistry and industrial biotech. Prior to joining Sofinnova he spent eight years in venture capital with iNovia Capital and its fund MSBi Capital in Montreal, Canada. Joško holds a BSc. in physics from University of Zagreb, a PhD in physical oceanography from Dalhousie University and an MBA in finance and marketing from McGill University.

Partner, Sofinnova Partners, Paris

David has 30 years’ experience building and leading multi-disciplinary scientific teams in biotechnology and chemical process development organizations. He holds a Ph.D. in organic chemistry, and has completed post-doctoral work in molecular biology within both start-up and big pharma organizations. David has served on due-diligence teams for acquisitions, worked with regulatory groups on commercial processes, and supported legal groups defending patents.

Principal, Dodds & Associates LLC

Alan joined Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in 1993. During that career he has been involved in research including catalytic and non-catalytic hydrothermal processing, thermochemical biomass conversion, technology development for waste treatment, domestic and international security efforts, Hanford site related research, as well as practical and platform teaching experience. He was on the team that developed the commercialized industrial process for producing propylene glycol from renewable resources. Alan is currently working in the field thermochemical conversion of biomass to fuels.

US DoE Pacific Northwest National Lab, Task Leader, IEA Task 34 Biomass Liquefaction

Doug Berven joined POET in March 2003 and has served the organization in several roles. Currently, Berven promotes the corporate objectives of POET, the importance of agriculture, and the benefits of ethanol domestically and internationally. He sits on several of POET’s ethanol plant Boards of Directors, BIO’s Industrial and Environmental Section of the Governing Board, and serves on several industry associated work groups and initiative committees. Berven also manages strategic corporate relations for POET, promotes state, regional and national policy objectives for the industry, and is a recognized authority on ethanol, renewable energy and agriculture. Prior to joining POET, Berven held various roles in banking, real estate development and medical consulting. Berven received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Vice President Corporate Affairs, POET

Ted Michaels has nearly 25 years of experience in U.S. federal and state government affairs during which time he has served elected officials, trade associations, and companies with a focus on energy and environmental issues. He has earned a reputation for solving difficult policy challenges, based on developing practical solutions that achieve bipartisan support. His work has focused on crafting policies to drive investment in technologies and real property in order to solve complex environmental and energy related problems.

Partner, AJW Inc., Washington, DC

Adam has expert knowledge of renewable energy gained through over 38 years’ experience working with governments and industry internationally. As Senior Energy Analyst in the Renewable Energy Division at the IEA in Paris, he has published reports on renewable energy policy and policy best practice, and on renewable heat and bioenergy. He is leading an update of IEA Bioenergy Roadmap, which will be published in November 2017.

Senior Energy Analyst, Renewable Energy Division, IEA (Paris)

Dr. Trevor Stuthridge is Executive Vice President at FPInnovations, which supports the Canadian forest sector's global competitiveness through delivery of leading-edge technologies and bio-based, sustainable products. Dr Stuthridge has led a broad range of national and international research and technology commercialisation opportunities in innovation ecosystems and strategy, industrial (bio)technologies for biofuel and biochemical production, and scale-up of clean technologies.

Executive Vice President, FPInnovations

As CEO of S2G BioChem, Mark has led the company from its evolution as an innovative clean tech startup through a period of intense revenue generation and large investment both in capital and strategic partnerships to its current competitive position that is poised for growth and commercialization. Prior to S2G, Mark managed the spinoff of Ballard Power System’s automotive fuel cell business in 2007, gaining the company $100M, before assuming responsibility for the Cogeneration Market Segment. Before joining Ballard, Mark acquired extensive experience in the clean tech industry as VP, Business Development for the technology startup, QuestAir Technologies.

CEO, S2G Biochemicals

Brian recently joined the Cellulosic Sugar Producers Co-operative (CSPC) as its general manager. Born and raised on the family farm in Chatham-Kent, Brian Cofell proudly operates this century-old farm. He is a graduate of Ridgetown College, and for over 20 years has worked in agribusiness.

General Manager, Cellulosic Sugar Producers Co-Operative, Sarnia

Chris is responsible for clean technology policy and program coordination across the ISED portfolio. This includes implementation of the Clean Growth Hub, which will be responsible for coordinating over $2 billion in federal support for clean technology development and commercialization over the next four years. He was Secretariat lead for the federal-provincial-territorial Working Group on Clean Technology, Innovation and Jobs in 2016. Chris holds an MBA from INSEAD and an engineering degree from Queen’s University.

Director General, Clean Technology and Clean Growth Branch, ISED

Mark’s mandate is to ensure the delivery of relevant knowledge and financial services to all of Canada’s Cleantech companies. He works to align EDC’s efforts with those of other federal crown corporations and departments. EDC’s role is to ensure that exporter’s aspirations to participate sustainably in a globalized economy are effectively fulfilled. He has also worked in the risk adjudication and treasury functions of the corporation. Prior to joining EDC he worked as a corporate banker. Mark has a MBA and a BA in Economics both from Queen’s, as well as an International Baccalaureate from the United World College of the Pacific.

Director Cleantech, Export Development Canada

Jean-François is Vice President of Innovation and Business Development at Greenfield Global.  Prior to Greenfield, he was the CEO of BioAmber, which he founded in 2008.  He previously led start-ups in the fields of internet, transgenics, and natural health.  JF was formerly the corporate VP of Strategic Alliances at Sanofi Pharma and was a partner with management consultancy Arthur D. Little, where he led the firm’s French healthcare practice. 

Vice President Innovation and Business Development, Greenfield Global

In his two roles Eric aims to accelerate the production and use of sustainable biofuels in the Netherlands to decarbonize the transport sector. He is the former Director of Strategic Consultancy at Ecofys Netherlands. Eric holds a post-graduate diploma in Strategy and Innovation from University of Oxford - Said Business School. 

Director studio Gear Up and Director of Netherlands Platform Sustanable Biofuels

Perry co-founded Steeper Energy in January 2011. A graduate of the University of Western Ontario’s School of Business, he has held various executive management positions related to corporate and business development within the conventional and renewable energy industries. He has over 25 years senior executive experience with such companies as Noranda Gas, Murphy Oil, TransAlta, Novera Energy, Enmax, ABG Biodiesel, and Ignite Energy Resources.

CEO, Steeper Energy

NIVA is a knowledge mobilization firm specializing in science and risk communication.  As CEO, Anton assists clients in the science, engineering, health, and environment sectors in finding ways to communicate about complex and sensitive topics to a wide variety of audiences, compellingly and in plain language.  His work helps to connect stakeholders and transform technical information into messages that have impact with decision makers and the general public.

President and CEO, NIVA Inc.

Part of AGCO Corporation’s Strategic Marketing Group, Glenn Farris is Director of Product Strategy, North America.  Prior to joining AGCO, Mr. Farris spent over 25 years in project development as well as developing, advising and commercializing new technology in the biomass energy field. He was the project manager for the Vermont Gasification Project, a public-private partnership with the US Department of Energy, featuring biomass gasification technology. The project won an R&D 100 Award, signifying it as the most important development in the field of renewable energy worldwide in 1998, and in 2008 he was named by European Institutional Investors Services as one of the 5 most influential people in renewable energy in North America.

Director, Strategic Segment Solutions, AGCO, Georgia, USA

Susan Rohac has twenty‑five years’ experience in the financial services, banking and venture capital sectors. She provides support and guidance to teams dedicated to client success in the Ontario and Atlantic regions, in addition to leading projects with a national scope. An involved leader, she strives to ensure that BDC provides not only financing but genuine value in terms of insight, counsel and ongoing business guidance. In 2014, Susan was appointed Acting Senior Vice President, Financing and Consulting for Ontario overseeing BDC’s lending and consulting activities in the province. Susan sits on the Board of the Children’s Aid Foundation of Ottawa. Most recently, Susan is also a member of an interdepartmental Federal committee looking at how various departments and Crown Corps can best meet and coordinate the needs of Clean Tech companies and is spearheading BDC’s Clean Tech Scale Up Initiative.

Vice President, Growth & Transition Capital, Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)

Glenn is ADM of the Canadian Forest Service (CFS), Natural Resources Canada. He is also chair of the North American Forestry Commission of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), co-chair of MegaFlorestais - an informal network of public forest agency leaders from the largest forested countries - and serves on the Boards of FPInnovations and the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre.

Assistant Deputy Minister, Canadian Forest Service, NRCan

David is a graduate in Electrical and Electronic Engineering and has been involved in renewable energy for over 27 years (with 20 years as CEO), starting his career with UK utility company SWALEC.  David set up Energy Power Resources (EPR) in 1996 and co-founded Eco2 in 2002.  Renewable Energy Projects under David’s management over the 27 years equate to 700MW of capacity and £2.3Bn of funds raised.  This saves over 1.75M tonnes of CO2 every year and supplies the equivalent of 1.4M homes with renewable energy. 

Co-founder and Chief Executive, Eco2 Ltd.

Velma McColl blends her deep understanding of government, business and the public sphere to broker, collaborate and implement public policy advances for her clients, primarily on ecological, economic and social issues. Prior to joining Earnscliffe in 2004, Velma advised federal cabinet ministers on political strategy, policy and communications and worked provincially in Alberta and BC. A mother and thought leader, she is an active voice for change including with organizations such as Smart Prosperity, Women in GR and Ecotrust Canada. 

Managing Principal, Earnscliffe Strategy Group

Jon Cozens is the Chief Commercial Officer at New Energy Risk, where he oversees execution of the company’s business strategy.  Previously, Jon led the finance group at BrightLeaf Technologies and also consulted in several markets, including crude oil derivatives with Cornerstone Global Commodities in London, as well as private equity and investment banking.  He began his career with Pacific Gas and Electric Company in energy trading and procurement.

Chief Commercial Officer, New Energy Risk, California

Rachel is a commercial litigation lawyer, and has worked as a senior political operative at both the provincial and federal levels. She was chief of staff to the B.C. minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General from 2005-2007.  She was director of policy under former Prime Minister Stephen Harper where she also served as social policy advisor and director of personnel and administration.

Senior Associate, Harper & Associates, former Director of Policy, Prime Minister’s Office

Dr. Timilsina is a Senior Economist at the Development Research Group of the World Bank, Washington, DC.  He has more than 22 years’ experience across a broad range of energy and climate change economics and policies at the international level. Prior to joining the Bank, Dr. Timilsina was a Senior Research Director at the Canadian Energy Research Institute, Calgary, Canada, where he was engaged mainly on climate change policy analysis, economic impacts assessment and electricity issues. At present, he is leading a number of studies including low carbon economic growth, biofuels and renewable energy and sustainable urban planning.

Senior Research Economist, The World Bank, Washington, DC

Philippe has been BBIJU’s Executive Director since October 2015. He is the legal representative, and is responsible for the management of the organization. He trained as an engineer in Chemistry and Bio-industry at the Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech University and later in Strategic Innovation Management at INSEAD - Fontainebleau in France. He began his career in 1990 in France as R&D engineer in the field of biomass fractionation and purification.

Executive Director, Bio-based Industries Joint Undertaking (BBI JU), Bio-based Public-Private Partnership, Brussels

Martin Mitchell is a Business Development Manager for the Biofuels & Derivatives Division at Clariant, based in Munich, Germany.  Martin leads the business development efforts to commercialize the sunliquid® process technology in North America, South America and Asia. Prior to Clariant, Martin was an International Project Manager at the State of Iowa Department of Economic Development where he managed a portfolio of projects in the biotechnology, biofuels and biorenewable chemical sector for seven years. Prior to that, he was a Global Market Analyst for Kemin Industries where he worked in the nutraceutical, cosmeceutical and functional food ingredient sector to develop the global market for nutritional products such as Lutein. Martin holds a B.A. in Public Relations & Communication from The University of Northern Iowa and an M.B.A. in International Business from Iowa State University.

Business Development Manager Americas, Clariant Corporation

David McInnes is Principal, DMci Strategies and the former President & CEO, Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute. He has worked for a life sciences company, national association and chartered bank. He chairs WaterAid Canada, is a published author and graduate of the London School of Economics and Dalhousie.

Principal, DMci Strategies; former CEO, Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute

Rob Henderson is the President and CEO of BioTalent Canada, a national not-for-profit association whose mission is to ensure Canada’s biotech companies have access to the most skilled talent available.  The organization will disburse over $10.3 million in wage subsidies to create 1,400 job placements over the next four years. BioTalent Canada has a large network of 40 national, provincial and municipal corporate partners, including industry associations and biotech employers. Rob is a strong advocate of the importance of talent in driving the national innovation agenda.

President and CEO, BioTalent Canada

Tam Tekle has over 30 years’ experience in natural fibre composites from forestry and agricultural sources. In 1998 Tam founded TTS as a fibre products development and testing operation which evolved into a biocomposites incubator facility in 2008. The company built its first commercial spinoff to manufacture fibre mats in 2013. Tam studied Wood Science (B.Sc. Honours) at the University of North Wales and is Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining.

President and CEO, TTS Inc.; President, Natural Fibre Technologies Ltd.

Mr. Corbeil’s extensive international business experience spans more than 20 years. Prior to joining CelluForce, he held several leadership positions with the SUEZ Group in Europe where he developed new products, launched new business units and helped reposition ailing companies. He returned to Canada in 2013 and served as Vice-President for EnGlobe Corp, in charge of a major acquisition project.

President & CEO, CelluForce

Derek joined FPAC as CEO in March 2016.  He is proud to represent Canada’s vibrant and innovative forest products sector and the critical role it plays in over 200 Canadian forest communities.

Prior to joining FPAC, Derek served for over 7 years as Senior Vice President with Food & Consumer Products of Canada (FCPC). Derek represents Canada’s forest products sector on two global boards, the International Council of Forest & Paper Associations, and Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations’ Advisory Committee on Sustainable Forest-based Industries.

CEO, Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC)

Chad Joshi is a seasoned C-level executive who specializes in building technology companies through collaboration and strategic partnerships. He has been on the founding team of Advonex International, Owl Power Co., Resolute Marine Energy and Energy Compression and was an early hire at American Superconductor.  Chad holds a Ph.D. from MIT and has over 70 patents and publications to his credit.

CEO, Advonex International Corporation

Susan worked 27 years with the Alberta Government, her last 7 as Director of bioenergy programs and alternative and renewable energy.  In January 2016, Susan became a consultant committed to help build Alberta’s emerging green economy. She is currently involved in areas relating to bioeconomy, cleantech, water technologies, waste utilization and low-carbon energy. 

President Carlisle Consulting Inc.

Jordan R. Solomon has been President and CEO of Ecostrat for over 20 years where he oversees the biomass consulting group, the biomass commodity trading group, and the US-based log export business. As head of Ecostrat’s consulting group, Jordan directed development the Biomass Supply Network© the largest proprietary wood fiber supply database in North America. He has led bioenergy project consulting teams for JP Morgan, Shell, Enviva, NREL, DTE Energy, Macquarie Bank, Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), Southern Company, Rentech, Noresco, EDF, Sweetwater, Solvay, McKinstry, LaFarge, PGE, Eastman, Coca-Cola, Johnson Controls, Siemens, and the Canadian government. Ecostrat is one of the leading companies in use of advanced stochastic modelling and Monte Carlo simulation to understand and mitigate bioenergy feedstock risk.

President and CEO, ECOSTRAT Inc.

Elizabeth May is an Officer of the Order of Canada, lawyer, writer, activist and leader of the Green Party of Canada. She was the first Green to be elected at either federal or provincial levels in Canada in 2011. There are now six elected Greens in BC, NB and PEI.

Leader, Green Party of Canada, and Member of Parliament for Saanich – Gulf Islands

In January 2014, Roger was appointed CEO of IBioIC, an Industry led membership organisation that funds research in Scottish Universities that de-risks and accelerates its member’s IB activities in support of the Scottish plan to create a £900 million industry by 2025. Roger, a chemical engineer by profession, is an experienced international business leader with a proven track record in business turnaround, growth and leadership.  He has worked 26 years in the Chemical and Fine Chemicals Sectors (ICI, Johnson Matthey) located in UK, Australia, Germany and USA.  He then moved on to focus on using his experience to support SME's with strategy, business development and management, before taking up his current role. In addition, Roger sits on the Leadership Team of Chemical Sciences Scotland, the Innovation Team of the Chemical Growth Partnership, the IB advisory group to the World Economic Forum, and the Bio-futures Steering Team of the Institute of Chemical Engineers.

CEO, Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre, Glasgow, Scotland

Joel Stone is the President of ConVergInce Advisers, and has been a long term visionary and respected leader in the commercialization of industrial biotechnology. Joel also serves as Executive Vice President for Lee Enterprises Consulting.

President, ConVergInce Advisers; Exec. Vice President, Lee Enterprises Consulting

Puneet has a Masters in Mechanical Engineering with specialization in Material Sciences, and an MBA in Finance & Operations. He has been with IKEA for 17 years, focusing on building new value chains, and innovation within IKEA.

Material & Innovation Leader, IKEA of Sweden

Dr. Schieb is a French national who, from 1994 to 2013, was Counsellor in the Directorate of Science, Technology and Industry of the OECD, which manages the International Futures Programme, the OECD’s strategic foresight unit. He was in charge of the International Futures Network, and Head of OECD Futures Projects, such as the projects on Infrastructure Needs to 2030/2050, and Bioeconomy 2030. Pierre-Alain was also the Managing Director/Dean of a graduate school of business in France (1985-1991). 

Co-founder of a high-tech start-up company in the early 1980s and involved in venture capital initiatives, Pierre-Alain was also a consultant to numerous French and US companies in the field of alliances, industrial cooperation, licensing, corporate and marketing strategies. He has also published a number of articles in the field of international management, risk management, bioeconomy, marketing and corporate strategy.

Pierre-Alain earned a Doctorate (Habilitation) in management science from the University of Strasbourg (1981), a DBA (PH.D) in economics and business administration from the University of Aix-en-Provence (1974), and an MSc in quantitative marketing from the University of Sherbrooke (Canada).

Former Head, OECD Futures Project (1994-2013), President, Backcasting SAS, Consultant to OECD

Prof. Tangney is an internationally recognised expert in microbial biofuel production, particularly biobutanol. He is Director of the Biofuel Research Centre at Edinburgh Napier University, which conducted the innovative research to develop the fermentation technology being commercialised by Celtic Renewables.

President Celtic Renewables Ltd., Winner, Most Innovative Biotech SME in Europe 2015

Brian joined Iogen in 1982 and is responsible for the strategic direction and overall operations of the company.   Brian has been Iogen’s CEO since 1986 and has a wide range of experience in the biofuel and biochemical industry.  He has been responsible for the formation and operation of the company’s critical strategic alliances and overseen Iogen’s technology development and technology positioning. Under his leadership, Iogen has developed into a world leader in cellulosic ethanol, and built a successful business manufacturing industrial enzymes. Brian holds Bachelors degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Civil Engineering and a Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, all received in 1980.

CEO, Iogen Corporation

Tammy Klein is a strategic adviser to global automotive and oil industry clients, as well as governments on global low carbon fuels and vehicle fuels issues and runs her own consultancy, Future Fuel Strategies. She has over 20 years’ experience on global conventional fuels, biofuels and alternative fuels and vehicles policy and market issues.

President, Future Fuel Strategies

Douglas L. Faulkner brings over two decades of leadership in both the private and public sectors promoting sustainable bioenergy.  He is the President of Leatherstocking LLC, a clean-technology consulting firm, and the Co-Founder of Jacob’s Ladder Energy Group, which helps houses of worship cut their utility bills.  He served President George W. Bush as a senior political appointee at both the U.S. Departments of Energy and Agriculture.

President, Leatherstocking LLC. Former Acting Assistant Secretary, US Department of Energy and Acting Under Secretary, US Department of Agriculture (George W. Bush administration).

Ziyad joined SDTC in 2016.  As Vice President, Investments, Ziyad ensures that the organization is sourcing and nurturing innovative clean technology companies that have the potential to deliver strong environmental and economic benefits to Canada.  He oversees the day-to-day operation of the SDTech Fund investment process, from intake through to assessment, selection and recommendation of investments to SDTC’s Project Review Committee and Board (approximately $90-100M/year of allocated investment).

Prior to joining SDTC, Ziyad spent 18 years at Iogen Corporation. As EVP Operations and Engineering, and General Manager of Iogen Energy, he successfully led the commercialization of Iogen’s cellulosic ethanol technology, and completed construction and start-up of a US$105M industrial scale facility with its partner Raízen. Ziyad holds an M.B.A., an M.Sc. in Environmental Engineering and a B.A.Sc. in Chemical Engineering.

Vice President Investments, Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC)

Duncan is a founding partner of C-Associates, a group of experienced professionals that help bridge the ingenuity gap by addressing innovation failure in the area of resource efficiency. Previously Duncan held positions as President & CEO of Iogen Energy, and Vice President of Shell Hydrogen. Duncan’s Shell career spans three decades working in Venezuela, the Caribbean, Nigeria, Japan and the Netherlands. He held key positions in Supply/trading, M&A, Upstream, Strategy, Government Relations and Alternative Energy. Duncan was instrumental in setting-up Shell's biofuels technology ventures. He currently sits on the International Advisory Board of Conduit Ventures.

Partner, C Associates

Andrew is the Chief Technology Officer and Founder of Comet Biorefining.  He is a recognized industry expert in the field of cellulosic sugars and ingredients from sustainable agricultural and forest-based residues.  Comet Biorefining is a leading provider of sustainable, high-quality, cellulosic dextrose for applications in food, animal nutrition and biomaterials.

CTO and Founder, Comet Biorefining

Dr. Sharpe has 35 years of diverse energy and natural resource sector experience with extensive investment and international networks. Vicky is a seasoned director promoting sustainability. She built SDTC and mobilized over $5B of government and private investments as a champion of clean capitalism.

Director, Alberta Enterprise Corporation; Corporate Director and Founding CEO, Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC)

Ralph played a central role in putting global warming on the international environmental agenda.  He conducted the first low carbon scenario analysis for Canada, pioneered the methods now used internationally for local climate change response strategies, and continues to help public and private sector clients identify and pursue the opportunities being generated by the current global energy transition.

President, Torrie Smith Associates

Charles is a consultant located in Guelph, Ontario focusing biomass and agri-environmental work in Ontario. For the past eight years he has coordinated both purpose grown and crop residue studies as energy sources and for bioprocessing, working closely with farm organisations, equipment suppliers and the Bioindustrial Innovation Canada. A number of crop residue sustainability projects were completed for AAFC and Natural Resources Canada.

Biomass Project Coordinator, Ontario Federation of Agriculture

Before assuming his current role in January 2016, Marc served as President and CEO of Génome Québec. He previously served as Special Advisor, Climate Change and Energy for the Embassy of Canada in Washington, D.C., and as Consul General at the Canadian Consulate in San Francisco/Silicon Valley. In 2000, Marc was one of the founding pioneers of Genome Canada. Prior, he worked as Director of Business Development for the Medical Research Council, in charge of international partnerships with the pharmaceutical industry, venture capital and foundations.

President and CEO, Genome Canada

A.J. (Sandy) Marshall, Executive Director, Bioindustrial InnovationCanada (BIC) Raised on a farm in Ontario, Canada, Sandy graduated from the University of Waterloo in Chemical Engineering. He began his career in 1984 with Polysar Inc., a Canadian rubber manufacturer. He worked in process and product development, and research and market development including time in Germany. In 2005 he became Site Manager for LANXESS ABS manufacturing facility in Cincinnati Ohio. He returned to Canada in 2008 and was responsible for all aspects of LANXESS Canadian operations, providing leadership and overall direction leading the organization to the forefront of the Chemical and Rubber industries. He became Executive Director of BIC in 2016.

Chair, Bioindustrial Innovation Canada

Sandy is VP of one of Canada’s leading forest products companies.  Her responsibilities include evaluating and developing new bio-products opportunities, leading corporate marketing activities, human resource development, and special projects.

Vice President Corporate Development, Conifex Timber Inc.

John Godfrey is Special Advisor for Climate Change to the Government of Ontario. A French historian by profession, he was President of the University of King’s College in Halifax, Editor of The Financial Post, Vice President of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, and Headmaster of the Toronto French School. First elected as a Member of Parliament in 1993, he was re-elected four times and served as Minister of State for Infrastructure and Communities in Paul Martin’s government from 2004 to 2006.

Special Advisor for Climate Change, Ontario Ministry of Environment and Climate Change; former federal Minister of State for Infrastructure and Communities

Bob is Ensyn’s founder and has led Ensyn’s commercial and technical development since the first Ensyn company was established in 1984. Bob has led Ensyn’s initiative to become a global leader in the production of cellulosic liquid fuels, establishing several key strategic relationships, including with Honeywell UOP, Fibria Celulose, Chevron Technology Ventures and Tesoro.

Chair, Ensyn Corporation