Alex has spent the last three decades facilitating agreements between Federal, Provincial, Indigenous and local governments, natural resource sector corporations and Non-Government Organizations. All of these agreements are based on various combinations of these parties finding mutually acceptable ways to resolve their differences, build new relationships and implement joint initiatives.

He has worked in every part of British Columbia and many parts of Canada with every resource sector. He has also worked all over the world mediating agreements between multiple countries for the UN and other international agencies as well as assisting very remote and disenfranchised indigenous communities in South America and Southeast Asia to improve their relationships with dominant societies.

Sarah is the Adaptation Research Lead at the Canadian Climate Institute, where her work focuses on limiting the damage to households, communities, and the economy from worsening climate impacts. She was previously Director of Policy and Strategy for the BC Greens, as well as an independent consultant, providing policy advice and strategic planning services to non-profit organizations and governments in areas relating to conservation, resource management, and the clean economy. Sarah holds an MPhil from the University of Oxford and a BSc from the London School of Economics.

Gary Lee has a degree in biological and chemical engineering from the University of British Columbia and has worked at Parkland’s Burnaby Refinery for the last 10 years in various positions Since 2019 he has focused solely on the research and development and commercialization of co-processing in the refinery.

His work in co-processing started with coordinating the initial lipids test runs and working with operations and technical in the refinery to overcome processing obstacles and increase rates. He also works with others in the low carbon strategy group to develop new advanced low carbon feedstocks for co-processing. 

Zach leads the U.S. policy engagement, regulatory intervention, and market development for VGIC, covering utility rate and program design, interconnection rules and regulations, and managed and bidirectional EV charging technology solutions. Beyond VGIC, Zach also supports individual client success in the VGI and V2X markets by developing go-to-market strategy and supporting other priority initiatives for companies in the electric vehicle space.

Robert Safrata, Vancouver’s visionary CEO, is redefining corporate leadership by seamlessly blending social purpose and climate responsibility. Recognized by the Globe and Mail as “One of Canada’s greenest CEO’s”, Rob is a pioneer in sustainability. 

At the forefront of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology in Canada, he organized Canada’s first V2G pilot project for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. Rob’s commitment to environmental and social responsibility is evident in every facet of his business ventures, from the transportation industry to international tourism and he is passionate to help business leaders understand that profit is enhanced when the triple bottom line is maximized. 

Beyond business, Robs actively shapes sustainability dialogues at events, conferences, and podcasts. He hosts “CEOs & Self Driving Cars,” injecting visibility into the green space by interviewing industry leaders inside a “self-driving” Tesla. 

In the dynamic intersection of business, sustainability, and innovation, Rob Safrata stands as a beacon of inspiration, driving positive change with a purposeful and forward-thinking approach. 

Jennifer Psyllakis is a/Assistant Deputy Minister of the Resource Stewardship Division in the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship. The Division is responsible for the development and implementation of policy and programs aimed at halting and reversing biodiversity loss, prioritizing ecosystem health, ensuring wildlife and their habitat thrive and are resilient, and the regulation of sustainable use. She has worked for the Province of BC for almost 20 years in various capacities developing and advancing natural resource sector laws, policies and strategies to improve outcomes for environmental values. Much of this work is delivered through partnership with First Nations and collaborative approaches with multiple levels of government, industry, stakeholders, and non-government organizations. Jennifer has a PhD in natural resource management and environmental studies, and a MSc and BSc in wildlife management.

Deana Machin is a member of the Syilx (Okanagan) Nation and grew up in her home community along Okanagan Lake near Vernon BC, and these connections have grounded her strong values in relation to First Nations’ rights and their roles in the governance and management of their lands, waters and resources.

She has been active in the field of fisheries management and policy for 20-years, specializing in strategic planning and Indigenous engagement in fisheries governance and management initiatives. Deana is the former Strategic Development Manager for the First Nations Fisheries Council of BC where for 10-years the purpose of her work was to build collaborative and effective relationships among First Nations and with government and NGOs. Prior to her time with the FNFC, she was the Fisheries Program Manager for the Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) for seven years. While working for her Nation, Deana led the Reintroduction of Sockeye Salmon into the Okanagan Basin Initiative, which in 2006 saw the first release of Okanagan sockeye fry into Skaha Lake, and she collaborated with federal and provincial governments and other partners on the development of the Okanagan Basin Fish Water Management Tool model and the Okanagan River Restoration Initiative. Deana holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Master of Business Administration from the University of British Columbia.

Carolyn joined The Gordon Foundation in 2012 and is currently the Executive Director of the Water Program where she works with partners across sectors in Canada. This work focuses on improving freshwater stewardship through citizen engagement in decision-making and the use of the best available evidence. Carolyn is a passionate advocate for open data and has led the development of DataStream, an online system that provides access to information about water quality.

Carolyn holds a BSc in Biology from Mount Allison University and a Master’s in Environmental Management from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.

Laura is the Riverkeeper & CEO with Ottawa Riverkeeper, a charity dedicated to protecting the ecological health of the Ottawa River and its many tributaries. She holds a Magisteriate in Environmental Studies from York University specialized in environmental education and community arts.

Laura is the founder of Not Far From The Tree, an award-winning charitable initiative in Toronto. She hails from Sackville, New Brunswick.

Whether in gardens, fruit trees, galleries, or along river banks, Laura’s focus throughout her career has been to connect people and communities with a strong sense of place.

A well-published neuroscience researcher in the are of Alzheimer’s, Soula Chronopoulos is also an accomplished entrepreneur and professional who serves as the President of AquaAction, a non-profit organization dedicated to restoring freshwater health in North America. With a mission to engage talented young innovators and activate their technologies, Soula and her team support these individuals as they transform their solutions into tangible results.

With over 20 years of experience in executive leadership, digital transformation, and entrepreneurship, Soula brings a wealth of expertise to her role. Her passion for making a positive impact on the environment has led her to implement over 10,000 water tech solutions in the municipal sector across North America, solidifying her as a respected figure in the industry.

As an innovative and forward-thinking strategist, Soula is not only a speaker but also a tech entrepreneur. She has a proven track record of establishing new businesses and revitalizing established ones by identifying business-aligned opportunities to improve cost-effectiveness and drive growth across the US and Canada. Her deep knowledge and insights have made her a trusted source of expertise for mergers and acquisitions, further cementing her reputation as a reliable and influential figure in the business world.

In recognition of her outstanding contributions, Soula Chronopoulos was ranked as one of Canada’s Top 100 Female Entrepreneurs by Profit Magazine in 2012. This accolade reflects her dedication, leadership, and commitment to fostering sustainable solutions for freshwater restoration, economic growth and environmental preservation.

Soula is a proud graduate of McGill University, and holds a Masters in Microbiology & Immunology.