Menu
Perry Spitznagel is Vice Chair and Partner of Bennett Jones, a former longstanding Managing Partner of the Calgary office and a senior corporate lawyer with extensive national and cross-border experience in a broad range of matters. Perry has acted for clients in some of the largest transactions in Canada, including many of Canada’s and North America’s largest national and cross-border financings and mergers. He has been recognized by Financial Post Magazine as one of the 25 most influential people in corporate Canada. He is also widely recognized as a leading lawyer in his areas of expertise.
Perry is a director of a large private holding company and is a director and past Chair of WinSport, which manages the legacy assets and programs of the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics. He is also a director of the Calgary Zoological Society and a member of the Advisory Board of the Samara Centre for Democracy, a non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening Canada’s democracy. He is a past member of the Alberta Securities Commission Advisory Committee, a past Co-Chair of the Pipestone Securities Law Conference and a past director of Alpine Canada, the governing body for alpine ski racing in Canada.
A former international ski racer, Perry remains active in skiing.
Perry is a graduate of McGill University, BA (Economics), 1979, with great distinction, and Osgoode Hall Law School, LLB, 1982.
He is a frequent speaker and has chaired national and international conferences on a variety of topics. Perry speaks French and German.
Dr. Bjorn Lomborg researches the smartest ways to do good. With his think tank, the Copenhagen Consensus Center, he has worked with hundreds of the world’s top economists and seven Nobel Laureates to find and promote the most effective solutions to the world’s greatest challenges, from disease and hunger to climate and education.
He is a visiting fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution and is a frequent commentator in print and broadcast media, for outlets including the Wall Street Journal, FOX, the BBC and the National Post. Dr Lomborg appears regularly on global lists of influential people, including the Time 100 as well as annual rankings compiled by Esquire and Foreign Policy.
Throughout his writing, his optimistic tone on humanity’s potential to manage challenges like climate change distinguishes him from the “doom and gloom” outlooks that often dominate much of the public dialogue. Dr. Lomborg’s numerous books include ‘Best Things First’, ‘False Alarm: How Climate Change Panic Costs Us Trillions, Hurts the Poor, and Fails to Fix the Planet’, ‘The Skeptical Environmentalist’, ‘Cool It’, and ‘How to Spend $75 Billion to Make the World a Better Place’. His monthly column is published by dozens of influential newspapers on all continents.
Nancy Southern is Chair & Chief Executive Officer of ATCO Ltd., and Chair & Chief Executive Officer of Canadian Utilities Limited, an ATCO Company. Reporting to the Boards of Directors, she is responsible for the leadership, strategic direction, and operations of both companies. She also serves as Executive Vice President of Spruce Meadows Ltd. and is a founding Director of AKITA Drilling Ltd., a Director of Sentgraf Enterprises Limited, an Honorary Director of BMO Financial Group, and a Director Emeritus of the Rideau Hall Foundation.
Ms. Southern has long played a prominent role in advocating on social issues of global importance—most notably, the rights of Indigenous peoples and the role of women in business. She is an Honorary Chief of the Kainai (Blood Tribe of Alberta) who bestowed the name Aksistoowa’paakii, or Brave Woman, upon her in 2012.
Over the course of her career, Ms. Southern has served with many respected business and academic organizations. She is a member of the Business Council of Canada, the U.S. Business Council, the American Society of Corporate Executives, and is a Canadian member of the Trilateral Commission. She is also a member of the University of Calgary School of Public Policy Advisory Council.
Ms. Southern is the recipient of numerous honours for her community leadership and commitment to democratic principles and free enterprise. In 2023, she received the Lifetime Business Achievement in the Americas Award from the Canadian Council for the Americas and, in 2022, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce honoured her with the Canadian Business Leader Lifetime Achievement Award. Also in 2022, she was honoured with the Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal and, in 2020, she was awarded the British Empire Medal for services to British equestrian, military, and commercial interests in Alberta. In 2018, she received the Canadian Business Leader Award from the University of Alberta and was named a Distinguished Policy Fellow by the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy in recognition of her lifetime commitment to Canadian public policy. She was inducted as a Companion into the Canadian Business Hall of Fame in 2017.
Ms. Southern has been recognized by Fortune on its list of the “50 Most Powerful Women Outside of the U.S.” as well as its list of the “50 Most Powerful Women in Business: The Global 50.” She has been named one of the “50 Most Important People in Canada” by Maclean’s.
Born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, Ms. Southern studied economics and commerce at the University of Calgary, which also awarded her its highest academic honour, an Honorary Doctor of Laws, in 2014. She also holds Honorary Doctor of Laws degrees from Mount Royal University, the University of Lethbridge, and Western University.
The Honourable John Manley is one of the most highly respected business leaders in Canada. For over a decade, he served in the Federal Government as Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Finance Minister and Industry Minister. More recently, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of the Business Council of Canada (formerly the Canadian Council of Chief Executives), representing the CEOs of leading Canadian corporations.
Mr. Manley advises clients and helps them succeed through his years of leadership and experience in government and business, and his tremendous understanding of where strategic business opportunities lie.
Mr. Manley is Chair of the Boards of Directors of CIBC and CAE Inc., and is a member of the Board of Directors of TELUS. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada and is active in the not-for-profit sector. He is Chair of the Advisory Council of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute and past-Chair of the Canadian branch of the Trilateral Commission. He is also a member of the International Advisory Council of the Brookings Institution and the Wilson Center Global Advisory Council.
He holds Honorary Doctorates from the University of Ottawa, Carleton University, University of Toronto, Western University, the University of Windsor and York University.
Mark Fitzgerald was appointed as the Vice President of International Assets, Upstream Business in April 2022. He holds a Master’s in Business Administration (Executive Management) from the Royal Roads University in Victoria, Canada as well as a Graduate Diploma in Knowledge Management.
Prior to his current appointment, Mark held the role of the President and Chief Executive Officer of PETRONAS Energy Canada Limited, a role he has held since November 2016. In a career spanning over 34 years, Mark has worked for major energy companies across North America, as well as participated in the start-up and growth of a new energy company in Canada. He has undertaken roles of increasing responsibility and complexity throughout his career and has been in executive roles for 21 years. Mark’s areas of expertise include production and development, business analysis and strategic planning, acquisitions and divestures and executive leadership.
Beyond PETRONAS, Mark is a pervious Chairman of the Board of Governors at the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (“CAPP”) and past member of the Board of Directors at the Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service (“STARS”). He is also a founding Board member for Classroom Champions, and previously sat on the Board for the Edge School Foundation, a unique learning community where students can pursue academic excellence while striving to reach their full athletic potential.
Mr. Sean Roosen is Chair of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Osisko Development. Mr. Roosen is also the Founder, a Director and Chair Emeritus of the Board of Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd and a founding member of Osisko Mining Corporation (2003) and EurAsia Holding AG, a European venture capital fund.
Mr. Roosen has over 30 years of progressive experience in the mining industry. As founder, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Osisko Mining Corporation, he was responsible for developing the strategic plan for the discovery, financing and development of the Canadian Malartic Mine. He also led the efforts for the maximization of shareholders’ value in the sale of Osisko Mining Corporation, which resulted in the creation of Osisko Gold Royalties. Mr. Roosen is an active participant in the resource sector and in the formation of new companies to explore for mineral deposits both in Canada and internationally.
In 2017, Mr. Roosen received an award from Mines and Money Americas for best Chief Executive Officer in North America and was, in addition, named in the “Top 20 Most Influential Individuals in Global Mining”. In prior years, he has been recognized by several organizations for his entrepreneurial successes and his leadership in innovative sustainability practices. Mr. Roosen is a graduate of the Haileybury School of Mines.
Ken Seitz is the President and Chief Executive Officer at Nutrien, the world’s largest provider of crop inputs and services. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Seitz served as Interim President and CEO for a period of seven months. He joined Nutrien in 2019 as Executive Vice President and CEO of Potash. He brings over 25 years of global management experience working across more than 60 countries, with an extensive background in agriculture and mining. Earlier in his career, Mr. Seitz served as President and CEO of Canpotex, one of the world’s largest suppliers of Potash, giving him deep experience in global fertilizer marketing and logistics and strong connections within the industry.
Mr. Seitz is a member of the Board of Directors for the International Fertilizer Association, and The Fertilizer Institute.
He holds Certificate in Management from the Stern School of Business at New York University, a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, a Bachelor of Engineering, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Saskatchewan. Additionally, Mr. Seitz is a Professional Agrologist with the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists.
Jim is a community and technology ecosystem leader. Jim was formerly the Chief Catalyst for SAIT. In his role, he was responsible for defining the possibilities of digital for the institution and helping create student experiences that prepare them for the jobs of tomorrow.
A passionate and serial entrepreneur, ecosystem builder, and author, Gibson has spent three decades anticipating, adapting to, and advancing technology trends and challenges. He co- founded Thin Air Labs and co-led the development of Rainforest Alberta.
Jim currently provides strategic leadership to several local technology companies, is a member of The A100, a board member of Mikata Health, a board member of CRIN (Clean Resources Innovation Network), and an entrepreneur mentor with Venture Mentoring Services of Alberta.
Outlined in his 2017 thought-provoking book, Tip of the Spear: Our Species and Technology at a Crossroads, Gibson examines the challenges and the opportunities ahead:
“The real work ahead is in understanding that our future is governed both by the innovation of ‘things’ as well as innovation of ‘ways.’” This way forward will be about magical and wondrous new advances and the recognition that progress must be for the many and not just the few.
Jim lives in Calgary with his family and is working on his second book, “The Human Race” due for publication in the Spring of 2024.
Nicole Janssen is a highly accomplished entrepreneur and recognized leader in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). As the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of AltaML, a leading developer of AI- powered solutions driven by data, she is instrumental in driving company success.
With diverse experience that spans various sectors, including agriculture, financial services, health and energy, Nicole’s robust industry insights have been pivotal for AltaML’s market growth and expansion. Nicole is committed to global education on responsible AI (RAI) and has been recognized by the RAI Institute for this work.
In 2023, Nicole’s outstanding achievements and influence were acknowledged as she received the Lifetime Achievement Award for Woman in AI of the Year, and was named one of North America’s Top 25 Women of Influence. Prior to this, she received the prestigious Emerging Entrepreneur Award from Alberta Women Entrepreneurs.
Before co-founding AltaML, Nicole also co- founded Janalta Interactive Inc. and Stratus Holdings Inc. She currently serves as a Director at Edmonton Unlimited and is an esteemed member of the A100.
Christy Clark is the longest-serving female Premier in Canadian history and the only woman in Canada ever to be re-elected as Premier. She has made an indelible mark on the Canadian political landscape.
She led British Columbia through a period of remarkable economic growth, fiscal responsibility and job creation.
Under Ms. Clark’s leadership, British Columbia was Canada’s economic leader for three consecutive years, a feat not accomplished since the 1960s.
British Columbia was first in job creation among the Canadian provinces. She pulled her province out of a massive deficit to deliver five consecutive balanced budgets. When she retired from office, British Columbia was triple AAA rated and on track to eliminate its operating debt by 2020, a milestone not achieved since 1976.
She championed oil and gas, securing the largest private sector investment in Canadian history, the Shell Canada LNG Plant, which will ship its first gas to Asia in 2024. She is also responsible for turning Site C, a massive hydro project that had been on the books for 50 years, into reality.
Her legacy is marked by a deep commitment to planning for future generations, leaving behind a province with a diversified economy, expanded market opportunities, a visionary clean energy plan, billions of dollars invested in infrastructure and a significant reduction in the public debt burden to be carried by future generations of British Columbians.
Mr. David MacNaughton was appointed as President of Palantir Canada in 2019, where he currently leads the Canadian operations of Palantir Technologies, the Denver-based data integration and analytics software giant.
Prior to his joining Palantir Canada, Mr. MacNaughton was Canada’s Ambassador to the United States of America. He presented his credentials to President Barack Obama on March 3, 2016.
In the 1980s, Mr. MacNaughton transformed the public affairs industry by building an organization that comprised government relations, public opinion research and public relations. After selling his business in 1989, Mr. MacNaughton became President of Canada’s largest government and public relations firm and subsequently North American President of the world’s largest public relations firm. From 1995 until 2003, Mr. MacNaughton was President of Strathshore Financial and was an advisor to one of Canada’s leading investment banks.
Mr. MacNaughton’s public sector experience includes work at both the federal and provincial levels, including as advisor to the Minister at the Departments of Transport, Industry and Foreign Affairs. He was principal secretary to the Premier of Ontario from 2003 to 2005 and the Chairman of StrategyCorp from 2005 until his appointment.
Active in community affairs, Mr. MacNaughton has served on the boards of the North York General Hospital, the Stratford Festival, the National Ski Academy, TV Ontario, the Toronto French School and the Toronto International Film Festival.
A serial fintech entrepreneur and former Goldman Sachs Executive Director and Senior Commodities Strategist, Josh combined his passion for energy markets and technological innovation to launch Abaxx Technologies, where the team is preparing to launch a next-generation commodity futures exchange and clearinghouse through Abaxx Exchange in Singapore.
Formerly, Josh was a macro economist and commodity strategist at Goldman Sachs, where he served as Head of Metals Strategy. He is also a co-founder of Goldmoney and Mene. He holds a Master of Science in Mineral Economics, a Graduate Certificate in International Political Economy and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines.
Adam is the CEO of Waterous Energy Fund, an oil and gas private equity firm headquartered in Calgary with offices in Houston and New York. Prior to founding WEF in 2017, Adam served as Global Head of Investment Banking and Head of Energy and Power, North America at Scotiabank, where he was responsible for all of Scotiabank’s global Equity and Advisory activities and Scotia Waterous. In September 1991, Adam co-founded Waterous & Co., which Scotia Capital acquired in 2005. Before co-founding Waterous & Co., Adam worked in the Mergers and Acquisitions department of First Boston Corporation in New York and in management consulting with McKinsey & Company in Toronto.
Adam has been active in many industry, community, health, arts and education organizations. In 2013, Adam was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his contributions to the community and, along with his wife Jan, the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal in 2022 for their work in advancing sustainable transportation solutions in their hometown of Banff. In 2017, Adam received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Oil and Gas Council. Adam received the 2019 Lefaivre Award, presented to an individual each year by the United Way of Calgary for exceptional volunteer service and community involvement. Between 2013-2019 Adam served on the Executive Committee of the Harvard College Fund.
Adam holds an Honours Business Administration degree from the University of Western Ontario and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Being in the top five percent of his class at Harvard, he was designated a Baker Scholar.
Adam and his wife Jan have three sons and have lived in Banff since 1997. Since 2016, Adam and Jan, through their family company Liricon Capital, have been actively working to enhance Banff National Park’s environment and visitor experience by reducing the impact of personal vehicles through developing the Calgary Airport-Banff Rail project and creating the Eco-Transit Hub at the Banff Train Station. In 2018, Adam and Jan acquired the Norquay Ski and Sightseeing Resort. In 2020, Adam and Jan founded BANFF NATIONAL PARK NET ZERO 2035, a grass roots initiative comprised of leaders from academia, business and all three levels of government to transform Banff into North America’s first net zero emissions community.
Danielle Smith is a proud Albertan. As Leader of the governing United Conservative Party, she was sworn in as the 19th Premier of Alberta on October 11, 2022. She represents the riding of Brooks-Medicine Hat in the Legislative Assembly.
Ms. Smith has had a lifelong interest in Alberta public policy and finding the right balance between free enterprise and individual freedom, and the role of government. She was previously MLA for Highwood and leader of the Official Opposition.
Before re-entering politics, Ms. Smith worked extensively in the media and in business, most recently as President of the Alberta Enterprise Group. Before that she was a radio host with Corus Entertainment for 6 years.
Danielle Smith holds degrees in both Economics and English from the University of Calgary. She is married to David and proud stepmom to his son. They live in High River with their dog, Caine.
A special thank you to our sponsors.
Bennett Jones Lake Louise Business Forum would like to thank all of our sponsors for their generous support.
