Speakers - BC Critical Minerals Forum

Kendra Johnston

Assistant Deputy Minister, Ministry of Mining and Critical Minerals

Government of British Columbia

Kendra Johnston is Assistant Deputy Minister of the Mines Competitiveness and Authorizations Division for the Ministry of Mining and Critical Minerals, within the Government of British Columbia. Before joining government in late 2025, Kendra was Managing Director at PearTree Securities Inc. and prior to that, was President & CEO of the Association for Mineral Exploration BC and President & Director of Independence Gold Corp.

Crystal Smith

Haisla Nation

Member

Indigenous Advisory Council, Major Projects Office

Former Chief Councillor, Haisla Nation | Indigenous Economic Leader | Advocate for Sustainable Development

Crystal Smith served the Haisla Nation for 12 years, including eight as Chief Councillor (2017–2025), leading a transformative shift from managing poverty to managing opportunity, success, and independence. She is recognized nationally for advancing Indigenous economic self-determination through projects that balance prosperity with environmental stewardship.

Under her leadership, the Haisla Nation played a central role in LNG Canada, launched HaiSea Marine—the world’s first fully electric tugboat fleet—and secured the $6 billion Cedar LNG Project, the largest Indigenous-led infrastructure investment in Canadian history. These ventures have enabled the Nation to fund programs independently and create lasting benefits for future generations.

Crystal is the former Chair of the First Nations Natural Gas Alliance, a former Director of the First Nations Climate Initiative, a Board Director at Taseko Mines and Snowline Gold and is a member of TC Energy and the Major Projects Office Indigenous Advisory Council’s. Her achievements have earned her BC Business Women of the Year, Public Policy Forum Honouree, Energy Person of the Year, and the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

A proud mother, grandmother, and athlete, Crystal remains deeply connected to her community while championing Indigenous leadership and economic reconciliation across Canada.

Isabella Chan

Senior Assistant Deputy Minister

Natural Resources Canada

Isabella Chan has over 20 years of experience working in the public sector at the federal and provincial levels. She joined Natural Resources Canada in April 2024 as the Senior Assistant Deputy Minister of the Lands and Minerals Sector and was named Special Envoy to the Critical Minerals Production Alliance in September of 2025. Prior to this role, she worked at the Privy Council Office as the Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet, Social Development Policy, and as the Assistant Deputy Minister of the Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch at Health Canada. Isabella has also occupied a number of executive positions at Finance Canada and Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, including the role of Director General, Intergovernmental Tax Policy, Evaluation and Research Division in the Tax Policy Branch, and Executive Director, Social and Cultural Sector.

Brian Kynoch

President

Imperial Metals

Brian has been involved in exploration, permitting, development, commissioning, operation and reclamation of numerous mines and mineral properties including Red Chris, Mount Polley, Huckleberry, Sterling, Nickel Plate, Goldstream and Castle Mountain mines. In 1995, as President of Bethlehem Resources Corporation, Brian negotiated the merger between Imperial and Bethlehem. Brian was awarded the E.A. Scholz Medal (2007) for outstanding contribution to the development and sustainability of mines in British Columbia. Brian is a Civil Engineer (B.Ap.Sc. UBC) and a member of the Association of Professional Engineers of BC and the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.

Todd den Engelsen

Chief Executive Officer

Tahltan Nation Development Corporation

Todd is a seasoned executive leader with a track record building leaders and organizations to reach their potential. He has led operations, sales, marketing, human resources and safety in diverse public, private and unionized organizations, across heavy civil construction, mine development, oil and gas, industrial health, safety and environment, and health.

Todd has garnered a reputation of guiding organizations through periods of transition, change in ownership, rapid growth, mergers and acquisitions as well as Indigenous partnership and engagement. Of proud Métis heritage, Todd is passionate about creating value for clients, partners and communities, building local capacity and growing talent, while ensuring excellence in quality, safety and sustainability.

Most recently, Todd was Director, Corporate Services with Morgan Group of Companies, a privately held heavy civil construction, mine development and environmental services company. Previously, he held President of Sales and Operations roles with industrial HSE services companies, and was Vice President, Organizational Development with a publicly traded oil and gas service company where he focussed on organizational performance and efficiency. His early career focussed on human resources, labour and employee relations.

Todd was included in the 2025 edition of Business In Vancouver’s (BIV) BC500, a definitive list profiling the 500 most influential business leaders in British Columbia.

He holds a Master of Business Administration – Executive Management from Royal Roads University. Todd is one of only a handful who have received the designation of Fellowship – as a Certified Human Resources Professional (FCPHR). He has additional training in Indigenous relations, governance, leadership, labour and employment law, and workforce management.

Committed to public service, Todd has served on several boards, including chair of the CPHR Board of Directors and its Appeals Committee, chair of Petroleum Services Association of Canada, and Director Employment Placement and Support Services.

Andy Robinson

CEO

Nisga’a Nation

Andrew is a member of the Nisga’a Nation, People of the Nass River, 9000 strong. Andrew resides in his home community, the Nisga’a Village of Laxgalts’ap, he is Gisk’aast (Killerwhale tribe) and from ‘ the royal house of Ni’isyuus.

Andrew served two decades as Chief Administrative Officer for the Laxgalts’ap Village Government, 1 of 4 united Nisga’a Village Governments, that holds the overall authority for the Nisga’a communities. In 2022, Andrew served as Executive Industry Relations Manager for Nisga’a Lisims Government (NLG). In October 2023, the NLG Executive appointed him to Office of the CEO for the NLG administration that oversees 11 departments and 180 employees.

In the Nisga’a Legislature, Andrew sits on both the Executive Committee and Wilp Si’ayuukhl Nisga’a table. Andrew brings a wealth of knowledge, network contacts in all levels of government, and works along side all when there is hard work to be done.

The CEO works closely with local administration partners:

4 Nisga’a Village Governments.
3 Nisga’a Urban Local Societies (Terrace, Prince Rupert, & Vancouver)
Nisga’a Health Authority Board
School District #92 (Nisga’a) Board
UNBC/ WWNI Board
Industry Relations Board
Nations Royalty Board
Nisga’a Fisheries & Wildlife Committee
Nisga’a Finance Committee & Emergency Management

Andrew’s passion for Nisga’a governance and Nisga’a land stems from the roots of his forebearers on the Nisga’a Land Committee, the Nisga’a Tribal Council, & predecessors of NLG knowing the importance of traditional hunting & fishing grounds, cultural beliefs, and Nisga’a Authority over the land

Ryan Hoel

President and COO

Seabridge Gold

Mr. Hoel has more than 25 years of experience in large-scale project management, development, and operations with companies including Rio Tinto, Lundin Mining, New Gold, Arizona Mining, and South32, where he held various Executive and Project Director roles. Mr. Hoel holds a Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, an MBA from Westminster Gore School of Business, and is a registered Professional Engineer.

Nicholas Van Dyk

EVP, CFO & Corporate Secretary

NorthIsle Copper and Gold

Nicholas Van Dyk is a mining executive with +20 years experience in corporate development and capital markets. He currently holds a senior leadership position with Northisle Copper and Gold Inc., where he assists with corporate development, financing activities and investor relations. Prior experience includes mining-focused investment banking, mergers and acquisitions as well as equity financings. He has experience with advancing copper and gold development projects throughout Canada and positioning companies for long-term value creation.

Divya Shah

Managing Director

Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB)

Divya Shah is a Managing Director with the Investments team at the CIB. In her role, Divya is responsible for leading a team on CIB’s Public Building Retrofits Initiative and advising, sourcing, evaluating, developing and executing infrastructure investment opportunities in the Trade and Transportation Sector across Canada.

Divya has over 15 years of experience in project financing and developing public infrastructure projects through various roles at the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB), Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and Manulife Financial. Before joining the CIB, Divya was SVP of Transaction Finance at Infrastructure Ontario, where she structured and negotiated a variety of large and complex P3, commercial and real estate transactions.

Divya is a Steering Committee member for the Women’s Infrastructure Network, Toronto Chapter. She is a CFA who also earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Toronto. Divya was named as one of the 2020 inductees to the Urban Land Institute’s Women’s Leadership Initiative Champions Team.

Divya is based out of the CIB’s Toronto office.

Yannick Beaudoin

President and CEO

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.

Martin Turenne

President and CEO

FPX Nickel

Martin Turenne is the President & CEO of FPX Nickel Corp., which is focused on the development of the large-scale, PFS-stage Baptiste Nickel Project in central British Columbia. Martin is a mining executive with extensive hands-on experience in company leadership, mine project development and financing, corporate governance, Indigenous relations and government advocacy. Martin is a CPA, CA with 20 years of progressive and diverse experience in the resources industry, ranging from exploration and development-stage juniors to large multinational producers. He graduated with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Simon Fraser University and earned his professional qualifications while working at KPMG Vancouver LLP.

Claudia Tornquist

President and CEO

Kodiak Copper

Ms. Tornquist is an experienced mining executive whose background includes business development, business evaluation, M&A and financing, at both multi-national companies and in the junior sector. She was formerly General Manager at Rio Tinto working with Rio Tinto’s copper operations and also held the position of Executive Vice President Business Development for the streaming company Sandstorm Gold. Director of American Lithium and Silver One Resources and former director of Kennady Diamonds, leading the $176m sale of the company to Mountain Province as chair of the special committee of the board. Ms. Tornquist has a Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Technical University of Munich and a Masters of Business Administration from INSEAD.

Raman Randhawa

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Capstone Copper

Raman Randhawa is a Canadian Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) with over two decades of financial and leadership experience in the mining industry. He joined Capstone Copper in 2018, bringing strong expertise in financial strategy, operational excellence, and disciplined growth.

Since the 2022 merger between Capstone Mining and Mantos Copper, Raman has played a key role in shaping the financial and operational framework of the combined company. Capstone Copper has grown into a leading mid-tier copper producer with a diversified portfolio of long-life assets across the Americas, a stronger balance sheet, and a clear path for production growth. Raman continues to lead the company’s financial strategy as it advances expansion projects and drives efficiencies across its global operations.

Prior to Capstone, Raman spent 13 years at Goldcorp Inc., a global gold producer headquartered in Canada. During his tenure, he held several senior leadership positions, including Vice President of Business Planning, Vice President of Business Performance & Reporting, and Vice President of Finance, Operations. His responsibilities spanned Controllership, Treasury, and Supply Chain, and he played a key role in overseeing the financial performance of Goldcorp’s Canadian mining operations. Raman’s experience includes significant exposure to capital markets and corporate development, as well as leading the creation of a global supply chain function and managing multi-billion-dollar capital budgets. He began his career at Ernst & Young, where he gained foundational expertise in financial advisory and assurance services.

Michael Bonshor

Chair

Canada Indigenous Loan Guarantee Corporation

Mr. Bonshor (Gixkandzi) is an experienced leader and member of the Dzawada’enuxw First Nation of Kingcome Inlet, BC. He has 20 years of experience working with First Nations, specializing in Indigenous business development and investment. He is currently the President and CEO of Visions Financial Services and Managing Director of First Nations Business Development Association. Mr. Bonshor is a highly respected business leader with extensive leadership, Board and Chair experience and holds several roles in organizations, including British Columbia Institute of Technology (Chair), the National Indigenous Economic Development Board (Director and Chair, Economic Progress Report Committee), and the Dzawada’enuxw Development Corporation (Chair). He holds a CPA, CMA from the Charter Professional Accountants of BC.

Michael Bonshor had dedicated his career to supporting First Nations in business and strengthening the economic capacity of Indigenous entrepreneurs and communities.

As the Board Chair, Mr. Bonshor is committed to fostering a path of prosperity that respects the unique needs and priorities of the Indigenous Peoples and create opportunities that will build prosperity and benefit generations to come.

Sean Magee

Vice President Corporate Affairs

Taseko Mines

Mr. Magee joined Taseko in September 2021 as Vice President Corporate Affairs and is responsible for leading Taseko’s public affairs and community relations programs, as well as for government relations, corporate communications, media, and sustainability policy initiatives.

Mr. Magee has more than 25 years’ experience as a public affairs professional supporting mining and other natural resource industries in Canada and throughout North America – most recently as Principal of regulatory and public affairs consulting firm One-eighty Consulting Group Inc., and previously in senior executive roles with a number of publicly traded companies. In these roles, he provided senior public affairs and management counsel to a suite of mineral exploration and development, mining and energy companies, with direct responsibility for strategic communication planning, issues and crisis management, ESG and sustainability programs and partnerships, public and stakeholder consultation, Indigenous engagement, government relations and reputation management.

He is a former journalist, speechwriter and media trainer, with extensive experience working on high-profile development projects in Canada and the United States.

Anthony Huston

CEO

Graphite One

Anthony Huston is a successful entrepreneur with a background in the tech sector, business development and finance. Having served as Managing Partner in both public and private companies, he has played an integral role in raising more than $150 million in his career. Mr. Huston has served as an advisor on financial and acquisition transactions in industries ranging from the resource sector and real estate development to bio-technology and information technology. Mr. Huston is active in numerous local and international community service organizations, and lives with his wife and three children in Vancouver.

Keith Anderson

Senior Vice-President, Customer and Corporate Affairs

BC Hydro

Keith Anderson is BC Hydro's Senior Vice-President of Customer and Corporate Affairs. He has more than 20 years experience with BC Hydro and has been instrumental in driving provincial growth and supporting our largest customers in their investment decisions. Keith’s team works directly with customers, stakeholders, Indigenous Nations, employees, regulatory bodies, and our shareholder – the provincial government – to support our customers and teams within our organization.

Keith joined BC Hydro in 2004 and has held several senior leadership roles focused on supporting our customers, leading First Nations negotiations and large commercial transactions.

Over the years, Keith has played an active role in shaping how BC Hydro meets our customers’ expectations. He also led the development of BC Hydro’s Electrification Plan, a key transition focused on how BC Hydro can help realize provincial climate goals.

Before BC Hydro, Keith worked for TransAlta Corporation in Calgary. Keith has a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Queen’s University and a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.

April Hayward

Chief Sustainability Officer

Li-FT

Dr. Hayward’s career has been dedicated to leading sustainable development in the mining industry in northern Canada for more than a decade. She has a proven track record of developing collaborative working relationships with key stakeholders and successfully navigating projects through the regulatory system to obtain operating permits in the Northwest Territories through her managerial and executive roles with the Ekati mine and Mountain Province Diamonds. Dr. Hayward brings a unique combination of operational and corporate experience, technical expertise, and over 25 years of diverse experience in the fields of environment and sustainability in the public, private, and academic sectors to the Company.

Ashley Glen

Director of Structured and Project Finance

Export Development Canada (EDC)

Ashley Glen of Export Development Canada (“EDC”) has been structuring innovative and complementary financing in support of Canadian exporters and investors for 15 years with EDC.

Since joining EDC in 2011, Ashley has worked exclusively within EDC’s Structured and Project Finance Group with a focus on extractive industries – including mining, metals, pipelines and natural resources.

In 2021, Ashley assumed her current role as Director – Extractive Industries, Structured & Project Finance, leading the team responsible for underwriting project financings in the mining, metals and resources sector. In her current role she is also focused on finding innovative debt solutions that support the build-out of critical mineral supply chains and the integration of sustainable technologies for Canadian exporters in the extractive sector.

Prior to leading the Extractive Industries team, she was a senior underwriter in the same group. Ashley previously worked for TD Securities and she holds a Master of Financial Economics (MFE) from Rotman and a CFA.

Brittney Kerr

Founding Partner

Framepoint Public Affairs

Brittney Kerr is a senior public affairs executive specializing in government relations, strategic communications, advocacy campaigns, and community engagement.

Brittney leverages 15 years of private sector, media, and government experience in her advisory work. Brittney designs effective, innovative and results-oriented strategies to navigate complex policy issues, often in the public domain, in order to secure a win for her clients. Over the course of her career, Brittney has gained a deep understanding of how to effectively articulate the right message at the right time to mobilize an audience to act.

Prior to co-founding Framepoint, Brittney served as Senior Adviser to the executive leadership team at the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority. Prior to that, she served on the executive leadership team of a national public affairs firm in Canada where she was responsible for client service operations and a 50-person workforce across all geographies and divisions.

Earlier in her career, Brittney was the British Columbia adviser to the Prime Minister of Canada. During her time in the Prime Minister’s Office, Brittney advised senior government leaders on issues and files that intersected with British Columbia, and led teams crossing multiple ministries and departments. She also served as liaison for the Prime Minister's Office with stakeholders, Indigenous communities, and other

levels of government in British Columbia.

Brittney was recognized as one of BC’s Top 40 Under 40 in 2019 by Business in Vancouver and the Top 30 Under 30 in 2014 by BC Business magazine. Brittney was also recognized by Business in Vancouver as one of BC500’s most influential business leaders in British Columbia. In 2025, Brittney was awarded the King Charles III Coronation medal by the Liutenant Governor of British Columbia

Chad Ulansky

President & Chief Executive Officer

Cantex

Mr. Ulansky has over 30 years of mineral exploration experience. As a graduate of the University of Cape Town, Mr. Ulansky has put his geology degree to good use, leading and managing exploration programs worldwide, from the arctic barren lands to African deserts and most places in between. He began his career working for Dia Met Minerals Ltd., on the project which yielded the Ekati diamond mine. Since then he has been involved in discoveries including gold, base metals and critical metals.

Mr Ulansky serves as CEO and President of Cantex Mine Development Corp and Metalex Ventures Ltd. He also serves as a director of Kodiak Copper Corp.

Christine Walkem

Chief Chrtistine walkem for Cook's Ferry Nation as the chair

Citxw Nlaka'pamux Assembly

Chief Christine Walkem is the elected Chief of the Cook’s Ferry Indian Band (CFIB), and Chair of the Citxw Nlaka’pamux Assembly (CNA) Board of Directors.

Having served as Chief the last 7 years, and 4 previous years as a member of CFIB’s Council team, Chief Christine believes very strongly in the value of team-based work and decision making.

Through her family’s storied history in the region, Chief Walkem has witnessed and participated in both the ranching and mining communities, with a particular focus in the Highland Valley region, being an original village site for CFIB.

A long-time professional and passionate leader, Chief Walkem understands the impacts and benefits that mining can bring to the territories, region, and country.

Dolleen Logan

Chief

Lheidli T’enneh First Nation

Chief Dolleen Logan was first elected Chief of the Lheidli T’enneh Nation on April 8, 2021, again in 2023 for her second term, and was re-elected once again on April 9, 2025, for her third term. She is the 2nd female Chief of the Lheidli T’enneh.

Prior to her election as Chief, she served as Councillor for six years. Chief Logan has worked with her Nation for more than 14 years in various capacities.

Chief Logan brings a team-oriented approach to Council operations. She has also followed-up on her commitment to involve Lheidli Elders more in key decision making. She is also a strong advocate for regular communication with members as Council’s job is to serve the nation.

In her spare time, Chief Logan enjoys time with her family and enjoys camping, cooking, and reading.

Fazil Mihlar

Deputy Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth

Government of British Columbia

Fazil Mihlar was appointed effective December 7, 2022, as Deputy Minister, Ministry of Jobs and Economic Growth (formerly Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation). Prior to this role, Fazil was Deputy Minister, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation; Deputy Minister, Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Competitiveness; Deputy Minister, Climate Leadership; Assistant Deputy Minister, Institutions and Programs Division, Ministry of Advanced Education; and Assistant Deputy Minister, Oil and Strategic Initiatives Division, Ministry of Natural Gas Development. Before joining government in 2013, Fazil was Associate Editor of The Vancouver Sun newspaper.

Fazil has been nominated twice for a National Newspaper Award for best editorial writing in Canada. Before joining The Vancouver Sun in 1999, Fazil managed the Royal Bank Financial Group’s public affairs department for B.C. and the Yukon. He was also Director of Regulatory and Labour Market Studies at the Fraser Institute and managed a small business consulting group at Simon Fraser University.

Fazil holds a B.A. in Economics from Simon Fraser University, an M.A. in Public Administration from Carleton University and a Marketing Diploma from the Chartered Institute of Marketing in London, England. He has also completed a Certificate Course on Risk Management at Harvard University and the ICD-Rotman Directors’ Education Program with the Institute of Corporate Directors.

Fazil is the author/co-author of many research reports including A Review of the Canada/US Free Trade Agreement, The Cost of Regulation in Canada and The Rational Consolidation of Banking in Canada.

Flyn McCarthy

Principal

SysEne Consulting

Flyn McCarthy leads the consultancy in the development of decarbonization pathways for industry, including modelling policy changes, developing energy and carbon mitigation approaches, application of low carbon technology, and identification of financing strategies. As an expert in carbon and energy management, he excels at building pathways that engage all stakeholders.

Flyn's experience includes developing and managing corporate decarbonization and energy strategies for resource-intensive multinational corporations. His demonstrated ability to identify and develop innovative approaches and manage them through to implementation is his greatest strength. Well-versed in systems engineering, policy, technology development and change management. Motivated and passionate about helping organizations quantify and mitigate carbon and energy risks in this rapidly changing environment.

Kody Penner

Vice President, Corporate Development,

Nations Royalty

Kody Penner is a mining professional with diverse experience in the mining industry and Indigenous space. He has helped create strategy and drive value for Indigenous Governments and business while building lasting, sustainable relationships. With experience working in junior and major mining companies, he brings a collaborative approach to decision making, aligning values of rights and stakeholders toward common goals. He advanced from an underground miner to a strategy role at Canada’s largest diversified miner. He is also Vice-Chair of the Tahltan Nation Development Corporation, where he has helped lead the company through major strategic and operational changes by enhancing governance and management structures.

Prior to Nations, Kody worked as Lead, Business Planning at Teck Resources Limited’s (“Teck”) Copper Growth group where he advanced Teck’s development assets through effective business planning, efficient capital allocation, and strong governance frameworks. Before Teck, he worked as a Mining Analyst for Agentis Capital, in Investor Relations with Skeena Resources Ltd. and as Employment Director for the Tahltan Central Government. Kody holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) from the University of British Columbia.

Growing up in the mining industry, Kody worked at Imperial Metal’s Ruddock Creek exploration camp and as an underground miner at Newmont’s Brucejack mine. He is passionate about responsible resource development that benefits communities and shareholders, helping Indigenous groups work toward self-sufficiency while providing the world with much-needed minerals.

Lisa Davis

CEO

PearTree Securities

With extensive advisory and business experience in the investment industry including over a decade focused on corporate finance to fund mineral exploration and development projects, Lisa oversees the strategic direction of the firm. Lisa also possesses an in-depth knowledge of securities regulation gained while on secondment to the Ontario Securities Commission and as General Counsel for a specialized investment fund business.

While in private practice, Lisa specialized in corporate and securities law with two international law firms including as a partner of Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP (now Dentons). Lisa is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School and was called to the Bar of the Law Society of Upper Canada in 1986. She has earned her ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors and is a member of the Association de L’Éxploration Minière du Quebec, Women in Mining and Women in Capital Markets. Lisa is also on the Advisory Board for LIGHTS, a program in partnership with Community Living Toronto aimed at addressing the significant shortage of independent and appropriate housing for intellectually disabled citizens in Toronto.

Lisa has completed a 6 year term as a Director of the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) for which she also served as co-chair of the Finance & Taxation Committee. Lisa continues as a member of the Finance & Taxation Committee and the Securities Committee of PDAC. She is currently a Director of Signature Resources Inc. which owns the Lingman Lake Gold Project in the Red Lake district of Northwestern Ontario.

Mark Tory

President & CEO

Defense Metals

Mr. Tory is a highly experienced resources executive with significant rare earths experience having held key leadership roles at Northern Minerals initially as CFO and then subsequently CEO while they developed the Browns Range Rare Earth Project, including the planning, building and operation of a A$70 million pilot plant.

His previous executive experience includes Managing Director of Crescent Gold Limited, after a period as CFO and Company Secretary. He has had international exposure to resources’ capital markets as well as holding key leadership roles in companies that range from exploration to development through to operating mines across commodities, including rare earths, battery materials, base metals and gold.

Mr. Tory is a Chartered Accountant and holds a BBus, MBA and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).

Monica Moretto

Vice President Sustainbility

Pan American Silver

Monica Moretto is a Senior Executive/Director with over 20 years of experience in the mining industry, providing leadership and strategic advice to industry boards, international committees, and companies of various sizes throughout her career.

Her areas of expertise include Corporate Affairs and Sustainability across the Americas at all stages of project development, including exploration, development, operations, and closure. She has extensive experience in policy development and in overseeing company expansion and acquisitions, including the integration of multi-jurisdictional projects. Monica is the Chair of the International Social Responsibility Committee for the Mining Association of Canada, and she joined Lithium Argentina as an Independent Director in 2024. She is also the VP of Sustainability at Pan American Silver Corp and has been a key executive of the company for the past 18 years. Monica is also the recipient of the Robert H. Hedley Sustainability Award of Excellence, given by the prestigious Association for Mineral Exploration of British Columbia in January 2019, and, in 2021, the Trailblazer Award presented by Women in Mining Canada during the PDAC conference.

Paul Blom

Chief Operating Officer

BC First Nations Energy and Mining Council

Paul Blom is the Chief Operating Officer of the British Columbia First Nations Energy and Mining Council (FNEMC), a provincial First Nations non-profit organization established in 2007 and mandated by the Chiefs of British Columbia through resolutions of support from the member organizations of the First Nations Leadership Council: the First Nations Summit, the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, and the BC Assembly of First Nations. FNEMC’s role is to support and facilitate responsible energy and mining development that upholds First Nations’ inherent title and rights and advances environmental, cultural, social, and economic well-being.

Paul is a Registered Professional Biologist and a Registered Professional Forester (RET).

He coordinated the development of several province wide First Nations plans and strategies that form the basis of FNEMC’s mandate as a policy organization advocating for 204 First Nations communities in British Columbia, including:

BC First Nations Energy Action Plan
BC First Nations Mineral Exploration and Mining Action Plan
First Nations China Strategy: Innovative Partnerships

He is also an active board of director on the Canada China Business Council.

Sharon Singh

Partner, Co-Head, Environment and Indigenous

McMillan LLP

Sharon Singh is the co-head of McMillan’s Indigenous and Environment practices and is renowned for guiding businesses on environmental, Indigenous, governance, and human rights matters. With nearly two decades of experience, Sharon has a proven track record delivering strategic, practical and tailored solutions to some of Canada’s leading businesses. Her industry expertise encompasses mining, renewable energy, infrastructure, construction, manufacturing and agribusiness.

As a thought leader and leading practitioner, Sharon’s approach emphasizes the importance of collaborative relationships, particularly with Indigenous nations, local communities, and regulatory bodies. She has built trusted relationships with industry stakeholders, government agencies and the non-profit sector, leveraging her extensive experience to provide focused legal advice.

In terms of Indigenous relations, Sharon negotiates benefit, partnership, and other collaboration agreements. She also assists in structuring equity participation by Indigenous communities in natural resources and infrastructure projects, complementing this with advice on securing financing and permitting on reserve or Treaty lands.

In her environmental and regulatory practice, Sharon excels in navigating complex regulatory frameworks and environmental assessments, assisting clients with achieving operational success, partly informed by her experience working for an international mining company. She also advises on transportation of dangerous goods, conducts regulatory audits, as well as on sale and redevelopment of contaminated sites.

Sharon helps organizations build resiliency. She assists clients in evaluating their key and rapidly evolving ESG and sustainability risks and opportunities, including guiding clients on their policies and disclosures, establishing human rights due diligence, and product stewardship.

Stuart McNish

Host

ConversationLIVE

For more than 40 years Stuart McNish has been involved in video journalism and storytelling.

Stu is the host of Conversations Live, a “Public Affairs Dialogue” platform carried ‘Live’ on The Vancouver Sun.

Stu is also the host of Conversations That Matter, a weekly television show, YouTube channel, a podcast and a radio program that can be seen and heard on The Vancouver Sun, CHEKNews and Bell Media outlets in British Columbia.

He is also the founder and President of Oh Boy Productions, an independent video and television production studio in Vancouver. The company produces Carole Taylor’s Journal, BC Legends with Carole Taylor, Donnie & Dhali: The Team, Vancolour and Now You Know.

In March of 2025, Stu was awarded the King’s Coronation Medal by Lt. Gov. Wendy Cocchia.

Tim McEwan

Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs

Mining Association of British Columbia

Tim McEwan is an accomplished leader with more than 25 years of senior executive experience in public policy and economic development in both the public and private sectors.

Tim is currently Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs with the Mining Association of British Columbia (MABC), a role he assumed in April 2021. In this capacity he provides senior strategic counsel on public policy, major project permitting and regulatory affairs, and provincial, federal and Indigenous government relations.

Tim served as President & CEO of Initiatives Prince George — the economic development authority for Prince George, BC — where he drove collaborative local and regional efforts to advance the city and Northern BC as a globally connected, knowledge-based, resource economy.

Tim also worked with the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association (ICBA) as Senior Vice President, Policy & Stakeholder Engagement, leading construction industry and multi-association public policy advocacy on responsible resource and infrastructure development, and labour, employment, and economic issues.

Early in his career, Tim was Director, Programs & Policy with the Business Council of BC (BCBC) working on public policy initiatives, including the landmark multi-association, BC Business Summit process.

Tim has also served on the Deputy Ministers Council of BC and the Board of Governors of the Business Council of BC, and as a Director of numerous government and non-profit organizations.

Tim holds a B.A and an M.P.A. from the University of Victoria, and lives with his wife Cynthia McEwan in Tsawwassen, British Columbia.

Todd Stone

President and CEO

Association for Mineral Exploration BC (AME)

Todd is the President and CEO of the Association for Mineral Exploration BC (“AME”). His strong advocacy for the role of mineral exploration in British Columbia’s economy is driven by his broad public and private sector experience and leadership.

Todd’s background in government and public affairs includes serving as MLA for Kamloops-South Thompson for almost 12 years, and holding cabinet portfolios of Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, Minister Responsible for Emergency Management, and Deputy Government House Leader. During his time in office, Stone was recognized and respected for his results-focused and thoughtful approach that helped shape many successful public policies and programs that the province benefits from today.

Prior to being elected for the first time in 2013, Todd was Founder, President and CEO of iCompass Technologies. Here, he built and mentored a strong team to create cutting-edge tech solutions for hundreds of local government and other public sector organizations across Canada and the United States.

Get in touch

Organized by: Energy and Mines | contact: events@energyandmines.com