WPC Canada - Future Leaders presents our fast-paced and thought-provoking event featuring short 5-10 minute talks (similar to the TED format) from some of Calgary’s top game changers. You will hear ideas from speakers across Calgary‘s energy industry including start-up founders, academics and business leaders. You will also have the opportunity to network with other like-minded Calgarians in this newly formatted digital event.
As Chief Sustainability Officer, Martha plays a key role in stewarding Suncor's many external relationships and strategic collaborations in support of the company's ongoing economic, environmental and social performance leadership. Martha oversees Suncor’s sustainability strategy, public policy and government relations efforts, and internal and external communications. She is responsible for the continued deepening of the company’s Indigenous, stakeholder, and community relations, as well as being accountable for Suncor’s social innovation agenda, including through her involvement on the Board of the Suncor Energy Foundation.
Prior to joining Suncor, Martha was the President and CEO of the Canada West Foundation, one of Canada’s most important public policy think tanks, where her focus was strong public policy recommendations for the economic and social prosperity of western Canada, and by extension Canada as a whole. She has written dozens of essays, articles and op eds for national publications in both official languages and has frequently appeared as a thought leader in national print and broadcast media.
She has over 30 years of experience as a corporate lawyer, international trade expert, senior executive and successful entrepreneur, supporting major multinationals as well as start-ups – primarily in wireless telecommunications and mobile payments, in Canada and in Europe.
As a twice-elected Member of Parliament, she served in the Official Opposition shadow cabinet for International Trade; Finance; Transport, Infrastructure and Communities; and Public Works and Government Services, and she served on the House of Commons Standing Committees for all of those portfolios. She is currently a member of the Minister of International Trade’s Trade Expert Advisory Council.
Martha’s community engagement has included serving as an advisory council member, board director and executive for a variety of policy, environmental, community and cultural organizations including the Energy Futures Lab, Positive Energy (University of Ottawa), Protein Industries Canada, the Glenbow Museum, the Georgian Bay Association and CKUA Radio Network.
She was Canadian Championships silver medalist in alpine skiing (1976), coached several young skiers who went on to compete in the Olympics, and served six years of the Board of Alpine Canada, her last two as Chair.
Martha has a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from the University of Toronto and an LLB from Osgoode Hall Law School. She also holds the Institute of Corporate Directors ICD.D designation.
As Senior Vice President, Petrochemical Development at Inter Pipeline Mr. Chappell is responsible for structuring petrochemical infrastructure investments and commercial contracts for the company, including the development of the Heartland Petrochemical complex. Prior to joining Inter Pipeline, Mr. Chappell was most recently the president of Williams Energy Canada. Mr. Chappell joined Williams in 2000, and during his tenure has served in various leadership roles, progressing from director to president of the Canadian business in 2012. He has more than 30 years of experience in the energy industry and graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, and later completed the Executive Development Program at the University of Calgary. Mr. Chappell has worked in the areas of natural gas marketing, straddle plants, natural gas liquids and basic petrochemicals. He served on the board of the Energy Council of Canada for many years and currently sits on the board of the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada (CIAC). Mr. Chappell was a founder of and helped launch the Resource Diversification Council (RDC) in Alberta, and currently serves as Chairman of the board for the RDC.
Richard has over 30 years of leadership experience in energy project development and governance, energy marketing, and finance. He is currently leading the commercial implementation of an advanced technology which lowers costs and GHGs for bitumen producers, while freeing up export pipeline capacity. He is known as a trusted advisor and effective communicator within the Calgary energy community and is a sought-after commentator on energy matters.
Richard’s experiences include:
Richard is a Chair of the World Petroleum Council-Canada, which will host the World Petroleum Congress in Calgary in 2023, and he is an Executive Fellow of the University of Calgary School of Public Policy. He was previously a member of the Board of Governors of the University of Lethbridge and served as its Vice-Chair and Audit Committee Chair. Richard holds MBA, CFA and ICD.D designations.
John Gorman is President & CEO of the Canadian Nuclear Association (CNA). Prior to joining the CNA, John served as President & CEO of the Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA), the national trade association for Canada’s solar energy industries. He oversaw all of CanSIA’s activities including government affairs, research, communications and industry leadership. Before joining CanSIA, he held the position of Senior Vice President at Empower Energies, an innovative, global integrator of energy systems.
John serves as Canada’s Designate to the International Energy Agency (Executive Committee – PVPS) and sits on the Executive Council of the Canadian Council on Renewable Energy. He has served as a director on the boards of numerous community and corporate organizations, including one of the nation’s largest electric utilities. John has been recognized as one of Canada’s CLEAN50 and is the recipient of the “40 Under 40” business award for excellence in business practices. He was awarded the designation of Climate Project Ambassador by Nobel Laureate Al Gore in 2008.
Cailee Ellis is ERA’ s Executive Director, Strategy and Engagement. Cailee brings 15 years of experience across government and private enterprise. Prior to joining ERA, Cailee held a number of regulatory and operational Director appointments at the Alberta Energy Regulator leading key strategic, governance, climate and innovation files. She also served as Executive Advisor to Operations when joining the organization in 2015. Prior to this, Cailee developed extensive experience in operations and regulatory/environmental affairs working in consulting, with upstream and midstream oil & gas companies, and Government. Cailee also volunteers as a Board Director and Vice Chair in the non-profit sector.
Cailee holds a M.Sc. in Environmental Practice, MBA in Executive Management, and an Engineering Technology Diploma in Water Resources. Cailee has also completed executive education programs in regulatory leadership and climate change and energy policy.
All Content & Copy Copyright 2022 World Petroleum Council
