Description
WPC Canada is excited to host the 9th Annual Ignite Talks this fall – Back in person!
Join us for a 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 the energy industry. You will also have the opportunity to network with other like-minded Calgarians and enjoy complimentary beverages and light snacks throughout the night.
This years’ theme is Beyond ESG with speakers focusing on Environment, Social, Security, Governance and Indigenous Relations
Location: The Bow – Sky Gardens – 54th Floor, 500 Center Street SE, Calgary, AB
Date: November 9th, 2022
Time: 5:30 pm to 7:45 pm MT
Cost: $20 until October 24th (Regular price $30)
Schedule:
5:30 – 6:30 pm Reception in the Bow Sky Gardens
6:30 – 6:35 pm Introductions
6:35 – 6:45 pm 2023 WPC Congress
6:45 – 7:35 pm Speaker Presentations
7:35 – 7:45 pm Q&A and Closing Remarks
Speakers:
Gitane De Silva, Chief Executive Officer, CER
Jason Klein, CEO, LNG Canada
Whitney McKenzie, Engagement Manager, Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation
Bernard J. Roth, Partner, Dentons Canada LLP
Blake Dewar, Director of Strategy, Ovintiv
Sponsored by:
Gitane De Silva
Chief Executive Officer
CER
Ms. De Silva became the Chief Executive Officer of the CER in August 2020. Prior to joining the CER, she was a Special Advisor at TransAlta Corporation. She previously served as Alberta’s Senior Representative to the United States and as Deputy Minister for Alberta International and Intergovernmental Relations.
Before joining the Alberta Public Service, Ms. De Silva spent 12 years in Canada’s Foreign Service as a specialist in Canada-U.S. relations, serving in a variety of roles, including as Consul General of Canada in Chicago and as Counsellor (Environment & Fisheries) at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C. Ms. De Silva also served as Deputy Head of Agency at Status of Women Canada.
She holds a BA in International Relations from the University of British Columbia and is a 2013 recipient of The International Alliance for Women (TIAW) World of Difference Award.
Jason Klein
CEO
LNG Canada
Jason Klein is Chief Executive Officer of LNG Canada, a Shell-PETRONAS-PetroChina-Mitsubishi Corporation-KOGAS Joint Venture. He was appointed in April 2022. Under Jason’s leadership, LNG Canada is poised to deliver Canada’s first large-scale liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facility in Kitimat, British Columbia, on the traditional territory of the Haisla Nation.
Jason is passionate about the global energy transition and LNG Canada’s important role to deliver the world’s lowest carbon intensive LNG by the middle of this decade, helping to address global climate change while providing substantial economic benefits to First Nations, local communities, businesses, British Columbia and Canada.
Jason joins LNG Canada from Shell Canada in Calgary, where he served as VP Canada Integrated Gas, accountable for developing Shell’s Integrated Gas business, including oversight and governance of the LNG Canada project.
Jason began his career with Shell in 2016, following its global acquisition of BG Group. Following the BG takeover, Jason was appointed Vice President US LNG within Shell’s Integrated Gas business, responsible for leading its development of the Elba Island LNG project near Savannah, Georgia. He subsequently became U.S. Chief of Staff and VP US Energy Transition Strategy.
While working with BG Group, Jason held assignments in the Middle East, Europe, North America and Australia in roles spanning the legal function, upstream operations and LNG developments over a period of 13 years (starting in 2003).
Jason is a native Houstonian and earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Trinity University in San Antonio and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Texas School of Law.
Jason lives in Calgary with his wife and son.
Whitney McKenzie
Engagement Manager
Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation
Whitney brings over 13 years of energy industry experience. Prior to joining AIOC, she worked in the midstream sector where her role focused on community and Indigenous engagement, and more recently explored sustainability and specifically how it relates to Indigenous relations. Prior to that, her career focused on community engagement, with further experience in community investment, communications, and business development.
Whitney holds a Master of Arts in History from the University of Victoria where her studies focused on Indigenous history in Canada. While studying, she spent time in south central BC living in the Stó:l? community where she drove a community-based research project. This transformational learning experience ignited her passion for reconciliation and further set the foundation to her approach to engagement.
In her spare time, Whitney volunteers on Young Women in Energy’s Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Committee and is a Learning Partner for the International Association of Public Participation (IAP2) Indigenous Awareness Learning program, where she supports other engagement professionals in exploring our shared history and complexities relating to engagement with Indigenous communities.
Bernard J. Roth
Partner
Dentons Canada LLP
Bernard J. Roth, KC (Bernie / He / Him / His) practices energy regulatory, environmental and indigenous law at Dentons in Calgary, where he is a co-leads the Energy Group. Bernie’s practice includes both facilities and utilities matters. He represents clients before provincial and territorial regulators in western Canada and federal regulators across the country. Bernie also appears before provincial superior and federal courts on appeal and judicial review matters.
Blake Dewar
Director of Strategy
Ovintiv
Blake Dewar is the Director of Strategy at Ovintiv. Blake grew up in Calgary and has spent the last 15 years working in the oil and gas industry. Over the course of his career he has had the opportunity to work on a number of key strategic initiatives including the Encana split to create Cenovus Energy in 2009 and the formation and roll-out of Encana’s new corporate strategy in 2013. His broad experience includes portfolio transformation, identifying and creating both corporate and shareholder growth opportunities, and navigating through the macro environment to identify transforming industry trends. Blake is passionate about leadership and mentorship and takes pride in motivating people to succeed in achieving their goals. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and a Master’s in Business Administration.
