Brentyn is the Director of Operations & Head of Entrepreneurship & Philanthropy at WeShall Investments Inc. Brentyn oversees the strategic operations of WeShall, a Canadian private equity firm, and its portfolio companies and Wes Hall’s Dragons’ Den investments.

Brentyn holds a B.B.A from Wilfrid Laurier University and sits on the board of QM Environmental, Mobile Business Express, Friendly Fables Productions. He is also a Youth Committee Member at The BlackNorth Initiative.

Marty Seymour has 25 years experience in business development and finance. In Marty’s previous role with Farm Credit Canada, he engaged with national industry associations, government officials, and industry influencers to help advance the interests of Canadian agriculture in areas of Carbon Management, Carbon Sequestration and First Nations Agri-Business.

Marty’s reputation as a connector and thought leader recently earned him the distinction of CWA’s Top 50 in Canadian Agriculture for his contribution to the industry.

Chief Reginald Bellerose served as Chief of Muskowekwan First Nation for 17 years and has a distinguished political history of fulfilling a stewardship role for key First Nations organizations and institutions. Chief Bellerose holds a Masters Certificate in Project Management from the University of Saskatchewan and a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science from Concordia University in Edmonton. Chief Bellerose has been critical in advancing key initiatives that have positively impacted First Nations across the country.

Pieter du Plessis is Vice President Technology at Axiom Group and has tertiary education in geology, chemistry, soil science, mathematics, terrain evaluation and business with 30 years’ experience in the natural resource sector in exploration, mining, financial and numerical modelling, and mineral price forecasting. Pieter has extensive experience with open-source and commercially available satellite data and analysis since the 1990’s, including machine learning programming, for various commodities and natural resources.

Most recently Pieter has been providing advanced data analytics, including pattern recognition, machine and deep learning, with data forecasting services for commodity prices, exchange rates, agricultural, forestry, environmental, satellite, mineral and soil data, to facilitate optimized business decisions. Pieter also developed and applied machine and deep learning-based soil organic carbon, biomass, field cost models, nutrient, and micro-nutrient modelling, using multispectral and SAR satellite, as well as soil sampling and weather data, for application in sustainable predictive agriculture. Pieter applied multispectral, hyperspectral and radar satellite analysis to mineral exploration for gold, silver, chromium, emeralds, diamonds, brines, and base metals, such as copper, lead and zinc and numerous agricultural applications.

Booker Cornea is a proud member of the Saskatchewan Métis Nation and currently makes his home with his family within Treaty 4 Territory and Western Region III. He shares his financial expertise with over twenty years’ experience working within the financial sector, currently as the Manager of Business Development with the First Nations Bank of Canada (FNBC), where he works with Nations across Canada.

Booker and FNBC work with Nations on a wide range of projects that include financing of on-reserve infrastructure, land development, business acquisitions and more. Booker and FNBC also have significant experience in financing renewable energy projects that range from solar panels on a remote Band office right through to large utility scale projects that include wind, solar and biomass facilities.

Milton Tootoosis was raised on the Poundmaker Indian Reserve #114, near the Battlefords, in his ancestral territory of the Cree, Assiniboine and Saulteaux Nations. His ancestors were innovators, hunters, gatherers, traders, and warriors.

Milton joined the Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority (SREDA) team in 2021 to help develop and advance strategies in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission final report and the 94 Calls to Action.

Milton has built his career as a HRM practitioner, a community economic developer, including serving as Trustee for his Nation and as an elected Headman from 2016 to 2021. He is a graduate of the First Nations University of Canada, an ongoing student of global Indigenous Economic Development research, and he is a certified Professional Aboriginal Economic Developer.

He serves on numerous community projects including serving as chair of the Saskatchewan Indigenous Economic Development Network (SIEDN), a Director for the Indigenous Leadership Development Institute Inc. (ILDII), and a founder of the World Indigenous Business Forum (WIBF).

Milton is the founder and owner of MGT Consulting and is based in Saskatoon, Treaty Six Territory. He is very actively involved in sports, culture, smart green home building and Indigenous cultural awareness education for leaders aside from his responsibilities as the Chief Economic Reconciliation Officer for SREDA.

Heather Chalmers is the President and Chief Executive Officer for GE Canada and leads International Advocacy for GE’s suite of technology and products across power, renewables, and digital for the newly announced GE VERNOVA, GE’s portfolio of energy businesses.

Heather’s leadership supports the future of the energy transition and Canadian economy in addressing the climate crisis for sustainable, affordable, and reliable electricity in partnership with business and government leaders. This responsibility includes both domestic and international advocacy directed to enabling the technology ecosystem, with regulatory and fiscal policy required for a net-zero future. A recognized Canadian thought leader, she is co-chair of the Canadian Chamber’s Net-Zero Council (2021-22; 2022-23) and is solicited by national and global organizations to provide advisory for business, economy, and sustainability forums.

Throughout her extensive career with GE, Heather has consistently developed and led high performing teams that are industry leaders in bringing innovative technology and digital solutions to solve complex challenges in both Canadian and global markets. Heather joined GE Plastics in 1995 and held both engineering and commercial roles. Following that she moved to GE Healthcare and was promoted to President in 2014. She’s had the pleasure of leading the GE Canada team since 2018.

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce awarded Heather as 2023 Business Leader of the Year Award and awarded the Rotman School of Management’s 2022 Arbor award and Women Leaders in Digital Health 2020 award.

She holds a Chemical Engineering degree from Queens University, an MBA from the Rotman School of Business, is a director on the C.D. Howe Institute Board, Business Council of Canada Board, Vice-Chair Ontario Brain Institute Board and St. Elizabeth Health Foundation Board. She is also a member of the Rotman School of Management’s Healthcare and Life Sciences Advisory Council and formerly part of the GTA United Way Cabinet and Vice-Chair Medtech Canada Board.

Dean Gagne is the Chief Disruption Officer of Innovation Credit Union. Dean has been with Innovation Credit Union since December of 2013, previously holding the positions of Vice President, Alternate Channel Banking, Chief Omni and Digital Officer, Chief Digital and Technology Officer. Dean has over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry.

Prior to joining Innovation Credit Union, Dean’s work experience covered research, consulting, strategy, technology management, digital marketing, marketing and advertising. Dean has worked on projects for Fortune 500 companies in Canada, the United States, England, Sweden, Germany, Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, Korea, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, New Zealand, Australia, and India.

Dean has previously held high-level research/consulting positions, as well as line management positions, for leading edge corporations and consulting firms.

Dean brings a vast amount of business experience to every project, as both a practitioner and an academic. Aside from managing full time, Dean has taught marketing strategy, consumer behaviour and marketing research for several universities throughout the world.

Dean was educated (both undergraduate and graduate studies) at the University of Saskatchewan. His undergraduate studies were in Marketing and Finance (B.Comm. program) and his graduate studies focused on Strategic Thinking and Technology Management (M.Sc. program).

Dean, and his wife Katherine and their three daughters, live in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. Dean’s two oldest daughters graduated from McGill University and his youngest daughter is currently in her 4^th year at McGill. All were/are enrolled in the Desautels Faculty of Management.

Dean was born in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada, and grew up on a farm just south of Medstead, Saskatchewan. Dean is Metis, which is one of Canada’s three distinct Aboriginal groups identified in the Canada Constitution.

Dr. Angela Bedard-Haughn was born and raised on her family farm in the central parkland region of Saskatchewan. She received both her BSc in Physical Geography and her MSc in Soil Science from the University of Saskatchewan. She attended the University of California at Davis, where she received her PhD in Soil Science in 2004.

Following completion of her PhD, Angela joined the Department of Soil Science at USask. She served as Head of the Department of Soil Science and as Associate Dean (Research and Graduate Studies) for the College of Agriculture and Bioresources, before taking up the position of Dean in summer 2020.

Angela specializes in soil science research, focusing on two main areas: management of wetland soils and predictive soil mapping, with emphasis on soil carbon. Her research program has been supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the Saskatchewan Agriculture Development Research Fund, the Global Institute for Water Security, Environment Canada and several industry groups. She has also been active in experiential training, teaching field courses on soil and landscape classification at both undergraduate and graduate levels.

Angela is an associate member of the School of Environment and Sustainability, a member of the Global Institute for Water Security, and is fully engaged in graduate student training.

Rupen Pandya became the President and Chief Executive Officer of SaskPower in 2022.

Before joining SaskPower, Rupen was the Deputy Minister of Finance and Secretary to Treasury Board for the Government of Saskatchewan.

He has 25 years of public service experience in Saskatchewan, including previous positions as the President and Chief Executive Officer of SaskBuilds, and Assistant Deputy Minister roles with the Ministry of the Economy and the Ministry of Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration.

He holds Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees from the University of Regina.

Chief David Monias is a prominent Indigenous leader and the head of Pimicikamak Okimawin, a First Nation community located in Cross Lake, Manitoba, Canada. Chief Monias is a strong advocate for Indigenous people’s rights and has been vocal about the need to address climate change. He wrote a letter to King Charles III congratulating him on his coronation and inviting him to visit his community to witness the effects of climate change. Monias is also involved in a research project and health service in Cross Lake, Manitoba, Canada, with World Spine Care Canada. Recently, he called for an investigation into the residential school site in his community and demanded that the missing and murdered children be located.

As vice-president of Cameco’s sustainability and stakeholder relations department, Jonathan is part of a team that oversees Cameco’s communications, government relations, community investment and Indigenous engagement – which includes collaboration agreements with 17 different Indigenous communities in northern Saskatchewan.

In his spare time, Jonathan can be found on adventures with his family or running the trails.

As FCC Senior Director of Indigenous Financing, Monica leads a national team dedicated exclusively to empowering Indigenous participation in food and agriculture. A member of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation in northern Saskatchewan, she’s passionate about bridging the gap between Indigenous and Western worldviews advocating for Indigenous voices who have been silenced.

Sheldon Wuttunee is a member of the Red Pheasant Cree First Nation, in west-central Saskatchewan, where he has previously served as Chief. He served his community in the capacity of Chief for two consecutive terms from 2006 to 2010. Sheldon was involved in the founding of the Battlefords’ Agency Tribal Chiefs, a Tribal Council consisting of 6 First Nations.

Sheldon previously served as an Educator/Principal from 2001 – 2006. In September of 2009, Sheldon accepted the position of President/CEO of the Saskatchewan First Nations Natural Resource Centre of Excellence. While in the seat as a Chief Sheldon Wuttunee was a Board Member of the Indian Resource Council of Canada, Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority SIGA, Battleford Agency Tribal Chiefs Tribal Council, and the Saskatchewan First Nations Natural Resource Centre of Excellence.

Sheldon holds a Bachelor of Education degree (With Distinction 2001) from The University of Saskatchewan, as well as possesses many education awards: Bates Award (U of S – Department of Education), Aurora Award (Indian Teacher Education Program 2001), Circle of Honour Award (FSIN – Post Secondary 2002) as well as a recipient of a First Nation award for Social Responsibility in 2009.

Participated in an International Internship to New Zealand with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (2001-2002)

Chief Lorie Whitecalf made history when she became the first woman to be elected Chief of Sweetgrass First Nation in 2011. She served three terms of office from 2011-2017. Lorie took a two year hiatus from politics to expand the family ranch and serve as the FSIN Senior Industry Liaison. She was re-elected on November 29. 2019 and again on November 30, 2021, as Chief of Sweetgrass.

Lorie is a proud mother of three children, Kylie, Whitney and Austin. Being raised on a farm provided Lorie with a strong work ethic and a belief system that women can do anything. She continues to raise cattle along side her father and also raises chickens and is an avid gardener. Chief Whitecalf practices a traditional lifestyle of hunting, fishing and gathering. She currently sits on the following boards: Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technology, FSIN Lands and Resource Commission, Battle River Treaty 6 Health Centre and Battleford Agency Tribal Chiefs Executive Council, FSIN Women’s Commission.