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Event Speakers

Wendy Franks

MODERATOR

Chief Strategy Officer, Head of Hydrogen, Northland Power Inc.

As Chief Strategy Officer, Wendy is responsible for leading Northland’s corporate strategy. As CSO, Wendy works closely with senior management and the Board of Directors to formulate the company’s corporate vision and strategy, as-well as overseeing strategic planning.

As Head of Hydrogen, Wendy is building a new business vertical at Northland focused on converting renewable power into hydrogen, or ammonia, which can be shipped around the world to support low-carbon economic activity. She has a proven track record of successful business building having most recently built the battery storage business at Northland, including the Oneida 250MW battery storage project.

Wendy has 20 years of leadership in business strategy, building businesses and principal investing across multiple technologies and jurisdictions within the renewable energy and infrastructure asset sectors. Prior to Northland, she was the Senior Principal, Relationship Investments at the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board. In that role, Wendy served on the boards of Renew Power, one of the largest renewable power companies in India and Essential Utilities, a NYSE-listed water and natural gas utility. Prior to CPPIB, she was an Associate Principal at McKinsey & Company.

Wendy holds a PhD in Bioelectronics from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (Zurich, Switzerland) as well as degrees in chemical and electrical engineering from the University of Waterloo.

The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson

SPEAKER

Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources

Jonathan Wilkinson was re-elected for a third term as Member of Parliament for North Vancouver on September 20th. One month later, Jonathan was appointed Minister of Natural Resources. Jonathan has served as MP since 2015 and was previously the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard from 2018 to 2019 and Minister of Environment and Climate Change from 2019-2021. Prior to joining the Cabinet, Jonathan served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change.

Prior to entering politics he spent more than 20 successful years in the private sector, having held leadership positions with a number of companies dedicated to the development of green technologies.

His time as CEO of both QuestAir Technologies and BioteQ Environmental Technologies, in addition to his time as senior Vice President of Business Development with Nexterra, has provided him with extensive experience in the energy and environmental technology sectors. Jonathan also previously worked at Bain and Company, a leading global management consultancy.
A Rhodes Scholar, Jonathan made use of his educational background in public policy when he worked as a constitutional negotiator and a federal-provincial relations specialist. He has served on several industry and charitable boards, including the United Way of the Lower Mainland and the B.C. Technology Industries Association. He has also formerly served as a board member and treasurer of the Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation.

Jonathan has deep roots in North Vancouver, where he has spent the last two decades raising his family alongside his wife, Tara. An avid runner and outdoorsman, Jonathan also served as a coach for the North Shore Girls Soccer Association.

Jason Clark

OPENING REMARKS

National Director, Climate Change Advocacy, Insurance Bureau of Canada

Jason Clark is the national director, climate change advocacy at Insurance Bureau of Canada and Chair of Climate Proof Canada.

Prior to joining Insurance Bureau of Canada he was director of policy and government relations at Clean Prosperity and a senior consultant at Crestview Strategy, a leading Canadian public affairs firm. Previously, Clark managed one of the largest public engagement campaigns on climate change, energy, and sustainability in Great Britain.

Clark holds a master of arts degree in international studies and diplomacy with a specialization in global energy & climate change policy from SOAS University of London, and a bachelors degree in history from Western University. Clark serves on the board of Canadian Business for Social Responsibility.

Paul Cheliak

CLOSING REMARKS

Vice President, Strategy and Delivery, Canadian Gas Association

Jason Clark is the national director, climate change advocacy at Insurance Bureau of Canada and Chair of Climate Proof Canada.

Prior to joining Insurance Bureau of Canada he was director of policy and government relations at Clean Prosperity and a senior consultant at Crestview Strategy, a leading Canadian public affairs firm. Previously, Clark managed one of the largest public engagement campaigns on climate change, energy, and sustainability in Great Britain.

Clark holds a master of arts degree in international studies and diplomacy with a specialization in global energy & climate change policy from SOAS University of London, and a bachelors degree in history from Western University. Clark serves on the board of Canadian Business for Social Responsibility.