Advisory Councils

Jesse McCormick (Anishinaabe/Oneida) provides strategic advice on the implementation of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, regulatory processes for major projects, corporate strategies to support reconciliation and the intersection between environmental protection, natural resource development and protection of Indigenous rights.

Jesse holds degrees from the University of Guelph, the University of Ottawa and the Harvard Law School.   He has served as the Director of Policy and Indigenous Relations for the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and the Director of Rights Implementation for the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada.  In those roles, he contributed to the establishment of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas and provided strategic advice to support government decision making in relation to major projects.  Jesse held senior leadership roles in the reform of Canada’s federal environmental assessment processes and the development of federal legislation to implement the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Jesse has also contributed to the protection and promotion of Indigenous rights at the international level as a Senior Indigenous Fellow at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.    He is a practicing lawyer and a member of the Law Society of Ontario and the Law Society of British Columbia.   He has over a decade of experience providing legal advice on aboriginal rights and title, regulatory processes and legislative initiatives impacting Indigenous peoples.  Jesse is a proud citizen of Canada, the Anishinabek Nation and the Oneida Nation (Wolf Clan) and he is committed to the achievement of reconciliation through the implementation of rights, treaties and responsibilities.

Dazawray is a Métis woman dedicated to advancing Indigenous interests in business and fostering collaboration between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. As Director of Strategy & Governance for Mokwateh, Dazawray brings over a decade of experience in research, project management, stakeholder engagement, and practical expertise to her work.

Her research primarily focuses on socio-economic data analysis and community engagement, particularly with Indigenous communities. Emphasizing culturally sensitive approaches to research and collaborative problem-solving, Dazawray has led initiatives exploring Indigenous perspectives on nuclear energy and contributed to environmental impact assessments for resource development projects. Her work highlights the importance of integrating Indigenous knowledge into decision-making processes for sustainable outcomes.

Dazawray’s leadership in the nuclear sector has been recognized through her notable publications, awards, and board appointments. In 2022, she received the CNS/CNA Award of Excellence in Engagement and Communications, and in 2023 she was appointed to the Canadian Nuclear Association Board of Directors for a one year term.

Driven by her Identity as a Métis women, Dazawray has dedicated her academic and professional career to advocating for Indigenous & gender inclusion in the industry. She is a strong proponent of “two-eyed seeing” -an approach that combines Indigenous and Western knowledge systems to gain a comprehensive understanding of complex issues while respecting and valuing both perspectives, for the benefit of Indigenous Nations, communities, and industry. Dazawray holds a Master’s Degree in Governance and Entrepreneurship in Northern and Indigenous Areas and is in the final stages of completing her Ph.D. in Public Policy, focusing on Indigenous Economic Reconciliation in Canada’s Nuclear Energy Sector.

Dakota Kochie is currently the Director of Government and External Affairs at the Nuclear Waste Management Organization. Dakota most recently wrapped up his role as Chief of Staff for the Assembly of First Nations, Canada’s largest advocacy organization. Dakota is a humble advocate for First Nations issues and continues to advise First Nations leaders on intergovernmental, budget, and economic development issues. He was appointed by the Minister of Environment to the Canadian Environment Domestic Advisory Group (CEDAG) for the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). Dakota has also worked for a Member of Parliament and worked on a number of federal, provincial, and municipal political campaigns. In his free time, Dakota is an avid kayaker, sports fan, and loves reading political biographies. Dakota is a proud Anishinaabe man from Pinaymootang First Nation (Treaty Two).

Desiree Norwegian is a member of Liidlii Kue First Nation, she is part of the Dene clan from Northwest Territories. Desiree graduated with a bachelor’s in business administration with a specialization in accounting along with obtaining a Chartered Professional Accountant designation.

Desiree’s is currently working as the Manager, Indigenous Relations for Aecon in their nuclear division and is driving her passion for Indigenous engagement, rights, equality and reconciliation, gender diversity, and teach/talk about building a cleaner energy future and the huge advantage that nuclear power plays in our society (green power, medical isotopes, small & advanced modular reactors, and great careers in stem & skilled trades).

Desiree’s experience as a business owner in the nuclear sector and all the work she has done to bridge the gap between industry and Indigenous communities is a huge asset to the Aecon team and she is currently leading the way by carving a path within their projects for more Indigenous participation/inclusion through education, equity, employment, and business opportunities/partnerships.

Desiree’s passion and strong desire to make a difference for our generation and for the next seven generations has led her to advising on provincial and federal policy and sitting on many non-for-profit boards such as, Canadian Council of Indigenous Business (CCIB) and Build a Dream, she also is a Board of Director for Canadian Nuclear Laboratory.

Two of the Dene teachings are 1) take only what you need and share everything you have and 2) the knowledge you are given is not yours; it is to be passed on. Being guided by her Dene roots she inspires and shares her knowledge of everything she is taught in hopes of inspiring people around her. She is always more than welcome to chat about opportunities, passions, or finding your why and how to change our world, every person counts!!!

Chief Emily Whetung grew up in Curve Lake First Nation and left only long enough to pursue a higher education at Trent University and Osgoode Hall Law School. She practiced Real Estate Law in Peterborough for a decade before being elected as Chief of Curve Lake from 2019-2022. Chief Emily is passionate about the rights of First Nations people, ensuring her community has every opportunity to thrive and protecting the environment for all future generations, protection of Treaty Rights, finding ways to ensure economic advancements occur in sustainable manners, and building healthy relationships between First Nations and Canadians.

Chief Emily sits on the Anishinabek Nation Leadership Council and is currently Director of Indigenous Partnerships, Business Development. Recently, Chief Emily was the vice-chair to the Indigenous Advisory Council for Small Modular (Nuclear) Reactor Action Plan and a panel member for the Electrification and Energy Transition Panel in Ontario. She continues to use her expertise and knowledge to ensure that that voices of Indigenous people are heard and respected.

Currently, Gary Merasty is Chief Executive Officer at Peter Ballantyne Group of Cos. Mr. Merasty is also on the board of Bird Construction, Inc., Canada West Foundation, Enterprise Saskatchewan and Childrens Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan and Director-Industrial Investments at The Meadow Lake Tribal Council.

He previously occupied the position of Chairman of Northern Career Quest, Inc., President & Chief Executive Officer of Des Nedhe Development, Vice President-Corporate Social Responsibility at Cameco Corp., Chief Development Officer & Executive VP at The North West Co., Inc. and Chairman of Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority, Inc.

He received an undergraduate degree from the University of Saskatchewan.

Terri-Lynn Woods is the Director of Indigenous Relations at Siemens Energy Canada, where she leads initiatives to enhance Indigenous partnerships and advance reconciliation within the energy sector. Her focus is on creating meaningful opportunities, promoting inclusion, and ensuring equitable participation across the organization.

With nearly two decades of experience in the nuclear industry, Terri-Lynn began her career as a radiation safety technician in the skilled trades at Bruce Power. Throughout her career, she has held roles in training, project management, and Indigenous engagement. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with a focus on psychology and human development, and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).

Terri-Lynn is committed to increasing diversity in the workforce, with a focus on STEM and skilled trades. She actively mentors young women, encouraging them to pursue careers in these fields, and champions initiatives that help create opportunities for underrepresented groups.

Through her leadership and advocacy, Terri-Lynn is driving transformative change, inspiring organizations to prioritize reconciliation and inclusion, and working towards a more equitable and sustainable future.

Ms. Laurie Swami is the President and CEO of the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO). She was appointed to the role in 2016 and is responsible for implementing Canada’s plan for the long- term management of used nuclear fuel.

Prior to joining the NWMO, Ms. Swami spent 30 years, primarily in nuclear operations, at Ontario Power Generation. She served as Senior Vice-President of Decommissioning and Nuclear Waste Management, overseeing the operation of nuclear waste management facilities and planning for the
decommissioning of a nuclear generating facility.

Ms. Swami has extensive experience leading Environmental Assessment projects, including nuclear refurbishments. She has appeared before Joint Panel Reviews (CEA and CNSC) for the Darlington New Nuclear Project and OPG’s Deep Geologic Repository Project.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Chemistry from Queen’s University and a Master of Business Administration from the Schulich School of Business.

She is an ardent supporter of and advocate for the advancement of women to leadership positions. In recognition of this contribution, she received the Women in Nuclear Canada Leadership Award in 2016.

Amy Gottschling is currently the Vice President of Science, Technology and Commercial Oversight at Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL). Amy is responsible for overseeing the performance of Canadian Nuclear Laboratories’ (CNL) nuclear science and technology projects and programs for the Government of Canada, as well as commercial science and technology projects for third-party customers. Amy plays a key and fundamental role in executing the long-term strategy for AECL and driving nuclear opportunity for Canada.

Throughout her career, Amy has followed her passion for advancing applied scientific knowledge to advance technologies and solve challenges within the nuclear industry. Amy Gottschling started as a corrosion scientist, working for many years in an R&D capacity prior to moving into leadership roles. During her years in private industry and growing as a leader, she gained a strong understanding of how to launch and lead new businesses and projects by implementing corporate, department, or technical strategies targeted around existing capabilities and expertise.

Amy is a leader who believes in advancing Canada’s profile in the energy sector both nationally and internationally and ensuring research and innovation results in real-world solutions to solve our biggest challenges in clean energy, health, environment, and safety and security.

Amy Gottschling holds a BSc and PhD in chemistry and nuclear from Western University in London, Ontario.

Dale is the Director, Government Relations for Cameco Corporation. He has worked the majority of his career on energy and environment related topics in both the public and private sectors.

His career began in the federal civil service in Canada where he provided strategic advice on energy, climate and nuclear safety policy issues at both Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC).

Dale has also spent time in the private sector with ConocoPhillips Canada where he worked on innovation program design, climate and environmental issues.

Doddy Kastanya is a nuclear engineer with expertise in the areas of computational reactor physics, safety analyses, regional/neutron overpower protection (ROP/NOP) for CANDU design, and mathematical optimization for nuclear engineering applications. Doddy has served as a technical lead for many reactor-physics projects such as the ROP design activities for the ACR-1000 and the Enhanced CANDU 6 designs, the handswitch position re-classification for TQNPC in China, the physics design verification activities for the ACR-1000 design, the pressure tube axial elongation mitigation studies for Pickering stations, and reactor-physics analyses of medical isotope productions in CANDU reactors such as the Molybdenum-99 project for OPG, the Lutetium-177 and Cobalt-60 projects for Bruce Power, and the cobalt adjuster conversion project for SNN in Romania. Doddy served as a member of technical program committee for many international nuclear engineering conferences such as the Mathematics and Computational Method Applied to Nuclear Science and Engineering (M&C), PHYSOR, Pacific Basin Nuclear Conference, and Advanced Nuclear Fuel Management. Doddy has served as a member of the editorial boards for Progress in Nuclear Energy, Annals of Nuclear Energy, and Science and Technology of Nuclear Installations. Doddy is also a licensed professional engineer in the province of Ontario, Canada.

Fred Dermarkar is AECL’s President and CEO. He was appointed in February 2021 for a term of three years.

Prior to joining AECL, Fred was President and CEO of the CANDU Owners Group, where he led the not-for‐profit organization to advance collaboration between CANDU nuclear reactor operators worldwide.

Fred has been working in the Canadian nuclear industry for close to 40 years. Throughout his career, he has occupied a variety of key technical and senior leadership positions at Ontario Power Generation in support of the design, commissioning, operation and refurbishment of its CANDU reactors.

Fred has received the Canadian Nuclear Association’s Ian McRae award in recognition of his substantive engineering contributions, leadership and positive influence on the Canadian nuclear industry and the advancement of nuclear energy in Canada, and the Nuclear Excellence Award from the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) in recognition of his contributions to Ontario Power Generation’s overall post-Fukushima response.

As President and CEO of AECL, Fred is leading the organization in its oversight role, seeing that the priorities of Government are delivered safely and efficiently under the Government-owned, Contractor-operated model.

Fred holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Toronto and is a registered professional engineer in the Province of Ontario.

Jennifer Edey is the Senior Vice President of Operational Services and Business Development at Bruce Power. She oversees the operation of key services that directly support the safe operation of Bruce Power’s nuclear fleet. These services include Information Technology and Digital Transformation, the operations and maintenance of all facilities and infrastructure, the document management system for Bruce Power, Radiological Waste Management and Health Physics. She also leads Emergency and Protective Services which consists of Nuclear Security, Fire Response and Prevention, and Emergency Management.

She has most recently added Business Development to her portfolio where she oversees isotope development, new nuclear initiatives and innovative technology and project opportunities to support our Net Zero Strategy.

Jennifer started her career with Suncor in Calgary where she was at the leading edge of renewable energy development in Canada. She developed wind farms across Canada and eventually co-ran a successful wind development company in Ontario.

She studied Chemical Engineering at the University of Waterloo and completed her Executive MBA through Queens University while working for Suncor in Calgary.

Lori was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer on March 20, 2023, after serving as acting president and CEO since July 4, 2022. Most recently, Lori served as the Senior Vice President, Operations and led the teams responsible for safe and reliable generation (conventional), transmission and distribution of power across the province. Ms. Clark was also accountable for the employees who serve our customers everyday and those focused on modernizing the New Brunswick power grid.

Lori began her career with NB Power in 1990. Since that time, she has held positions of increasing responsibility including Controller, Managing Director of Finance, Executive Director of Regulatory Affairs and Vice President, Regulatory Affairs and Strategic Initiatives. Lori has extensive experience with the utility’s rate application process, appearing as a witness for NB Power at several rate hearings.

Lori holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of New Brunswick and is a Chartered Professional Accountant. Lori has also studied Nuclear Reactor Technology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Leadership at the Wharton School of Business.

Pat Dalzell is the Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Market Development at Bruce Power, a role primarily focused on the development and growth of the corporate identity through government and stakeholder engagement; corporate and community communications; and promoting areas of energy innovation and the use of nuclear isotopes in the fight against cancer. Previous to this, he held the roles of Executive Director, Corporate Affairs & Market Development and Director of Government and Stakeholder relations coordinating partnerships with all levels of government along with key member associations, economic development groups, the electricity system operator and labour representatives.

Pat started his career at Bruce Power in 2011 as a Senior Financial Trader where he worked on the Geographic Diversification Initiative to develop new trading strategies and optimize regional diversification. In 2015, he embarked on a new position with Bruce Power working alongside the Chief Investment Officer helping to oversee the investment and risk management of Bruce Power’s defined benefit pension plan. Prior to working for Bruce Power, Pat worked as a hedge fund derivatives trader at Aquilon Power.

Pat holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Finance from Concordia University and currently serves on the board of directors of the Canadian Nuclear Association and is the Chair of the Association of Power Producers of Ontario (APPrO). He is a charter holder of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) program and completed the Enhanced Plant Operational Awareness (EPOA) technical training certification and the Leading the Business Program at the IVEY Academy at Western University.

Rachna has had a diverse career in the nuclear industry. She first joined COG in October 2015, where she developed the Strategic R&D program and helped the industry establish long term priorities for R&D. In her five years at COG, she progressed from Program Manager of Research and Development to Director of Nuclear Safety & Environmental Affairs, before being appointed Deputy CEO. 

From 2020-2022, Rachna was Senior Director, Strategic Growth & Innovation at Kinectrics. In this role, she developed, orchestrated and implemented strategies to ensure Kinectrics’ long-term growth and profitability, and ensured that Kinectrics was well-aligned with its domestic and international clients’ priorities. Reporting directly to the CEO, Clavero had oversight of the nuclear business development team, the innovation portfolio and the company’s sustainability initiatives. 

Prior roles include senior positions with Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL), Candesco Corporation and the Ontario Ministry of Energy. She began her career performing safety analysis for the restart of the Ontario reactors and then moved on to regulatory projects for the Canadian utilities and waste management. Rachna returned to AECL to lead licensing for new CANDU designs. During her time at the Ministry of Energy she provided strategic advice on nuclear new builds, refurbishment, radioactive waste management and emergency planning. She has consulted internationally at the IAEA and is the Chair of the SMR Task Force and Vice Chair for the committee developing Reactor Safety Standards at the Canadian Standards Association. A strong supporter of diversity in the workplace, Rachna is a mentor and coach to emerging leaders in the industry.

In his role as Vice-President, Indigenous and Stakeholder Relations, Jason leads on all of AECL’s communications and public affairs functions and works to strengthen the organization’s approach to reconciliation with Indigenous communities and Nations. Jason is also responsible for government and international relations.

For 23 years, Jason has worked across many areas of nuclear regulation at the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), including nuclear material accountancy, international safeguards, import and export controls, and nuclear security. Most recently, Jason was the Vice-President, Regulatory Affairs and Chief Communications Officer for the CNSC. In this position, he led strategic and regulatory policy functions, including the CNSC’s approach to reconciliation, as well as their internal and external communications programs.

Agata has the exciting opportunity of spearheading the business strategy for a game-changing technology with the eVinci microreactor. She is leading initiatives in business development with communities and industry seeking to transition to emission-free, resilient nuclear energy. She is the architect of Westinghouse public outreach efforts, working closely with leaders, industry partners, communities, indigenous rightsholders and academic institutions to foster healthy relationships and support Westinghouse and our country’s mission towards net-zero emissions by 2050 and sits on various community and industry focused committees.

Before joining Westinghouse, Agata has 10 years of experience in business development, managing the market expansion strategy for Swedish companies entering the Canadian market in her role as Manager at Swedish Trade and Invest Council in Toronto.

Claire Harris brings a wealth of expertise and experience to her role as President of Clean Energy Connections Inc. With a recognized career spanning over 30 years at New Brunswick Power, Claire has been a driving force behind numerous innovative initiatives, including management system development and the advancement of Small Modular Reactors in Canada.

Claire holds a diploma in Power Engineering Technology and a Bachelor of General Studies, Arts and Science, specializing in Environmental Assessment. Her commitment to continuous improvement is underscored by her certification as a Coach and Lean Sigma Black Belt Process Improvement Facilitator.

Claire is an unwavering advocate for climate change action, safety culture, performance improvement, and Indigenous inclusion. Claire firmly believes in the power of collective voices and emphasizes that, together, we can pave the way for a transformative impact on future generations.

Clint Thomas is Director, Government and Stakeholder Relations at Bruce Power, where he’s been for the past four years. Prior to that, he served Minister Vic Fedeli as Director of Communications at the Ministries of Finance and Economic Development, Trade and Job Creation, and as Principal Secretary while in the Office of the Leader of the Official Opposition. Before joining MPP Fedeli at Queen’s Park in 2011, Clint was an award-winning journalist, working as News Director at Rogers Radio in North Bay and as an editor/reporter in the Canadian Press newsroom in Toronto during a 15-plus year career in broadcast journalism.

Dakota Kochie is currently the Director of Government and External Affairs at the Nuclear Waste Management Organization. Dakota most recently wrapped up his role as Chief of Staff for the Assembly of First Nations, Canada’s largest advocacy organization. Dakota is a humble advocate for First Nations issues and continues to advise First Nations leaders on intergovernmental, budget, and economic development issues. He was appointed by the Minister of Environment to the Canadian Environment Domestic Advisory Group (CEDAG) for the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). Dakota has also worked for a Member of Parliament and worked on a number of federal, provincial, and municipal political campaigns. In his free time, Dakota is an avid kayaker, sports fan, and loves reading political biographies. Dakota is a proud Anishinaabe man from Pinaymootang First Nation (Treaty Two).

Dale is the Director, Government Relations for Cameco Corporation. He has worked the majority of his career on energy and environment related topics in both the public and private sectors.

His career began in the federal civil service in Canada where he provided strategic advice on energy, climate and nuclear safety policy issues at both Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC).

Dale has also spent time in the private sector with ConocoPhillips Canada where he worked on innovation program design, climate and environmental issues.

Daniel Sax is the Founder & CEO of the CSMC, Canada’s leading micro-nuclear reactor company, and one of Canada’s fastest growing space companies. He is a visionary entrepreneur and angel investor, with a deep background in real estate investment, finance, and development, and a strong acumen in both private and public capital markets. He is responsible for overseeing CSMC’s vision, strategy, academic and strategic partnerships, legal, hiring, capital raising, government relations, and communications. He has actively participated in over $4B of real estate deals across Canada, the USA, and Germany. Previous to CSMC, Daniel founded Sensi Properties, the first cannabis real estate investment company in Canada. Before that he worked in NYC in M&A for Hudson’s Bay Corporation (HBC) on the acquisition of Galeria Kaufhof from Metro AG. He spent several years working in distressed real estate investment for a series of real estate private equity firms, first with Sabal Financial, and later Cohen Equities. Daniel has a passion for bleeding edge industries with high degrees of uncertainty. He has significant experience working with interdisciplinary teams on complex large scale mixed-use projects. He is a Director of Bordeaux Properties, and a Director of family office Julmi Enterprises. He has a Masters Degree in Real Estate from Cornell University, and a BA in Economics from Dalhousie.

Jennifer is the Director of Stakeholder Relations for Ontario Power Generation’s nuclear division, and has more than twenty years’ experience in strategic communications, community relations, and strengthening community partnerships.

Kevin stands as a formidable force in the realms of government relations, public affairs, and strategic consultancy.

Kevin is a seasoned professional adept at navigating the intricate landscapes of government relations, public affairs, advocacy, marketing, strategy, and policy.

From private sector enterprises to non-profit organizations and trade associations, Kevin’s expertise has left an indelible mark on various policy and communication initiatives. As the Federal/Ontario Director for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, he orchestrated numerous successes in taxation, finance, and regulatory realms, earning him the esteemed Loyalist College Branding award.

Kevin’s commitment to public service and political engagement spans decades, marked by significant roles in various party platforms and election campaigns. From serving as the Co-Chair of the Ontario PC Party policy convention to contributing his expertise to campaigns across multiple provinces and for federal parties, Kevin’s influence is widespread. Notably, his early career included a pivotal role as Director of Opposition Research for Preston Manning during his tenure as leader of the Reform Party of Canada.

For nearly 30 years, he has led or advised Fortune 500 companies and C-suite executives in various sectors including energy (nuclear, hydrogen and fusion), transportation, financial services, defence, and research and development. He has also advised domestic and foreign governments on energy, trade, and economic security policy.

Lou has held senior business development roles with CH2MHILL/Jacobs, one of the world’s largest US-based firms providing professional services and project delivery for government and private sector clients. Focusing on the Canadian federal government sector, he assisted with procurement captures in defence, and nuclear sectors, including the first ever Government-owned, Contractor-operated (GoCo) management of Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL). For the past eight years, Lou has served on the CNL executive team, seconded from Jacobs. At CNL, Lou led three separate portfolios simultaneously: stakeholder and Indigenous engagement, business development, and strategy.

Leveraging his decades of federal and provincial government experience, both from his service on Parliament Hill, with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, and at global consulting firm Hill & Knowlton, Lou assisted numerous clients navigate government funding applications, procurements, legislation, and various regulatory processes.

Today, Lou is at the forefront of energy policy, including the development of innovative technologies such as Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), nuclear fuel, hydrogen research and development, and promoting other innovative technologies that mitigate climate change, while ensuring energy independence, and building a clean economy.

Monifa Miller is the senior director of corporate affairs & enterprise initiatives for BWX Technologies, Inc. (BWXT). She is responsible for marketing and communications; community relations; Indigenous relations; and government relations activities across BWXT’s business segments.

Before joining BWXT in 2023, Ms. Miller served as director of communications and stakeholder relations for X-energy Canada, where she was responsible for establishing a multi-province strategy that raised awareness about the benefits of small modular reactors; launched a meaningful Indigenous relations program; and cultivated strong municipal and provincial relationships. Prior to this role, she served as a senior communications advisor at Ontario Power Generation and has held communications leadership positions in the non-profit industry and public sector. She has also lectured part-time in the Corporate Communications program at Seneca College.

Ms. Miller is a member of the Canadian Public Relations Society and the International Association of Business Communicators. Ms. Miller holds a master’s degree in communications and culture from Toronto Metropolitan University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of West Indies.

In his role as Director of Corporate and Commercial Affairs for Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, Ryan manages relationships across all levels of government in support of CNL’s mandate and operations. In addition, Ryan leads the commercial sales team that support Canada’s utilities and various other sectors including advanced reactors, hydrogen, tritium, health, defence, and transportation amongst others.

Ryan has been working in the public affairs space for more than 20 years, including working for one of Canada’s largest communication and government relations consultancies. He additionally served as an advisor to a federal Minster of International Trade.

Steve serves as a senior advisor to X-energy Canada where he provides strategic advice on business development, government relations, regulatory and environmental affairs.

Previously, Steve spent over 20 years with Bruce Power as a Senior Advisor for Regulatory Affairs and Government Relations and as the company’s point person in Ottawa. In addition, some of his time was seconded to the Canadian Nuclear Association, where he served as the Director for Regulatory and Environmental Affairs and where he was the lead spokesman for the nuclear industry on climate change initiatives, impact assessment and matters relating to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.

Prior to joining the nuclear industry, Steve spent 15 years as a political staffer including roles as a Director in the Prime Minister’s Office, Senior Advisor in Finance and Industry Science and Technology in addition to being Director of Organization and Director of Tour for a national political party.

After 25 years in the nuclear sector in the UK and Canada, Susan founded Wild Matriarch, a boutique consultancy in the “trust and confidence” business. She understands the safety and regulatory imperatives of nuclear and high-reliability industries, where social license is crucial to success, and brings together a team of expert collaborators, many of whom are women-owned or Indigenous-owned businesses providing complimentary services to expand Wild Matriarch’s offerings. Her expertise includes bridging the gap between technical and societal considerations crucial for project success through strategic advice and implementation on safety culture, engagement with diverse audiences, management system development, change management and leader & team performance. Susan was the founder and first president of Women in Nuclear Canada and currently serves on the Board of the Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries.

As vice-president at Canada Metal North America, Tom leads strategic planning, business development, and oversees day-to-day operations at Canada’s oldest and most diversified manufacturer of lead-based solutions.

Tom has a varied background that combines business development, communications, elite sport, and international events. He is an Olympic medalist, former editor and entrepreneur, and was Press Chief for Team Canada at three Olympic Games. He has led numerous national and international campaigns and worked closely with government on policy development. He has more than 15 years of board and committee experience at the national and international level.

Michael Rinker graduated from Western University and holds an M.Sc in geology and environmental science. He spent the first several years of his career as an environmental consultant for uranium mining and nuclear waste clients. Mike then spent almost 20 years with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission; where he served as the Director General responsible for environment and radiation protection, and the Director General for assessment and analysis.

Mike joined Bruce Power in 2022 as the Vice President, Regulatory, Environment and Sustainability at Bruce Power. Since joining Bruce Power, he leads a regulatory affairs team, leads the “Bruce C” team for Impact Assessment and leads an environment and sustainability team; the latter leading Bruce Powers efforts to becoming the first nuclear generating station to achieve net-zero status by 2027.

In addition to Mike’s position with Bruce Power, he is the chair of the CANDU Owner’s Group (COG) project for setting industry’s regulatory priorities, he is chair of the CNA’s Regulatory Affairs Advisory Council (RAAC), and he is on the Board of Directors for the Radiation Safety Institute of Canada (RSIC).

After graduating from law school, Liam articled at Saskatchewan’s Court of Appeal before practicing at two national firms in Calgary.  In 2005, Liam joined the legal department of Cameco Corporation located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.  Since that time, he has been focused on safety, health and environmental issues related to Cameco’s production facilities in northern Saskatchewan (mines and mills) and Ontario (refining, conversion and fuel manufacturing).  Liam’s focus has been on regulatory matters involving provincial authorities as well as Cameco’s primary federal regulator in Canada, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. In addition to these issues, Liam has been involved with matters relating to First Nations and Métis relations. In 2011, Liam was appointed to his current position of Vice-President, Safety, Health, Environment & Quality and Regulatory Relations at Cameco.

In addition to being involved with several volunteer boards over the years while coaching numerous youth sports, Liam is a member of the Canadian Nuclear Association’s Regulatory Affairs Committee and on the boards of the Saskatchewan Mining Association (where he chairs the Uranium Subsection of the SMA) and the Canadian Nuclear Lawyers’ Organization.  Finally, Liam has been a voting member on the Canadian Standard Association’s Nuclear Standards Steering Committee since 2011.

J. Colin Braithwaite (Colin) is Vice-President, Safety, Health, Environment and Regulatory for Orano Canada Inc (OCI), joining the organization in 2022. Colin has over 25 years’ experience in a variety of progressive leadership roles with a variety of multinational companies including Saskatchewan Wheat Pool (now Viterra); Jacques Whitford Consulting (now Stantec), Cameco Corporation and most recently with K+S Potash Canada GP (KSPC) in the role of Vice President, Health, Safety, Security, Environment and Quality focusing on the construction of a greenfield potash mine, transitioning to operations and full production in 2018. Past education comprises a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from the University of Saskatchewan; a post diploma in Environmental Management from Niagara Institute of Applied Arts and Technology; a post diploma in Occupational Health and Safety from the University of Alberta and most recently a master’s certificate in Risk Management and Business Performance from the Schulich School of Business at York University. He is involved with a number of external organizations within the community as a volunteer Board member. Colin resides in Saskatoon and is married with two daughters. Colin enjoys time with his family and spends as much time possible at their cabin located at Wakaw Lake.

Jason Nouwens is the Director of Regulatory and External Affairs with New Brunswick Power’s Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station. He is a graduate of the University of New Brunswick (Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering) and brings nearly 27 years of varied nuclear industry experience to the role. He first joined the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station as a member of the Systems Engineering team, where he spent over a decade in various leadership roles leading into the full station refurbishment. Following various positions through the Station Refurbishment Project and several years in Capital Design and Projects, he joined the Regulatory Affairs team in 2014. In 2016, he was appointed Director of Regulatory Affairs, Community Affairs and Performance Improvement. He also currently serves on the NWMO and COG Boards.

Julie West is Senior Vice President, Business Improvements and Compliance at Kinectrics. She joined Kinectrics in 2009 when the company acquired Candesco, where she had worked since 2001. Prior to her current position, Ms. West was Director, Licensing, Decommissioning and Waste Management at Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL). In this role, she was responsible for overseeing the ongoing work on decommissioning and waste management safety and licensing at several CNL facilities, establishing a licensing strategy, and implementing optimized processes to support CNL’s accelerated decommissioning and waste management mission.

Since 2001, Ms. West has led safety and licensing projects for all phases of the project life cycle in support of a range of new and operating facilities including multiple reactor types, tritium processing, hot cells and waste storage. In addition, for four years, she was the Licensing Coordinator at Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) for the pre-licensing review of the ACR1000 reactor. She has held several licensing and safety analysis positions for Ontario Power Generation and Bruce Power. She also led the safety and licensing team that obtained a Letter of Authorization for a new nuclear facility at Cernavoda, Romania.

Ms. West began her career in 1995 as a Safety Analyst and Commissioning Engineer at AECL in Mississauga. She holds a degree in chemical engineering from the University of New Brunswick and is a licensed professional engineer in the province of Ontario.

Karine Glenn is Director of Regulatory Affairs at the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO), where her focus is on relationships with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada. In addition to regulatory affairs, her portfolio also includes responsibility for the NWMO’s Environmental and Sustainability programs. Karine is a professional engineer in both Ontario and Québec, receiving her degree from Concordia University. Prior to joining the NWMO in August 2020, she worked at the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission from 2007 and held a number of positions of growing responsibility throughout her time there, including as Director of the Wastes and Decommissioning Division and of the Internal Quality Management Division and as Executive Advisor to the President. Karine started her time with the CNSC as a Project Officer in their Transportation Division, building from her previous experience as a Package Engineer with MDS Nordion, designing and testing nuclear transportation packages. She has represented Canada at the International Atomic Energy Agency on both the Transportation and the Waste Safety Standards Committees and as a delegate to the 5th and 6th review meetings of the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management. Karine has served on the Nuclear Energy Agency’s Radioactive Waste Management Regulators Forum Bureau and as the vice-chair of the CSA Technical Committees on Radioactive Waste and on Decommissioning and of the Technical Subcommittee for the development of CSA N292.4 Standard, Storage of radioactive waste and irradiated fuel. From 2022 to 2024, she was the technical secretary of the International Association for Environmentally Safe Disposal of Radioactive Waste (EDRAM). When she is not working, Karine enjoys fishing with her husband and adult son and walking her German Shepherd, Molly.

As Senior Director – Regulatory Affairs, Maury Burton is Bruce Power’s Licensing Authority for Nuclear Safety and Control Act and associated regulations and is responsible for maintaining an effective interface with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC).

Maury has been with Bruce Power Regulatory Affairs since 2004 and has over 25 years of licensing experience gained while working for CNSC and Bruce Power. In his time with Bruce Power, Maury has held senior positions in environment, regulatory relations and oversight and has been an active member of the Bruce Power Indigenous Relations Team since 2012.

Before joining Bruce Power he spent 7 years with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) at the Bruce site. During that time Maury oversaw several projects, including the role of CNSC Project Manager for the Bruce A Unit 3 and 4 Restart Project. Following the Restart Project, Maury was appointed Acting Director of the CNSC’s Bruce Compliance and Licensing Division for a period of 6 months.

Maury holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Waterloo. He is a member of the Canadian Standards Association Nuclear Standards Steering Committee and has previously sat on Technical Committees for CSA standards development.

Maury has also been the chair of many industry working groups and committees and in 2018 was the co-chair of the Regulatory Readiness Working Group for Natural Resource’s Canada’s Small Modular Reactor Roadmap project.

Sara Irvine is a dedicated nuclear professional with 25 years of experience in the industry, currently serving as the Vice President of Nuclear Regulatory Affairs at Ontario Power generation. After graduating with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Engineering, Sara joined Ontario Power Generation and has held roles with increasing responsibility in Reactor Safety Engineering, Major Components Engineering and Nuclear Regulatory Affairs.

Sara has demonstrated strong leadership and strategic planning skills throughout her career. Known for her facilitative leadership, Sara has successfully led multi-disciplinary teams and implemented innovative approaches to regulatory compliance. In recent years, Sara has led significant projects such as Pickering NGS life extension, the submission of the Licence to Construct application for OPG’s Small Modular Reactor Project at Darlington and the resolution of regulatory issues related to production of the life saving isotope Molybdenum-99.

Sara is a strong and vocal advocate for youth and young adults living with developmental delays and serves as the executive co-sponsor of OPG’s Abilities Alliance employee resource group.

Brett Jermyn is the Director of Fuel Handling & Engineered Solutions at BWXT Nuclear Energy Canada Inc. He is responsible for ~300 employees and 100+M of operations across a portfolio of engineering, manufacturing, and construction projects. ​

Brett’s 18-year career has been spent with BWXT Nuclear Energy Canada Inc. (formerly GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy Canada Inc.).  ​
Brett originally joined BWXT Nuclear Energy Canada Inc. in 2007 as a Mechanical Engineer in our Leadership Program. Brett has held progressively responsible positions including Manufacturing Engineer, Project Manager, System Responsible Engineer (onsite at Bruce Power), Mechanical Engineering Team Leader, PMO Manager and Engineering Division Manager. He has participated in projects related to Candu Fuelling Machines, Candu Fuel Channel Inspections, Medical Isotope Delivery Systems, and other custom nuclear equipment. ​

​Brett has a Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering and Management from McMaster University and is a licensed Professional Engineer (P.Eng) as well as a project management professional (PMP) ​

Brett is the Director of Nuclear within the Crown Energy Security Division at Crown Investments Corporation of Saskatchewan (CIC).  The Nuclear Unit at CIC is responsible for nuclear policy within the Government of Saskatchewan, including the development of a provincial nuclear workforce and supply chains, investment attraction, federal-provincial-territorial relations, and the oversight of SaskPower’s nuclear projects.

Brett joined CIC in 2022 as the Director of Energy Security.  Prior to joining CIC, Brett spent 12 years at Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Energy and Resources as a Reservoir Engineer, Manager in Energy Policy, and lastly Director of Strategic Initiatives.

Brett is a licensed Professional Engineer with a bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Systems Engineering from the University of Regina and a master’s degree in Public Administration from the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy.

309 A Construction Maintenance Electrician, Canadian Union of Skilled Workers (CUSW) Representative, Chief Steward DNGS OPGI, Chairperson CUSW OPGI Joint Committee, Chairperson CUSW National Bargaining Rights Committee

Christopher Nahorney is an Electrician, a Representative of the Canadian Union of Skilled Workers and is stationed at DNGS OPGI. He represents over 400 CUSW members at DNGS OPGI.

Christopher’s 21-year carer has been split between working for a small town electrical contractor for 10 years perfecting the trade. The past 11 years he has been involved within the nuclear industry with a short stint at Bruce Power then the past 10 years at DNGS OPGI. Chris has worked on the floor as an electrician, a supervisor then as Chief Steward for the past 6 years.

Christopher holds a 309 A Construction and Maintenance Electrician license with his schooling completed at Georgian College.

Since 2016, Jerry Hopwood has acted as President, UNENE (University Network of Excellence in Nuclear Engineering), leading Canada’s University-Industry partnership in nuclear research and education.

Jerry was educated at Oxford University in Applied Physics, and has extensive experience in the nuclear industry over four decades. Starting in the nuclear field in Great Britain, Jerry moved to Canada to join Atomic energy of Canada Limited as a reactor safety specialist. After secondments to Point Lepreau during its initial operation, and later to Korea as Technical Director for AECL, Jerry held progressive positions in design, product development and business development with AECL, and since 2011 with SNC Lavalin Candu Energy, as Vice President for Product Development. Jerry has published more than forty journal publications and conference papers covering all aspects of nuclear technology.

Jerry is active internationally, consulting with the IAEA, and with the Canadian Nuclear Society. Jerry also serves as the Chair of the international Nuclear Education Networks Association, covering networks of educators in all continents. In June 2019, Jerry received the CNS/CNA Harold Smith Outstanding Contribution Award for services to the nuclear community.

In September 2023, Jerry was appointed as a part-time Commissioner for the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.

Jill Baker is an environmental and social assessment executive, with over 20 years of diverse leadership experience working for the Alberta and federal governments, international financial institutions, the private sector, and non-profit organizations. She has worked on projects and policy development in the Canadian energy sector including nuclear.

Jill is the past Executive Director of the International Association for Impact Assessment, a global network of assessment professionals. She was also a Vice President at the Public Policy Forum. She was a Director of Policy in the federal government with both the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE), as well as Natural Resources Canada, and started her career in Ottawa with Environment and Climate Change Canada.

Julie West is Senior Vice President, Business Improvements and Compliance at Kinectrics. She joined Kinectrics in 2009 when the company acquired Candesco, where she had worked since 2001. Prior to her current position, Ms. West was Director, Licensing, Decommissioning and Waste Management at Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL). In this role, she was responsible for overseeing the ongoing work on decommissioning and waste management safety and licensing at several CNL facilities, establishing a licensing strategy, and implementing optimized processes to support CNL’s accelerated decommissioning and waste management mission.

Since 2001, Ms. West has led safety and licensing projects for all phases of the project life cycle in support of a range of new and operating facilities including multiple reactor types, tritium processing, hot cells and waste storage. In addition, for four years, she was the Licensing Coordinator at Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) for the pre-licensing review of the ACR1000 reactor. She has held several licensing and safety analysis positions for Ontario Power Generation and Bruce Power. She also led the safety and licensing team that obtained a Letter of Authorization for a new nuclear facility at Cernavoda, Romania.

Ms. West began her career in 1995 as a Safety Analyst and Commissioning Engineer at AECL in Mississauga. She holds a degree in chemical engineering from the University of New Brunswick and is a licensed professional engineer in the province of Ontario.

Justin Gray is an EPC executive in the Canadian nuclear industry with 15 years of experience specializing in CANDU technology and services. As Chief Operating Officer of Framatome Canada, Justin oversees business operations with full P&L accountability for $125M+ and 500+ employees. He is also responsible for strategic planning and the execution of growth initiatives to advance the company’s mission, driving profitability, and strengthening its position in the Canadian nuclear sector. Previously, he held leadership positions at Kinectrics including running the Inspection and Maintenance Systems (IMS) business, and at Candu Energy, where he played key roles in business development, operations, and engineering.

Justin began his career in medical isotopes at AECL’s Chalk River laboratories before transitioning to CANDU reactor control systems design. He holds a B.Eng. in Engineering Physics (Nuclear) from McMaster University, a P.Eng. designation in Ontario, and an MBA from Ivey Business School at Western University.

Kyle George is the Co-Founder and CEO of Forged Operations, a company dedicated to advancing efficiency, compliance, and safety within the nuclear sector through innovative digital solutions. With a background in product strategy, technical leadership, and process automation, Kyle has been instrumental in developing tools that enhance workforce planning and operational performance in high-compliance industries.

Through Forged Operations, Kyle has worked with Ontario Power Generation (OPG) and similar organizations to support digital transformation initiatives, optimizing workforce solutions, operational workflows, and data-driven decision-making. Before founding Forged Operations, he held a senior leadership role at a prominent technology agency, directing multiple business units specializing in IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, and enterprise workforce solutions. His extensive experience also includes leading product and technology initiatives, where he played a key role in shaping digital strategies for globally recognized industries such as marketing, manufacturing and logistics. Kyle leverages his experience from different industries to shape innovative solutions for the energy sector.

Kyle holds a degree in Mechatronics Engineering from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (Ontario Tech University).

Lauren Lowns is the Senior Manager, Operations & Membership at the Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries (OCNI), bringing nearly a decade of experience in the nuclear industry. Through years of growth within OCNI, Lauren has developed a deep understanding of industry operations, member engagement, and international business development. She plays a key role in supporting OCNI’s mission to strengthen Canada’s nuclear supply chain by fostering connections, advocating for industry priorities, and delivering high-impact programs and events.

Lauren’s career began in marketing, communications, journalism, and broadcasting, providing her with a strong foundation in storytelling, strategic messaging, and partner engagement. Her ability to craft compelling narratives and facilitate meaningful industry discussions has contributed to OCNI’s continued success in expanding its reach and impact. With a passion for collaboration and industry growth, Lauren remains committed to supporting OCNI’s members and driving forward initiatives that advance Canada’s nuclear sector.

Mark Skuce is COG’s  Director of Learning and Development. In his role, Mark Skuce leads development and execution of COG’s leadership training programs, which provide nuclear industry professionals with opportunities to further their leadership and professional development within a nuclear environment. It also offers leaders programs to grow their expertise in managing specific function areas.

Since joining COG in 2018, Mark has contributed to the design and delivery of key training initiatives, including Regulatory Affairs, Nuclear Professional Development Seminar, Safety Culture, and the Supplier Participant First Line Supervisory programs. His expertise in collaborating with international organizations such as IAEA and WANO has been instrumental in strengthening COG’s international relations.   ​​

With 15 years of experience as Assistant Board Treasurer at Ontario Power Generation, Mark developed a strong foundation in governance and strategic oversight. Mark holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a Bachelor of Environmental Studies from the University of Waterloo.

Terri-Lynn Woods is the Director of Indigenous Relations at Siemens Energy Canada, where she leads initiatives to enhance Indigenous partnerships and advance reconciliation within the energy sector. Her focus is on creating meaningful opportunities, promoting inclusion, and ensuring equitable participation across the organization.

With nearly two decades of experience in the nuclear industry, Terri-Lynn began her career as a radiation safety technician in the skilled trades at Bruce Power. Throughout her career, she has held roles in training, project management, and Indigenous engagement. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with a focus on psychology and human development, and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).

Terri-Lynn is committed to increasing diversity in the workforce, with a focus on STEM and skilled trades. She actively mentors young women, encouraging them to pursue careers in these fields, and champions initiatives that help create opportunities for underrepresented groups.

Through her leadership and advocacy, Terri-Lynn is driving transformative change, inspiring organizations to prioritize reconciliation and inclusion, and working towards a more equitable and sustainable future.

Tracy is the Project Director in Ontario Power Generation’s New Nuclear Growth business unit, responsible for the early siting work, including the Impact Assessment process for strategic sites. Tracy has over 20 years’ experience in project management and project controls roles in nuclear operational and refurbishment projects. Earlier this year, she co-led a New Nuclear Feasibility Study with Bruce Power and the IESO at the request from the Ontario Ministry of Energy and Electrification to identify success factors in deploying new nuclear generation in Ontario. In 2022, Tracy successfully executed the economic feasibility evaluation of the Pickering B Nuclear Generation Station. Prior to that, she was the Project Services Director of OPG, overseeing the project management program for all nuclear, renewable generation and corporate projects, including estimating, risk management, cost and schedule development, as well as database development and reporting centers.

Tracy has a Bachelors of Applied Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Toronto and is a licensed professional engineer in Ontario (P.Eng). She also serves as a Board Advisor of the Toronto section of the Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering.

Tracy Murray is the Director of Workforce and Partnership Development at the Nuclear Innovation Institute, focusing on innovative educational and training programs to support the nuclear sector. With over 18 years of experience in project management, strategic partnerships, and program development within the healthcare industry, Tracy has a proven track record of enhancing organizational capabilities and driving growth through impactful partnerships and community engagement.

Previously, as Chief of Philanthropy & Partnerships at Grey Bruce Health Services and Executive Director at Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation she significantly increased annual revenues year over year and built scalable relationships with the private sector, creating many lasting partnerships with nuclear industry partners. Most notably, her creative marketing and strong community relationship building led to her spearheading a unique healthcare campaign that raised $3 million in nine months in a small rural community.

At the Nuclear Innovation Institute, Tracy continues building collaborative relationships and is committed to engaging and educating youth about careers in the clean energy sector, developing initiatives that inspire the next generation to explore sustainable energy solutions.

Tracy’s educational background includes studies in Business Administration and Project Management. She is currently pursuing her Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, showcasing her commitment to continuous improvement and efficiency.

Tyler Lively is a Program Manager within the Business Development and Transformation team at Bruce Power. He is responsible for nuclear development and strategic partnerships, including commercial development of the Bruce C project.

Tyler joined Bruce Power in 2023, prior to which he was an Innovation Catalyst at Nuclear Promise X, providing project management and strategic consulting services for clients exploring new nuclear development. Before joining NPX, Tyler spent 4 years working at Queen’s Park, most recently as Deputy Chief of Staff and Director of Policy for Hon. Todd Smith at Ontario’s Ministry of Energy.

Tyler has a Bachelors of Arts in Economics from Queen’s University.