RITA C. ANDREONE Partner Lawson Lundell LLP Rita is a Corporate/Governance partner (QC) with Lawson Lundell LLP, with significant director and committee chair experience. She is published and a media contributor on corporate governance/ethics. A Lexpert Zenith Award winner for corporate social responsibility/governance, she is peer-review top-listed for Private Funds/Equity by Best Lawyers in Canada.

NASEEM BAWA General Counsel Interaxon Inc. & DDS Wireless International Inc. Naseem has over 25 years of experience as a lawyer in multiple sectors including technology, banking, telecommunications, real-estate and not-for-profit. She has worked extensively in international markets with exposure to over 175 countries. She has expertise in large and complex commercial transactions and in corporate governance and oversight.

BARBARA BOYD Senior Vice-President, Global Audit & Risk – Americas Diageo Barbara is an accomplished Finance executive with 30 years of experience in the corporate packaged goods industry and public accounting. With a successful track record of driving results at Diageo, Pepsi and KPMG she has a wide range of experience in strategic planning, commercial finance and global risk management. She sits on Diageo’s Inclusion & Diversity Council and has experience with boards in the not-for-profit sector.

MARILYN BRENNAN Senior Vice President, Governance and Strategy Credit Union Central of Manitoba (CUCM) Marilyn provides leadership in the areas of governance and strategy at the Credit Union Central of Manitoba, and serves as corporate secretary to the board of CUCM, drawing on her 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. She has held a number of executive positions with a major Canadian bank and has served as a financial institutions consultant at one of Canada’s largest accounting and consulting firms. Marilyn received both her MBA and her PhD in Finance from the Asper School of Business, University of Manitoba where she currently serves as an adjunct professor.

LAUREL BROTEN President & CEO Broten Public Policy International Inc. Having held five Ontario Cabinet portfolios from her election in 2003 to 2013, including Education and Environment, Laurel is currently a public policy expert and advisor with a global practice. Prior to being elected, Laurel was a litigation lawyer with a leading national law firm. She brings extensive experience developing and implementing strategic plans, cost-containment and risk-management strategies and is bilingual.

ALIZABETH CALDER Chief Executive Officer 1GO Media Ltd. Alizabeth is the CEO of a technology start-up; a former IBM executive; a strategist at CML Healthcare; and an experienced auditor and consultant, with clients including TD Bank and CP Rail. She is able to provide unique, practical insights for risk, governance and technology-oriented strategy conversations. Currently a member and a certification candidate with ICD, she received her MBA at the Ivey School of Business.

KATHERINE CAMARTA Senior Legal Counsel TransAlta Corporation Katherine has sophisticated experience in the oil, gas, oil sands, pipeline and electricity industries with an emphasis, throughout a 35-year career, on energy project development and corporate transactional work. She has served as corporate secretary to public entities and as senior legal advisor and executive member. Katherine sits on Calgary’s Subdivision and Development Appeal Board and serves as director of a registered charity promoting medical research. She recently completed a post-degree certification in Journalism.

BERND CHRISTMAS Partner Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP

Bernd is a partner in the Aboriginal Law Practice at Cassels Brock and a member of the Mi’kmaq community of Membertou of Nova Scotia. Bernd’s practice focuses on Indigenous economic development. He is the former CEO of the Membertou Band. Bernd is currently a director on the board of Investors Group and the Indigenous charity Outside Looking In.

LAURIE COPITHORNE Business Strategy Consultant & Independent Director LKC Strategist Laurie works with clients, fellow directors and diverse stakeholders to create strategic opportunities to renew and reinvent organizations. With 25 years as an executive and consultant in the food and consumer packaged goods industry, together with extensive board experience, she has a track record of excellence in crisis and change management.

HAZEL DE BURGH Corporate Chief Compliance Officer (retired) Marsh & McLennan Companies Hazel is an accomplished compliance and risk executive with over 30 years of combined experience for the world’s largest insurance broker; for two prominent U.S. police departments; and as an industry-leading forensic accountant in Toronto and London, England. Hazel has earned the classification of “financial expert” and is a CPA, CA.IFA and CCEP.

MARIE DELORME Chief Executive Officer The Imagination Group of Companies In addition to being the CEO of The Imagination Group of Companies, which she started in 1999, Marie serves on the RCMP Foundation board and the National Aboriginal Economic Development Board. Her awards include: Indspire Business and Commerce, Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100, Dr. Douglas Cardinal Award; Alberta Chamber Award of Distinction; and the Métis Nation Leadership Award. She holds an MBA from Queen’s University and a PhD in Intercultural Leadership from the University of Calgary.

MADELEINE FÉQUIÈRE Director & Corporate Credit Chief Domtar Madeleine has more than 25 years of extensive management and operational experience in corporate credit administration, credit risk and operations, credit enhancements and global commerce that has spanned the Americas, Europe and Asia in diverse sectors of the economy. She has been recognized for her exceptional leadership qualities and is able to develop and drive complex international business strategies. She is currently serving on boards in the public, government and not-for-profit sectors.

JILL GARDINER Corporate Director Turquoise Hill Resources, Parkbridge Lifestyle Communities and Silverbirch Hotels Jill was managing director and regional head (British Columbia) for RBC Capital Markets, Canada’s largest investment bank until she retired in 2009. She has held various roles in corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions and debt capital markets. Prior to joining the investment banking business, Jill was a senior project manager at the Ontario Energy Board and a lecturer at the University of Victoria. Jill has served on a number of not-for-profit boards as well as publicly traded corporations. She holds an MBA from Queen’s University.

SHANTI GIDWANI National Senior Director, Healthcare Industry Transformation Cisco Systems Canada Shanti is responsible for the transformation of how healthcare is delivered across Canada and for improving patient outcomes and experiences through technology. Prior to Cisco, she was a healthcare consultant for the World Health Organization (European Region and International) before beginning her own healthcare consulting company in Canada. Shanti holds a Master of Health Administration and a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of British Columbia.

JEAN PAUL (JP) GLADU President & CEO Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business Anishinaabe from Thunder Bay, Jean Paul (JP) is a member of the Sand Point First Nation. He has over two decades of experience in the natural resource sector. His career path includes work with Aboriginal communities and organizations, environmental non-government organizations, industry and governments from across Canada. An experienced negotiator, JP led a number of business development projects in northern Ontario. He completed an undergraduate degree in forestry from Northern Arizona University and also holds an Executive MBA from Queen’s University.

DARLENE HALWAS President Birdtail Consulting Ltd. Darlene has 30 years of work experience in a number of industries, including the banking, grain and energy industries. Darlene has focused on leading risk management functions for major companies for the past 15 years. She sits on three boards—the Management Employees Pension Plan, Aquatera Utilities Inc. and the Occupational Health and Safety Council—and holds her CFA designation, ICD.D, and is an FRM. She also sits on the global Disciplinary Review Committee for the CFA Institute.

NOLA HEALE Chief Financial Officer FLYHT Aerospace Solutions Ltd.

Nola Heale has 30 years of experience on three continents in diverse industries. She has held positions as chief financial officer, board director, financial and general operations management in public, private and not-for-profit entities. Nola is the past president of Financial Executives International (FEI) Canada, Calgary Chapter, and remains on the national Chapter Leadership council.

HELEN HIRSH SPENCE President HHS Consulting Helen is a recognized leader from the education sector. With citizenship in both Canada and the US and fluency in four languages, Helen brings an in-depth understanding of the cultural, political and environmental factors that challenge today’s organizations, businesses and boards. Her global experience in facilitating team empowerment, HR practices, leadership development and strategic management is an asset to the national, provincial and local boards on which she serves.

DEBORA DAWN HUME Vice President, Lottery Operations Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation Debora’s prowess in big picture design thinking has not only supported record revenue growth at OLG Lottery, but has helped push results to the bottom line with equally impressive profit growth. Working in private and public sectors as well as abroad has allowed Debora to expand her horizons and her leadership skill set. Debora is a member of the board of the Woodview Centre for Children’s Mental Health and Autism.

JANET JANKURA Corporate Director Richfield Janet has 20 years of multi-industry experience in global public and private organizations, including Rockwell Automation, National City and Mannesmann. As a director of Green Earth Technologies, Janet chaired the Compensation Committee, served on the Audit Committee and facilitated three CEO successions. She was appointed to a Federal Board by US Secretaries of Interior and of Agriculture and is a veteran Marine Corps Officer. Janet has earned the National Association of Corporate Directors Governance Fellow distinction.

KARIN KIRKPATRICK Principal, Capercaillie Education Services Adjunct Professor, Sauder School of Business at UBC Karin is an adjunct professor at the University of British Columbia. Formerly she was CEO of a provincial Crown corporation, CEO of the Real Estate Foundation of BC, and Assistant Dean of the Sauder School of Business. She is a provincial appointee to the Judicial Council of BC and a director of the Vancity Community Foundation. Karin received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. She is a CPA, CMA, holds an MBA in Human Resources and is completing her Master of Laws.

LLOYD KOMORI Corporate Director OMERS Lloyd has over three decades of global experience helping organizations effectively balance the pursuit of both risk and reward. His expertise, experience and insights into high functioning risk management and governance practices have led to an expanding portfolio of board director experience in institutional investment management, pensions and health care. Lloyd is a highly accredited board director and governance teacher at The Directors College.

GLENN KUMOI Vice-President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary Rubicon Minerals Corporation Glenn is an executive leader with extensive public company and international experience. He has consistently delivered results at the strategic and operational levels at Rubicon, Ballard Power and MDSI Mobile Data Solutions. He has led legal, human resources and operations teams during his career, and has managed these teams from Vancouver, BC; Amsterdam, NL; and Barbados, WI.

JEAN LA ROSE Chief Executive Officer APTN Jean is a First Nations citizen from the Abenakis First Nation of Odanak. He was named CEO of APTN in November 2002. Under his guidance, the network has moved to a digital, high-definition platform and now employs over 130 people. Jean sits on the board of directors of the National Screen Institute, On-Screen Manitoba and Indspire. He was awarded the National Aboriginal Achievement Award for Media and Communications in 2011 and studied his Masters in Public Administration at L’Ecole Nationale d’Administration Publique (ENAP).

RICHARD LAN Partner Amalan Capital Richard is a partner with Amalan Capital, a Canadian private equity company investing in small and medium enterprises. From 1995 to 2009, he held senior leadership positions for Mead Johnson Europe and Bristol-Myers-Squibb in Canada, China and France. Richard graduated from Concordia, McGill, INSEAD and is a CPA.

RHONDA L. LAWSON Senior Vice President, Human Resources & Facilities Genworth Canada Rhonda has a successful 30 year track record of innovation in Human Resources in the professional services, pharmaceutical, manufacturing and insurance industries. Her executive experience includes M&A and migrations from private to public company status. Board experience includes not-for-profit and for profit organizations, serving as HR Committee Chair and as a member of the Executive, Governance, Finance and Quality committees. She holds the ICD.D designation and currently sits as a director for the Mississauga Halton Community Care Access Centre.

PAMELA LAYCOCK Senior Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Development Torstar Corporation Pam has been with Torstar for over 23 years, in a diverse set of roles including marketing, digital, general management and international operations within the book publishing and media divisions. She currently is a board member of the Toronto Public Library Foundation and Shop.ca.

FRANÇOISE E. LYON Senior Vice President Pembroke Private Wealth Management Ltd.

Françoise manages the retail investor division of the company’s Canadian operations. Over the past 20 years, she has held several senior executive positions within the investment industry. In 2013, Françoise was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for her extensive work with women and wealth. She is an HEC Montréal and McGill University graduate with degrees in Business & Public Relations Management.

AUDREY MASCARENHAS President and CEO Questor Technology Inc. Audrey has 32 years of international experience in the energy and industrial services industries. She served as a distinguished lecturer with the Society of Petroleum Engineers and received numerous entrepreneur awards. She sits on the boards of Questor and the SME Export Council, as well as the University of Calgary Schulich School of Engineering Dean Advisory Board. Audrey holds a Bachelor in Chemical Engineering from University of Toronto and a Masters in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Calgary.

ROSEMARY McCARNEY President & CEO Plan International Canada Inc. Rosemary McCarney is an award-winning humanitarian and business leader, a recognized public speaker and author, and an expert on international economic development. She is the President and CEO of Plan International Canada Inc. (Plan Canada), one of the oldest and largest charities in Canada and a member of the global Plan Federation.

KAREN McRAE Former Senior Vice President Mackenzie Investments Karen has over 30 years of experience in finance, pension and mutual funds. An award-winning portfolio manager and former CIO, she is an expert in asset allocation, manager selection and oversight, derivatives and fund governance. Karen is a committed volunteer and serves as a director on several not-for-profit boards, pension and endowment funds. Karen received her MBA and LLB from the Schulich School of Business at York University.

GARY MERASTY President and Chief Operating Officer Des Nedhe Development Gary brings senior leadership experience in First Nations, corporate and political environments and is now responsible for economic development for English River First Nation. He has served as a senior executive with Cameco, as Grand Chief of Prince Albert Grand Council, as a Member of Parliament and as a director on numerous corporate and provincial boards, distinguishing himself in the areas of business, infrastructure development and education.

GLENDA OUELLETTE Vice President, Broker Distribution & Driver Licensing Programs Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) Glenda is an accomplished executive and respected business leader. Her expertise includes strategic planning and implementation, stakeholder engagement, customer service, sales, government relations, and implementing large multiparty projects. On behalf of ICBC, Glenda provided leadership on the successful implementation of the new British Columbia Services Card. She has significant experience on several not-for-profit boards. Glenda holds a BA from McGill University, an MBA from Queen’s University and is a Fellow Chartered Insurance Professional.

COLINDA PARENT President & CEO Forbes Royalty Corp. Colinda brings over 20 years of capital markets experience across many industries and 4 years of senior management experience in junior mining. Her experience includes starting a partner-owned brokerage firm in 2008, marketing public companies to institutional investors and structuring a variety of deals. Her senior management experience includes leading a royalty company towards an initial public offering and assisting boards on financing. She is bilingual and holds the ICD.D and CFA designations.

PRASHANT PATHAK President & CEO Ekagrata Inc. Prashant has extensive international experience, having worked in Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and North Asia. Previously he was a partner at McKinsey & Company Inc., and also served in management and operating positions in the energy services industry at Halliburton and Schlumberger. He was recognized as Canada's Top 40 under 40 in 2008 and was named to Rediff India Abroad's “Power List” in 2009.

JANIS L. PELESHOK Independent Director Pele Mountain Resources Janis has worked as an independent strategic planning and business development consultant and is currently working in Risk Management, Special Initiatives at CIBC. Her commercial and technical experience has included the pharmaceutical, medical device, biotechnology, green energy, mining and banking sectors. She graduated from the University of Toronto with a degree in Chemical Engineering and completed the Directors Education Program at Rotman School of Management. She is licensed as a P.Eng. with the Professional Engineers of Ontario (PEO) and holds an ICD.D designation.

MAUREEN QUIGLEY Consultant Maureen Quigley & Associates Inc. Maureen Quigley is a strategy and governance expert, who has 28 years of experience as an independent consultant in the Canadian health sector. She has served as a director on 10 boards and has been Chair of three in the Crown agency and not-for-profit sectors including health care, education and a national health charity.

SUSAN RABKIN Vice-Chair Fanshawe College of Applied Arts & Technology Susan’s diverse background includes over 23 years of experience in corporate/commercial legal leadership positions for manufacturing, distribution, and consumer goods companies, and leadership positions on not-for-profit boards in the child welfare and education sectors. She has developed skills in management systems, cost effectiveness, business and strategic planning, and team development.

LEA M. RAY Corporate Director Workplace Safety & Insurance Board, Tarion Warranty Corporation Lea is a seasoned board director with 25 years of financial management experience. She brings strategic planning, risk management, regulatory and corporate governance expertise to the board table and qualifies as an OSC financial expert. Lea has chaired several Audit, Finance and Governance Board Committees. Lea is a CPA and holds an ICD.D designation.

HATTY REISMAN Senior Lawyer and Founder Reisman Law Offices Hatty is a seasoned corporate lawyer, with business and operations experience. She has served as General Counsel to two public companies and has a wealth of board experience with both public and private companies. Boards Hatty has served on include Enwave, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, YTV, Life Network, and SPRINT.

DEBORAH ROSATI Corporate Director & Advisor Deborah is an accomplished corporate director, executive and entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience in the retail and technology sector. She is an experienced audit committee chair and leader with expertise in financial & risk management, corporate strategy, strategic financing and corporate governance. Deborah is an FCPA, FCA and holds an ICD.D designation.

CARMEN ROSSITER Program Director, Centre for Governance, Risk Management & Control Schulich School of Business, Executive Education Centre, York University Carmen is a highly regarded financial professional with 30 years of experience including founder and senior managing director of Protiviti Consulting (Canada), partner at PwC, and financial management positions with CIBC, Crown Life and Royal Trust. Carmen serves on the Board of Governors of North York General Hospital, including the Audit and Quality Committees, and is a Treasury Board appointee to the Department of National Defence and Citizenship & Immigration Audit Committees.

ASH K. SAHI President and CEO CSA Group Before joining CSA Group, Ash worked for E.I. Dupont for over 25 years in a variety of senior management positions including CEO of DuPont Liquid Packaging Systems operating in Europe, Asia and North America. He is on the Advisory Council of Habitat for Humanity GTA and Chairman of Chef Bombay. Ash has an MBA from the University of Toronto, a Chemical Engineering degree from McGill University and is a Chartered Director from McMaster University.

MARIE-JACQUELINE SAINT-FLEUR Finance Manager Esterline CMC Electronics Marie-Jacqueline has 20 years of experience in management functions, primarily finance engineering and operations. She has served as Technical Director at Prestige Telecom, and as Engineering and Quality Assurance Director at SportRack. She serves on the not-for-profit board of Residences Edmond Hamelin, and is currently a member of the CARI St. Laurent board. She holds an MBA from UQAM and a graduate Diploma in Managerial Accounting from Concordia University.

MARYSE SAINT-LAURENT Vice-President, Legal & Corporate Secretary TransAlta Corporation and TransAlta Renewables Inc. Maryse has over 18 years of experience in securities and finance law, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance and executive compensation. She is a director of several private companies and not-for-profit boards and has chaired both boards and committees. Maryse has a BA, LL.B, LL.M (securities and finance) and holds her ICD.D designation.

REBECCA SCHALM Founder & CEO Strategic Talent Advisors Inc. Prior to founding Strategic Talent Advisors Inc., Rebecca served as SVP & CHRO of Finning International Inc. where she had global functional responsibility for human resources and worked closely with the Board of Directors around key issues including CEO succession. She has held directorship positions in the profit and not-for-profit sectors, currently as vice-chair of Vantage Point. She holds a PhD in Industrial/Organizational Psychology.

MARILYN SCHONBERNER Treasurer Nexen Energy ULC Marilyn has over 30 years of diverse experience in finance, accounting, human resources, risk management and organizational effectiveness at a corporate and operational level. She has held such senior roles as Treasurer, UK-based Finance Director/Director Business Services, Audit Director and HR General Manager. Marilyn has extensive governance experience serving on boards of international subsidiaries, participating in public company audit committee meetings, as a financial officer and Pension Committee chair. Marilyn holds a BComm, MBA, CMA, CIA, and CHRP.

LAURIE SCHULTZ President & CEO ACL Laurie has over 20 years of experience in the software and technology sectors including leadership of 12 multi-million dollar software P&Ls spanning the personal finance, small business accounting, SaaS, mid-market ERP and GRC categories. She has doubled both revenues and profits by empowering change and relentlessly focusing on the “right critical few.”

ANNE WHELAN President & CEO Seafair Capital Inc. Anne is a nationally recognized entrepreneur. She provides executive leadership to operating divisions in health and community care, industrial supply, and real estate. Anne is Governance and HR Chair of the board of Newfoundland Power, regional Vice-Chair of APEC, and board member of the NL Oil Industry Association. In May 2014, she was named Atlantic Canada CEO of the Year. Anne holds an MBA and the ICD.D designation.

SADIA ZAMAN Senior Leader, Media and Not-for-Profit Sadia is a senior leader in the media and cultural industries, and not-for-profits. She was a Director in content creation at CBC, the Executive Director of Women in Film and Television (not-for-profit) and Director of In-House Production at Vision TV. She has won dozens of awards for her work and been honoured for her leadership. Sadia is often asked to speak about a range of media, diversity, gender and leadership issues.