Florent is a research and development executive with substantive experience in developing new technologies and business solutions that measure and reduce human impacts on our global environment. After graduating from Polytechnique (France) and completing graduate studies at Laval University (Canada), Florent worked as a System Engineer for ABB in the space industry. Holding several technical and management roles over the course of 15 years, he contributed to developing spaceborne analysers for greenhouse gas observation, weather forecast prediction and ozone measurement. He joined OPTEL group, a BCorp certified organization, in 2016 as Vice President of Engineering, where he has been participating in the expansion of the business. Currently the Chief Technology Officer, Florent drives the technology and go-to-market strategy of OPTEL group whose corporate vision is to bring visibility and transparency of the value chains. As a member of the Executive Committee, Florent collaborates with the president and Executive Committee to define the vision and set corporate strategy, goals and policies.
Father of two kids and ultramarathoner, Florent's motivation is promoting the balance between family life, active life and professional life.

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Florent Bouguin est le chef de la direction technologique du Groupe OPTEL. Il possède une expérience considérable dans le développement de nouvelles technologies et de solutions commerciales servant à mesurer et à réduire les impacts humains sur notre environnement. Après avoir obtenu son diplôme de l’École Polytechnique (Orléans, France) et avoir terminé ses études supérieures à l’Université Laval (COPL), M. Bouguin a travaillé comme ingénieur de système pour ABB. Occupant plusieurs postes techniques et de gestion pendant 15 ans, il a contribué au développement d’analyseurs spatiaux pour l’observation des gaz à effet de serre, les prévisions météorologiques et la mesure de l’ozone. Il a rejoint le Groupe OPTEL en 2016.  Aujourd’hui chef de la direction technologique, M. Bouguin pilote la stratégie technologique et de mise sur le marché du groupe OPTEL dont la vision est ‘’un monde connecté à l’aide de la chaîne d’approvisionnement intelligente d’OPTEL, apportant transparence et performance, méritant la confiance des consommateurs et encourageant la responsabilité sociale et environnementale de tous.’’
Père de deux enfants et ultramarathonien, la motivation de M. Bouguin est de promouvoir l’équilibre entre vie familiale, vie active et vie professionnelle.

Craig Buntin is the founder and CEO of Rise, a construction innovation company focused on integrating AI, robotics, and advanced sustainable materials into the building industry. A former Olympic athlete with an MBA from McGill University, Craig has spent his career building and scaling companies that commercialize early-stage technologies to disrupt traditional industries.

As the co-founder and CEO of Sportlogiq, he helped transform the professional sports analytics industry, scaling the company into the leading analytics firm used by most teams in the NHL.

A lifelong environmental activist, Craig is deeply committed to the fight against climate change. He believes that with the right mix of science, entrepreneurship, and political will, we can solve the climate crisis within our lifetime.

Mercedes is a founding principal of Pratus Group, bringing 15 years of expertise in green building design and construction. She specializes in coordinating high-performance building projects, providing strategic guidance on energy efficiency, sustainable building best practices, and low carbon design. With deep knowledge of certification frameworks, Mercedes assists clients in achieving LEED, Fitwel, BOMA, SBTi, and the CAGBC's Net Zero Carbon goals. Known for her ability to foster collaboration, she excels in facilitating discussions and consensus-building within multi-disciplinary teams, ensuring innovative and sustainable outcomes.

For almost 35 years, Geoff Cape has been at the forefront of promoting urban innovation and environmental sustainability across diverse platforms. As CEO of Assembly Corp, Geoff has a long background in real estate and urban planning. He has been a builder, planner, operator, and a long time advocate for sustainable cities. Geoff is most well known for starting Evergreen in 1991, and the 42 acre site at Evergreen Brick Works. Selected in 2018 as a Member of the Order of Canada, and honoured with the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal in recognition of “Canadians who have made outstanding and exemplary contributions to their communities or to Canada as a whole.”  In 2007, Geoff won the prestigious “Social Entrepreneur of the Year” award. Geoff was founding Chair of the Sustainability Institute, past Board member of Sustainable Development Technology Canada, and the Peter F. Drucker Foundation Selection Committee. Geoff has been a regular participant and speaker at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Geoff is a Global Fellow of the Rockefeller Foundation. Geoff lives in the Annex neighbourhood in Toronto with his wife Valerie and three boys Toma, Ben and Sebastien, and cycles to work every day—even in blinding snow storms.

Leo Carvalho holds a degree in Mechatronics Engineering and has over 10 years of experience in agribusiness technology. He is currently the Chief Global Strategy Officer at Solinftec, where he leads global strategies, manages institutional, government, and multilateral relationships, leads fundraising rounds, and acts as the company’s spokesperson. He has also played a crucial role in the company’s international expansion, especially in the US and Canadian markets, driving its global growth.

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Leo Carvalho est diplômé en ingénierie mécatronique et possède plus de 10 ans d'expérience dans le domaine des technologies pour l'agroalimentaire. Il est actuellement directeur de la stratégie mondiale chez Solinftec, où il dirige les stratégies mondiales et gère les relations institutionnelles, les gouvernements et les organisations multilatérales, dirige les levées de fonds et agit en tant que porte-parole de Solinftec. Il a également joué un rôle crucial dans l’expansion internationale, notamment sur les marchés américain et canadien, stimulant la croissance mondiale de l’entreprise.

François Châteauneuf received his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Laval University and his D.Sc. in Chemical Physics from University of Paris-XI in 1997. He worked as a Systems Engineer at ABB Bomem for 8 years and joined INO in 2006 where he managed the Environment Program and supervised development activities for applications in space and astronomy as well as for environmental monitoring. François is the co-founder in 2023 of OraVentis Technologies which offers industrial solutions for a better control of fugitive emissions of dust.

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François Châteauneuf a obtenu son doctorat en physico-chimie de l’Université Laval et de l’Université Paris XI en 1997. Il a travaillé pendant 8 ans en ingénierie système au sein d’ABB Bomem et a rejoint les rangs d’INO en 2006 où il a géré le programme « Environnement » visant le développement de technologies pour le suivi environnemental mais aussi pour les applications spatiales et pour l’astronomie. En 2023, François cofonde Technologies OraVentis qui offre des solutions industrielles pour un meilleur contrôle des émissions fugitives de poussières.

René Demers is a Senior Vice President at the National Bank of Canada for Commercial Banking and Private Banking. He is responsible for all Real Estate Finance teams in Canada. This group of more than 250 employees manages over $40 billion in assets from its offices across Canada with a mission to support the top players in the market for both interim construction projects and long-term financing. René completed an MBA and a Master’s Degree in International Business and has worked in the banking industry for his entire career. Over the last 13 years, he has been recognized as an expert in the field of real estate finance. René’s diverse business development endeavors and ESG focus provide unmatched insight into social, sustainable and green financing.

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Depuis 2011, René Demers œuvre dans le domaine de l’immobilier à la Banque Nationale. Il est responsable de l’ensemble des équipes en financement immobilier pour le Canada. Ce groupe de plus de 250 employés gère pour plus de $40 milliards d’actifs dans ses bureaux à travers le Canada. La mission du groupe Immobilier Canada est d’accompagner les meilleurs acteurs du secteur immobilier autant dans leurs projets de financements intérimaires de construction que dans les financements long-terme d’actifs de qualité. Reconnu pour son expertise ESG, René met l’accent sur le financement durable, écologique et social.

Frédéric Dugré graduated in 1996 from Laval University in Quebec City with a Bachelor in Mechanical Engineering. In 2000, he co-founded H2O Innovation with the goal of taking part in the consolidation of the water treatment industry.  

Mr. Dugré has more than 25 years of experience in publicly traded companies' management, financing and business development. His expertise in the financing and marketing of clean technologies and his passion for the water treatment industry were instrumental for H2O Innovation’s growth.   

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Frédéric Dugré a gradué en 1996 de l'Université Laval à Québec, avec un baccalauréat en génie mécanique. Dès 2000, il cofonde H2O Innovation dans le but de participer à la consolidation de l'industrie du traitement de l'eau.  

M. Dugré possède plus de 25 ans d'expérience dans la gestion, le financement et le développement des affaires de sociétés cotées en bourse. Son expertise en financement et la commercialisation de technologies vertes ainsi que sa passion pour le traitement de l'eau ont joué un rôle déterminant dans la croissance de H2O Innovation.   

Parmi les différentes reconnaissances commerciales d’H2O Innovation au fil des ans, incluant le prix de l'Entreprise de l'eau de l'année en 2020 décerné par le GWI, M. Dugré a été nommé à deux reprises parmi les 25 premiers leaders du secteur de l'eau, soit en 2017 et en 2011, par le WaterWorld Magazine. 

Durant 5 ans, M. Dugré a été membre du conseil d'administration du Musée canadien des sciences et des technologies d'Ottawa. Depuis 2016, il soutient l'entreprenariat et l'innovation à travers la plateforme de sociofinancement « la Ruche Québec » en tant que membre du conseil d'administration.  

H2O Innovation se spécialise dans la conception, la fabrication, la mise en service et l'exploitation d'usines de traitement d'eau d'eau, utilisant des technologies de filtration membranaire.  Aujourd'hui, H2O Innovation compte plus de 800 usines de traitement d'eau installées en Amérique du Nord avec des capacités allant de 2 000 à 72 millions de gallons par jour. Ses produits de spécialité sont également distribués dans plus de 75 pays. La Société exploite plus de 650 services publics d'eau potable et d'eaux usées à travers le Canada et l'Union européenne d'eau et d'assainissement au Canada et aux États-Unis.

Among the business recognitions that H2O Innovation has received through the years, including the Water Company of the Year award in 2020 by the GWI, Mr. Dugré was named twice among the top 25 Water Leaders in 2017 and 2021 by WaterWorld Magazine. 

For 5 years, M. Dugré has served as a board member of the Canadian Sciences & Technologies Museum in Ottawa. Since 2016, he has been supporting entrepreneurship and innovation through the crowd-funding platform “Ruche Québec” as a Board of Directors.  

H2O Innovation specializes in designing, fabricating, commissioning and operating water treatment plants using membrane filtration technologies. Today, H2O Innovation has more than 800 water plants installed in North America, with capacities ranging from 2,000 to 72 million gallons per day. Its specialty products are also distributed in more than 75 countries. The Company operates more than 650 water & wastewater utilities across Canada and the United States. H2O Innovation has 1200+ employees distributed in its different plants and regional offices across Canada, the United States, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

Mario is a senior energy transition executive with significant experience developing and investing in energy infrastructure projects.

Before Breakthrough Energy, Mario was with Chicora Energy, an energy transition investment platform he co-founded focusing on Latin America. Before Chicora, Mario was with Macquarie Capital, serving as a Managing Director and Head of Latin America Energy Principal Investments Origination. Before Macquarie, Mario was the CFO for Trafigura’s US$1 billion Colombia fluvial logistics project. Mario also worked for several international financial firms, including ING Capital and Syncora Guarantee.

Mario obtained a Master’s degree in International Affairs from Columbia University and Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Boston College. 

Amélie Foz-Couture is a General Partner at Diagram, where she led the venture creation team for five years and now co-leads Diagram’s ClimateTech fund. Since joining in 2019, she has contributed to the launch of over 15 companies. Previously, Amélie was Senior Director of Product Management at SSENSE and a Principal at BCG Digital Ventures. She holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Commerce from McGill University.

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Amélie Foz-Couture est associée principale chez Diagram, où elle a dirigé l'équipe de création d'entreprises pendant 5 ans et co-dirige maintenant le fonds ClimateTech de Diagram. Depuis son arrivée en 2019, elle a contribué au lancement de plus de 15 entreprises. Auparavant, Amélie a été directrice principale de la gestion des produits chez SSENSE et directrice chez BCG Digital Ventures. Elle est titulaire d'un MBA de la Harvard Business School et d'un baccalauréat en commerce de l'Université McGill.

Ilan Gewurz has a passion for creating “healthy and meaningful spaces” where people feel safe, comfortable and thrive. As a part of the Proment Corporation, Ilan was involved with the design and delivery of Vistal I & II, the first LEED Gold residential towers in Quebec. 

He is currently overseeing the master planning and construction of Quartier Pointe Nord, a LEED ND Gold mixed-use neighbourhood on the riverfront on Nuns’ Island. Pointe Nord consists of 6 high-rise towers as well as mid-rises and townhouses comprising a total of over 2,000 homes and 30,000 sq ft of retail. Prior to working with Proment Corporation, Ilan was a consultant with McKinsey & Company, focusing on organizational and cultural transformation. He has designed and taught courses in negotiations and leadership development internationally.

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Ilan Gewurz se passionne pour la création d'espaces uniques et bien pensés où les gens se sentent à l'aise, en sécurité et où ils peuvent s'épanouir.  En tant que membre de l'équipe de la Corporation Proment, Ilan a participé à la conception et à la livraison du Vistal I et II, les premières tours résidentielles ayant obtenu la certification LEED Or au Québec.  

Présentement, il supervise le plan directeur et la construction du quartier Pointe-Nord, un quartier à usage mixte LEED ND Or situé en bordure du fleuve à L'Île-des-Sœurs.   Le plan d’aménagement de Pointe Nord comporte 6 tours ainsi que des immeubles mi-hauteur et des maisons de ville, pour un total de plus de 2 000 logements et 30 000 pieds carrés de commerces. 

Auparavant, Ilan était consultant chez McKinsey & Company, où il se concentrait sur la transformation organisationnelle et culturelle. Il a conçu et donné des cours sur les négociations et le développement du leadership au niveau international.

Alexandre is the CEO & founder of 2 Degrés, a Quebec-based incubator for cleantech startups. After spending 5+ years in finance at Desjardins and launching his own business, in 2019, he leveraged his network to found 2 Degrés. Strongly committed to creating tangible impact and sustainable changes, Alexandre's journey reflects his dedication to entrepreneurship as a means of making a real difference. With a focus on tomorrow's economy and a commitment to creating sustainable wealth, alongside a dedicated team and a strong collaborators and partners network, 2 Degrés, is actively contributing to a brighter future for generations to come and inspiring others to push boundaries in the cleantech industry and beyond.

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Alexandre est le directeur général et fondateur de 2 Degrés, un incubateur basé au Québec dédié aux startups en technologies propres. Après avoir passé plus de 5 ans en finances chez Desjardins et avoir lancé sa propre entreprise, en 2019, il a valorisé et mobilisé son réseau pour co-fonder 2 Degrés. Fortement engagé à créer un impact tangible et des changements durables, le parcours d'Alexandre reflète sa vision de l'entrepreneuriat comme un moyen de faire une réelle différence. Avec un regard tourné vers l'économie de demain et un engagement fort à créer des richesses durables, grâce à une équipe dévouée et d'un solide réseau de collaborateurs et de partenaires, 2 Degrés, arrive à contribuer à un avenir plus prospère, responsable et durable pour les générations à venir.

Jeanette Jackson is the CEO of Foresight, the nation’s largest cleantech accelerator. Foresight works with innovators, industry, investors, government, and academia across Canada to identify, develop, and ensure the adoption of cleantech solutions.

Jeanette is an entrepreneur with broad experience across multiple industries. She founded a tech company and built it into a thriving business; has secured millions in investment dollars, project funding and revenue; led numerous cross-functional teams, and developed innovative programs for cleantech acceleration and adoption, growing Foresight into a nation-wide organization.

Recognized as a leader in cleantech, both in Canada and internationally, Jeanette is a frequent speaker, media guest, and advisor to industry and government. Her leadership and work in the fight against climate change have been recognized through multiple prestigious awards, making her a driving force in the cleantech community.

After a career as a transit advocate where he helped pass more than $25B in funding for transit in Washington State, Rob was elected to be the first councilmember from Seattle’s Council District #4 a position he held from 2015 to 2019. While on council he was proud to pass Seattle’s largest zoning changes in 40 years, a $50B expansion of our region’s light rail system, and the largest investment in public school support in Seattle’s history. Since leaving elected office he’s been in charge of Sustainability and Transportation for the Seattle Kraken and Climate Pledge Arena. Rob’s led the team that secured the arena ILFI Zero Carbon, TRUE Zero Waste, and LEED Silver Certifications, eliminated front of house single use plastics, subsidized transit passes for all publicly ticketed events, installed on site solar, and much more.

Benjamin heads BloombergNEF’s global Innovation, key stakeholders, and partnerships based in the head office in London. In his current capacity, Benjamin is responsible for BloombergNEF Innovation programs, focusing on the company’s innovation research scope and climate-tech ecosystem. He also co-chairs BloombergNEF Pioneers and oversees the company’s relationship with key clients and stakeholders.

Benjamin joined New Energy Finance in 2006 to develop and lead the Venture Capital and Private Equity research team in the early days of the fast-growing company. In January 2008, Benjamin was assigned to establish and lead the New Energy Finance(NEF) customer service department.   Bloomberg acquired NEF in 2009, and the firm has since expanded its scope to cover more expansively the transformation of our world to a low-carbon economy, including energy, transportation, industry, nature and agriculture. 

Before joining BloombergNEF, Benjamin was a strategic consultant at Nestle SA subsidiary CPW, focusing on the optimisation of resources. Before Nestle, he was a part of the integration M&A team at Axa Group and senior analyst at Switzerland-based Asset Manager, Alasia Investment SA.
Benjamin was awarded a BA HEC Montreal in International Business and an MA in Economics and Management from HEC Lausanne Business School.

He lives in London, UK, with his two sons.

Jane Kearns is a Partner at Evok Innovations, where she leads investments in early-stage companies focused on decarbonization and the energy transition. She has worked across the innovation ecosystem, including founding a renewable energy company that was successfully exited to a publicly traded company.

Jane helped build the cleantech practice at MaRS Discovery District, where she supported the growth of hundreds of climate-focused startups. She has deep domain expertise in carbon management, renewable energy, circular economy, and industrial innovation.

Jane is a member of the MaRS Climate Innovation Board, a board member of the Ontario Clean Technology Industry Association, an advisor to startups and industry groups, and a recognized voice in Canada’s climate tech ecosystem. Jane is a Clean50 and Clean16 recipient. She’s committed to helping founders scale impactful technologies and build enduring businesses.

Fred is co-founder of Deep Sky and CEO and Co-Founder of Hopper, which sells $7 billion of travel and travel financial services per year. Frederic previously co-founded Newtrade Technologies, which was acquired by Expedia in 2002.

Zach is an impact investor at SWEN Blue Ocean, an early-stage venture capital fund focused on Seed and Series A investments in companies that support ocean health and regeneration. SWEN Blue Ocean focuses on three main verticals: solutions to pollution, solutions to ocean over-exploitation, and marine solutions to climate change.

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Zach est investisseur en capital-risque chez SWEN Blue Ocean, une entreprise qui recherche des start-ups en phase Seed et Série A soutenant la régénération de l'océan. SWEN Blue Ocean se concentre sur trois domaines clés : la pollution, la surexploitation et les solutions marines au changement climatique.

With over 20 years of experience in finance and philanthropy, Galith Levy has dedicated her career to creating meaningful, lasting impact. For over a decade, she served as Executive Director of JNF Quebec, where she played a pivotal role in driving initiatives that strengthened both local and international communities.

Combining her expertise and passion, Galith brought Jeff Hart’s vision for climate innovation to life. Since 2022, she has led the Climate Solutions Prize as CEO, spearheading its rapid growth and expanding its international reach. Under her leadership, the initiative continues to gain momentum, inspiring bold solutions to the global climate crisis.

Phil De Luna is Chief Science and Commercial Officer at Deep Sky, a carbon removals project developer building large scale infrastructure to reverse climate change. Prior to Deep Sky, Phil led carbontech at McKinsey & Company, was the youngest-ever Director at the National Research Council of Canada, and was a finalist in the Carbon XPRIZE. He is a Governor General Gold Medal winning scientist, a Member of the College of the Royal Society of Canada, an adjunct Professor of Materials Science & Engineering at the University of Toronto, and a Forbes Top 30 Under 30.

Na’im Merchant is the Executive Director of Carbon Removal Canada. He is passionate about the potential for carbon removal to meet climate goals while driving economic and social change. He previously founded Carbon Curve, a consulting practice focused on equitably scaling up carbon removal. Na’im is an advisor to Terraset and the Carbon Removal Standards Initiative, and was previously an Elemental Impact Policy Fellow. He brings 10+ years of leadership experience in non-profits that expanded access to health innovations around the world.

Elena Nikonova, VP North America and APAC, is responsible for identifying and developing large-scale Direct Air Capture projects across the Globe. With over a decade in Sales & Strategy Leadership roles at e-mobility branches of Energy Multinationals like Shell and ENGIE, she led global electrification programs for Amazon, Ford and Bridgestone. Previously ex-Chief Strategy Officer at a chargepoint operator backed by BOLT, and strategy consultant at Roland Berger. She holds a PhD in Applied Mathematics from University of Dublin.

Simon Olivier is a Senior Partner at Cycle Capital and leads the Cycle H2O Fund, a venture capital fund dedicated to innovative watertech companies to accelerate business growth and create a positive impact on the environment.

Simon is an executive Leader with an international track record in innovation, strategy, operations, and financial services. He has worked with Fortune 500 companies and mid-sized companies in various industries, such as renewable energy, finance, water, and food. Simon spent 20 years at GE, initially at GE Capital in financial services, then heading GE Renewable’s business in Canada and the Northeastern United States for nearly 10 years, building a multi-billion-dollar franchise. Subsequently, he spent 4 years as Executive Vice President Strategy (M&A) and Venture Capital for GE Canada.

Simon holds an engineering degree from Polytechnique Montreal and an MBA in finance from McGill University, where he is a McGill Global Leadership Council member. In 2009, he was named the young international leader of Quebec by the Arista organisation. Simon served on several boards of directors, including Aqua Action, C2 Montreal, the Canadian Wind Energy Association, and the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montréal. He supports its community through engagement and leadership with Centraide.

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Simon Olivier est associé sénior chez Cycle Capital et dirige le fonds Cycle H2O, un fonds de capital de risque dédié aux technologies innovantes du secteur de l'eau pour accélérer la croissance des entreprises, et ainsi créer un impact positif sur l'environnement.

Simon est un dirigeant d’expérience internationale en innovation, stratégie, opération et services financiers. Il a travaillé avec des sociétés Fortune 500, et des entreprises de taille moyenne dans les secteurs de l’énergie, de la finance, de l’eau et de l’alimentation. Simon a passé plus de 20 ans chez GE, d'abord chez GE Capital dans les services financiers, puis à la tête de l'entreprise GE Énergie Renouvelable au Canada et dans le Nord-Est des États-Unis pendant près de 10 ans, construisant une franchise de plusieurs milliards de dollars. Par la suite, il a passé 4 ans à titre de vice-président exécutif stratégie (F&A) et capital de risque pour GE Canada.
Simon est titulaire d’un diplôme d’ingénieur de Polytechnique Montréal et d’un MBA en finance de l’Université McGill, où il est membre du McGill Global Leadership Council. En 2009, il a été nommé jeune leader international du Québec au Concours Arista. Simon a siégé à plusieurs conseils d'administration dont Aqua Forum, C2 Montréal, l'Association canadienne de l'énergie éolienne, et la Chambre de commerce du Montréal métropolitain. Il soutient sa

Kevin Radford is the Deloitte National Real Estate Leader and a Partner in our Financial Advisory practice. He is based in Ottawa, bilingual, and is focused on providing real estate (RE) advisory services to public sector clients, as well as those in many private sector markets (retail, telecom, power generation, mid-market office, higher education, health, etc.). He ensures that client portfolios enable transformational change for their businesses or programs. In most market sectors, Kevin has been adept at helping Corporate Real Estate teams focus on the right target operating model to ensure their portfolio assets are optimized, and the employees within those assets have a workplace where they thrive. Prior to joining Deloitte, he was a high performing senior executive in the Government of Canada with extensive experience in large-scale, national level RE, Information Technology (IT), and Security Operations with strong program delivery credentials for purposeful business transformation and enablement, optimization, and service management. He brings significant expertise in large, complex ($B+) RE, IT, and Capital Equipment procurement, as well as in strategic project management delivering consistently outstanding results while working with very large national teams. He has strong leadership in building and focusing national teams on program optimization, business transformation service delivery excellence, client engagement, and outcomes management maintaining disciplined oversight and performance management of $25B+ of assets, including multi-billion-dollar service contracts. His selection by the Clerk of the Privy Council to lead the consolidation of all back-office IT operations for over 43 departments/agencies and lead over 5,000 new employees under a new department/structure at Shared Services Canada (SSC) and then again at PSPC to transition the Real Property Branch into a service-based organization is indicative of the confidence senior government executives have in his leadership and ability to redesign and transform business operations. Kevin has a flawless reputation and integrity to negotiate partnerships and work closely with other government departments, other nations, federal committees, and industry executives. He has established credibility as a tenacious but respectful go-to operational leader, capable of tackling extremely complex, high-risk challenges. As the former Assistant Deputy Minister of Real Estate Services for the Federal Government Office Portfolio (70M ft2 ) nationally, the largest RE portfolio in Canada, he was also charged with transitioning this ‘branch’ (3,700 employees) into a service-oriented organization. Passionate about workplace, under his leadership the ‘branch’ was converted to the Real Property Services organization leading the government’s workplace transition from the WP 2.0 standard to the new GC Workplace standard nationally, including the creation of the first ever GC coworking sites.

Nate Salpeter is a Ph.D. Mechanical Engineer with over 15 years experience researching and designing next generation nuclear reactors at industry-leading companies and National Laboratories.  He co-founded Sweet Farm Foundation with his wife Anna Sweet to be a place of education, inspiration, and innovation through animal rescue, plant based agriculture, and cutting edge climate technology acceleration to scale change globally.  Nate is also a co-founder and general partner of SNØCAP, an early stage deep tech venture fund investing in technologies that significantly remove pollution while dramatically reducing costs in the world’s largest industrial sectors.

Mitch leads Shopify’s Sustainability Fund, which has committed over $100 million since 2020 to entrepreneurs developing breakthrough climate technologies—with a particular focus on carbon removal. He holds a Master of Science in Sustainability Management from the University of Toronto.

Audrey Somé holds dual degrees in chemical engineering from both the Polytechnique Montréal and École Nationale Supérieure des Industries Chimiques (France) with a specialization in environment and life cycle analysis.

She has since held several positions in the areas of responsible sourcing, intellectual property and technology transfer.

At Écotech Québec since 2019, she is the cleantech coordinator of the Écoleader Fund, a major project designed to support Quebec companies in the implementation of eco-responsible business practices and clean technologies.
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Audrey détient un double diplôme en génie chimique de Polytechnique Montréal et de l’École Nationale Supérieure des Industries Chimiques (France) avec une spécialisation en environnement et en analyse du cycle de vie. Elle a depuis occupé différents postes dans les secteurs de l’approvisionnement responsable, de la propriété intellectuelle et du transfert technologique.

Chez Écotech Québec depuis 2019, elle gère plusieurs initiatives de maillage au service de l’innovation. Elle a animé de nombreuses conférences et panels avec des acteurs clés de l'écosystèmes des technologies propres, parmi ses interventions notables, elle a pris la parole pour des événements prestigieux organisés par la Chambre de commerce du Montréal métropolitain, All In, et N Gen, mettant en lumière les technologies émergentes et leurs applications concrètes.

Matt has over 20 years of international experience working at the intersection of sustainability, corporate innovation, strategy and corporate venture capital BDC, IKEA, EY and Deloitte, and is the founder of SOMEWORKS, a boutique sustainability advisory firm. Matt is on a mission to invest in and work with climate technology companies, entrepreneurs and investors to accelerate the transition to a sustainable and climate resilient future.

Prior to joining BDC, Matt lived in The Netherlands and helped to build IKEA’s corporate venture investment platform, where he was responsible for leading venture and growth investments into sustainable companies around the world. Previously, Matt was part of IKEA’s Sustainability Innovation team, based in Sweden, where he led explorations and innovation projects into the future of home energy, zero-emissions transport, urban farming, bio-materials, and circular business models. Prior to IKEA, Matt worked with both EY’s Sustainability Advisory practice, based in London (UK), and Deloitte’s Strategy Consulting practice in Canada.

Matt holds a BComm from Mount Allison University and a Masters in Sustainability Leadership from the University of Cambridge.

Marius joined the Circular Innovation Fund (CIF) as an Associate in 2023. The fund is jointly managed by Cycle Capital (Canada) and Demeter (France) and focuses on global investments in circular economy projects.

Prior to joining CIF, he worked at a fund focused on venture debt financing for fintechs.

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Marius a rejoint le Circular Innovation Fund (CIF)  en tant que chargé d'affaires en 2023. Le fonds est cogéré par Cycle Capital (Canada) et Demeter (France) investissant a l'international dans des projets liés à l’économie circulaire.

Avant de rejoindre le CIF, il a travaillé dans un fonds spécialisé dans le financement en venture dette pour les fintechs.

Gabriel Vézina is an engineer and entrepreneur dedicated to developing technologies aimed at reducing carbon emissions. Holding a PhD in mechanical engineering from the University of Sherbrooke, he focuses on innovation to accelerate the transition toward a more sustainable economy.

As the co-founder and CEO of Skyrenu, a Quebec-based company specializing in direct air capture (DAC), he leads a team that is a finalist in the XPRIZE Carbon Removal competition. His expertise in the design and experimentation of advanced energy systems, combined with his commitment to decarbonization, makes him a key player in climate innovation.

Gabriel Vézina est un ingénieur et entrepreneur engagé dans le développement de technologies visant à réduire les émissions de carbone. Titulaire d’un doctorat en génie mécanique de l’Université de Sherbrooke, il se consacre à l’innovation pour accélérer la transition vers une économie plus durable.

Cofondateur et PDG de Skyrenu, une entreprise québécoise spécialisée dans la capture directe du carbone (DAC), il dirige une équipe finaliste du concours XPRIZE Carbon Removal. Son expertise en conception et expérimentation de systèmes énergétiques avancés, combinée à son engagement pour la décarbonation, en fait un acteur clé de l’innovation climatique.

Natalie Voland has been reinventing the real estate development process for over 25 years. Her roots as a social worker allow her to have a unique and purpose-driven design-centered outlook on development that prioritizes historical protection of civic assets while being forward-thinking to use buildings to unite communities and push environmental advocacy. 
 
She is an award-winning, socially driven developer and a leader of the Quebec B Corp. Movement. Her companies contribute to protecting the environment and fostering social inclusion while making market-driven profits to further Montreal's economic development. Natalie manages 1.5 million square feet, supports over 500 entrepreneurs, and is an active expert, public speaker, and mentor. Her newest venture, Quo Vadis Capital, invests in carbon-mitigated accessible housing to address inclusion and climate change in real estate.
 
Natalie sits on several Boards and think tanks associated with her passion for being a leader in ESG development. Natalie is an active master planner and partners with universities to use her assets as teaching and prototype tools to evolve concepts on what kind of city we want to build as citizens and corporate leaders. Natalie is a PhD candidate and member of the Concordia Chair of Excellence in Research on Smart and Resilient Cities and the Next Generation Cities Institute, specializing in the bridge of market business practices that drive sustainability on the built environment.

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Depuis plus de 25 ans, Natalie Voland réinvente le processus du développement immobilier, son expérience en tant que travailleuse sociale lui permettant d’avoir une vision du développement unique et axée sur des buts concrets. Son approche vise à unir les communautés à travers la protection et la conservation historiques des bâtiments et de l’environnement. 

Natalie est une chef de file du mouvement B Corp. du Québec où ses entreprises contribuent à la protection de l’environnement et favorisent l’inclusion sociale tout en réalisant des profits axés sur le marché afin de contribuer au développement économique de Montréal. Natalie gère 1,5 million de pieds carrés, soutient plus de 500 entrepreneurs et est une conférencière active, ainsi qu’une mentore. Sa nouvelle entreprise « Quo Vadis Capital » investit dans le logement abordable à faible émission de carbone pour mettre l’emphase sur l’inclusion et le changement climatique en immobilier.

Natalie siège sur plusieurs conseils d'administration et groupes de réflexion associés à sa passion d’être leader en développement ESG. De plus, elle collabore avec plusieurs universités pour utiliser ses connaissances en tant qu’outil d’enseignement et de création de prototype afin de promouvoir le type d’espace urbain que nous souhaitons construire en tant que citoyens. Natalie est candidate au doctorat à l’université Concordia, membre de la Chaire d'excellence Concordia en recherche sur les villes intelligentes et résilientes ainsi que du Next Generation Cities Institute, spécialisée dans le rapprochement des pratiques commerciales du marché qui favorisent la durabilité de l'environnement bâti.

Ed has worked to advance climate and energy policy—including for carbon removal—for two decades. He is the host of Canada’s most popular climate-themed podcast, Energy vs Climate, and a new podcast series on carbon removal called Scrubbing the Sky. Previously he served as the CEO of the Pembina Institute, a director of the Alberta Energy Regulator, and a member of the World Economic Forum's global agenda council.

Ben is the co-Founding Partner of MUUS Climate Partners, the climate-focused investing arm of the Goldman-Sonnenfeldt family office. He is responsible for sourcing, due diligence, deal execution, and ongoing support of portfolio companies. Since 2016, Ben has worked to assemble MUUS’s portfolio of over 30 early- and growth-stage companies driving the transition to a zero-emissions economy.

Ben's entire professional history has focused on making the business case for sustainability. Prior to MUUS, Ben's experience as a commercial solar developer afforded him a front-row seat to the challenges that growing clean energy companies face, such as hurdles to financing, switching costs, policy navigation, and customer education requirements. This created a foundational perspective on the economic value proposition for eliminating emissions and attracting capital to sustainable solutions.

Ben holds a BA from Brown University and MBA from MIT. When he isn't working, he’s an avid piano player, occasionally performing at bars and jazz clubs. He lives in New York City with his wife, son, and dog.

Mayuran leads IX Labs, the venture capital arm of Index Exchange, which invests in early-stage startups using technology to solve everyday problems.

As the founding CTO of Index Exchange, Mayuran shaped the company’s technical direction and played a pivotal role in establishing its technology foundation. He led the development of Index’s core platforms and scaled the engineering team from inception to over 170 people.

Mayuran holds a degree from the University of Toronto and serves on two boards.