Brendan is the Regional Director for the National Research Council’s Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) in Saskatchewan. NRC IRAP has been driving business growth in innovative small and medium-sized business across Canada for over 75 years by helping firms build innovation capacity and take ideas to market. Brendan leads a local team of Client Engagement and Industrial Technology Advisors …

Dr. Cicha delivers financial project support, assorted technical/business advisory services, and regional, national and international networking guidance to accelerate the growth of innovative Canadian firms (SMEs), with a focus on those developing advanced materials (including nanomaterials), systems and processes critical to driving the ongoing energy transition. He serves as an Advisor on the Board of the NRC Materials for Clean …

Sean De Vries is the Executive Director of the Battery Metals Association of Canada (BMAC), a non-profit industry association representing all segments of the circular battery value chain. Sean leads the association’s key initiatives including engaging and cultivating partnerships within the value chain, helping to build a strong and enduring battery industry across Canada that meets the rapidly increasing need …

Erin Herman is the Associate Vice President of Fabrication, Research and Development at SRC in the Rare Earth Element Division.  Erin received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Saskatchewan before going on to a career including roles in agriculture, manufacturing, equipment design, fabrication, intellectual property development and commercialization.  As an entrepreneur, Erin founded and managed several …

Brendan is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Regina and a contract geologist with the Geological Survey of Canada. His research focuses on identifying new sources of critical minerals in Western Canada, specifically exploring lithium from subsurface brines and recovering rare earth elements from coal waste. Originally from a small town in northeastern Alberta, he completed his Ph.D. …

Dr. Michael Wagner is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at George Washington University in Washington, DC. He earned his BS in Chemistry from the University of Oregon, a PhD in Chemistry from Michigan State University, and completed postdoctoral research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). His research focuses on materials chemistry, particularly carbon materials, with expertise …

Lori was elected MLA for Estevan in the 2016 provincial election. Living in Estevan with her partner Bart, Lori spent 20 years working as a licensed assistant in a financial planning office. She was very active in the community as a board member for the Air Cadet League, Sun Country Health Region and Ducks Unlimited. Lori also spent ten years serving …

Zach has over 10 years of experience in North America’s energy sector. His experience spans production, environmental and hydrogeologic projects in Canada and the United States. In 2019, he founded Prairie Lithium and served as President & CEO until the acquisition of Prairie Lithium by Arizona Lithium for $70mm in 2023. In 2023 he was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II …

Gordon More, Executive Director of the Southeast Techhub (SETH), co-founded IDS Internet Dispatch Services, growing it from a small office in North Vancouver into a multinational company with offices in Australia and clients around the world. In 2022, Gordon moved to Estevan and retired, only to take on the role of Executive Director of SETH. He passionately believes that Southeast …