Business Conference

Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo Economic Development & Tourism

Government of Alberta

Minister Savage was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta on April 16, 2019, as the MLA for Calgary-North West. A life-long Albertan, Savage has been a strong voice championing pipelines for years. Earning a Master of Laws in Environment and Energy, she practiced law for 13 years before taking a job as an advocate for the oil and gas industry. After working 9 years at Enbridge, she accepted a role as the Sr. Director of Policy and Regulatory Affairs at the Canadian Energy Pipeline Association (CEPA) in 2015. She has handled the pipeline industry’s large policy files, including regulatory reform, Indigenous reconciliation, legal, environment and climate change. Sonya Savage was appointed as Alberta’s Energy Minister on April 30, 2019. Relying on her extensive background in the industry, and spending the last 12 years fighting for pipelines and the energy sector, Savage will continue her work to promote and develop Alberta’s oil and gas wealth and deliver on getting pipelines built.

Canadian Natural Resources Limited

Joy Romero is Vice President Technology & Innovation, Canadian Natural Resources Limited. Joy has worked in steel, iron ore, coal and oil and gas. She joined Canadian Natural in 2001 to develop the Horizon Oil Sands Project.

Canadian Oil Sands Industry Alliance

Wes Jickling assumed the role of COSIA Chief Executive in August 2019. Prior to joining COSIA, Wes was the Chief Executive Officer of Innovation Saskatchewan and Deputy Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs for Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe.

Emission Reduction Alberta

Steve MacDonald is CEO of (ERA), an Alberta-based, board-governed not-for-profit corporation with a mandate to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and grow Alberta’s economy by accelerating the development and adoption of innovation technology solutions. To date ERA has invested approximately $607 million in 183 technology projects worth over $4.1 billion. Prior to taking the leadership role at ERA, MacDonald had an extensive career in the Alberta Public Service, serving in a range of ministries including Treasury Board, Energy, Human Services, Innovation and Advanced Education and Executive Council. During this time, he led major initiatives to guide and transform policy and delivery systems to improve outcomes for Albertans including Alberta’s Social Policy Framework and province-wide economic and environmental initiatives. Steve holds the ICD.D designation and is a Director on the Board of the Canada West Foundation. He is also a part-time instructor in the University of Alberta’s MBA and Executive Education programs. In 2018, Steve was honored to become a member of the Kainai Chieftainship.

Indian Resource Council

Mr. Buffalo is a proud member of the Samson Cree Nation, located approximately 100 kilometres south of Edmonton, Alberta. He graduated secondary school from Athol Murray College at Notre Dame, Saskatchewan. Mr. Buffalo then went on to complete a Business Administration program at Medicine Hat College, continuing on to the University of Lethbridge, where he completed a Management Degree in 1998. He began working at Peace Hills Trust two days after his convocation. Mr. Buffalo worked for Peace Hills Trust for 15 years. He reflects on his time with the organization stating, “Near the end of my tenure at the Trust, I felt I had reached a certain limit of job growth, I looked at the both the pros and the cons of my position and decided that it was time for a major career move.” Peace Hills Trust’s loss has been IRC’s gain. Mr. Buffalo is great asset exemplified in his eagerness to begin work in his new position. He notes, “the oil and gas industry is very exciting, and especially for First Nations. Oil and gas are natural resources that can help them build First Nations communities.” He continues, “having spent 10 years as a Regional Manager for Peace Hills Trust, I am confident in my abilities as a business leader. We need to be accountable and, at the same time, do our best to reach our mandates.” The IRC supports First Nations through working with government and industry. With this mandate in mind Mr. Buffalo notes, “With all the non-renewable resources, protecting the First Nations’ interests and ensuring that they maximize on their resources should be a common goal to sustainability.”

Wood Mackenzie

Scott joined the Canadian Upstream Research team at Wood Mackenzie in June 2019. He is responsible for providing financial asset valuation and objective commercial analysis on company and play activity across Canada. Scott covers a range of companies across Canada including Tourmaline, Cenovus and Vermilion. He provides high level company valuation and strategy analysis for corporate coverage of Cenovus Energy. Prior to joining Wood Mackenzie, Scott gained comprehensive experience in exploration and development of upstream assets. Scott worked at Parex Resources on conventional assets, Devon Energy on the Jackfish oil sands project and also has field experience in L48 unconventional plays. Scott holds a Bachelor of Geology degree with honours from the University of Calgary and is a registered Geologist in training with the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta.

Oil Sands Community Alliance

As executive director of the Oil Sands Community Alliance, Perry Berkenpas brings a collaborative approach to working with communities while enabling responsible growth of Canada’s oil sands. Perry Berkenpas has a passion for oil sands and the benefit the industry provides to Alberta and the Athabasca Oil Sands Area. With over 30 years’ experience in technical, operational and business leadership, Berkenpas has an in-depth understanding of the oil sands industry, having worked with ConocoPhillips for over 20 years, most recently as the Senior Vice-President of Oil Sands. Berkenpas came to OSCA after a few years of consulting, as Managing Director of THINKbeyond consultancy, helping clients improve business strategies and performance.