Mark Parsons
VP and Chief Economist
ATB Financial

Mark leads a dynamic team in providing insightful commentary and strategic economic outlooks, primarily focused on Alberta. With over two decades of experience in senior economic positions, including notable roles at Alberta Treasury Board and Finance, PwC, and the Department of Finance Canada, Mark has established himself as a trusted authority in the field. He is a regular speaker at industry conferences and a frequent contributor to media discussions on economic trends. He holds a Master's degree in Economics from the University of Alberta.

Brock Dickinson
Director, Economic Development Program
University of Waterloo

Brock Dickinson holds a number of appointments with the University of Waterloo, including a role as the Entrepreneur-in-Residence, and as Director of the University’s Economic Development Program.

Brock was previously the Chief Executive Officer of MDB Insight, Canada’s largest specialist economic development consultancy, where he worked with some 300 communities across North America to identify and pursue economic development, investment attraction, and job creation opportunities. Before entering the private sector, Brock served as Director of ICT & Advanced Manufacturing for the Toronto Region Research Alliance, as Director of Economic Development & Tourism Services for the City of St. Catharines, and as Executive Director of the Western Valley Development Authority in rural Nova Scotia. In these roles, he has helped to leverage more than a billion dollars in new investment, and the creation of 5,000 new jobs. A widely published writer and popular public speaker, Brock has a BA from the University of North Carolina and a Master’s degree in International Relations from Brock University, where his research focused on global economic development best practices. He has also studied at Queen’s University, the University of Waterloo, and the French-language Université Sainte-Anne.