David Usher
Juno Award-Winning Musician
Creativity and AI Expert

When innovative companies like Google, 3M, Cisco, Pepsi, Rogers, and SAP want to spark creativity in their employees and executives, they bring in David Usher. He doesn’t just talk creativity and artificial intelligence (AI) — he lives it. Usher draws from his unique experience as the lead singer of Moist; a multi-platinum, four-time Juno award-winning musician; a bestselling author; and as the founder of the artificial intelligence creative studio, Reimagine AI, to help organizations reboot their creativity in this brave new world of disruptive change.

At Reimagine AI, Usher and his team build virtual beings and virtual being technology. He is also the co-creator of the Climate Clock, which tracks global warming in real time and the author of Let the Elephants Run: Unlock Your Creativity and Change Everything. Usher draws from his experience at the forefront of the AI revolution to reveal why now more than ever, creativity and innovation are the only way forward and an organization’s last, best competitive advantage.

In his dynamic, interactive presentations, Usher combines live music, video, improvisation, technology, and humour to electrify audiences and demonstrate that creativity and creative success is a learnable skill that anyone can master, and helps audiences jumpstart their creative process both at home and work.

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.

Anouk Kendall
President,
Decentralised Energy Canada

Anouk Kendall, President, Decentralised Energy Canada - An accomplished industry executive specialising in energy systems. Extensive knowledge of thermal and electrical energy generation and energy efficiency measures with over 27 years of experience in academia, government, private sector and non-profit. A strong global network from short and long-term work placements in Canada, Europe, Russia, India, Sri Lanka and the Caribbean.

Her skills and experience in energy conservation and energy efficiency support a commitment to achieve greater energy resiliency, efficiency and affordability. The global movement towards decentralised energy that is integrated into our cities and communities is driven by progressive leaders that understand the rising costs of a rapidly growing global population and the heightened risks associated with climate instability and geopolitical uncertainty.

Dr. Ryan Comeau
CEO
Kinetisense

Dr. Ryan Comeau completed his undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Alberta after completing a Division 1 NCAA Hockey Scholarship at the University of Alaska. After the completion of his bachelor's degree, Dr. Comeau completed his Doctor of Chiropractic with honours and distinction (Magna Cum Laude) from the Southern California University of Health Sciences (2011). While attending his graduate studies, he immediately saw the need for the development of an objective and efficient analysis tool in the NMSK healthcare industry. Dr. Comeau founded Kinetisense in 2015 to create a scalable human motion data capture system that would solve some of the significant issues in the healthcare ecosystem.

Dr. Comeau is considered a pioneer in the development and applications of clinical 3D Motion Analysis. Kinetisense has now become the “LEADER” in biomechanics assessment and its 3D motion capture system is being used globally for applications such as Clinical Rehabilitation, Sports Performance, Senior Care, Workplace Wellness and Tactical. The Kinetisense movement capture system is an internationally award-winning analysis tool that is currently being used by professional sports organizations, hospitals, clinics, universities and research facilities on a global scale. The Kinetisense solution is used in over 25 countries and has been translated into over 12 languages.

Dr. Comeau is an international speaker and enjoys sharing his passion with movement specialists around the world.

Kevin Shufflebotham
President
Medicine Hat College

Kevin Shufflebotham joined Medicine Hat College as President and CEO in the Spring of 2019 and continues to focus on student success and meeting the needs of southeastern Alberta.

With a Master of Arts in Leadership and Training from Royal Roads University, Kevin has a wealth of experience and a passion for people. His belief in the critical role a college holds within its community is evident in his commitment to bringing people and organizations together.

His career in postsecondary education extends from the classroom to government. At the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, he served as a faculty member in the respiratory therapy program, dean in the school of business, and provost. He also served in senior positions with MacEwan University, and management positions within the Government of Alberta’s Ministry of Advanced Education.

Regionally focused and community minded, Kevin is committed to delivering on Medicine Hat College’s strategic purpose of growing a vibrant future with learners and our region. With his leadership, the college is expanding community connections and providing new opportunities while sustaining the college’s outstanding student satisfaction.

Kevin was gifted the Blackfoot name Ninnah Piitaa, Eagle Chief, in recognition of his leadership of indigenous programming at MHC.

Mitchell Iwaasa
Economic Development Officer
Brooks Newell Region

Mitchell Iwaasa is the Economic Development Officer for the Brooks Newell Region, a partnership of the City of Brooks, County of Newell, and surrounding municipalities. With over 20 years of entrepreneurial experience and lifelong ties to the area, Mitchell supports local business growth and investment attraction. His deep community insight offers investors a genuine perspective on regional opportunities. Currently, he’s helping lead the Brooks Newell Hydrogen Hub, a plan to create a rural hydrogen centre, focused on fueling commercial transport and agriculture. The project aims to create a replicable model for hydrogen production and distribution, helping to expand the sector across Alberta and beyond.

David Rist
Manufacturing Consortium Manager (Alberta)
EMC

David Rist is an accomplished leader in the advanced manufacturing ecosystem, with over 17 years of experience driving innovation, productivity, and strategic growth across the sector. David has led provincial initiatives that connected industry with post-secondary institutions, supported technology adoption, and expanded SME capacity through LEAN transformation and digital enablement.

In 2025 David was instrumental in integrating The Manufacturing Export Enhancement Cluster (MEEC) to become part of EMC Canada.

David will now be serving as the Manufacturing Consortium Manager for Excellence in Manufacturing (EMC) in Alberta, where he is spearheading the integration of MEEC’s legacy programs into a national framework. In this role, he is focused on aligning strategic interest groups across Alberta and Western Canada, expanding productivity and workforce development initiatives, and strengthening partnerships that empower Canadian manufacturers to scale, automate, and lead globally.

Lisa Tiffin
Manager of Community Development
Brooks Newell Region

Lisa Tiffin began her career in municipal government as a City of Brooks Municipal Intern in 2008. Over the past 17 years she's worked in and managed a number of different departments, taking on new challenges and special projects along the way. Throughout her Bachelor’s Degree, undergraduate thesis, post-graduate designation and decade of grassroots experience, she’s maintained a focus on strategic social planning to improve the quality of life for people in Brooks and surrounding area.

Dr. Reagan Weeks
Superintendent
Prairie Rose School Division

Dr. Reagan Weeks is the Superintendent of Prairie Rose School Division. The strategic plan of the organization includes the commitment to forge futures by cultivating wonder and possibility. Part of this work includes design learning experiences that enhance prospects for students through post-secondary, business, non-profit and government partnerships. Thanks to the enthusiastic response of the community, new opportunities within our system have been developed.

Tracy Stroud
Manager
APEX Regional Innovation Network of Southeast Alberta

Tracy Stroud is dedicated to fostering community and business growth, with over 16 years of experience in economic development. She has worked across various sectors, including not-for-profits, private companies, education, and provincial and municipal governments. Her expertise spans financial appraisals for hotels across Canada, talent attraction and retention, student entrepreneurship support, and helping municipalities with business development and investment attraction.

Currently, she is the manager for the APEX Regional Innovation Network (RIN) of Southeast Alberta, powered by Alberta Innovates. This collaboration is an alliance of local organizations focused on helping regional innovators and tech companies from ideation to scale.

Tracy also collaborates with economic development, post-secondary, and innovation stakeholders across Alberta to grow the province's innovation ecosystem. She is excited to see more innovators come from rural Alberta and compete on the global stage than ever before.

Tracy enjoys working with a dedicated team and partners who believe in the power of collaboration to drive innovation. For success stories and updates from Southeast Alberta, visit www.apexalberta.ca.

Amy Allred
Manager
Taber Economic Development

As the Town of Taber’s Economic Development Manager Amy enjoys working with entrepreneurs, local businesses and investors to encourage growth and build community. Her team also looks after commercial & industrial land sales, investment attraction, workforce programs, tourism, business licensing, incentives and Town events. Amy’s past includes a strong event background, years of sales experience in the home industry, owning her own business and a side gig as a country singer.

Kristi Liboiron
Program Coordinator
CAREERS: The Next Generation

Kristi Liboiron is a Program Coordinator with CAREERS: The Next Generation and has also held the role of Executive Director for the South Eastern Alberta Partners for Youth Career Development for the past decade. In her work with CAREERS, Kristi supports youth under the age of 21 in securing meaningful internship opportunities across SE Alberta, focusing on sectors such as Skilled Trades, Agriculture, Information and Communications Technology (ICT), and Health.

She collaborates closely with local employers to create internship opportunities for students by cultivating strong relationships with industry stakeholders such as the CAREERS SE Alberta Advisory Committee, Medicine Hat College, Medicine Hat Construction Association, BILD, SE Alberta Chamber of Commerce, Medicine Hat Economic Development and Newell Economic Development.

Outside of her professional roles, Kristi also manages her family’s cattle ranch in Jenner, Alberta.

Rick Robinson
Associate Dean -
Schools of Business & Continuing Studies and Trades & Technology
Medicine Hat College

Rick Robinson is the Associate Dean of the School of Business and Continuing Studies and the School of Trades and Technology at Medicine Hat College. With over two decades as a business instructor and nearly twenty years of experience in industry and non-profit organizations, he brings a practical understanding of how education supports regional development. Rick is currently completing a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership at the University of Saskatchewan, where his research examines leadership succession in rural colleges. His work includes a focus on how strong local institutions sustain economic growth by developing leaders from within. He believes that rural colleges play a vital role in keeping communities viable, educating people who not only enter the workforce but help shape the future of their regions.

Clayton Willoughby
Workforce Consultant
Government of Alberta

Clayton Willoughby is a Workforce Consultant with the Government of Alberta, based in Medicine Hat. Since 2022, he has worked closely with employers, industry partners, and community stakeholders to support workforce development across Southeast Alberta. Prior to this role, Clayton served for several years as a Career and Employment Consultant in Lethbridge, where he helped Albertans navigate career transitions and access employment services.

Clayton holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Lethbridge, with a focus in Chemistry, Neuroscience, and Biology. While his career path has taken a different direction than originally envisioned, he is passionate about the work he does. He finds great reward in helping employers connect with tools, training, and funding opportunities that support staff attraction and retention, as well as assisting stakeholders in accessing resources to host events and gather data that benefit the regional labour market.

Darren Hall
Economic Development Officer
Medicine Hat Economic Development

Darren Hall is a lifelong resident of Medicine Hat and serves as an Economic Development Officer with the City of Medicine Hat.

In this role, and through his previous work with Community Futures Entre-Corp, he has focused on supporting new and existing small businesses by connecting them to the programs, organizations, and City departments that can help them grow and succeed.

Darren began his post-secondary education at Medicine Hat College and completed his studies at the University of Lethbridge, where he specialized in Business Management and Marketing.

Larry Robinson
Mayor
Village of Foremost

Mayor Larry Robinson represents the Village of Foremost as a key member of the Southeast Alberta Regional Economic Opportunity Strategy (SAEOS) Steering Committee. The Village of Foremost is one of six municipalities working collaboratively to grow economic opportunities in Southeast Alberta. This is his sixth term on the Village of Foremost Council, where he has held leadership roles including councilman, deputy mayor, and now mayor.

Early in his career, Larry worked in farming and ranching, continuing the legacy of his upbringing on a family farm south of Lethbridge, then working in road construction and later spending more than 34 years in the oil and gas industry. Larry brings a deep understanding of the region’s economic landscape and the adaptability needed to succeed in demanding sectors.

Larry's dedication to public service is reflected in his focus on strengthening the community and the surrounding region where he raised his family and is now the proud grandfather of three. In 2002, he was honoured with the Golden Jubilee Medal for community service, a defining moment in his civic career.

Hugh Atwell
Lietuenant Colonel (retired)
Canadian Armed Forces

Lieutenant-Colonel (retired) Hugh Atwell served in the Canadian Armed Forces for 31 years at ranks from Private to Lieutenant-Colonel within the Infantry Corps. He held various institutional and field force positions in the Regular Force and Primary Reserves ranging from Rifle Platoon Commander, Adjutant and Chief of Staff of Base Suffield, through to unit command of the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada (Winnipeg). His service includes operational deployments to Bosnia and Afghanistan.

Mr Atwell joined Suffield Research Centre as the Military Support Unit Detachment Commander and Associate Centre Director In 2021. In 2023 he assumed duties as Acting Centre Director and he continued in this capacity until May of 2025 when he retired and permanently assumed the role.

Mr Atwell is privileged to work with an outstanding team of Defence scientific staff who dedicate themselves to enabling the Canadian Armed Forces and Public Safety technical advantage.

Mike Onieu, CD, CMgr, MA, psc(j)(UK), rmc
Defence Industry Consultant

Born in Thunder Bay, ON and raised in Winnipeg MB and Regina SK, Mike Onieu served in the Canadian Armed Forces as an Armour Officer in Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) from 1998-2019. During that time, he deployed to Afghanistan, Kosovo and the Democratic Republic of Congo. He served in many exciting and challenging roles including Commander of Canadian Forces Base Suffield, and in various locations including Edmonton AB, Kingston ON, Wainwright AB, Ottawa ON, Gagetown NB, and Shrivenham, England.

In 2019 he transitioned from the Regular Force to the Army Reserve. As a proud Reservist he served as Commanding Officer of the South Alberta Light Horse (Alberta’s Regiment) from 2020 through 2023 and continues to serve as a Reservist in 3rd Canadian Division. He was proud to be Executive Director of Medalta, a National and Provincial Historic Resource located in Medicine Hat AB, from 2019-2025.

Mike holds a Bachelor of Arts (Business Admin) degree from the Royal Military College, a MA (Defence Strategic Studies) from King's College, London, UK, and a Complex Project Procurement Leadership certification from the University of Ottawa’s Telfer Business school. He is married to Carolyn Pounder. They have two adult children and reside with two dogs. He is an avid Saskatchewan Roughriders fan, an amateur drummer, and sits on various charitable boards of directors.