DATE

THURSDAY August 20

TIME

1:00 pM
Eastern Time

ONLINE SUMMIT

PIERRE RIVARDExecutive Chairman, TUGLIQ Energy Board Member, National Research Council

Pierre Rivard is Executive Chairman at TUGLIQ Energy Corp., which is dedicated to energy diversification of fossil-fueled autonomous grids in remote and northern regions. In previous President & CEO roles, Pierre executed multiple M&A's internationally, complex transactions establishing strategic alliances with blue-chip global partners, and a NASDAQ /TSX IPO. He's led high-performance teams that received numerous awards, including fastest-growing company in Canada in 2003 for Hydrogenics.

Full bio.

KWAWU MENSAN GABA
Lead Energy Specialist,
The World Bank

Kwawu Mensan Gaba currently leads the flagship Central Asia South Asia Regional Transmission and Trade (CASA-1000) Project, a US$1.2 billion project under construction that will allow for the export of surplus hydroelectricity from Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to Afghanistan and Pakistan. Kwawu  has successfully led to completion large and complex hydropower and transmission operations, turned portfolios around, and managed highly sensitive sector dialogue in various fragile and conflict-affected, low-income countries as well as in middle income countries. He is recognized as an out-of-the-box thinker and as a promoter of disruptive technologies to solve development challenges, and has received multiple accolades.

GIANCARLO SAVINI
Manager, Investments & Partnerships CleanTech,
Shell Ventures

Giancarlo Savini has 14 years of global experience in energy and technology management in corporate and ventures environments. He has  experience sourcing, evaluating, negotiating and operationalizing ventures deals and strategic contact in Shell. Giancarlo is a cleantech investor with a focus on strategic value creation and implementation of technology in major energy assets. He currently serves as a Board Observer for Veros Systems.

Full bio.

CLAUDE VACHET
Managing Partner,
Cycle Capital

Claude Vachet has 30 years of operational, venture capital, secondary transaction and fund management experience of venture capital portfolios investing in high tech companies. Claude has been part of successful teams at Kirchner and Multiple Capital, among others. He has also worked at Innovatech Montreal as Vice-President Information Technology and Communication. In this capacity, he was responsible for 44 high-tech start-up companies and 5 venture capital funds. From April 2004 to March 2005, he participated in the sale of Innovatech Montreal’s portfolio, the second largest transaction in a venture capital portfolio in Canada with its 108 companies and 15 funds.

Full bio.

ZIYAD RAHME
Vice President, Investments
Sustainable Development Technology Canada

As the Vice President, Investments, Ziyad Rahme provides leadership for SDTC’s strategy and approach to the investment process, ensuring that SDTC is sourcing and nurturing innovative clean technology companies that have the potential to deliver strong environmental and economic benefits to Canada. Ziyad also oversees the day-to-day operation of the SD Tech Fund investment process. Prior to joining SDTC, Ziyad spent 18 years at Iogen Corporation, a leading developer of advanced low-carbon biofuels, where he contributed in various roles involving progressive and expanding leadership responsibility. Ziyad holds an M.B.A., an M.Sc. in Environmental Engineering and a B.A.Sc. in Chemical Engineering.

Full bio.

MOSTAFA FARROKHABADI
Senior Director of Technology
BluWave-ai

Dr. Mostafa Farrokhabadi is the technology and innovation leader at BluWave-ai. He serves as the Associate Editor of IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid and the Secretary of the IEEE Ottawa Section. He has (co)authored several high-impact papers, articles, and patents on intelligent control and optimization of renewable-penetrated grids and has an extensive track-record of design and implementation of smart grid solutions for industry, including Hatch and Canadian Solar. Dr. Farrokhabadi is the recipient of multiple prestigious awards and recognition, including Canada's National Capital Region’s Forty Under 40.  

Full bio.