Ben Graham is the President for AdFarm, one of North America's largest full-service marketing and communications company, focused entirely on agriculture, food and rural issues. As President, Mr. Graham works closely with AdFarmers and AdFarm clients across North America. In his 25-plus years with the company, those clients have included Nutrien, Merck, Bayer, BASF, Alberta Beef Producers, the Canola Council of Canada, Dow AgroSciences/Corteva, UFA and many more. Ben is a proud fourth generation farmer and was raised on his family’s farm near Vulcan, Alberta.

Seventeen years ago, Kimberley founded WaVv, a company accelerating cross-industry innovation across Aerospace, Defence & Security, Space, Energy, Tech, Ag, Military, and Mining.

She also created CONVERGX®, the only global congress connecting decision-makers across these industries. With nearly $2 billion in tracked deals, the event fosters strategic partnerships for business opportunities within 12-18 months. Attendees discover solutions from unexpected industries to tackle critical challenges.

Kimberley’s expertise led to her appointment to the Canadian Delegation of NATO's Industrial Advisory Group (NIAG) six years ago. She now serves as Deputy Chair for the NIAG-Allied Command Transformation Unit (ACT), overseeing Innovation, C4ISR, MDO, DT, Logistics, and Sustainment. She collaborates with NATO divisions including NCIA, NSPA, STO, APSS,SHAPE, JFC, and DIANA. Recently, she became Director of the Aerospace Innovation Hub in Calgary and a leader in NATO’s SpaceNet division.

Recognized among Canada’s Top 20 Women in Defence by Esprit de Corps and a Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference (GGCLC) Alumni, She’s also a proud Mum to an 11-year-old, a private pilot, and a Divemaster Scuba Diver.

Entrepreneur. Dreamer. Scientist. Kevin has spent 25 years on the front lines of energy innovation, holding numerous executive leadership roles across the industry. Beginning his career in as a roughneck on the oilrigs of Northern Alberta he quickly rose through the ranks, ultimately serving as Chief Executive of Beaver Drilling, Canada’s then largest privately owned Drilling company, Beaver Drilling. In 2020, he co-founded Canada’s first energy venture studio and Alberta’s first energy venture capital fund, Avatar Innovations.  

Kevin's expertise spans corporate strategy, governance, capital planning, operations, marketing, technology and Intellectual Property management. His leadership has spearheaded several ground-breaking achievements in energy, from the construction and deployment of dozens of newly computerized drilling rigs to the execution of the first long-reach horizontal well ever drilled in the Canadian arctic, numerous joint ventures with Canada’s Indigenous peoples fostering Economic Reconciliation in remote communities and the founding of the Energy Transition Center, a globally recognized energy innovation hub. 

Having led a major corporation through the disruption of the Canadian energy industry, Kevin is uniquely positioned to lead Avatar Innovations’ ambitious plan unlocking energy transition solutions inside oil and gas for investment, commercialization and scale. Kevin holds a Bachelor of Science from McGill University and a Master of Business Administration from the Haskayne School of Business and currently serves on board of directors of Energy Safety Canada and the steering committees of both the Clean Resource Innovation Network (CRIN) and the Energy Futures Lab (EFL).  

Hanif Joshaghani is a serial entrepreneur with a diverse background of over 15 years of senior roles in capital markets, energy finance, business development, and entrepreneurship across various industries,  including investment banking, energy, and technology. He has successfully raised over $150M across the four companies he has founded, with several exits to date.

Hanif is the Co-Founder and CEO of Symend. Founded in 2016 and globally recognized for innovation, Symend drives meaningful and sustainable improvements in collections strategies while fostering lasting customer relationships.

Under Hanif’s leadership - Symend has achieved significant recognition as winner of Microsoft Canada Impact Award, EY Entrepreneur of the year Prairies Award, rankings on The Globe & Mail’s Top Growing Companies list, Deloitte’s Technology Fast 50TM and Fast 500TM. Symend was also named Tech Deal of the Year by Start Alberta and featured in LinkedIn’s 10 Top Startups in Canada list. 

Hanif has recently been inducted to JA Alberta Hall of Fame as 2024 Young Innovator Award recipient. He 
is also an EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2021 Prairie Region Winner and Avenue Calgary’s Top 40 Under 40, Class of 2020. 

In addition to his role at Symend, Hanif is actively involved in various organizations. He is a member of 
the Business Council of Canada (BCC), and Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO). He also sits on the boards of the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF) and the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation (ACHF). Hanif is a dedicated mentor and angel investor, contributing significantly to the Canadian tech entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Hanif holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Chicago and a Master of Business Administration from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto.

Dr. Terry Rock is the President & CEO of Platform Calgary, an organization focused on driving growth and velocity in Calgary’s tech sector. Terry’s previous experience has covered a wide variety of contexts and industries. He was the Executive Director of the Alberta Small Brewers Association and founding CEO of the Calgary Arts Development Authority. He worked on Civic Partnerships at the City of Calgary and was an Assistant Professor in Strategy at the University of Calgary. Dr. Rock holds a Ph.D. in Management with a focus on Strategic Management, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation from Texas Tech University and a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing (with Distinction) from the University of Saskatchewan.

Geraldine (Geri) Anderson is the Vice President of Marketing & Communications, Strategy & Strategic Alliances | Calgary Economic Development.

Over her 15-year career, Geri has earned a reputation for excellence in communications and policy advocacy in both the private and public sector. Most recently, she was with the Government of Canada as Director, Communications for the Office of the Minister and Special Representative for the Prairies, where she advocated for Alberta and ensured its perspective had a seat at the national table.

Geri was Director, Policy & Communications for the Calgary Chamber from 2019 to 2021. Prior to the Chamber, she held senior roles in communications, government and stakeholder relations and public affairs with TD Bank Group, Canadian Energy Pipeline Association, Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers and Navigator Ltd.

Geri earned an Honours Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto and a Master of Journalism from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University).

After growing up in the Middle East and Toronto, Geri chose to make Calgary home in 2010. She is passionate about championing women in both the workplace and politics and wants to ensure her city is the kind of place that welcomes new perspectives and the people who bring them to the table.