AGM Speakers & Special Guests

Jen Beverly

Associate Professor, University of Alberta.

Jen Beverly is an Associate Professor at the University of Alberta. She holds MSc and PhD degrees from the University of Toronto, and a BES from the University of Waterloo. Her research team currently focuses on various aspects of wildfire risk assessment – with the overarching goal of providing decision-makers with tools to ensure social and ecological systems thrive in fire-prone environments. Jen is a fire behaviour specialist, a former helitack crew leader (Ontario Fire Ranger), and a former federal government research scientist.

Wendy Crosina, RFP, PBio

Director of Forest Sustainability for Weyerhaeuser Canadian Timberlands

Wendy Crosina is the Director of Forest Sustainability for Weyerhaeuser Canadian Timberlands.
She is responsible for wildlife, ecology and stewardship issues for all Weyerhaeuser Timberlands
operations across Canada. Wendy is both a registered professional forester and a registered
professional biologist. With her educational background in both forestry and wildlife
management, she is able to bring a unique perspective to issues. Wendy leads the sustainability
file for Weyerhaeuser Canada Limited, and is an active participant in a number of forestry
association working groups, as well as national and provincial species at risk groups. She is a
Board member for several non-profit organizations, and represents Weyerhaeuser at the Alberta
Chamber of Resources. She enjoys the challenge of working on complex issues in a collaborative
and inclusive way and finding solutions that meet the needs of stakeholders. Wendy has worked
in the forest industry for over 20 years and still enjoys working in a job where there are more
good days than bad days.

John Desjarlais

Executive Director, Indigenous Resource Network

John is Nehinaw (Cree)-Metis from Kaministikominahikoskak (Cumberland House), Saskatchewan. John has a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan and started his career in 2001 in the mining industry and worked in a variety of roles including E&S, maintenance and reliability engineering management until moving onto executive leadership in economic development and construction. John now serves as the Executive Director of the Indigenous Resource Network as well as Past President of APEGS. John also has extensive regulatory, volunteer, governance, and civil society experience serving on a variety of boards, committees, and other initiatives culminating into several awards over his career recognizing his civil service and servant leadership. 

Thomas Djurfors

Assistant Deputy Minister of Consultation, Land, and Policy for Indigenous Relations

Thomas is the Assistant Deputy Minister of Consultation, Land, and Policy for Indigenous Relations, and oversees the Aboriginal Consultation Office, Treaty Land claims, and policy and intergovernmental matters. Other than a 5-year stint at NAIT, Thomas has dedicated his 20+ year career to the Alberta Public Service, including Advanced Education, Health, Executive Council and Municipal Affairs. Prior to coming to Indigenous Relations, Thomas was the Executive Director in Municipal Affairs overseeing the Safety Codes Act and the Office of the Fire Commissioner.

Sithara Fernando

Registered Professional Forester | Environmental Advocate

Sithara Fernando is a trailblazing force within the forestry industry, embodying excellence, leadership, and diversity. With over a decade of dedicated service in the environmental sector, she has emerged as a distinguished voice advocating for sustainable forestry practices and inclusivity within the field.

As a woman of color, Sithara brings a unique perspective to her role as a Registered Professional Forester. Her journey in forestry has been marked by a commitment to breaking barriers and fostering diversity, inspiring the next generation of environmental leaders.

Loleen Flynn

Director, Alberta’s Ministry of Education

Loleen Flynn is a member of the Gitxsan Nation and grew up in Hazelton (Gitanmaax), BC where she was immersed in the hereditary traditions and cultural ways of her people as a Gisgaast (People of the Fireweed) clan member.Loleen has over 14 years of federal and provincial government work experience with many of those years including a supervisory role. She has provided advice to executive teams to help shape the strategic direction of projects on Indigenous matters and has worked with colleagues and staff to develop and build strong relationships with all stakeholders. She has extensive program management experience and has demonstrated her ability to resolve sensitive and complex issues, through collaboration, consensus building and diplomacy. She has also worked in other areas such as university student recruitment, managed a small home-based business and has even been a commercial fishing deckhand. Loleen earned a BBA from Okanagan College and has taken various course towards her MBA through Cape Breton University. She is currently a director within Alberta’s Ministry of Education.

Matthew Foss 

 Vice President of Research & Public Policy, Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business

Matthew Foss is a member of the Metis Nation of Alberta. He brings over 25 years of public policy experience, specializing in energy economics along with research and public policy development. Mr. Foss currently serves as the Vice President of Research & Public Policy for the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business and is an Executive Fellow at the University of Calgary School of Public Policy.

Matthew’s focus at the CCAB is on advancing Indigenous business through research and advocacy related to procurement, international trade, celebrating Indigenous entrepreneurs and natural resource development. Prior to joining CCAB, he ran his own energy economics and public policy consulting business for several years and served as the Chief Energy Economist for the Alberta Government.

Andrew Horton

Assistant Deputy Minister Environment and Protected Areas

Andrew started with the Government of Alberta in communications with Alberta Agriculture as they dealt with a significant drought and the province’s first case of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy. He moved to the City of Edmonton for a short period before returning to the then-Ministry of Alberta Environment and Water, first as a public affairs officer, then as an executive advisor with Bev Yee, then finally as the director of the just-started Strategic Foresight Unit. Andrew then moved to Municipal Affairs, where he as worked in a number of leadership roles, all with a policy and engagement focus, and was responsible for the care and feeding of the Municipal Government Act and the Local Authorities Election Act.

He is currently the Assistant Deputy Minister, Lands Division with Environment and Protected Areas and the Alberta Land Stewardship Commissioner. His division is responsible for regional and sub-regional planning, reclamation policy, conservation policy, and the development of Alberta’s Nature Strategy. He spends his off-time looking for the best new craft beer, the best place to buy meat, and the best way to cook it. Ask him about reverse searing or the Texas crutch!

Paul Jannke

Principal of Lumber, Forest Economic Advisors

Paul is a Principal of Forest Economic Advisors LLC, the premier source for North American wood products analysis and information. In this capacity, he develops and implements the company’s business and operational strategies. Paul’s true professional passion lies in analyzing North American lumber markets. With 25 years’ experience studying lumber markets and providing reliable, insightful forecasts, Paul has become the industry’s top economic analyst.

Joseph Jobin

Executive Director for Indigenous and Community Connections, Alberta Children and Family Services

With over 13 years of leadership experience and a deep understanding of Indigenous relations, policy, and economic development, this professional has built a diverse and impactful career in public service and the private sector.

Currently serving as Executive Director for Indigenous and Community Connections at Alberta Children and Family Services, Joseph leads multi-disciplinary teams, manages key agreements with First Nations, and provides expert advice on cultural engagement. His prior roles include executive-level management, financial leadership, and policy development within both Provincial Treaty Organizations and financial institutions, consistently fostering partnerships and collaboration with Indigenous, Métis, and non-Aboriginal leadership across Alberta. With an MBA from the University of Alberta and active involvement in various boards, Joseph is a respected voice in both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.

Todd Loewen

Minister of Forestry and Parks

odd Loewen was first elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Grande Prairie-Smoky, on May 5, 2015. He was re-elected as the Member for Central Peace-Notley on April 16, 2019 and on May 29, 2023.

Prior to serving with the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Loewen owned a small outfitting business and an operational farm. Born and raised in rural Alberta, Mr. Loewen grew up in a farming family. He has lived in the community of Valleyview for the past 50 years. Mr. Loewen and his wife, Teena, have 5 children: Travis, Ty, Taylor, Tianna and Tenea.

Mr. Loewen has been an active volunteer for the Rotary Club of Grande Prairie, the Chamber of Commerce, their local church, several business organizations and many other community activities.

Mr. Loewen was sworn in as Ministry of Forestry and Parks on June 9, 2023. He previously served as the Minister of Forestry, Parks and Tourism.

Dan Lux

Vice-President, Industrial Products

Dan has been a member of the Forestry Division team since 1999 where he started as a Forest Health Officer in Rocky Mountain House Area and serving the south east slopes region. After moving to Edmonton, Dan continued to work for the Forest Health Section until a brief secondment to Environment leading caribou recovery planning. Dan came back to Forestry as the Exec Director of Forest Industry Development and eventually the Exec Director of the merged FID and Forest Management Branches – (with a secondment to Corporate Finances mixed in-between). Dan began as ADM in the Fall of 2021.
Both of Dan’s kids are both in University giving Dan and Robert the opportunity to experience an empty nest. Dan and Roberta spend time at their off-the-grid cabin tending a couple bee hives, maintaining a healthy sized garden, and keeping the dirt bike and cross country ski trails maintained.

Chana Martineau

CEO Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation

Chana Martineau is the CEO of the Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation, a provincial Crown Corporation with a mandate to serve as a catalyst for Indigenous prosperity and independence through investment and involvement in Alberta’s natural resources, agriculture, transportation, and telecommunications sectors. Prior to joining AIOC, Chana had an extensive and diverse background in the financial services sector with 30 years of experience across all aspects of banking and investing. Her experience includes strategy and consulting in the key sectors under the AIOC mandate. Chana has been recognized for her efforts fostering Inclusion and Diversity for women in leadership and Indigenous peoples. She has a track record of building high performance teams both inside and outside of the boardroom. Her governance experience encompasses several board positions, including time as the Enterprise Risk Finance & Audit Committee chair of a National Sport Organization and is a current candidate for the ICD.D. Chana is a proud member of Frog Lake First Nation on Treaty 6 Territory and is a graduate from the University of Alberta with a degree in Economics.

Derek Nighbor

President and CEO, Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC)

Derek Nighbor was born and raised in Pembroke – in the heart of the Ottawa Valley – and has been President and CEO at Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) since March 2016. He is proud to represent Canada’s forest products sector and its workers, families, and communities nationally and internationally.

In addition to his role at FPAC, Derek serves as the industry representative and advisor to the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) and is the Past President of the International Council of Forest & Paper Associations (ICFPA) – an organization of forest sector leaders from 28 countries around the world. Derek is also a member of the Board of Directors of FPInnovations, Canada’s leading forest sector research institute.

Michael Norton

Director General of the Northern Forestry Centre (NFC) in Edmonton, Alberta

Michael Norton joined Natural Resources Canada in July 2014 as the Director General of the Northern Forestry Centre (NFC) in Edmonton, Alberta. He provides leadership for NFC’s research activities on wildfire, climate change impacts, forest health, and pests. Michael also leads NRCan’s national wildfire program and previously worked with Public Works and Government Services Canada on remediating contaminated sites.

James Rajotte

Alberta’s Sr Representative to the US

James Rajotte was appointed Alberta’s Senior Representative to the United States on May 1, 2020. Prior to this, he served as a Vice President at Rogers Communications. During his 15 years in the House of Commons, he represented Edmonton-Southwest and Edmonton-Leduc and was involved in various committees. He also had three private member’s bills/motions adopted by the House of Commons. Additionally, Mr. Rajotte has served on the Board of Directors of various organizations and holds degrees from the University of Ottawa and the University of Alberta.

Liam Stone

Assistant Deputy Minister Economic Strategy Division Jobs, Economy and Trade

Liam is the Assistant Deputy Minister of the Economic Strategy Division with Jobs, Economy and Trade. The division undertakes economic analysis, data analytics, policy development, and major investor relations to support job creating investment in Alberta.

Prior to rejoining the Government of Alberta, Liam was Head of Policy and Sustainability
for TransAlta Corporation, one of Canada’s largest independent power producers with
operations in Canada, the U.S., and Australia