Keynote
Opening Keynote Plenary Session
A Multi-Perspective Approach to Regulation and Measurement of Emissions
Tuesday, June 25, 8:30 am – 10:30 am MT, Macleod Hall A
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Opening Keynote Speaker: Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas, Government of Alberta
Rebecca Schulz was first elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Calgary-Shaw on April 16, 2019 and was re-elected on May 29, 2023. Prior to her election, Ms. Schulz worked as a communications professional with a master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University. A wife and proud mother of 2 young children, Schulz has seen first-hand the challenges that Alberta’s families have faced in times of economic stagnation and decline. Ms. Schulz was sworn in as Minister of Environment and Protected Areas on June 9, 2023. She previously served as Minister of Municipal Affairs and Minister of Children’s Services.
Keynote panel speakers include:
Sanjay Prasad, Executive Director, Wood Buffalo Environmental Association (WBEA)
Since 1999, Sanjay has served in multiple roles for the Wood Buffalo Environmental Association (WBEA), ensuring the organization’s ongoing reputation for high-quality data, independent air quality reporting, and consensus-based decision-making in the heart of the Athabasca Oil Sands Region. Under Sanjay’s leadership, the WBEA’s membership has grown to include 42 member organizations from industry, Indigenous communities, government, and NGOs and expanded the monitoring programs to be recognized as one of Canada’s largest ambient air and deposition monitoring networks. Sanjay’s contributions to air quality monitoring have focused on providing transparent monitoring program designs, accountability for sharing data on public websites, and commitment to sharing information to benefit all stakeholders and rightsholders living and working in Northeastern Alberta.
Dr. Sumi Wren, Research Scientist, Air Quality Research Division at Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)
Sumi's research focuses on air pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions, with a recent focus on the oil sands region of Canada, as well as on urban air quality. She is currently co-leading a multi-year research project to improve the quantification of methane emissions and air quality impacts of downstream oil and gas operations across Canada, through mobile atmospheric measurements. This project is joint with the Climate Research Division at ECCC and funded through the Program of Energy Research and Development of Natural Resources Canada. Prior to joining ECCC as a post-doc in 2015, she held a post-doctoral position at the University of Oregon. Dr. Wren completed her PhD in Environmental Chemistry at the University of Toronto, where she studied the atmospheric chemistry of ice surfaces.
Rob Hoffman, Director, Government & Stakeholder Relations, Canadian Fuels Association
Rob Hoffman has extensive experience in the downstream petroleum industry, having previously worked for 30 years with Imperial Oil, and in December 2014 Rob joined the Canadian Fuels Association to serve in his current role as CFA's Director - Government and Stakeholder Relations for Western Canada. Rob currently serves on the board of directors for the Alberta Water Council, Alberta’s Clean Air Strategic Alliance (CASA), the Canadian Brownfields Network, and on Transport Canada’s General Policy Advisory Council (GPAC) which promotes the safe transportation of dangerous goods.
The Canadian Fuels Association represents its member Canadian companies involved in the refining, distribution, and marketing of transportation fuels. The Association’s work and advocacy support informed environmental, health and safety policy development that recognizes the important role that liquid fuels contribute to Canada’s economic prospects and energy security.
Moderated by: James Walker, President, Air & Waste Management Association, Air Quality Manager, CMS Energy Mr. Walker currently works for Consumers Energy in Jackson, Michigan as the Air Quality Manager for the Environmental Quality & Sustainability Department. His prior work experience includes being the Corporate Environmental Manager for Rea Magnet Wire Company in Fort Wayne, Indiana and Environmental Supervisor for Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, Michigan. Mr. Walker is currently the President of the Air & Waste Management Association (Association). He has previously served the Association as the Secretary and Chair for the East Michigan Chapter, as a Board Member for the Indiana Chapter, and Board Member and Chair of the East Central Section. He was previously the Membership Chair for the Board of Directors and is the Past Chair of the Section and Chapters Council. His education includes BSE, Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan–Ann Arbor, 1987 and MBA, Operations Management Concentration, Oakland University, 1994.
