CUSMA
OUR SPEAKERS
ANANI, Namir (P.Eng.)
Namir Anani, President and CEO of the Information and Communications Technology Council (ictc-ctic.ca), is the chief strategist and driving force in bringing ICTC’s world-class centre of expertise and services to industry, education and government; enabling Canada’s advancement as a leader in innovation, productivity in the global economy. Before joining ICTC, Namir previously led Policy Development & Research at the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC).
He has also held several executive leadership roles in both the private and public sectors including the Department of Canadian Heritage (Director General & CEO), CGI consulting, Nortel, and Novartis (Switzerland). Mr. Anani’s experience extends to; strategic policy development and implementation, learning and capacity building, business transformation, national/international strategic alliances, economic and market research, and technology innovation.
Namir holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Electrical Engineering from the University of Salford (UK) and holds Professional Engineer designation in Ontario (P. Eng.). He is also a board member of the Women in Communications and Technology.
ANTONIO, Lydia
Lydia Antonio serves as Director General of International Treaties ́ Monitoring, Administration and Compliance Oversight in the Mexican Ministry of Economy since February 16, 2019. Among her main responsibilities are the implementation of the Mexico, United States and Canada agreement (T-MEC), the bilateral agendas/mechanisms with Canada and the U.S. and the coordination of policies as a means to promote gender equality.
Ms. Antonio is a member of the Mexican Foreign Service since 1998. She has held various positions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs such as Deputy Director General for the North American Competitiveness Agenda (from August 2013 to February 15, 2019); Press Attaché at the Embassy of Mexico to the United States (January 2011-July 2013); Consul for Political, Economic and Border Affairs at the Consulate General of Mexico in San Diego, California (September 2003-December 2010), among others.
She holds a Master ́s Degree in International Studies from the Instituto Matías Romero of Diplomatic Studies (Mexico City 1998-1999) and a BA in International Relations from the Universidad Iberoamericana (Mexico City). Since 2003, she has specialized in commercial diplomacy and gender studies.
ARSENAULT, Jacinthe
Jacinthe is an executive within the Government of Canada with 25 years of experience in employment, labour and social issues. Throughout her career, she has played leadership roles in advancing Canada’s priorities on the international scene, particularly within the United Nations, the G7 and G20. Since 2019, Jacinthe has been the Director of the Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program at Employment and Social Development Canada. She led the development and establishment of this new program that helps key sectors of the Canadian economy, including sectors contributing to the low-carbon economy, by funding industry-driven activities that help workers through training and reskilling, and help employers attract and retain a skilled workforce.
BRANIGAN, Michelle
Michelle Branigan is the Chief Executive Officer of Electricity Human Resources Canada (EHRC). Branigan is a subject matter expert when it comes to the industry and works closely with employers and industry stakeholders to address their specific labour market and HR challenges. Originally from Ireland, Branigan holds a master’s degree in Training and Performance Management from the University of Leicester, U.K., and is a certified Project Management Professional.
Understanding the impacts of innovation and technology, Branigan is committed to developing forward thinking and cutting-edge tools, resources, and research to meet current and future workforce needs. As a champion of diversity, equity and inclusion, she is passionate about leading real change for the advancement of women and minorities and has spearheaded many instrumental programs which have sparked a national movement for organization to become agents of change. Among these initiatives is the leadership Accord for Diversity Equity and Inclusion- a public commitment by employers, educators, unions, and governments to build a workforce that is truly representative of Canada’s people. She is currently an active Board Member with the Energy Council of Canada, the Irish Film Festival Ottawa, and a recipient of Women in Renewable Energy’s (WiRE) Woman of the Year award, which recognizes and celebrates professional women working in the energy sector who go above and beyond business as usual.
BRASWELL, Dr. CyLynn
Dr. CyLynn Braswell is an Advisor with Student Analytics in the Frontline Education organization. For the nearly 20 years prior to that CyLynn championed public education in a variety of roles in and out of the school building. Dr. Braswell’s most recent public education employment was with a fast-growth school district outside the greater Fort Worth, Texas area as the Executive Director for College, Career Readiness, and Innovation. Her passion for empowering all young people to have the opportunity to pursue any type of training during and after high school is endless. Dr. Braswell’s service continues today at the state, national, and international level through a variety boards and committees. She is dedicated to building systems that are equitable as well as accessible while deconstructing the policies that continue to create barriers to opportunities. Dr. Braswell holds a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Services and Development from Tarleton State University, a master’s degree in Education and a Master’s in Information Systems, also from Tarleton, and a Doctoral Degree from the University of North Texas, in Educational Leadership.
CARNEGIE, Jamie
A member of the Manitoba Public Service since 2002, Jamie Carnegie joined the Manitoba Status of Women Secretariat as Executive Director in May 2020. Her public service career includes experience from various program areas; social services, workforce development, apprenticeship, indigenous reconciliation and northern relations, and in central government. Most recently, Jamie was Senior Advisor to the Deputy Minister of Indigenous and Northern Relations. As a result, Jamie has extensive expertise in strategic policy development, workforce development programming, reconciliation and cross-departmental collaboration.
As Secretary to Manitoba’s Gender-Based Violence Committee of Cabinet, Jamie works directly with political and executive leadership to coordinate Manitoba’s efforts to end gender-based violence. Under her leadership, the secretariat delivered Manitoba’s Framework: Ending Gender-Based Violence along with a companion $6.4 million to fund Indigenous led and community based organizations under the framework.
Recognizing the critical importance of economic prosperity for women is a cornerstone of her approach to her work. Jamie believes that when women do better, we all do better. In 2021/22, she secured and guided the investment of $1.1million in training initiatives for women and girls in the areas of heavy construction, building trades, aerospace, information and communication technology and social services.
CHAUDHRY, Dr. Yogendra
For over 25 years of his career in the Environment and Sustainability sector, Yogi has delivered projects in over 20 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe and North America. Yogi holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Science and MBA from University of Alberta. He also supports a number of Canadian and international academic institutions, standard-setting organizations, and industry associations in various professional capacities.
Yogi oversees ECO Canada’s Certification and Accreditation Programs, Technical and Professional Services, ESG & strategic initiatives and ECO Canada’s Indigenous programs focused on Indigenous inclusion, training and employment.
CUKIER, Dr. Wendy
Dr. Wendy Cukier is a professor of Entrepreneurship and Strategy at the Ted Rogers School of Management, Academic Director of the Diversity Institute and Research Lead of the Future Skills Centre. She co-authored the bestseller “Innovation Nation: Canadian Leadership from Java to Jurassic Park” and is a leader in disruptive technologies and innovation. She is the former VP of Research and Innovation and has authored more than 200 articles on aspects of diversity, inclusion and innovation.
Wendy is the founder of the Diversity Institute which has 130 research staff, 100 research associates from around the world and more than 200 industry partners focused on dimensions of diversity and inclusion in the workplace, future skills, and entrepreneurship. For more than a decade she has been challenging conventional wisdom about technology adoption and the “skills gap”, and examining how we can leverage inclusive innovation to address it. She is the research lead for the Future Skills Centre with a comprehensive research agenda. Wendy also leads the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub, funded by the Government of Canada which promotes inclusive supports for women and other diverse entrepreneurs. The Diversity Institute’s DiversityLeads project helped shape Bill C-25 and the 50-30 Challenge, and is one of the ecosystem partners supporting its implementation.
She has been recognized with the Harry Jerome Diversity Award, the Bob Marley Award, the Metropolis Research Award, the CATA Alliance, Sara Kirke Award for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and recognized in the 100 Most Powerful Women by WXN. She has been named a YWCA Woman of Distinction, one of the “100 Alumni who shaped the Century” by the University of Toronto and International Women’s Forum 2020 Women Who Make a Difference. Wendy holds a PhD in Information Systems, an MBA, an MA, and honorary doctorates from Laval and Concordia. She also received Canada’s Meritorious Service Cross, one of Canada’s highest civilian honours.
DA SILVA, Luisa
As the Executive Director of Iron & Earth, Luisa is empowering fossil fuel and Indigenous workers through creating opportunities to transition into the net-zero economy. She brings a wealth of experience from the energy, conservation, mining, education, and not-for-profit sectors. She began her career in the fossil fuel industry of northern Alberta, and has been influenced by her mining experiences in Canada and abroad. After a successful career as a professional geoscientist, Luisa moved to the United Kingdom to pursue an Executive Master’s of Business Administration. Since then, Luisa has worked in the charitable and not-for-profit sectors, and is enthusiastic about enabling people to transition to fulfilling careers. In her spare time, Luisa is an outdoor enthusiast and spends as much time in nature as possible.
ESPINOLA, Irene
- Irene is Grupo Bimbo’s Global Head of Net Zero Carbon where she is responsible for developing and implementing all the renewable energy solutions worldwide.
- In this position she makes sure the company complies with all regulations in energy matters, and of mixing strategies to optimize the use of energy and minimize costs.
- During her career she has managed different renewable energy projects in 25 countries including Mexico, United States, Chile, Argentina, Canada, Brazil and Colombia, among others.
- She is leading the way for Grupo Bimbo to become 100% Renewable electricity by 2025 and to take Grupo Bimbo to Net Zero Carbon emissions by 2050 becoming the first and only Mexican company in the food industry to join the Race to Zero Campaign with targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative.
- She holds a BA in Industrial Engineer and a MBA.
FARUKI, Mubasher
Mubasher is currently the Associate Dean with the School of Transportation at the British Columbia Institute of Technology. He’s a Red-Seal Certified Automotive Technician who completed his apprenticeship training in 1990. He’s spent over 35 years in the automotive industry in various roles, first as a technician and later as a shop foreman at one of BC’s largest General Motor dealerships, with many responsibilities, including supervisory, diagnostic, and customer relations. During these years, he completed over 100 GM technical training courses and earned the annual GM Grand Master Specialist designation multiple times.
In 2005 Mubasher began teaching Automotive Service Technician Programs at BCIT. In keeping with his continual desire to learn and improve his practice, he completed the Provincial Instructor Diploma Program at Vancouver Community College in 2007. He worked his way into the Department Head role in 2009 and, in the fall of 2014, took on the Associate Dean position. Mubasher is also passionate about aviation and holds an FAA Commercial Pilot license.
GIROUX, Jean-Pierre
For more than two decades, JP has held positions of increasing responsibility with economic development, NGO, management consulting, industrial and corporate organizations throughout Canada. Beginning as an economic development officer in Canada’s Capital Region, JP has devoted the past 20 years towards developing innovative workplace performance-based solutions for the Canadian manufacturing sector.
JP’s expertise in managing innovative projects has resulted in the creation of advanced human resources technologies, skills and change management strategies, certification programs such as the EMC-Harvard Supervisory Certification Program (for managers) and Manufacturing Essentials Certification Program (for leaders, managers/supervisors and production workers), learning & business Impact assessments/tools and labour market intelligence (LMI) resources/initiatives.
JP holds a Bachelor of Business Administration, a Information Technology (eCommerce) Diploma and a Master in Science (M.Sc.), specializing in Human Resources & Industrial Relations.
HERRERA, Dr. Enrique Ku
Dr. Enrique Ku Herrera, currently General Director of the National College of Technical Professional Education, holds a PhD in Public Administration from Puebla’s State University a Master in Sociology from the UNAM Division of Postgraduate Studies of the Faculty of Social Political Sciences.
He has been General Director of Indigenous Education of the SEP, Undersecretary of Basic Education of the Government of Campeche, and Technical Secretary of the National Commission of Arid Zones.
At the international level, he has been Executive Secretary of the Hemispheric Network of Parliamentarians and Former Parliamentarians for Early Childhood, and Consultant to the Organization of American States and the United Nations, on issues of democracy, indigenism, social development, education, early childhood and human rights.
MELVIN, Tiffany – J.D.
NASCO is a tri-national coalition of governments, businesses and educational institutions driven by a common interest in collaboration along key freight and commercial trade networks. Founded in 1994, NASCO encourages North America’s competitiveness in the global marketplace. NASCO is dedicated to informing and advancing the critical role that the supply chain, logistics, trade and a skilled workforce play in the economic growth and competitiveness of North America.
Tiffany has led NASCO for 24 of its 27 years – first as the Executive Director of NASCO, and then as its President. Under her vision and leadership, and with the dedication of the NASCO Team, the organization has grown into a widely respected, tri-national coalition focusing on freight logistics and growing North America’s skilled workforce. She leads NASCO with a far reaching, cooperative approach to solving critical issues impacting the efficient, secure and sustainable movement of freight throughout North America.
Tiffany is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, holding a BBA in International Business, with minors in Marketing and Spanish. She received her Juris Doctor degree from St. Mary’s University School of Law in San Antonio in 1995, and is a certified mediator and arbitrator.
NAVARRETE, Rodrigo A. Rojas
Academic background
He graduated in Political Science and Public Administration from Universidad Iberoamericana of Mexico City, with a specialty in Implementation of Public Policies. He has a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the National Institute of Public Administration and also has several studies in Education and Entrepreneurship.
Career
Honorary Advisor of the Mexican Academy of Political Economy.
Counselor of the United Nations Children’s Fund. He has participated in various publications, including his co-authorship in the work entitled: “Political Economy of Contemporary Mexico”, edited by Porrúa Editorial.
Member of the Mexican Leaders Club.
In the public administration, he has served as advisor to the Mayor and to the Secretary of Tourism of Mexico City. Within the local administration, he also served as Internal Comptroller of the Environmental Prosecutor’s Office and was a member of the Anti-Corruption Council of the General Comptroller’s Office of the capital government. In the legislative sector, he has collaborated as a parliamentary consultant and technical secretary of the Installation Board of the Constituent Assembly of Mexico City. He was an important promoter of the Political Reform of the then Federal District, which culminated in the elaboration, discussion and approval of the first Political Constitution of the Capital City.
Guest editorialist in various publications on politics and leadership, he is currently a columnist in SDP Noticias.
As a member of UNICEF he has been an active promoter and defender of the protection of children’s rights.
His social commitment has gone hand in hand with his philanthropic activity, he is a member of the board of trustees of various foundations dedicated to health and education issues.
He was appointed Managing Director of the National Council for Standardization and Certification of Labor Competencies (CONOCER) in late 2018.
O’BRIEN, Daniel
Daniel O’Brien is the Deputy Assistant USTR for North America. In this position, he serves as the Agreement Coordinator for the USMCA and USTR lead on the U.S. – Mexico High Level Economic Dialogue (HLED). Dan oversees all aspects of USMCA management, including organization of USMCA Free Trade Commission and Deputies meetings and the activities of USMCA committees. Dan also oversees USTR’s engagement with both Canada and Mexico generally.
Prior to serving as DAUSTR, Dan was the Director for Mexico at USTR, which he began in 2017 at the very start of the NAFTA renegotiations. In that role, Dan was part of a small team led by USTR’s Chief Negotiator overseeing the negotiations for USTR. Prior to this, Dan served for several years at Commerce, where he helped manage the field of U.S. Export Assistance Centers, and administered U.S. antidumping and countervailing duty laws.
Dan’s B.A. is from William and Mary and his Masters is in Latin American Studies from the Elliott School at GWU. He lives in Alexandria with his wife and three kids.
OSAWE, Joanne
Joanna Osawe is the President & CEO of WiRE Women in Renewable Energy. Joanna attended Western University studying Languages, graduating with an Honours BA. Joanna works at ABB in the position of Business Development, End Users & EPCs. Joanna has used her language skills on a focused, 15+ year management career at leading renewable and energy sector companies in Canada and the United States. By carrying complex projects through many stages she has seen firsthand the vital role renewable energy and emerging technologies serve in moving the Canadian, American and global energy mix forward. Recently, Joanna Osawe, has been appointed to the Federal Sustainable Development Advisory Council, led by Minister Steven Guilbeault of Environment and Climate Change. She looks forward to engaging and contributing to the Council’s success. The Council is made up of the Canadian public that represent the views of different provinces and territories, Indigenous peoples, as well as environmental non-governmental organizations and business and labour organizations.
TERCERO-CHACON, Alex
Alex Tercero-Chacon is a Mexico Desk Officer in the Office of North America at the U.S. Department of Commerce. His responsibilities include various programs, policies, and strategies designed to strengthen U.S. commercial relations with Mexico. He also works on U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) outreach efforts related to educating the business community on the benefits of the agreement and supports Commerce on the High-Level Economic Dialogue.
Prior to joining the Department of Commerce, Mr. Tercero-Chacon worked in international development and served as a consultant on a value-chain project for the World Bank. He has lived in Guatemala as a Fulbright Fellow and served as a White House intern in the Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs. Alex is also a proud graduate of Boston College and Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service where he served as a teaching assistant for Secretary Madeleine K. Albright.
WALSH, Eric
Eric Walsh serves as Director General for North America at Global Affairs Canada in Ottawa. In this position, he is responsible for providing strategic advice to Ministers and senior government officials on Canada’s bilateral and trilateral relationships with the United States and Mexico, while supporting the North American mission network in its pursuit of Canada’s advocacy and business development objectives. He leads a team of 60, analyzing major issues in the United States and Mexico that affect Canada, and making recommendations for government policy.
Prior to this assignment, Mr. Walsh was the Ambassador of Canada to Korea from 2015-2018. He has also served as Deputy Head of Mission in Germany (2010-2015) and as Deputy Permanent Representative to the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva (2005-2007), in addition to earlier postings in Romania (2001-2003) and Turkey (1998-2001). At headquarters in Ottawa, Mr. Walsh has worked as Coordinator for Middle East and North African Affairs, as well as Director for the East Asia and North Asia divisions.
Mr. Walsh was born in London, Ontario, and grew up in Toronto. He is a graduate of McGill University (Political Science). He is married to Lucie Tsai.
WATSON, Dr. Christine
Dr. Christine Watson has served in Canadian higher education senior administration, leadership, teaching and research roles for the last 20+ years. She has held administrative and teaching positions at Red River College Polytechnic, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, University of Regina and First Nations University of Canada. She moved to Treaty One territory and joined RRC Polytech in 2013 and currently serves as the Vice-President, Academic. She is responsible for ensuring high quality education and services for 22,000 students in 200 academic programs at Manitoba’s largest polytechnic.
Christine believes that everyone is creative, and that creativity is a key leadership skill – one that can be learned and strengthened over time. Christine is the host of CreativeMornings Winnipeg, the new chapter of the global organization CreativeMornings (headquarters in NYC) with the purpose of hosting free monthly events to highlight all the unique creative voices in Winnipeg. Personally, Christine explores her creativity through haiku writing (see her 365 day haiku writing project @prairiehaiku on IG) and through her newest creative outlet: quilting. Christine’s chosen “verb of the year” is BEGIN – to embrace a beginner’s mindset and release herself from the prison of perfectionism. She also offers creativity workshops at RRC Polytech to encourage leaders to approach challenges and opportunities in new ways. .
Christine holds a B.A. English (Honours) from University of British Columbia, a M.A. (English Literature) from Queen’s University, and a Ph.D. in English Literature from University of Queensland (Australia). She is married to her wife Alisa and has two sons – Michael (16) and Matthew (14).
WILSON, Jamie
Jamie Wilson is from Opaskwayak Cree Nation and is passionate about building bridges between First Nations and business communities, as a pathway to a strong and prosperous economic future for all. With a background as a Deputy Minister, educator, a member of the US Army’s 75th Ranger Regiment and as Manitoba’s Treaty Commissioner, Jamie works with innovative organizations looking to tap into Canada’s hidden potential. Jamie’s greatest leadership strengths are as a facilitator and relationship builder where his calm and thoughtful demeanor enables him to navigate complex situations and often highly charged situations, to positive and successful outcomes. He is currently the Vice President Indigenous Strategy, Research and Business Development with Red River College Polytech.
