CCA BREAKFAST OF THE AMERICAS 2024

The Canadian Council for the Americas - Alberta, with the support of the Global Energy Show, and our government partners, Global Affairs Canada, and the Government of Alberta, is hosting its signature annual event - CCA Breakfast of the Americas - with the theme of “Responsible Energy Development in the Americas” on Tuesday, June 11th. This year’s panel includes speakers from Argentina, Brazil, and Colombia, as well as Canada’s Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise and the University of Calgary School of Public Policy. The event will be opened by Minister Matt Jones, Ministry of Jobs, Economy and Innovation, Government of Alberta. This is the key annual networking event in Alberta for industry and partners from Canada and Latin America, and we look forward to seeing you on the 11th. Following the CCA Breakfast we invite you to join us for the opening of the Global Energy Show. 

Details:

Date:  June 11, 2024

Time:  7:30 – 09:30 a.m.

Location: 

BMO Centre

Room 225/226 at Second Floor

1410 Olympic Way SE

Calgary, AB, T2G 2W1

Attendees:

·  Canadian private sector targeting or active in Latin America, including in O&G, renewable energy, clean-tech, infrastructure and ICT

·  Industry (private sector and NOCs) from Latin America

·  Government partners from Canada and Latin America

·  Other organizations supporting linkages between Canada & Latin America

Why attend:

·  This is the key annual networking event in Alberta for industry from Canada and Latin America.

·  Hear from well-positioned speakers and engage on topical issues related to energy, export, and investment in Latin America.

·  Be part of the discussion related to evolving considerations and opportunities around energy and resource development in the region as the energy sector worldwide works to supply energy in the most efficient and responsible way.

PANEL DETAILS

Theme: Evolving Responsible Business Considerations for Canadian Industry active in Latin America

Overview: This panel will look at governance, ESG and Indigenous rightsholder considerations for Canadian companies operating in Latin America. It will explore current challenges and best-in-class practices and include practical insights from senior industry executives and those directly supporting Canadian companies in the region.

Opening Remarks: Matt Jones, Minister of Jobs, Economy and Innovation, Government of Alberta.

Panelists:

1.  Masud Husain, Canada’s Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (interim) and former Canadian Ambassador to the UAE

2.  Diego Perez-Claramunt, Vice President – CSR & HSE, Gran Tierra Energy

3.  Symone Araujo, Director, Brazilian National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas & Biofuels (ANP)

4.  Sandra Gonzalez, Energy Trade Commissioner, Canadian Embassy to Colombia

Moderator: Martha Hall-Findlay, Director, School of Public Policy, University of Calgary

Host: Miguel Cortines, President and Executive Director, Canadian Council for the Americas Alberta. 

CCA Breakfast of the Americas Speakers

1.  Masud Husain, Canada’s Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (interim) and former Canadian Ambassador to the UAE.

Masud Husain retired from Canada’s foreign service in the summer of 2021. Upon his retirement, he was Director General and Deputy Legal Adviser at Global Affairs Canada. Prior to this appointment, he was Canada’s ambassador to the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi and Special Envoy to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. His other foreign postings include Canada’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York and embassies in the Netherlands, Jordan and Syria. At Global Affairs Canada’s headquarters in Ottawa, his other notable appointments include Director General for the Middle East and Executive Director of the Criminal and Diplomatic Law Division.

2.  Diego Perez-Claramunt, Vice President – CSR & HSE, Gran Tierra Energy

Diego Perez-Claramunt has over 26 years of experience in the international oil and gas industry and has held numerous senior executive positions within the area of Health, Safety, Environment and Social Performance. In previous roles at Shell, he worked in the Middle East, North Africa and Africa, overseeing Social and Environmental activities and implementing numerous community development programs in these regions. Most recently, he has successfully led Gran Tierra’s HSE, CSR and Licensing teams as the Director, undertaking respectful community engagement and establishing lasting stakeholder relationships. Mr. Perez-Claramunt holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Marketing and Related Support Services from the Instituto de Ciencias del Mercado, and he completed MIT’s Executive Program for General Management.

3.  Symone Araujo, Director, Brazilian National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas & Biofuels (ANP)

Symone Araújo is the Director of the Brazilian National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels – ANP. She is a Member of the Public Policy and Government Management Specialist career – EPPGG and had previously served as Director of Natural Gas at the Ministry of Mines and Energy – MME and as member of state companies’ fiscal councils like EPE, PPSA and Petrobras. Mrs. Araújo has a PhD in Natural Resource Management from the University of Brasília – UnB and a Master’s degree in Development and Environment from the Federal University of Sergipe Foundation (UFS), where she pursued her bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering. She also holds the title of Specialist in Public Policy and Government Management by the Brazilian National School of Public Administration - Enap. Symone Araújo is the second woman to assume the position of director at ANP since the agency's inception in 1998.

4.  Sandra Gonzalez, Energy Trade Commissioner, Canadian Embassy to Colombia

Sandra González is Trade Commissioner for Mines and Energy at the Canadian Embassy in Colombia.

Sandra studied International Relations with a minor in International Economy and also graduated from International Cooperation & Development. She has 6 years of experience in international trade, public policy, public affairs, climate change and decarbonization. During her time at the British Embassy in Colombia, she led the relationship and energy partnership between the UK and Barranquilla as Officer in Barranquilla. Additionally, she was the Biodiversity, Environment and Social Policy Officer, where she led the Race To Zero campaign for the private sector and provided advise in the build up to COP26. She was Advisor for International Affairs at the Colombian Ministry of Mines and Energy, leading the bilateral collaboration between Colombia and North America, Oceania and CARICOM countries. More recently, she was Stakeholder Engagement Manager for LATAM at GRI Club, leading the strategic agenda and engagement between the private sector and the public sector for Mexico, Colombia, Peru and Chile for both infrastructure and energy.

Moderator: Martha Hall-Findlay, Director, School of Public Policy, University of Calgary

Martha Hall Findlay has been appointed as the new director of the School of Public Policy (SPP) since January 8, 2024.

Throughout her career, Martha Hall Findlay has been dedicated to shaping public policy for Canadians. Having been a lawyer, senior business executive and former Member of Parliament. Most recently she served as chief sustainability officer and chief climate officer for Suncor Energy, and before that was president and CEO of the Canada West Foundation, where she developed a reputation for being non-partisan, objective, and pragmatic by advocating for public policy solutions based on thorough research. She was also an executive fellow at the School of Public Policy in its early years. As MP for Willowdale from 2008 to 2011, she was a member of the Official Opposition shadow cabinet and served on several House of Commons committees as the critic for International Trade, Finance, Government Works and Public Services, and Transportation, Infrastructure and Communities.

As a corporate lawyer and executive, she developed extensive experience in energy, telecommunications, sustainability, trade (international and internal) and global markets. Martha Hall Findlay holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from the University of Toronto, a Bachelor of Laws from Osgoode Hall Law School at York University, and completed the Directors Education Program at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management.

Host: Miguel Cortines, President and Executive Director, Canadian Council for the Americas Alberta.

Miguel Cortines is the President of the Canadian Council for the Americas Alberta. Miguel is a business catalyzer and community builder.

Miguel Cortines is a visionary entrepreneur dedicated to advancing business ventures and community initiatives. As the Managing Director of Innova International Corporation and the President and Executive Director of The Canadian Council for the Americas Alberta, Miguel is at the forefront of fostering different initiatives to promote international trade and community development. Miguel is also the Founder of the Casa Mexico Foundation. With over a decade of experience in international business development, Miguel specializes in promoting trade and investment opportunities between Canadian and Latin American businesses. He offers strategic advice and facilitation services for companies aiming to expand their operations into Mexico and Latin America. His areas of expertise include international trade and market research, evaluation of business opportunities, B2B international negotiations, corporate and government relations, and the organization of conferences and trade shows. Miguel also possesses a strong background in accounting and finance, with skills in project planning, financial analysis, and budgeting. Miguel's professional journey includes serving as the Director of Economic Affairs and Community Relations at the Consulate of Mexico in Calgary for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He also worked as a Senior Account Manager for dmg events Canada, where he managed the Latin American portfolio and relationships with national oil companies such as PEMEX, PDVSA, CNOOC, and Perupetro.