Increased extreme weather phenomenon - intense forest fires, heavy rain, severe flooding, and record high temperatures continues to be a concern worldwide, causing disruptions and affecting people and critical assets. This panel focuses on how industries and governments prepare for climate resiliency and adaptation.
Panelists:
Kristin Bruce-Welsch, Manager, Climate Change, Cameco Corporation
Kristin is Cameco’s Manager, Climate Change within the Safety, Health, Environment, Quality and Regulatory Relations department. She has been with Cameco for just under two years and leads a small team of professionals, providing decarbonization, climate risk management, and climate policy services across the organization. Kristin came from government, where she held various roles at the federal and municipal level over 10 years, focusing on climate change strategy development, project management, communication, adaptation, research, and stakeholder engagement. Her educational background includes a Masters of Public Policy from University of Saskatchewan.
Rachel Mitchell, Climate Change and Sustainability Manager, Town of New Glasgow
Rachel Mitchell is the climate change and sustainability manager with the Town of New Glasgow. In this capacity, Rachel oversees the town’s sustainability initiatives, climate mitigation work, community resilience planning, and asset management. Rachel received her BA in Economics from St. Francis Xavier University and completed her M.Sc. in Environmental Studies in the Environment, Resources and Sustainability program from the University of Waterloo. In 2022, Rachel completed the Asset Management Professional program through Northern Lakes College and PEMAC, funded by FCM. Rachel has been leading New Glasgow’s climate change work since 2019, and in that time, the town has approved and begun implementing Corporate and Community Climate Change Action Plans, and initiated an asset management program inclusive of natural assets and climate considerations. The Town of New Glasgow’s climate work has been recognized by the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities as one of their 2022 Climate Change Leaders Award winners. In 2023, New Glasgow received the Environmental Impact Award from the local Chamber of Commerce for their climate and sustainability work in the region.
Dr. Danny Blair, Co-Director, Prairie Climate Centre, Professor of Geography, University of Winnipeg
Danny Blair is a climatologist and professor in the Department of Geography at the University of Winnipeg, where he has been teaching courses related to climate and weather since 1987. He is also a co-founder and Co-Director of the university’s Prairie Climate Centre, whose online Climate Atlas of Canada distributes high quality data, visualizations, videos, and information about the impacts of climate change in Canada. He received his PhD from the University of Manitoba, and his MSc and BSc degrees from the University of Regina.
Joao Lafraia, President, Fábrica Carioca de Catalisadores S.A.
João R. B. Lafraia is an expert in companies' transformations, mainly through assets management and operational excellence. He has more than 25 years of experience leading the implementation of advanced maintenance & reliability, safety and asset management system in major Oil Refineries and Exploration and Production offshore Business Units in Brazil. Since he decided to change from a technical to a managerial career, he has assumed several management and executive positions in the Oil & Gas and Petrochemical industry in Brazil.
Moderator:
Alp Bora, Head of Innovation, Alp Bora & Co.
Alp is the Head of Innovation at Alp Bora & Co., an independent think tank and consulting firm providing advisory, speaking and coaching services in the areas of: Mining & Metals, Business Strategy and Leadership. The mission is to help mining & metallurgy companies achieve operational excellence & support the mining industry's transition to a sustainable future. Alp's expertise include project management, operational excellence and asset management.