2027 Conference Speakers
Learn from the leaders, innovators, and changemakers shaping the future of economic development. Explore our lineup of expert speakers who will share insights, strategies, and real-world experiences at the 2027 EDCO Conference & Showcase.
Keynote Presenters
Doug Griffiths
President & CEO, 13 Ways Inc. | Bestselling Author, 13 Ways to Kill Your Community | Community Enthusiast, Building and Consulting
Doug Griffi ths is a wildly popular community strategist and author of two best-selling editions of 13 Ways to Kill Your Community. He has supported, guided and inspired hundreds of communities to create effective change. Whether through speaking and presentations, or through advising and consulting, he is dedicated to helping communities across North America fi nd their own pathway to success.
He grew up on a ranch outside a small town where he learned the value of hard work, critical thinking skills, and the value of community. That background led him into politics, but he insists he has since been through rehab and is fully recovered. His experience in politics gave him a deep understanding of how to move people and to get things done. He deliberately retired from politics in January 2015, after serving for 13 years, to return to his passion for community building.
Griffi ths has an Executive MBA and Honors B.A Philosophy Degree, as well as his Bachelor of Education, all from the University of Alberta, where he has taught community and municipal leadership courses for elected offi cials and administration.
Brock Dickinson
Brock has worked in local economic development for 25 years. Brock started his career as a consultant with the United Nations, leading sustainable development projects in 30 countries, before returning to Canada to head a number of local economic development organizations in both Ontario and Nova Scotia. He later became the CEO of MDB Insight, Canada's largest specialist economic development consultancy, and then joined the University of Waterloo as Entrepreneur in Residence and Adjunct Professor. Today, Brock serves as the Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors of Invest Ontario, as an Executive-in-Residence with Innovate Niagara, as a Board member for the innovation consulting firm NorthGuide, and as a partner in Stonebridge Solutions, a U.S.-based private sector investment group focused on the financing of economic development projects around the world.
Speakers
Chris Glover
Dr. Chris Glover is the Associate Vice President Administration for Lakehead University's Orillia Campus and the Barrie STEM Hub. In his role, Chris supports operations including physical plant, security services, residence, food and conference services, human resources, financial services, technology services, and athletics. Chris is passionate about higher education and the transformational experience it provides, as he was the first in his family to attend university. Chris holds an undergraduate degree from Trent University, a master's degree from Royal Roads University, and an educational doctorate from the University of Western Ontario.
Gus Diamantopoulos
Gus Diamantopoulos is a project management and construction professional with extensive experience delivering complex capital projects across the municipal, post-secondary, and healthcare sectors. Currently Manager of Corporate Facility Services with the City of Barrie, he provides strategic leadership for facility planning, capital improvements, construction, maintenance, and contract administration. His background includes managing projects through the complete project lifecycle, coordinating multidisciplinary consultants and contractors, controlling budgets and schedules, and overseeing major renovations and facility modernization initiatives. He is also a College Professor at Humber College, where he teaches Construction Project Management and Construction Contract Law.
Jacqueline Cherevaty
Jacqueline Cherevaty is Vice President of Strategic Services for Commercial Operations at BWX Technologies, Inc (BWXT). She directs the supply chain management, infrastructure and strategy of the nuclear power businesses at the company.
With 25 years of nuclear industry experience, Ms. Cherevaty's career includes over 20 years of experience at Atomic Energy of Canada (AECL) and Kinectrics, where she held various operational and business development leadership roles for reactor refurbishments, inspection and maintenance systems, reverse engineering and asset life cycle management.
Ms. Cherevaty holds a bachelor's degree in applied science in electrical engineering from the University of Toronto and a bachelor's degree in education for mathematics and physics from the University of Toronto. She is a licensed professional engineer in the province of Ontario and holds her Professional Project Management from Project Management institute (PMI). Ms. Cherevaty is a board member on the Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries (OCNI). Ms. Cherevaty is also a former Professional Women's Hockey Player. She played Varsity Hockey at the University of Toronto, capturing a National Championship and was inducted into the University of Toronto Sports Hall of Fame in 2014.
Karisa Downey
Karisa Downey is the Manager of Economic Development for the City of Cambridge, bringing more than 13 years of experience advancing economic development initiatives in both rural and urban communities. She holds a Bachelor of Recreation and Leisure Studies with a minor in Public Administration from Brock University, as well as a Master of Planning from the University of Guelph. Karisa is also a Registered Professional Planner (RPP), combining strategic planning expertise with a passion for building vibrant, resilient communities. Outside of work, she can often be found at hockey arenas across Southwestern Ontario, coaching and cheering on her two children.
Michael Loken
Michael Loken is a professional engineer with over 23 years of experience in private industry and public service and has been the Director of Strategic Services for the Ontario Ministry of Energy and Mines since 2024. In this role, he is responsible for several critical policies and programs including Ontario's Critical Minerals Strategy, the Critical Minerals Processing Fund (CMPF), Critical Minerals Innovation Fund (CMIF), the Ontario Junior Exploration Program (OJEP), and the Indigenous Participation Fund (IPF). Prior to joining the Ontario Public Service, Michael held senior leadership roles at the City of Greater Sudbury, and worked at Falconbridge Limited, Xstrata Nickel, and Glencore Canada as a Senior Metallurgical Engineer and Smelter Emergency Response Team Leader.
Michael holds an undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Ottawa and a master's degree in Natural Resources Engineering from Laurentian University.
Savanna Myers
Savanna Myers is the Director of Economic Development, Tourism & Culture for Grey County, where she provides strategic leadership across a diverse portfolio that includes economic development, entrepreneurship, strategic marketing, tourism, community transportation, as well as overseeing two signature County facilities, Grey Roots Museum & Archives, and Sydenham Campus. In this role, she works with staff, member municipalities, business and community leaders, and all levels of government to create an enabling environment for investment while strengthening pride, belonging, and quality of life across Grey County.
Born and raised in Hanover, Savanna studied at Brock University, earning an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Business Communications and a Master of Arts in Popular Culture. Growing up in a family of entrepreneurs, she began her career as an entrepreneur, supporting small businesses with marketing and communications before moving into municipal economic development. With 18 years of municipal experience, her career has focused on building strong communities, supporting local economies, and advancing practical partnerships that respond to regional needs.
Since joining Grey County in 2016, Savanna has helped advance major regional initiatives that support workforce development, investment readiness, skills training, community connection, and destination development. Known for her collaborative, practical, and community-minded approach, Savanna brings together public and private sector experience with a deep commitment to Grey County's people and places.
Stellina Williams
Stellina Williams is the Vice President of Operations and Head of Policy at the Nuclear Innovation Institute (NII). Stellina has worked for the Nuclear Innovation Institute (NII) since its inception in 2019 – beginning as its first Executive Director -responsible for setting up the organizations structures, policies, governance and operations. Stellina provides strategic leadership across the organization and is responsible for the overall operations of the member-based not for profit. In addition to overseeing the organizations operations, most recently Stellina assumed responsibility over NIIs research and policy function, where she leads NIIs policy development and analysis on critical clean energy opportunities.
Prior to living and working in Bruce County, Stellina spent over a decade providing policy advice; guidance, support and recommendations to Ministers, Deputy Ministers and other senior officials on economic development, industry and rural development programs and policies for the Ontario Government. She holds a Master's in Public Administration (MPA) from Queen's University and an undergraduate honours degree in Political Science.
Stephannie Schlichter
Stephannie Schlichter is a seasoned economic development professional with more than 20 years of experience advancing business growth, innovation, investment attraction, and community prosperity. Having spent most of her career with the City of Barrie, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the city's economic development strategy and supporting businesses through every stage of the growth continuum, from startup and scale-up to expansion and global market development.
As Director of Invest Barrie, the City of Barrie's Economic Development Department, Stephannie leads initiatives that strengthen the local economy, attract investment, foster entrepreneurship, and position Barrie as a competitive location for business and talent. Throughout her career, Stephannie has been instrumental in developing programs, partnerships, and initiatives that support business competitiveness and community capacity. Known for her collaborative leadership style and strategic approach, she is passionate about building the conditions that enable businesses, entrepreneurs, and innovators to succeed while creating lasting economic benefits for the community.
Suzanne Halet
Suzanne Halet is Director of the Mineral Development Performance Improvement Branch within the Mines and Minerals Regulation Division at the Ontario Ministry of Energy and Mines. She leads strategic initiatives focused on modernizing Ontario's mining regulatory system, advancing integrated permitting approaches, and improving coordination across government to support responsible mineral development and investment attraction.
With 15 years of government experience spanning mineral development policy, regulatory delivery, Indigenous relations, investment attraction, and executive advisory roles — as well as prior private-sector experience in mineral exploration and consulting — Suzanne has played a leadership role in major regulatory modernization initiatives, including implementation of One Project, One Process and early development of Ontario's Critical Minerals Strategy.
Prior to her current role, Suzanne led Ontario's mineral market intelligence and analysis, as well as the province's domestic and international mineral promotion strategy. She oversaw Ontario's presence at major global mining conferences and investment forums, including PDAC and Mines and Money, supporting investment attraction and strengthening Ontario's reputation as a leading global mining jurisdiction.
MEMBER EVENTS
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EVENTS FROM THE MEMBER COMMUNITY
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