David MacNaughton is the President of Palantir Canada, a subsidiary of Palantir Technologies, Inc. (data integration and analytics software).
David has held various positions with both the federal and provincial levels of government, including serving as Canada’s Ambassador to the United States from March 2016 to August 2019, and as Principal Secretary to the Premier of Ontario from 2003 to 2005.
He was Chairman of StrategyCorp (public affairs consulting) from June 2005 to March 2016, and of Aereus Technologies Inc. (manufacturing) from 2014 to 2016.
David has served on the boards of the North York General Hospital, the Stratford Festival, the National Ski Academy, TV Ontario, the Toronto French School, and the Toronto International Film Festival.
Angela Tu Weissenberger is an economics leader with over 30 years of experience in energy and financial services, labor markets, economic development, and public policy. Leveraging her deep understanding of the economic issues facing businesses and individuals, she provides strategic advice to corporate, government, and Indigenous entities across Canada.
Her experience includes roles as Group Head, Global Project and Structured Finance, Energy and Chemicals, at RBC Royal Bank. She was also a Lead Financial Advisor to Natural Resources Canada on the restructuring of Atomic Energy of Canada’s commercial assets, and a Special Advisor to ATB Financial, where she helped develop the organization’s growth strategy.
Angela has taught economics as a guest lecturer in Commercial Strategies at the Centre for Petroleum and Mineral Law, University of Dundee, UK, and at Mount Royal University.
Angela is a Corporate Director in Residence and mentor at Women Get on Board, a national member-based organization that connects, promotes, and empowers women to corporate boards. She serves on the board of a Crown commercial enterprise. Angela is a former board member of the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Treasury Board Secretariat Advisory Committee, and the Honens International Piano Competition.
Angela holds a master’s degree in economics from the University of Calgary, an Institute of Corporate Directors Designation (ICD.D) from the University of Toronto Rotman School of Management and the University of Calgary, and a Global Competent Boards Designation (GCB.D). She has also completed Financial Risk Management and Corporate Governance programs at Harvard Business School.
Dr. David Knight Legg has over 20 years of experience in foreign investment and international trade, including managing businesses in the United States, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
David is currently Chairman of Elements Capital Advisors and was previously the CEO of Invest Alberta Corporation. Before that, he was Principal Advisor to the Premier of Alberta, focusing on capital markets, energy, foreign investment, tax, sector diversification, and Indigenous equity participation.
David has executive experience at McKinsey, a global management consulting firm; GL Group, a capital markets advisory and research firm; and was Head of Strategy at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia before moving into public service.
He has held several non-profit and advisory board positions, ranging from the Young Presidents Organization to serving as Chairman of Intelligence Squared, a debate platform, and as a director of the Sovereign Art Foundation.
Dominique Côté brings 30 years of experience leading commercial teams in global pharmaceutical and biotech organizations. In 2018, she founded her own advisory group, Cosawi, and focuses on strategic commercial excellence, executive coaching & leadership, go-to-market roadmaps, as well as account-based marketing, all centered on her customer-centric purpose.
Prior to founding Cosawi, she served as a commercial executive within life sciences companies, including Novartis, Pfizer, and UCB, leading global go-to-market transformations, strategic account management journeys, commercial excellence, and marketing. She was part of the Zoetis spin-off, leading the global commercial office of the new entity, and also led global marketing & innovation for large pharmaceutical and biotech groups.
Dominique’s corporate career provided her with extensive country and global market experience and diversified cultural knowledge. She managed teams in more than 36 countries, leading activities to optimize profitability and the effectiveness of commercial strategies, as well as enabling the deployment of new commercial business models.
Dominique is an accomplished international business leader, recognized as a chief architect of customer-centric business transformation. She is a panelist and keynote speaker in Europe and the U.S., and a sought-after writer on diverse commercial and leadership topics, published in many well-known business journals. She brings together the marriage of science, business, and customer-centric approaches as her core focus with leaders and teams.
Dominique is a visiting professor at Cranfield Business School in the UK, on the faculty of the Starter Upper Entrepreneur Academy, and an advisor at Bain & Co. She is a certified executive coach and works with C-level individuals and teams to achieve high performance and find purpose during cross-roads and critical times.
In 2023, she was awarded the recognition of Business Transformation CEO of the Year by the Influential Businesswomen Group.
Dominique sits on the boards of private and public companies and has been on many global councils for commercial excellence, patient centricity, and diversity. She has been on the board of the Strategic Account Management Association (SAMA) since 2010 and is part of the Women in Bio (WIB) executive women’s group, among others.
Originally from Canada, Dominique has been living in Belgium since 2010. She speaks both French and English.
Tom MacDonald was educated at Regiopolis College (Kingston), Queen’s University (Hons BA), and the University of Calgary (MA).
He joined the federal government in 1974, serving until 2016 in a range of trade, economic, and foreign policy roles. His Ottawa assignments included Director General for Canada-US Trade Relations, Director General for Export and Import Permits, Director General for Central, Eastern, and Southern Europe, and Head of the Libya Task Force.
Tom has had extensive experience on international trade files, including negotiating agreements with over 20 countries as Canada’s Chief Textile Negotiator, serving as lead negotiator for the 1996 Canada-US Softwood Lumber Agreement, and as a member of the NAFTA negotiating team.
Tom’s diplomatic career included postings in Mexico City, Brussels (Deputy Head at Canada’s Mission to the European Union), London (Minister Commercial/Economic at the Canadian High Commission and Alternate Director for Canada at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development), Buenos Aires (Ambassador to Argentina and Paraguay), Sydney, Australia (Consul General), and Riyadh (Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, and Yemen), as well as brief assignments in Brunei and Libya.
Since retiring from the federal government, Tom has served on several boards: Niagara College (2016-22), Royal College International (2016-22), and Tradex Management Inc. (2016 – currently). He resides in Ottawa with his wife Susan, and they have one son, Alexander.
Dr. Dante Morra is a transformational healthcare leader who serves as the THP Solutions President and Chief Clinical Innovation Officer, as well as the Founder and Chair of CAN Health Network. He previously served as the inaugural Chief of Staff at Trillium Health Partners, one of Canada’s largest academically affiliated hospitals serving the West Toronto community. Dr. Morra is a specialist in internal medicine, a professor at the Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto, and holds a Master of Business Administration.
An acclaimed and in-demand teacher, Dr. Morra has earned awards for his course on leadership, systems change, and quality, which has transformed the way doctors are educated. In his hospital role, Dr. Morra oversaw 1,400 physicians and professional staff and created one of the most innovative hospital networks in the province.
Additionally, he has launched a series of bold ventures to transform health care, which include the Institute for Better Health, founded in 2014 to lead practical research addressing major challenges in the healthcare system, and the CAN (Coordinated Accessible National) Health Network, founded in 2019, which allows Canadian med-tech companies to scale to their full potential and advance prosperity through a new health care economy.
Dr. Morra has dedicated his life to advancing Canadian healthcare by creating a more inclusive and prosperous healthcare system. From the start of his career as a physician, researcher, and teacher at the University of Toronto, Dr. Morra has stood out as an original thinker, recognizing how the Canadian health system is slow to embrace innovation and commercial partnerships.
For his efforts, Dr. Morra was selected by both the U of T faculty and student body to receive the W.T. Aikins Award—the Temerty Faculty of Medicine’s most prestigious teaching award. He is now recognized as one of the most successful innovators in Canadian healthcare, leading the movement to harness Canadian research and development talent to unlock economic prosperity. He was recently recognized in The Globe and Mail’s April Report on Business Magazine’s Top 50 Executives 2022 as a key academic leader who translates ideas into real-world change.
Dr. Francis Pang is a renowned educator, investor, philanthropist, and an expert in International Governmental Public-Private Partnerships. Dr. Pang holds three honorary Ph.D.s from three different Canadian universities in Mass Communications, Law, and Business.
Dr. Pang has held numerous political and influential positions, such as Economic Development Advisor and Chair of the Economic Committee in Shenyang, China. He has also served as the Honorary Director in the Clubs and Association of UNESCO East Asia and as a Founding Committee Member for the Foundation of the World Garden Peace Festival in China in coordination with UNESCO.
Dr. Pang is a recipient of several international high honors. Most notably, he is the recipient of The Order of Canada and the Chinese State Government’s Great Wall Friendship Award, which is the highest award given to a foreigner in China for promoting outstanding economic contributions in Sino-foreign bilateral relations. He has also received several awards from the United Nations and a Certificate of Appreciation from UNESCO and the Senate of Canada.
Since 1996, Dr. Pang has primarily focused on fostering international education between Canada and China. He is the Founder and Chairman of the AKD network of schools in China, which includes four Canadian International Schools, seven Sino-Canadian Schools, over six AKD-affiliated public schools, as well as two schools in Canada. Additionally, Dr. Pang leads several companies at the forefront of integrating Artificial Intelligence into educational services, including its application within the Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs.
Dr. Pang is deeply committed to giving back to society through philanthropic efforts, including donation and scholarship programs at UNB and Huron University in Canada, as well as scholarship initiatives within the AKD Network of Schools across China.
The Honourable Shawn Graham stands out for his insight into the intricate interplay between business and politics, offering a unique insider perspective that bridges these two dynamic fields.
As President and CEO of G&R Holdings Inc., Mr. Graham and his team are at the forefront of developing and implementing global projects and strategic business alliances, particularly emphasizing expanding opportunities in Asia. Their work involves crafting innovative strategies that drive international growth and forge powerful business relationships across the globe.
A highly sought-after authority on the new global economy, Mr. Graham is renowned for his dynamic and forward-thinking approach to global business development. He delivers keynote speeches at prestigious international business forums, sharing his deep knowledge and strategic insights on the future of global commerce. In addition to his role at G&R Holdings Inc., his previous and current board appointments include IntelliPharmaCeutics International, Canada House Wellness Group, and PureLife Carbon.
Mr. Graham’s dedication to environmental stewardship is evident through his significant volunteer commitments as a VP on the board of Ducks Unlimited Canada (D.U.C.). This year, D.U.C. will surpass $135 million in gross revenue and manage a remarkable 12,972 habitat projects, encompassing a total of 6.2 million conserved acres. He is set to become President of the Board in 2026.
Mr. Graham’s exceptional contributions have been recognized with an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from the University of New Brunswick and the Visionary of the Year Award from the Intelligent Community Forum in New York City. Knighted by the Spanish Order of St. Hubertus, he is vitally committed to preserving traditional hunting and fishing practices, enhancing wildlife habitats, and advocating for the conservation of game species.
Previously, Mr. Graham served as the 31st Premier of New Brunswick, where he spearheaded initiatives aimed at achieving self-sufficiency for the province. His tenure was marked by a steadfast commitment to advancing energy conservation, building a world-class education system, and fostering job creation through sustainable and innovative policies.
The Honourable George J. Furey is a distinguished individual with a diverse background in education, law, and public service. He and his wife, Karen, have four children and seven grandchildren.
He earned a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Arts (Education) from Memorial University in 1970, followed by a Master of Education degree from the same institution in 1976. He began his professional journey as a dedicated teacher for the Roman Catholic school board in St. John’s from 1969 to 1972.
He served as Supervising Vice Principal with the Roman Catholic school board for Stephenville-Port-Au-Port from 1972 to 1978 and as Supervising Principal for Placentia-St. Mary’s Roman Catholic school board from 1978 to 1980.
In pursuit of new challenges, he transitioned into law and obtained a law degree from Dalhousie University in 1983. He was called to the Bar of Newfoundland and Labrador in 1984, and in 1996, he was appointed Queen’s Counsel. In 1999, he was appointed to the Senate of Canada.
In addition to his professional achievements, Mr. Furey has made significant contributions to various volunteer groups, professional boards, and provincial commissions. In 2015, Mr. Furey was appointed the 45th Speaker of the Senate of Canada, a position of great responsibility and honor, which he held until his retirement in May of 2023.
Upon his retirement, he was sworn in by Her Excellency, Governor General Mary Simon, as a Privy Councillor. His tenure as Speaker exemplifies his dedication to parliamentary traditions: facilitating constructive dialogue, ensuring the effective functioning of the Senate, and representing Canada and his home province of Newfoundland and Labrador at home and abroad. His remarkable career, spanning education, law, and public service, showcases his unwavering commitment to excellence, community engagement, and the pursuit of a positive and fruitful impact at home and abroad.