KEYNOTES
.png)
President, Boeing Canada and Boeing Canada Operations Ltd.
AL MEINZINGER
Al Meinzinger joined the Boeing Global team in June 2024 as president of Boeing Canada and Boeing Canada Operations Ltd.
​
As the country leader for Canada, Meinzinger leads Boeing’s business interests across the country, which include nearly 2,000 full-time employees, 500+ Boeing suppliers, and all Boeing commercial airplanes and defence aircraft.
​
Meinzinger also provides leadership oversight of Boeing Canada’s community sponsorships and company contributions programs. Meinzinger’s ongoing priorities include defence procurement, supplier discovery, sustainable aviation, and key innovation, research and development opportunities in Canadian industry and academia.
​
Meinzinger is a former Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), most recently serving as its longest-serving Commander in the last 60 years. In this role, he was responsible for providing the Canadian government with effective air and space capabilities to meet national defence requirements and led one of the branch's largest modernization efforts.
​
Prior to joining Boeing, Meinzinger held various RCAF leadership positions, including Director of Strategic Joint Staff and Deputy Commander, in addition to being Commandant of the Royal Military College of Canada. He also served in the U.S. as a member of North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and U.S. Northern Command where he was instrumental in refreshing its national Arctic strategy, and in Afghanistan as Canada’s Air Wing Commander where he oversaw the delivery of air capabilities in theatre.
​
Meinzinger is a graduate of the Royal Military College of Canada and Queen’s University.
SPEAKERS
Future of Air Traffic with NAV CANADA
.png)
Director ACC Operations West
Scott Williams
Scott Williams joined Nav Canada in 2000 as an IFR Air Traffic Controller. For 17 years he held various positions, including Training Supervisor and Branch Chair for the Canadian Air Traffic Controllers Association. In 2017 he moved over to management, starting as the Manager of on-the-Job Training in the Edmonton FIR before becoming the Manager of ACC Operations in March 2019. Since March of 2023 Scott has been in his current role as Director, ACC Operations West, responsible for the Vancouver and Edmonton Area Control Centres.
Future of Airports: Innovation & Leadership Perspectives
.png)
Chief Executive Officer, Red Deer Regional Airport
Nancy Paish
With a prominent role at Red Deer Regional Airport, Nancy has demonstrated exceptional leadership and strategic planning capabilities, significantly contributing to the airport's growth and operational excellence. With a proven ability to develop and execute long-term plans that align with organizational goals and strong communication and relationship-building skills with diverse groups, from government officials to local businesses and community leaders.
Financial Acumen: Proficient in budgeting, financial planning, and resource allocation to optimize operational performance. Professional Affiliations:
-
Member, Alberta Aviation Council, Women in Aviation International, and Canadian Airports Council
-
Board Member & Past Chair, Tourism Red Deer
-
Event Producer, Girls in Aviation Day Alberta, Red Deer Regional Airshow, and Central Alberta Family Expo
.png)
General Counsel, Compliance & Governance Officer
Edmonton Regional Airports Authority
William (Bill) Wright
Bill joined Edmonton Airports in 2009, where he has overseen legal services on a broad range of general corporate and commercial issues for Edmonton Airports over the last 15 years, with an emphasis on commercial leasing/licensing, real estate development, insurance and corporate/risk governance. Prior to Edmonton Airports, Bill worked in-house for a major utility services company for 6 years and before that was in private practice for a mid- sized law firm in the areas of corporate securities and general corporate/commercial law.
Bill earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Manitoba (1997) and law degree from the University of Alberta (2000) and was called to the Alberta bar in 2001. Prior to law school, Bill flew for the Royal Canadian Air Force for approximately 12 years.
.png)
Chris joined The Calgary Airport Authority in August of 2023 as President and CEO. Prior to his position with The Authority Chris held several executive roles in the airport sector over the past decade. Including the Budapest Airport Chief Financial Officer, and CEO since April 2021. He also served as the Managing Director of Airport Fuel Services, the market leading aviation fuel supply subsidiary of the Budapest Airport, until 2020 and has also held the position of Chairman of the Supervisory Board since 2019 for BUD Security, which operates all passenger and staff security screening activities at the Budapest Airport. Prior to joining the aviation industry, Chris worked as the Chief Financial Officer of the publicly listed Wildhorse Energy. Chris moved to Hungary in 2004 to join KPMG Hungary working in various capacities, most recently as Director – Energy and Resource Advisory in Central and Eastern Europe. Prior to leaving Canada, he worked as a Project Manager at TD Bank Financial Group. Chris has a Bachelor of Engineering Science, Engineering Physics degree from Queen’s University and a Master of Business Administration degree (Finance) from the Schulich Business School, York University. Chris is married with three children.
President and CEO, Calgary Airport Authority
Chris Dinsdale
Advancing Aviation Education: Innovative Facilities and Training Approaches
.png)
Chief Superintendent, Prairie Rose School DIvision
Reagan Weeks
Reagan Weeks is an accomplished educational leader with over twelve years’ experience in school administration, and 9 years of executive superintendency. Reagan earned her Doctor of Education at Johns Hopkins University, specializing in Entrepreneurial Leadership in Education. Reagan also holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Royal Roads University, and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta.
Reagan is known for her collaborative leadership style, focusing on instructional leadership and innovative educational practices. Her work has been recognized by several prestigious awards, including the Alberta Education Excellence in Teaching Award and the Council for School Leadership Award.
In addition to her professional achievements, Reagan is a dedicated advocate for public education, a mother of two, a local board member for the Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society and is committed to fostering positive relationships between schools, families, and communities.
Securing the Skies: Cybersecurity Challenges and Innovations in Aviation & Defence
.png)
Chief Information and Security Officer at Protexxa
Deryck Greer
Protexxa is one of Canada’s fastest growing cybersecurity service providers. Its flagship service is its business-to-business cybersecurity platform that leverages Artificial Intelligence to rapidly identify, evaluate, predict, and resolve cyber issues for employees. Other services include cybersecurity training, consulting and managed services.
Deryck Greer is an Executive Technology, Cybersecurity and Operations Leader at Protexxa. He was a former security cleared Detective and Intelligence Officer at Scotland Yard with over eighteen years of professional practice across multiple domains including but not limited to; Cyber Intelligence, Cyber Operations, Financial Investigations, Fraud and Law enforcement. He has a wealth of hands on applied professional and operational practice and provides thought leadership to executives, governments, politically exposed and High Net Worth individuals with a specific focus on security posture, risk mitigation, operational security, breach readiness, containment, and future threats
People-Centered Best Practices
.png)
Director, Industry Culture Development, Elevate Aviation
Emily Reiman
Emily holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Sociology, a Master’s Degree in Industrial Organizational Psychology, and a Master’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus in Equity Studies. With over a decade of experience in the aviation sector, both in the public and military spheres, she is a skilled, relatable, and industry-informed facilitator who uses data-driven solutions to drive impact. Emily has a strong background in culture development and a passion for effecting positive change within the workplace. She is Change Management certified and leverages the power of workplace culture by viewing it as a strategic advantage rather than a regulatory necessity, fostering a culture of inclusion that drives innovation and makes organizations attractive to top talent. Additionally, she brings expertise in talent management, leadership development, and organizational effectiveness. In her free time, she enjoys strength training, astronomy, and golf.
.png)
Founder and CEO of AFROdisiac Consulting
Ogho Ikhalo
Ogho Ikhalo is an accomplished leader with over 18 years of academic and professional experience. She has a robust background in strategic communication and is an award-winning specialist in diversity, equity, and inclusion, and has a strong background in human resources. As a human rights advocate, Ogho is privileged to reside on the Ancestral Traditional Territories within Upper Canada Treaty 13, in Turtle Island. She is the Founder and CEO of AFROdisiac Consulting and has held senior leadership positions across various sectors, including Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Hydro One, and Director of Women’s and Human Rights at the Ontario Federation of Labour.
.png)
Chief Strategy Officer, Elevate Aviation
Nova Andrews
Nova brings extensive experience in aviation and operations management, previously holding key leadership roles at Canada 3000 Airlines, Edmonton Airports, and Edmonton Economic Development. Passionate about empowering women, Nova moved on to Women Building Futures, where she honed her skills in supporting women entering non-traditional careers. Next, at the Bredin Centre for Learning, she managed employment programs that provided crucial resources and training to job seekers. These experiences deepened her understanding of workforce development and reinforced her commitment to creating inclusive opportunities. Nova initially joined Elevate Aviation as the Program Manager of the Aviation Career Exploration program, but quickly leveraged her expertise in workforce development and became instrumental in developing the comprehensive kindergarten-to-career programming now offered at the Elevate Aviation Learning Centre. Recognizing industry needs, Nova was also key in the development of Elevate Aviation’s Workplace Culture Change consulting program to improve safety and retention in the aviation industry.
Navigating Sustainability in Aviation: Fuel, Technology, and Beyond
.png)
Geoff is a senior leader in commercial aviation and an engineering professional at the forefront of airline sustainability with more than 25 years of experience in integrating aviation fuel procurement, environment, and climate risk management, giving him a unique perspective on creating a sustainable aviation fuels market in Canada to support decarbonizing the aviation industry.
His past responsibilities have centred around setting direction on aviation environmental sustainability strategies, being an industry advocate in the design of aviation climate policy and regulatory measures and reducing aviation emissions through stakeholder collaborations to advance the use of sustainable fuels and other emissions reduction initiatives.
Geoff holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in civil engineering. He is also an ambassador with the Alberta Energy Futures Lab, a sustainability-driven, innovation-focused initiative whose vision is to accelerate the clean transition of Alberta’s energy system and a board member of the Clean Resource Innovation Network.
Geoffrey Tauvette, P. Eng
Executive Director, Canadian Council for Sustainable Aviation Fuels
Wings of Opportunity: Uncommon and Exciting Aviation Careers
.png)
Mayor Alanna Hnatiw
First elected in 2017, Mayor Hnatiw lives on a small farm, where she raised her family—both the two-legged and four-legged kind. Coming from generations of farmers, Mayor Hnatiw spent much of her adult life as a small business owner in the oil and gas service industry, with a focus on environmental stewardship and safety.
As a leader, she is dedicated to removing barriers and seeking innovative solutions to current challenges, all while building a community rich with opportunities for people of all ages, from youth to seniors. A prosperous and self-sustaining future for Sturgeon County is a key priority for her. Mayor Hnatiw is committed to diversifying agriculture and industry, supporting small businesses, and making progress at the speed of relevance.
Mayor Hnatiw has also championed aviation and aerospace development through her leadership in the Villeneuve Landing Network. This regional partnership has been instrumental in revitalizing Villeneuve Airport as an economic hub for aviation, aerospace logistics, advanced manufacturing, and defense industries. Under her guidance, initiatives such as infrastructure upgrades and collaborative agreements have positioned Villeneuve Airport as a key driver of investment and innovation in the Edmonton region.
In her free time, Mayor Hnatiw enjoys horseback riding, golfing, downhill skiing, and yoga
Mayor of Sturgeon County
.png)
Jason Arthur began his aviation career with the Royal Canadian Air Force in 2004, flying Chinook and Griffon helicopters on missions including combat operations in Afghanistan.
After transitioning to civilian aviation in 2015, he flew S92 helicopters for Cougar Helicopters and later joined AirSprint flying Cessna Citation jets.
In 2019, Jason joined STARS Air Ambulance, where he now serves as Vice President of Aviation, leading critical air medical operations across Western Canada.
Known for his commitment to safety and excellence, Jason brings over two decades of leadership and flight experience to every mission.
Jason Arthur
Vice President, Aviation
STARS
.png)
Jason Botting
Airports manager,
Falcon Environmental Inc.
With over 25 years of experience in airport wildlife management, Jason Botting has witnessed the evolution of the industry, focusing on risk assessment and mitigation. Starting as a wildlife control officer on DND projects, Jason effectively mitigated wildlife risk by utilizing birds of prey, safe firearms practices, and pyrotechnics, as well as trapping birds of prey and mammals. As an airports manager he has worked with clients to implement the use of RPAs for wildlife management and research purposes. He has an established record in overseeing wildlife management programs, training staff, implementing policies, and collaborating with government agencies. Trained in SMS and military flight safety, Jason has participated in program reviews and developed airport wildlife management plans for both civilian and military clients. Jason's extensive knowledge and dedication to wildlife conservation and flight safety make him an invaluable asset in fostering human-wildlife coexistence. He currently manages airport wildlife management programs at 12 Wing Shearwater and 8 Wing Trenton as well as programs at Trudeau International, Winnipeg International and Calgary International airports for Falcon Environmental.
Soaring Together: Uniting Canada's Aviation & Aerospace Sectors for a Thriving Future
.png)
Cathy Press
BC Aviation Council & Chinook Helicopters 1982 Ltd
Cathy Press is an innovative aviation leader and lifelong pilot, serving as CEO of Chinook Helicopters, a premier flight training provider for both rotary and fixed-wing aircraft in British Columbia’s Fraser Valley. She was recognized as one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women, and in addition to growing her company from two helicopters to a mixed fleet of 30 aircraft; Her contributions to the aviation industry have earned her numerous accolades, including an Honorary Doctorate of Technology from the University of the Fraser Valley. She currently commits her time to several boards and advisory committees including HAC Helicopter Association of Canada. A trailblazer for women in aviation and aerospace, Cathy continues to inspire and empower the next generation of aviator
.png)
Bernard Gervais
Executive Director, Northern Air Transport Association
Bernard Gervais is a dedicated aviation professional with over 20 years of experience. Since January 2024, he has served as Executive Director of the Northern Air Transport Association (NATA). He also sits on the NAV CANADA Advisory Committee and co-chairs the General Aviation Safety Program (GASP).
A private pilot and aircraft owner since 2001, Bernard previously led COPA as President and CEO (2015–2020) and held leadership roles with Aviateurs Québec and Maule Air of Canada. He holds a B.Sc. in Physics and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).
Elevating Black Voices in Aviation and Aerospace
.png)
Coneil Campbell
Training Captain, Air Liaison
Coneil Campbell is a seasoned aviation professional and a strong advocate for diversity within the aviation industry. As Vice President of the Urban Pilots and Professionals Network (UPN), he is dedicated to fostering an inclusive aviation landscape and ensuring opportunities for individuals from all backgrounds.
In his professional capacity, Coneil serves as a Training Captain for Quebec-based airline Air Liaison and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Aviation Management at City, University of London. His expertise spans technical proficiency, leadership, and strategic insight.
Beyond his professional achievements, Coneil is actively involved in community initiatives aimed at promoting equity and dismantling systemic barriers. He champions the power of representation, aspiring to be a role model and demonstrating that, with determination and support, the sky is not the limit—but just the beginning.
His unwavering commitment to excellence continues to drive positive change within the aviation industry, making it more inclusive and accessible for all.
.png)
Tonya Yearwood
Senior IT Project Manager, Air Canada
Tonya was born in Toronto, Ontario to natives of Trinidad & Tobago. She worked in both Canada and the United States in a variety of careers; Finance, Fitness, Postal Service, and Automotive until she found herself in Aviation & Aerospace within the IT space. Working in the industry allowed Tonya to have a new found appreciation for air transportation but quickly learned that diversity in Aviation & Aerospace was non-existent compared to her previous professional experiences. Without its challenges, the Black Aviation Professionals Network (BAPN) was formed, a non-profit organization to help her fellow colleagues and the next generation of leaders and aviators in the sector. BAPN will promote Aviation, showcase it’s more than pilots and flight attendants, appeal to the Black community showing the variety of careers available and supply the resources to thrive. There are Aviation Professionals and professionals in Aviation. Together, we are BAPN!
.png)
Dr. Chika Onwuekwe, KC, ICD.D
Dr. Chika B. Onwuekwe, KC, ICD.D brings extensive legal and business expertise as the Vice President, Legal, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary at Trican Well Service Ltd., a foremost Canadian energy service company. He serves on the Boards of ENMAX Corporation and the Canadian Public Accountability Board (CPAB).
Prior to Trican, Dr Onwuekwe was at Norton Rose Fulbright Canada (formerly Macleod Dixon LLP) and MLT Aikins LLP. He has also contributed to academia and consultancy roles with University of Calgary, University of Saskatchewan, Arthur Andersen (now KPMG Lagos Office), Justice Canada, and Health Canada. Dr. Onwuekwe is committed to diversity and until December 2024 was the inaugural Chair of the BlackNorth Initiative (BNI) Mentorship and Sponsorship Committee. He is the inaugural Chair of the BlackNorth Initiative Alberta Chapter, and a Thought Leader of the Association of Corporate Counsel. Dr. Onwuekwe is the founder of Kadibia Leadership Foundation, a not-for-profit focused on nurturing tomorrow’s leaders, amongst other initiatives. He holds the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors.
Vice President, Legal, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary Trican Well Service Ltd.
.png)
Jane Eruchalu is the Executive Vice President of Production & Operations at Mojek Resources Inc., with over 25 years of global experience in oil and gas operations across Nigeria, Norway, the Netherlands, and Canada. A skilled Petroleum Engineer, she has led development and optimization projects for major companies like Canadian Natural Resources, Statoil, and Husky Energy—where she co-authored a patent for SAGD technology.
Jane holds degrees in Petroleum Engineering from NTNU, is a registered P.Eng., and holds the ICD.D and GCB.D designations. Beyond her corporate role, she is a dedicated community leader and advocate for women and youth, serving with organizations like the Women of Vision Society of Alberta and Black Kids (Girls) Code. She’s a multi-award-winning leader, wife, and proud mother of two.
Jane Eruchalu, P.Eng
Executive Vice President, Production & Operations, Mojek Resources Inc.
Advancing Safety and Security in Aviation
.png)
Director of Service Delivery, Prairies Region – Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA)
Shannon Martens
Shannon Martens is the Director of Service Delivery for the Prairies Region at the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), bringing over 30 years of experience in the aviation and security sectors. Recognized for her operational expertise and commitment to excellence, Shannon is a strategic leader dedicated to building high-performance teams and delivering exceptional service.
Throughout her career, Shannon has led numerous strategic initiatives that have enhanced client satisfaction, improved operational efficiency, and streamlined complex systems. She is a Chartered Professional in Human Resources, an Associate Certified Coach, and a Canadian Training & Development Professional—credentials that reflect her commitment to lifelong learning and professional growth.
Shannon holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Manitoba and a Master of Arts in Leadership from Royal Roads University. Her approach to leadership is grounded in thoughtful planning, people-focused management, and a drive for meaningful, results-oriented change.
Insights from Transport Canada Safety Board and Transport Canada: Enhancing Safety and Standards
.png)
Regional Manager, Transportation Safety Board (TSB) of Canada
Jonathan Lee
Jonathan (Jon) Lee is the Regional Manager for Western Canada at the Transportation Safety Board (TSB) of Canada located in Edmonton, Alberta. He has worked for the Board since 1999 as an aircraft accident investigator and has been the Manager at the Edmonton office since 2004. In addition to investigative work in Canada, Jon has had the fortunate opportunity to support the TSB mandate by participating in foreign investigations that involve Canadian aerospace products and has worked with the NTSB (USA), ASC (Taiwan), AAIRB (Korea), AAIB (Singapore), AAIB (Mongolia), BFU (Switzerland), and AAIB (Finland). Prior to accident investigation, Jon gained industry experience as a pilot in various types of operations from regional airlines to transcontinental cargo to MEDEVAC and flight instruction. He has flown over 35 types of aircraft and has accumulated 6700 flight hours. He maintains a valid and current Airline Transport Pilot License and Class 1 Flight Instructor Rating.