Advanced Technology Summit

Speaker

The Honourable Minister Susan Corkum-Greek Former journalist and long-time community development advocate, the Honourable Susan Corkum-Greek was first elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly as MLA for Lunenburg in 2021. She serves as Minister of Economic Development and also sits on the Treasury and Policy Board. - A graduate of the University of King’s College, Halifax, Corkum-Greek spent nearly two decades in community journalism. She credits those years for igniting her passion for community economic development, which she has pursued full time since 2002. - Corkum-Greek’s professional experience spans a number of industries from tourism and culture to small manufacturing, and includes both volunteer and paid work in the Chamber of Commerce movement. She was a founding member of the Lunenburg Waterfront Association, formed to protect and revitalize the seaport’s working waterfront. She also played a foundational role in the development of LAMP (Lunenburg Academy of Music Performance), an elite finishing school for performing artists that helped transform a longtime public school and National Historic Site into a vibrant community and cultural hub. - Corkum-Greek lives in Bayport with her husband Jody, a professional mariner, and two children.

Speaker

Gord Harling
CMC Microsystems Gordon Harling received a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Science from the University of Toronto and a Maîtrise en Ingénierie Physique from Polytechnique Montréal. He has worked in Research and Development at large companies such as Mitel, NovAtel, and DALSA. He has been a founder and CEO of several start-up companies including Goal Semiconductor, Elliptic Technologies, and Innotime Technologies. He joined CMC Microsystems in February 2018 as President and CEO.

Speaker

Kofi Kobia
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada Kofi Kobia is a Director in the Digital Technologies Directorate at Innovation Science and Economic Development Canada. In this role, he advances policies and initiatives to support Canada's semiconductor industry.

Panelist

Gordie MacNeil
Nova Scotia Community College Academic Chair for NSCC for 20 years in the areas of Engineering Technology and Trades training, programs consisting of Electrical and Electronics Technician and Technology programs, Electrical Construction & Industrial apprenticeship training and Oceans Technology.  Prior to NSCC, 18 years experience in manufacturing and construction related projects through out Canada.

Panelist

Craig Cameron
Nova Scotia Community College Prior to joining the NSCC faculty team in the Electronic Engineering Technology and Electronic Engineering Technician programs, Craig had a successful career in the high reliability electronic manufacturing and support sector. Providing manufacturing, and repair and overhaul technical support provided him with valuable insights into the skills required by effective technicians that support electronic systems and the equipment used to manufacture them.

Panelist

Dr. Jean-Francois Bousquet
Dalhousie University Jean-François Bousquet joined the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at Dalhousie in July 2013. He is a graduate of École Polytechnique de Montréal where he completed his B. Eng. in Electrical Engineering in 2001. He also completed his M.Sc. and Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering at the University of Calgary in 2007 and 2011 respectively, where he focused on the implementation of low-power integrated circuits applied to wireless communication. Between 2009 and 2011, he was employed as a high-speed analog IC designer at Ciena for the development of coherent fibre optics communication networks. Since he joined Dalhousie, he has developed a research program on underwater communications and technology. He is particularly interested in enabling underwater networks, using low-power electronics systems. His passion is to use highly-integrated circuits to enable reconfigurable communication systems. Between July 2019 and July 2023, he was Head of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. He is currently Associate Scientific Director of the Transforming Climate Action program in the Ocean Frontier Institute.

Panelist

Dr. Zhizhang David Chen
Dalhousie University Zhizhang David Chen received a B. Eng. degree in Radio Engineering from Fuzhou University, P. R. China, a Master's degree in Radio Engineering from Southeast University, P. R. China, and a Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Ottawa, Canada. He was an NSERC post-doctoral fellow at McGill University, Montreal, Canada. He is with Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, where he has been a Distinguished Research Professor and the Head of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. He is the Fellow of the IEEE, the Canadian Academy of Engineering, and the Engineering Institute of Canada. His research interest is in computational electromagnetics, RF/microwave circuits, antennas, bioelectricity and bioelectromagnetics, wireless power, and electronic communication devices and systems. He has published over 450 refereed journal and conference papers, 21 industrial reports and held 16 patents in the areas. He has also received many awards for his contributions to the field he has worked in.

Panelist

Jean Quirion
Innovasea Jean is currently leading Innovasea’s Fish Tracking Research and Development (R&D) team that develops Innovasea’s fish tags, receivers, and tracking software.- Jean has been working in the private technology sector for 25 years across different industries, automotive, defense, and now ocean tech. In 2013, with his contribution to many growth-generating products and innovations, he received the IEEE Canadian Atlantic Section (CAS) Young Innovator Award. Jean is also a co-inventor of several patents, and co-author of multiple scientific publications related to various engineering systems and most recently AI techniques for fish tracking. Jean holds an MSc in Electrical Engineering from Dalhousie University and a P.Eng. designation from the Association of Professional Engineers of Nova Scotia.

Panelist

Hamed Hanafi
NovaResp Hamed Hanafi is the founder and CEO of NovaResp, the company that has developed a patented software compatible with any positive airway pressure (PAP) machine to dramatically improve comfort and adherence to therapy for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients. The company's platform software uses artificial intelligence and machine learning during PAP therapy to predict and prevent episodes of apnea before they would occur. As a result, personalized therapy can be delivered via PAP machines at lower, more comfortable air pressure levels. Hamed Hanafi holds a B.Sc. in electrical engineering, a M.Sc. in microelectronics and a PhD in Biomedical Engineering. He is also an adjunct professor with the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering as well as the School of Biomedical Engineering at Dalhousie University, following a research-based entrepreneurial path.

Panelist

Mark McArthur
Novonix Dr. Mark McArthur is the Director of R&D at NOVONIX Battery Technology Solutions in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. He and his team focus on discovering and developing useful materials and production methods for the energy storage ecosystem. Since 2020, Dr. McArthur has led the NOVONIX Cathode Materials team in developing and scaling up their patent-pending all-dry, zero-waste cathode synthesis technology, which is expected to significantly reduce the costs and environmental impact of nickel-based cathode production. Prior to his role at NOVONIX, Dr. McArthur worked at Tesla Canada, uncovering new lithium-ion battery materials and technologies for the EV and ESS sectors. He completed his PhD in Chemical Engineering at McGill University on energy storage materials and his M.Sc. in Physics at Dalhousie University under the supervision of Prof. Jeff Dahn.

Panelist

Philipp Schmid
Nautel Philipp Schmid, P.Eng., received a Bachelor degree in Electrical Engineering with an emphasis on Computer Engineering from Dalhousie University, Halifax Nova Scotia, in 2001 and a Masters degree in Electrical Engineering from Dalhousie University in 2009.   He joined Nautel Ltd in 2005 to develop embedded electronic systems for the deployment of digital radio such as the HD Radio exgine modulator and pre-correction and peak-to-average power reduction for IBOC signals.  In 2019 Philipp assumed the role of Chief Technology Officer at Nautel and is continuing research digital radio broadcasting.

Panelist

Steve Lilley
Protocase With over 35 years immersed in the realms of technology and innovation, Steve Lilley has steered the creation and expansion of numerous tech-driven enterprises. Presently, he serves as the President of Protocase Incorporated, a pioneering manufacturing venture he co-founded in 2001, and as the director of 45 Drives Limited, another technology-focused business established in 2012.- In his role at Protocase, Steve has spearheaded the growth of this inventive manufacturer specializing in low-volume custom electronic enclosures and metal components. The company, dedicated to serving the global science and engineering community for more than two decades, now boasts a workforce of over 375 individuals catering to 18,000 clients across North America and Europe.- In 2023, Protocase launched ProtoSpace Manufacturing, a division dedicated to serving engineering and innovation in aerospace and defense.- Steve Lilley's extensive 35-year expertise spans engineering, operations management, and software development. Holding the position of President at both Bras d’Or Technologies Limited, a firm excelling in contract software development, and MRSI, a convergence point for engineering and software development, he adeptly managed projects involving automated process control, data acquisition, and systems integration.- Beyond his professional endeavors, Steve actively engages in community service, contributing to various boards and organizations dedicated to local growth and development. A founding member of the Cape Breton Capital Group, he plays a pivotal role in assisting innovative startups by providing mentorship and capital infusion. Additionally, as a founding member of Mentor Connect, Steve contributes to mentoring young and emerging entrepreneurs in his community.- Steve earned his Bachelor of Engineering from the Technical University of Nova Scotia (now part of Dalhousie University) in 1986. He has been a resident of Sydney, Nova Scotia for over 35 years, where he and his wife raised five children.

Panelist

Liam Connors
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Liam Connors has been supporting Nova Scotia businesses for 18 years through his various roles in commercial banking and economic development at BDC, Royant Capital, and currently with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), which is a regional economic development agency. In his current role at ACOA, Liam is an Economic Development Officer who aims to help grow the Atlantic Canadian economy by collaborating directly with local companies in supporting their commercialization and growth plans.

Panelist

Forrest King
National Research Council Canada Bio

Panelist

Lidija Marusic
Invest Nova Scotia Dr. Lidija Marusic is a senior investment professional with extensive experience in venture capital, technology commercialization and corporate governance. She currently serves as vice president, business investment and managing director of the Nova Scotia First Fund at Invest Nova Scotia. As part of the senior management team, she leads Invest Nova Scotia’s work to find, fund and foster innovative Nova Scotia start-ups that strive to change the world.- Previously, Lidija was an investment director at Innovacorp, where her focus was on pre-seed and seed investment opportunities in the life sciences (i.e., human health) sectors.- Joining Innovacorp in 2006, Lidija built the organization’s life sciences commercialization and venture capital practice. Today, in addition to her senior management role at Invest Nova Scotia, Lidija manages a thriving portfolio of companies and fosters the commercialization of new medical innovations by guiding researchers and emerging start-up founders.-  Prior to joining Innovacorp, Lidija worked at MDS Capital and its seed fund MedInnova Partners, focusing on commercializing biomedical discoveries.- Lidija holds a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Zagreb in Croatia, a PhD in molecular genetics from the International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA) in Trieste, Italy, and an MBA from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario.- Lidija is a board member at Axem Neurotechnology, Emagix, CVCA (Canadian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association) and Life Sciences Nova Scotia. She is a board observer at Oneka Technologies, Densitas and Spring Loaded Technology, and a member of the investment committee at MEDTEQ.

Speaker

Ron Kelly
Ambature Ron is the Chief Executive Officer of Ambature, Inc. He is a performance-driven executive with over 29 years of experience in technology development, technology licensing and corporate and intellectual property law in North America and around the world.- He has extensive experience negotiating technology licensing with multinational corporations such as IBM, GE, Philips, Siemens, Johnson & Johnson, Essilor Laboratories, Burmah Castrol and McKinsey. Ron has recently consulted with government officials in the US, Canada and the UK, helping them understand the role disruptive information technology plays in creating greater quality and efficiency in the healthcare industry.- He is the former President, CEO and Chairman of Medicalis Corporation, a leading disruptive healthcare technology company based in Waterloo, Ontario (Canada’s technology triangle). Prior to joining Medicalis, Ron served in various board and management positions in companies involved in the licensing of various technologies, including laser vision correction technologies, non-cancerous lignin polymers, e-commerce and software licensing. Ron is a graduate of Dalhousie University with a combined Masters of Business Administration (International Business and Finance) and Juris Doctorate degree.- He also holds an honors undergraduate degree in Finance and Management from the Memorial University of Newfoundland. Upon graduation, he was recruited by Canada’s largest law firm and focused on corporate finance and intellectual property for clients such as Walt Disney, Pepsi and the Government of Canada.

Guest

Rick Power
IBM Rick Power, as part of the IBM Canada Innovation team, brings leading-edge technologies and approaches to research partnerships within Canadian universities. He continues to enjoy an exciting career at IBM after more than 30 years with the company. The constancy in his career has been adapting to the newest technologies and introducing them to IBM's partners and clients. At earlier points in his career, Rick led the integration, in Canada, of IBM acquisitions from across the fields of business intelligence, predictive analytics, and e-commerce. In 2014-15, he was the IBM Watson AI leader for Canada. Then, prior to joining the Innovation team, he worked for four years with Canadian healthcare providers, helping them drive transformation through the application of AI and digital health.

Host

Chandra Pottle
Invest Nova Scotia Chandra Pottle is the Director of Investment Attraction at Invest Nova Scotia, the business development agency for the province of Nova Scotia, Canada. Together with a team of almost 15 individuals, Chandra works to help businesses expand and scale in Nova Scotia.- With more than 15 years’ experience in business development and extensive industry and market expertise, Chandra is passionate about leading the strategic planning to help Nova Scotia companies discover new strategic investment opportunities.- Recent project highlights include attracting multinational tech companies — Cognizant and Avanade- to establish operations in the province.- Before devoting his work to provincial business development, Chandra achieved an exemplary track record in sales, leadership, business development; and service delivery, and successfully managed and delivered multi-million-dollar professional services projects with full accountability for P&L, Resource & Talent Management and Client Success.

Speaker

Peter MacAskill
Invest Nova Scotia Peter MacAskill is President and Chief Executive Officer of Invest Nova Scotia (INS). He joined Nova Scotia Business Inc. (NSBI) in 2002 and was appointed the Chief Operating Officer in 2015. Prior to INS and NSBI, Peter spent eight years with TD Waterhouse in Toronto, where he managed operations departments for the brokerage lines of TD Bank.- Peter is a graduate of St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. He is committed to continuous education, participating in leadership courses such as Rotman’s Executive Leadership Program, the Negotiation and Influencing Master Class at Dalhousie University, and the Bill Black leadership values course.- Peter is dedicated to sharing his expertise and knowledge with numerous community and charitable organizations, volunteering with Symphony Nova Scotia as Past Chair of the Board, Past Chair of the Finance Committee, and member of the Executive Committee. He has also mentored with Fusion Halifax and Junior Achievement of Nova Scotia, inspiring and preparing youth to succeed in a global economy.- Peter resides in Halifax, Nova Scotia, with his wife, Nicole, and their four children: Noah, Liam, Erin, and Emma.