2026 Speakers

His Majesty Kgosi (King) Leruo Tshekedi Molotlegi, King of the Royal Bafokeng Nation

Kgosi (King) Leruo Tshekedi Molotlegi is the leader, since 2000, of the 150,000 strong Royal Bafokeng Nation in Phokeng, North West Province of the Republic of South Africa. The Royal Bafokeng Nation covers some 1000 square km, and located approximately 100 km northwest of Pretoria. Kgosi Leruo is the 36th King of the Bafokeng and the 15th direct descendent of a long lineage of the Bafokeng kings. 

Under Kgosi Leruo’s leadership, the Royal Bafokeng Supreme Council has embarked on a mission to create a socially and economically enabling environment by the year 2035. Vision 2035 was derived from a Masterplan launched in 2006 in consultation with Singaporean planners. Under Vision 2035, education is the primary focus of the Bafokeng development plan. Other fundamentals of Vision 2035 are: Good governance and leadership; Stewardship of resources, being land, financial assets and infrastructure; Entrepreneurship and economic opportunity; Educated and healthy individuals. 

Kgosi Leruo served as the Chancellor of North West University for 10 years. He graduated from Hilton College in Natal and was awarded the Victor Ludorum medallion for best athlete. He holds a degree in Architecture and Urban Planning from the University of Natal. Kgosi Leruo is a fixed wing and rotorcraft pilot and served as an honorary Colonel in the South African Air Force. 

Her Majesty Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po – the Māori Queen

Te Arikinui, the Māori Queen, is the eighth sovereign of the Kiingitanga, the Māori King Movement, and a prominent voice for Māori rights, culture and self‑determination in Aotearoa New Zealand. Continuing a dynastic line that has defended mana motuhake (self-determination) and Māori lands and identity since 1858, she urges Māori to “walk a new path” toward economic independence and resist forces that undermine Māori initiatives. [In her address], she will discuss intergenerational leadership, Crown–Indigenous relations and Indigenous nation‑building in a shifting political landscape, offering lessons for Indigenous nations navigating their own futures.

Kristan H. Straub, P.Geo., President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Indigenous Loan
Guarantee Corporation.

Over the course of nearly 30 years, Kristan has cultivated a remarkable career spanning
mineral exploration, operations, and executive management across diverse international
landscapes. His profound expertise has led him to hold significant positions, including his
current role as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Indigenous Loan Guarantee Corporation, as Non-Executive Director for Wyloo and recently as CEO, Canada for Wyloo, working in partnership with several communities for the advancement and development of some of Canada’s most important strategic mineral deposits. Prior to this, Kristan served as a valued member of Glencore Nickel’s executive team as Vice President of Exploration. His global leadership also includes his tenure as President of Koniambo Nickel SAS in New Caledonia, a 51:49 percent JV majority owed by the local Kanak population.

Demonstrating a commitment to safety, operational excellence and collaborative partnerships, Kristan held the role of Vice President of Glencore’s Raglan Mine in Nunavik from 2014 to 2018. During his tenure Raglan achieved record safety performance, being recognized both provincially and nationally for safety leadership. Leading teams that increased annual production over 25%. Kristan also lead the team that re-negotiated with the Inuit of Nunavik the historic Raglan Impacts and Benefits Agreement, Canada’s first.

Many of these changes and improvements continue on today. His dedication to the advancement of the mining sector extends beyond his corporate responsibilities. Kristan currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors for both the Mining Association of Canada and the Mining Association of Ontario, contributing his strategic insights to the industry’s growth and sustain ability.

Adding to his distinguished profile, Kristan is a proud band member of Henvey Inlet and French River No. 13 First Nation, underscoring his strong ties to his community and heritage. Kristan (Hon. B.Sc. Geology ‘98) (Doctorate of Law honoris causa ‘25), both from Laurentian University. Kristan is married to Dr. Jennifer Straub, the proud father of Mackenzie, and Eriksen.

Jon Davey (Lower Cayuga, Six Nations of the Grand River), Managing Director, Indigenous
& Government Advisory – Investment Banking, Scotiabank.

Jon is a member of the Lower Cayuga of the Six Nations of the Grand River and the Managing Director of the Indigenous & Government Advisory practice within Scotiabank’s Global Banking & Markets. He recently served as the Chief-of-Staff to the CEO of Scotiabank and for several years was the Vice President of Indigenous Financial Services at Scotiabank. Before joining the bank, Jon was a Federal Crown Counsel and Special Advisor to the Assistant Deputy Minister responsible for Indigenous Affairs within the Department of Justice Canada.

Jon also serves as a Captain in the Canadian Armed Forces primary reserve and is an Aide de Camp to the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. He sits on the boards of the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business and the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital.

Jon holds a Master of Public Administration degree from Cornell University, a Juris Doctorate from Osgoode Hall Law School, and an honours B.A. from Brock University. He has been named as one of Canada’s Top 40 under 40 and was recently awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal in connection with his military service.

Robert Brant, Partner & Co-head of McCarthy Tétrault’s Indigenous Projects & Transactions Group.

Robert Brant is a partner and the Co-head of McCarthy Tétrault’s Indigenous Projects &
Transactions Group. He is an experienced corporate and commercial lawyer, focusing his
practice on mergers & acquisitions, capital markets and projects work as they
relate to Canada’s Indigenous people.
Having spent more than 20 years as the Managing Partner of the firm’s London, England office,
few Canadian lawyers have as much international experience or as many international contacts
to draw upon in crafting solutions to meet the growing needs of Canada’s Indigenous economy
for our Indigenous and non – Indigenous clients alike.
Mr. Brant’s experience extends to a number of different sectors with a focus on all forms of
energy and natural resources. He advises many of our Canadian and foreign corporate clients
including banks and pension funds as well Indigenous-led corporates and the economic
development arms of various Indigenous communities across Canada.
Rob is member of the board of directors of the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business and a
past Chair of both the Canada-UK Chamber of Commerce and the Maple Leaf Trust where he
remains a director of both.
He is a regular speaker on a broad range of economic development issues as they relate to
Indigenous communities and is a proud member of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, a Kanyen’kéha (Mohawk) community and territory located halfway between Toronto and Montreal.

Stuart Chambers, Chair, Anglo American

Stuart Chambers chairs Anglo American Plc and is also a Visiting Fellow of the University of Oxford.  Stuart graduated from University College London in Physics in 1977 and started his career with Shell as a chemical engineer. After 10 years with Shell he spent 10 years with the Mars Corporation and joined Pilkington Plc in 1996, where he was appointed Group Chief Executive in 2002. Pilkington was acquired by Nippon Sheet Glass in June 2006 and Stuart became Group Chief Executive of the new combined Group from which role he retired in March 2010.  Stuart was Chairman of Travis Perkins plc from 2017 to 2021, Rexam PLC from 2012 to 2016 and ARM Holdings Plc from 2014 to 2016 and served as a non-executive director on the Boards of Tesco Plc, Tesco Bank, Manchester Airport Group, Smiths Group Plc and Associated British Ports Holdings Plc.  He also served as member of The Takeover Panel from 2016 to 2023. Stuart is married with 3 children and enjoys sport of any kind, but predominantly sailing and rugby.

John McKenzie, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), TMX Group.

Mr. McKenzie is a member of the TMX Group Board of Directors and also a member of the Board of Directors of several TMX Group subsidiaries.

Prior to his appointment as CEO on August 17, 2020, Mr. McKenzie served as TMX Group Chief Financial Officer and was responsible for corporate strategy, corporate development, investor relations and the financial management of the company as well as for the administrative oversight of TMX Group’s Capital Formation business.

Working with TMX for over 20 years, Mr. McKenzie’s career has included senior roles within Corporate Strategy and Development and Corporate Finance. He has led financial and strategic
planning efforts and managed various TMX acquisitions, including the Maple transaction, the acquisitions of Montréal Exchange and Trayport, as well as the resulting integration initiatives.

From July 2015 to August 2016, he served as President of CDS, Canada’s equity and fixed income clearing house and a wholly-owned subsidiary of TMX Group. Prior to that he was the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and CFO of CDS.

Mr. McKenzie is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CMA) and has an MBA from Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University and an Honours BA from Wilfrid Laurier University. He has served on a number of boards, and currently is a member of The Accounting Standards Oversight Council and a Board Member for the Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation.

Mark Podlasly, CEO of FNMPC

Mark Podlasly, a member of the Nlaka’pamux Nation in British Columbia, serves as Chief Executive Officer at the First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC). Mark has been integral to the development and growth of FNMPC since its inception, driving engagement and advocacy for greater economic participation for member nations in major projects across Canada. Mark also led the coalition’s policy and research initiatives as the Chief Sustainability Officer.

Mark also chairs the First Nations Limited Partnership (pipelines), serves as a Trustee of the Nlaka’pamux Nation Legacy Trust, and sits on the boards of CIBC and Hydro One. In 2017, he received the Governor General of Canada’s Meritorious Service Medal; recognized for his contributions to Indigenous economic development. A graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Mark is a regular speaker at global business and governance events, sharing his expertise at global forums and in boardrooms across Canada.

Sean Willy, CEO, Des Nedhe Group

Sean Willy is the CEO of Des Nedhe Group, the economic development corporation of English River First Nation. Since taking over the role Sean, a member of the Deninu Kue First Nation in the NWT, has taken Des Nedhe to a national & international stage, growing & diversifying into new business sectors and regions all while maintaining high levels of Indigenous employment.
In 2026 Des Nedhe was awarded the Skookum Jim award from the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada for leading edge Indigenous support for the Saskatchewan resource industry.
In his career, Sean has developed and implemented the most innovative Indigenous Inclusion, ESG & Socially Responsible strategies for resource companies such as Rio Tinto and Cameco Corporation.
He has championed Indigenous peoples to be seen as a full partner in long-term relationships value added relationships.
Sean is a board member for TELUS Corporation & the Nuclear Waste Management Organization. He is a past board member of Green First Forest and the Ronald McDonald House Saskatchewan. Sean has also been past Co-Chair of the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (CCIB) and has previously sat on the Canadian government’s Indigenous Innovation Housing Committee and the Indigenous Advisory Committee on Small Module Reactors.
Sean is a graduate of the University of Saskatchewan, holds his ICD designation he was honoured with the King Charles III Coronation Medal in 2024, and in 2026 was awarded the CCIB’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his progressive strategies and support of Indigenous businesses.
Sean has two children and lives with his wife Melissa in Saskatoon.

Angel Ransom, Stewardship Technical Lead, Firelight

Angel Ransom is a Stewardship Technical Lead with Firelight and a member of Nak’azdli Whut’en First Nation (Northern BC). She brings over 15 years of experience supporting Indigenous- led land-use planning and impact assessment across local, provincial, and national contexts. Her work focuses on advancing Indigenous rights, cultural integrity, and community well-being through Indigenous-designed planning and assessment processes.
Prior to joining Firelight, Angel held senior leadership roles with the First Nations Major Projects Coalition, where she led the development of Indigenous-designed Impact Assessment Standards and the Spirit of the Land Indigenous Cultural Rights and Interests Toolkit. She was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal in 2025 in recognition of her leadership and service.

Sharleen Gale, Executive Chair to the Board of Directors, FNMPC

Sharleen Gale has served as the chair of the board of directors for the First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) since 2017, overseeing a tremendous period of growth for the organization in which she has carried FNMPC messages on the economic inclusion of First Nations to the regional, national, and international stage. As an experienced community leader, Sharleen was elected to the council of Fort Nelson First Nation, serving 15 years with 8 of those years as Chief.

She is the grand-daughter of Fred Burke and Madeline Needlay. Her roots run deep in the lives of her people and she enjoys being on the land with her family exploring the territory and teaching her son the traditional ways on the lands and how to hunt, fish, and gather medicines and berries.  

Sharleen’s experience as a community leader is furthered by her corporate experience in the oil and gas, renewable energy, and forestry sectors. During the 2020 Global Pandemic, Sharleen served the Province of BC as a member of the Premier’s Economic Recovery Task Force. In 2023, she was appointed to serve on the Canada Electricity Advisory Council. In 2024, Sharleen was appointed to serve as the Indigenous member of the International Energy Agency’s Global Commission on the People-Centred Energy Transition.   

Sharleen is a recipient of the King Charles III Coronation Medal awarded to her in recognition for her dedication to public service and leadership in economic development.