The Empire Club of Canada
Wednesday, June 12, 2024
Our energy system is undergoing extraordinary change.
We are working to move from fossil fuels to renewables and more sustainable power systems in electricity generation and in our use of products, such as EV cars. We are doing this at a time when the demand for energy is only growing.
By any estimation, the transition in generation alone – moving from coal and natural gas to renewables such as wind, solar and nuclear – is an Industrial Revolution-level undertaking. Even in a perfect world, this transition was never going to be easy, and it is only going to be made more complicated by the realities of cyber threats, geopolitical realities, and a world-wide supply chain crunch.
Please join The Empire Club of Canada on June 12th for The Great Energy Transition event featuring this curated panel of energy insiders – as they discuss how we will build out our new reliable and greener energy supply against these unprecedented headwinds.
Featuring special remarks by IESO’s President and CEO, Lesley Gallinger
*The content presented is free of charge but please note that the Empire Club of Canada retains copyright. Neither the speeches themselves nor any part of their content may be used for any purpose other than personal interest or research without the explicit permission of the Empire Club of Canada.*
*Views and Opinions Expressed Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the speakers or panelists are those of the speakers or panelists and do not necessarily reflect or represent the official views and opinions, policy or position held by The Empire Club of Canada.*
Atura Power is a leader in Canada’s energy transition through its safe and reliable operation of Ontario’s largest fleet of combined cycle natural gas turbine powerplants, and the development of low-carbon hydrogen production and battery energy storage centres.
Prior to her appointment at Atura Power, Shelley was Ontario Power Generation’s (OPG) Chief Legal and Ethics Officer, and led the company’s Environment, Social and Governance work. In 2021, under her leadership, OPG’s Law Division was named the Energy and Resources Law Department of the Year by the Canadian Law Awards, and Shelley was awarded Tomorrow’s Leader by the Canadian General Counsel Awards in 2018. She practised commercial litigation at a large national Bay Street law firm prior to joining OPG.
Shelley holds her ICD.D designation and sits on the board of Global First Power, a joint venture between OPG and Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation with a mandate to construct and operate a small modular nuclear reactor in Ontario.
Indrani leads at the intersectionality of diversity and innovation. Originally from New Delhi, India, Indrani is the President and CEO of Elexicon Energy, Ontario’s fourth largest municipally owned local distribution company. Raised in Toronto, she is the first female South-Asian to be appointed as the President and CEO of a utility in Ontario.
Indrani has used her deep industry, regulatory and policy knowledge, diverse perspective, and foresight capabilities to advance the energy industry in Ontario making her a sought-after leader on energy transformation, the transition to a net-zero, regulatory innovation, as well equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Indrani is active on several industry association Boards of Directors, including the Ontario Energy Association (“OEA”) and Electricity Distributors Association and Electricity Canada.
Committed to the community, Indrani has served as a Board Member at Hamilton Health Sciences Corporation. Indrani was the 2023 recipient of the McMaster’s DeGroote School of Business Wayne C. Fox Distinguished Alumni Award, which recognizes outstanding alumni. Indrani also received a Canada’s Clean50 Award, which are presented to forward-looking leaders representing the most effective and progressive organizations taking on climate change from every sector, balancing mitigation with adaptation. She holds a Master of Business Administration in Finance and an Honours Bachelor of Science in Psychology from McMaster University. She has also received the Institute of Corporate Directors Director designation (ICD.D).
Jennifer Edey is the Senior Vice President of Operational Services and Business Development at Bruce
Power. She oversees the operation of key services that directly support the safe operation of Bruce
Power’s nuclear fleet. She has most recently added Business Development to her portfolio where she
oversees isotope development, new nuclear initiatives and innovative technology and project
opportunities to support our Net Zero Strategy.
As Senior Vice President, Business Development and Corporate Affairs, Heather’s focus includes ensuring progress on the company’s Reconciliation Action Plan, and advancing hydroelectric generation development across the province in partnership with local Indigenous communities. She is also responsible for all stakeholder, public and media outreach, government relations, Indigenous relations, and branding activities in support of OPG’s business goals.
Heather has more than twenty-five years’ experience in the resource development, energy and electricity sectors. This includes roles as OPG’s VP of New Business Ventures & Electrification, VP of Environment, and Director of the Hydro Business Development Group. In these roles, she was instrumental in starting OPG’s electrification business as well as assembling the OPG team working to advance small modular nuclear reactors. As the hydro business development lead, Heather and her team successfully built northern power projects in partnership with Indigenous communities. She also previously worked in the Calgary office of Golder Associates supporting clients from the mining and oil & gas sectors.
Heather currently serves as a Director on the Boards of Atura Power, APPro and Electricity Canada, and is Vice Chair of Electricity Canada’s Generation Council. She holds an undergraduate and Master’s degree in Science from Queen’s University, as well as an MBA from the Rotman School of Management.
Under her leadership, the IESO oversees the safe and reliable operation of Ontario’s bulk electricity system, ensuring affordable electricity is available when and where people need it.
As part of its mandate to plan and prepare for the future, the IESO works with sector partners to identify energy needs, develop supply options, drive innovation, and harness data and information for decision-making. The IESO also delivers energy efficiency and demand management programs that contribute to the cost-effectiveness and reliability of Ontario’s power system.
Throughout her career, Ms. Gallinger has focused on driving strategic change within complex organizations to deliver shareholder and stakeholder value. Prior to joining the IESO, she served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Elexicon Energy, a large municipally-owned electricity distributor in Ontario, which she led through a sizeable merger integration. She has also held senior roles in the electricity sector that include Chief Strategy and Financial Officer at the Electrical Safety Authority as well as VP, Corporate and Regulatory Affairs and Chief Financial Officer at Oakville Hydro.
Ms. Gallinger sits on several boards, including the Ontario Energy Network where she serves as Vice Chair, and the Nuclear Waste Management Organization. Prior to joining the IESO she also served on the boards of the Ontario Energy Association and the Electricity Distributors Association. She holds a Master of Business Administration from the Schulich School of Business at York University, is a Chartered Professional Accountant and a Certified Public Accountant (Illinois). She has also completed the Chartered Director and Audit Committee Certified program at the DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University.
The Honourable Lisa Raitt joined CIBC Capital Markets in January 2020, having previously worked in both the public and private sectors. Ms. Raitt’s current focus is on senior client coverage and business development with clients in the energy, infrastructure and industrial sectors, which align closely with her deep expertise.
Prior to her current role, Ms. Raitt was the President and CEO of the Toronto Port Authority. She was elected into the House of Commons in 2008, where she went on to hold three senior portfolios serving as Minister of Natural Resources, Minister of Labour, and Minister of Transport. Most recently, Ms. Raitt was the Deputy Leader of the Official Opposition and the Conservative Party of Canada.
Ms. Raitt holds a Bachelor of Science degree from St. Francis Xavier University and a master’s degree in Chemistry from the University of Guelph. She possesses an LL.B from Osgoode Hall Law School and was called to the Ontario bar in 1998. In 2020 Ms. Raitt was named a Woodrow Wilson Center Global Fellow of the Canada Institute.
