The Edmonton Metro Region is experiencing unprecedented and transformative growth. Such growth requires innovative ways of thinking and doing.
Join us for our inaugural flagship event; Charting a Course for Regional Growth & Competitiveness, which will include a State of the Region address and a dynamic panel.
Panelists will speak to the opportunities and challenges related to the skilled workforce; What is the skilled workforce required to meet today’s opportunities and what is anticipated in the medium and longer term? How are the related opportunities and challenges being met? Also critical to the conversation is what is required in order to attract and retain that workforce in our Region. From housing to services, from transportation to schools, as a Region we need to understand that it is not enough to simply have jobs available, but we must also have the infrastructure in place that enables the workforce, and their families, to live and thrive here.
They will also speak to what’s needed now and into the future to tackle challenges and seize opportunities to create the right labour market conditions to ensure that we not only grow a skilled workforce, but that we have what it takes to entice them to stay or move here, and share their perspectives on what the risks and consequences may be if the Region isn’t ready.
Our Panel
Moderator: Mark Parsons, Vice President and Chief Economist, ATB Financial
Mark is the Vice President and Chief Economist at ATB Financial, where he leads a dynamic team in providing insightful commentary and strategic economic outlooks, primarily focused on Alberta. With over two decades of experience in senior economic positions, including notable roles at Alberta Treasury Board and Finance, PwC, and the Department of Finance Canada. Mark has established himself as a trusted authority in the field. He is a regular speaker at industry conferences and a frequent contributor to media discussions on economic trends. Mark holds a Master’s degree in Economics from the University of Alberta.
Panelists:
Laura Jo Gunter, President and CEO, NAIT
Laura Jo Gunter became NAIT’s seventh President and CEO on August 24, 2020. An innovative leader, she brings extensive post-secondary knowledge and an entrepreneurial spirit to her role. Ms. Gunter has also been an entrepreneur. She was the CEO and co-founder of Condition30 Inc., a software and game company based in Toronto and Vancouver. As well, Ms. Gunter was the Vice-President of Creative and Community for the British Columbia-based User Friendly Media. A community builder, she has also given her time to advancing skills development and post-secondary education and to improving the communities in which she has lived in. She is a member of the Minister of Advanced Education’s Skills for Jobs Task Force and a member of the Council of Post-Secondary Presidents of Alberta. She was also a supporting contributor to the Skilled by Design: A Blueprint for Alberta’s Future Workforce report by the Business Council of Alberta.
Catalina Vasquez, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Nanostics, Inc
Catalina Vasquez is the Co-Founder and CEO of Nanostics, a commercial-stage company leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhance healthcare decision-making. Nanostics’ flagship product, ClarityDX Prostate, is utilized across Canada and the U.S. to more accurately identify men with clinically significant prostate cancer, significantly reducing unnecessary biopsies. In addition to her leadership at Nanostics, Catalina serves as the Lead of Clinical Development at Entos Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage genetic medicine company with a cutting-edge delivery platform. Entos is advancing a diverse pipeline that addresses infectious diseases, obesity, metabolic disorders, ophthalmology, lung diseases, and age-related conditions. Catalina’s global career reflects her dedication to leading teams focused on improving health outcomes. She has consistently driven the development, validation, and commercialization of innovative diagnostics, vaccines, and therapies. Her work aims to bring clarity, healing, and prevention to patients, transforming the landscape of healthcare.
Mark Plamondon, Executive Director, Alberta’s Industrial Heartland Association
Mark Plamondon is a seasoned business executive with over 22 years of experience and expertise regarding the management, operation, optimization and financial analysis of mineral processing operations. Mark possesses an engineering degree from the University of British Columbia and an MBA from the University of Alberta. As Executive Director of Alberta’s Industrial Heartland Association, Mark leads the organization’s business development strategy and works with his team to build and enhance relationships with investors, governments, and other stakeholders across the globe.
The formal program will conclude with a networking reception.
We look forward to engaging with you and other leaders to continue to build a globally competitive Region that offers an unparalleled quality of life and a wealth of economic opportunities.
