Agenda

As President and CEO of the Canadian Telecommunications Association Robert Ghiz provides overall leadership and direction to an organization that is the authority on wireless issues, developments, and trends in Canada. Robert has served in this role since 2017, helping the Canada Telecoms team represent and promote companies and service providers that collectively contributed more than $70 billion to Canada’s gross domestic product in 2020 alone. Prior to joining the association, Robert had a successful career as a political leader. He was twice elected Premier of Prince Edward Island from 2007 to 2015, successfully stewarding the province’s economy through the 2008 global financial collapse and contributing to its record-setting economic growth following the recession. While Premier, Robert also led successful trade missions in Europe, Asia, South America and the United States. In addition to his role today with the association, Robert is the Chair of Mobile Giving Foundation Canada, and the Chair of the Medavie Health Foundation. He also serves as an Advisor on numerous Boards including the Prince’s Trust Advisory Council, the True Patriot Love Foundation, and as PEI Representative of the CN Community Board.

As President and CEO of the Canadian Telecommunications Association Robert Ghiz provides overall leadership and direction to an organization that is the authority on wireless issues, developments, and trends in Canada. Robert has served in this role since 2017, helping the Canada Telecoms team represent and promote companies and service providers that collectively contributed more than $70 billion to Canada’s gross domestic product in 2020 alone. Prior to joining the association, Robert had a successful career as a political leader. He was twice elected Premier of Prince Edward Island from 2007 to 2015, successfully stewarding the province’s economy through the 2008 global financial collapse and contributing to its record-setting economic growth following the recession. While Premier, Robert also led successful trade missions in Europe, Asia, South America and the United States. In addition to his role today with the association, Robert is the Chair of Mobile Giving Foundation Canada, and the Chair of the Medavie Health Foundation. He also serves as an Advisor on numerous Boards including the Prince’s Trust Advisory Council, the True Patriot Love Foundation, and as PEI Representative of the CN Community Board.

A  graduate from the University of Waterloo in civil engineering, Lorna is licensed with the PEO and holds her international certificate in Project Management.  She’s worked in the Canadian marked for wireless and wired networks.  Starting her career at Bell Canada/Bell Mobility for about 15 years learning wired network planning/design/construction/record keeping.  She then went to Roehampton Communications, Shared Tower and now Stantec. 

Jim Elkins, CRSP, CSP is a senior HSSE leader with nearly three decades of experience advancing health, safety, security, and environmental performance across complex organizations. Currently serving as Senior Director, HSSE Operations – Canada at Stantec, Jim has led national and global teams, including interim director roles in Europe and the Middle East. Known for building strong safety cultures, he brings a practical, values-driven approach grounded in operational excellence, disciplined execution, and the voice of the customer. Jim has successfully guided organizations through strategic transformation, crisis response, and innovation, while mentoring leaders and developing high-performing, accountable teams.

Samie Dunand-Vincent is a telecommunications structural engineer with over 13 years of experience in the design and analysis of wireless infrastructure. She works with Teletek Structures, a specialized engineering firm focused on telecommunications structures, where she supports carriers and tower owners with practical, efficient, and constructible solutions in Quebec and across Canada.

Throughout her career, Samie has contributed to a wide range of projects including new tower design, structural upgrades, audits, and reinforcement, etc. 

She joined Women of STAC in 2019 and has since been actively involved in mentoring women advancing within the telecommunications industry.

Barry Oxner is a recognized leader in the Canadian fall protection industry with over 35 years in occupational health and safety, including 25 years dedicated exclusively to fall arrest systems, compliance, and training. 

As the founder of one of Canada’s first national fall arrest service companies, Barry pioneered a fully integrated model that combined certified equipment inspections, specialized fall protection training, engineered system design and fabrication, installation, consulting, and equipment supply. Under his leadership, Total Fall Protection became an industry leader serving industrial, commercial, and government clients across Atlantic Canada and beyond. 

Barry has completed advanced technical and trainer certifications with Protecta International (Houston, TX), DBI-Sala (Mississauga, ON), Miller/Honeywell (Franklin, PA; Richmond Hill, ON; Halifax, NS), and 3M Fall Protection (Milton, ON; Halifax, NS). He also holds formal education in Occupational Health and Safety Law from Ryerson University. 

He has served as a facilitator for the Nova Scotia Safety Council and has been invited to speak with the Nova Scotia Department of Labour and WorkSafe New Brunswick on fall protection inspection standards and regulatory compliance. Barry has also provided expert witness services in fall-related accident investigations. 

His career has been dedicated to raising the standard of fall protection compliance, inspection integrity, and worker safety across Canada.

Dr. John Wahba is an internationally recognized expert in tower engineering with more than 30 years of experience in structural engineering at the design and research levels. He has led the design of some of the world’s most complex tower structures and has authored several publications on the dynamic and static analysis of guyed towers. Dr. Wahba currently serves as Chair of the CSA S37 Technical Committee and is a member of the Executive Committee for the TIA-222 standard and the IASS Technical Experts Group on Towers and Masts.

Marco Di Franco is a Senior Director with 30 years of experience in the Telecommunications industry and has been involved in thousands of projects throughout Canada. He has overseen and participated in designing telecommunication structures, including self-support towers, guyed towers, monopoles, tripoles and rooftops. Key elements include design, analysis, construction drawings and specifications, reinforcing design, post-construction work and maintenance inspections. 

Marco is a professional and client-oriented collaborator. With his extensive experience, he has demonstrated his capability to solve complicated problems within projects requiring complex reinforcing designs of different telecommunication structures. His areas of expertise include organization, business acumen, and customer relations.

Julie Bergeron is an experienced engineer dedicated to ensuring CBC/Radio-Canada’s broadcasting operations meet national compliance standards.

A graduate of the Université de Sherbrooke, Julie earned her degree in Electrical Engineering in 2007 and a Master’s in Engineering Management in 2013. She joined CBC/Radio-Canada in 2006, initially focusing on coverage planning, field measurements, and Safety Code 6 (SC6) compliance within the Spectrum Engineering group.

Since 2021, Julie has managed the Spectrum Engineering team, where she and her team ensure that all CBC/Radio-Canada transmission sites comply with SC6 through ongoing evaluations, measurements, and technical analysis.

Her expertise in RF safety is recognized nationally through her role as Chair of the Safety Code 6 Subcommittee at the Radio Advisory Board of Canada (RABC). As Director of Engineering Services, Julie continues to prioritize regulatory compliance and safety-focused management across the corporation’s engineering landscape.

Mike has been involved with Telecommunications for over 25 years, with NWS for the last 12 years. Always enthusiastic about network design, delivery & build, always interested in complete situational awareness.

Blair Bittner P. Eng, a Surrey, British Columbia-based employee, has been with WesTower for 29 years and counting. As a seasoned professional with both engineering design and field expertise in the communication sector.  He began working in the industry in 1996, moved on to engineering in 2007, transitioned to his managerial career in 2016, and was promoted to a new national position in 2023.  With in-depth knowledge of all facets of the business, including building, fabrication, design, and safety, the main benefits of the job go beyond money, and the collaborative nature of the field provides the most fulfillment.  Internally, this includes helping people in the safety domains, leading and participating in teams throughout their design and development and constructing structures as part of a crew. Externally, it involves taking part in S37 and STAC committees.  He feels the greatest benefits come from the assistance of others. 

Eman Abou Arab is as a Senior Advisor on Bell's National Wireless Construction Standards team. A Civil Engineering graduate from Concordia University, she joined Bell in 2014. In her current role, Eman manages Bell's National Construction Standards, Health and Safety, and Vendor Qualification programs. Previously, she oversaw Bell's National Maintenance and Capital Sustainment Upgrade programs.

With over ten years of dedicated experience at Bell, Eman is a highly accomplished and results-oriented professional, adept at leading and managing complex projects, teams, and budgets effectively.

As a devoted husband and father of two, I balance my professional life with a passion for the great outdoors. With over 25 years of experience in telecom and industrial construction, I've built a career that's allowed me to work on exciting projects and collaborate with talented teams. When I'm not working, you can find me on the water, reeling in a big catch, or cheering on my favorite sports teams with my family. I'm grateful for the adventures and memories we've made together and look forward to many more.

Davis Legree has been the editor of The Wire Report since January 2026, and he's spent the last four years as a journalist on Parliament Hill.
 
Originally from Brooklin, Ont., he studied public policy at Carleton University, where he specialized in communication technology regulation, before pursuing a master’s degree in environmental studies from Queen’s University. More recently, he worked as a reporter for iPolitics, where he covered, among other things, the Liberal government’s online harms legislation, broadcasting policy, and the CRTC.

Matt is passionate about building more sustainable, prosperous and inclusive communities of all sizes across Canada. 

As Executive Director of Policy and Public Affairs, Matt is proud to lead an exceptional team of professionals who are dedicated to advocating to the federal government on behalf of municipalities. Uniting communications, government relations, member engagement and policy and research functions, FCM’s Policy and Public Affairs department works every day to bring the voice of municipal elected leaders to the federal government, deepening intergovernmental collaboration to address Canada’s most pressing public policy challenges—from economic growth, to housing affordability, to public safety and climate change.  

Beginning his career in the public sector through a management internship with the Government of Manitoba, Matt worked for the department of energy and mines on renewable energy policy and administered an incentive program for ground-source heat pumps. Later, as an advisor to the Premier of Manitoba, Matt gained invaluable firsthand experience with the machinery of government and political decision-making processes. 

Since 2014, Matt has been a champion for local government at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. Through progressively senior positions, Matt has contributed to the development and execution of FCM’s annual federal budget advocacy and our campaigns to influence the 2015, 2019, 2021 and 2025 federal elections. Among some of the notable achievements that Matt has helped to secure for municipalities are multi-billion infrastructure funding programs like the Canada Public Transit Fund, the Universal Broadband Fund and the Canada Community-Building Fund, federal policies like the National Adaptation Strategy, and improvements to federal legislation like the Fisheries Act—striking a balance between environmental protection and streamlined regulation of municipal infrastructure projects. 

Beyond 9-5 you can find Matt outside, cross-country skiing, mountain biking and exploring the forests and lakes around Ottawa-Gatineau with his partner, Josina, their two kids, Ryan and Marlowe. 

Melissa Yu is Vice President of Business Development at Aurora Towers, an independent Canadian tower infrastructure company where she leads national strategy, new build programs, carrier partnerships, and portfolio growth across the country. With over 15 years in telecom real estate and infrastructure development, Melissa has built a career defined by getting things done in one of Canada's more challenging regulatory and operational landscapes. Before joining Aurora, she spent more than a decade at SBA Canada, where she led the development and construction of nearly 200 telecommunications towers from coast to coast - working with carriers and tenants including Rogers, Bell, TELUS, Freedom Mobile/Vidéotron, and Gogo, among others. She also managed a portfolio of more than 400 assets, driving significant revenue growth through strategic lease optimization and new business development initiatives.

Melissa holds a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences with a specialization in Urban Planning, with Distinction, from Concordia University in Montréal, where she also lives and works.

Kiersten worked in the telecommunications industry for over 25 years supporting network teams in obtaining regulatory and land use approvals to build telecommunication infrastructure. Kiersten's experience includes working with provincial, municipal and Indigenous governments across Canada in building relationships, advocating for policy changes and approvals. Kiersten's experience includes implementing community consultation processes and stakeholder engagement strategies to meet regulatory requirements. Kiersten holds a Bachelor of Political Science from Concordia University, Montreal and completed a Certificate in Dialogue and Civic Engagement at Simon Fraser University. Kiersten is currently working for the Council of Canadian Innovators.

Blair Bittner P. Eng, a Surrey, British Columbia-based employee, has been with WesTower for 29 years and counting. As a seasoned professional with both engineering design and field expertise in the communication sector.  He began working in the industry in 1996, moved on to engineering in 2007, transitioned to his managerial career in 2016, and was promoted to a new national position in 2023.  With in-depth knowledge of all facets of the business, including building, fabrication, design, and safety, the main benefits of the job go beyond money, and the collaborative nature of the field provides the most fulfillment.  Internally, this includes helping people in the safety domains, leading and participating in teams throughout their design and development and constructing structures as part of a crew. Externally, it involves taking part in S37 and STAC committees.  He feels the greatest benefits come from the assistance of others. 

Eman Abou Arab is as a Senior Advisor on Bell's National Wireless Construction Standards team. A Civil Engineering graduate from Concordia University, she joined Bell in 2014. In her current role, Eman manages Bell's National Construction Standards, Health and Safety, and Vendor Qualification programs. Previously, she oversaw Bell's National Maintenance and Capital Sustainment Upgrade programs.

With over ten years of dedicated experience at Bell, Eman is a highly accomplished and results-oriented professional, adept at leading and managing complex projects, teams, and budgets effectively.

Ian Panagapka is the President at Rigarus Construction Inc. A STAC Steering Committee member since September 2019. Ian oversees all operations at Rigarus Construction Inc. based in Elmira Ontario which provides construction services to many areas of the telecommunication industry.

Mike Howerin is an Applications Engineer who has spent 19 years at Applied Bolting Technology specializing in structural bolting methodology, technology, and the standards that govern them worldwide. A long standing member of the ASTM F16 fastener committee, he helps shape and interpret international consensus standards, including ASTM and AISC/RCSC provisions. Mike has developed bolting curricula for major EPC firms and trained technical personnel from organizations such as Bechtel, Fluor, Samsung Engineering & Construction, ADNOC, and ARAMCO. His work has taken him to 14 countries across four continents, where he supports projects in applying proper bolting practice from specification through field installation.

Experienced Project Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the telecommunications industry. Strong telecommunication professional, with over 30 years experience. Focused on problem solving and delivering a stress free project experience.

With over 38 years of industry experience, I hold a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master's degree in Project Management. 

Since joining the telecom industry in Canada, I have managed a diverse range of projects, including rooftop installations and tower constructions. I am committed to sharing my experience with my colleagues to ensure that everyone adheres to company standards and engineering best practices.

Eric Smith is Senior Vice-President at the Canadian Telecommunications Association, where he leads the organization’s regulatory, policy, and public affairs work.

He brings deep experience at the intersection of law, technology, and public policy, having previously held senior roles at BlackBerry (Divisional General Counsel & Head of Government Relations – Canada), Corel Corporation (as Vice-President and General Counsel), and Fraser Milner Casgrain (now Dentons), where he co-chaired the Technology Transactions Practice Group and was recognized by The Best Lawyers in Canada for his work in the field of information technology law.

Mark Goldberg has more than 35 years of international experience in strategic planning, managing, designing and implementing telecommunications carrier networks. His background includes heading the Network Services organization for one of Canada's largest long distance companies, developing the network architecture for competition in Canada, design of the US Government Voice Network, creating the business plan for Canada's Information Highway initiative, and helping international entrepreneurs launch traditional and enhanced telecommunications services. In naming him as one of Canada's top 10 technology bloggers in April 2008, itWorld Canada wrote: No one does a better job of exploring, interpreting or criticizing telecommunications policy in Canada. Period.

Isabela Jimenez started her career as the STAC Program Coordinator in 2019 and has been involved in the telecommunications industry for almost seven years. Now working as the Industry Events & Special Projects Manager, Isabela oversees the planning and development of the annual STAC Conference & Exhibition. In addition to her role supporting events at the Canadian Telecommunications Association, Isabela also oversees the Women of STAC Committee and committee activities.

Trevor Bolt, P.Eng., FEC, is the Head of Sales and co-owner of Varcon Inc., bringing almost 30 years of engineering expertise to the telecommunications tower industry. As a leader in complex tower projects, Trevor has specialized in structural analysis, reinforcement design, and managing large-scale multi-scope assignments. His extensive experience includes overseeing CSA maintenance and post-construction acceptance inspections, ensuring the highest standards of safety and quality are met across the industry.

Beyond his technical contributions, Trevor has been a steadfast advocate for tower safety. As a STAC Steering Committee he played a pivotal role in driving key safety initiatives. He is also an active member of the CSA-S37 technical committee, where he helps shape Canadian standards for communication towers. With his deep technical knowledge and hands-on understanding of tower climbing, Trevor continues to bridge the gap between engineering principles and real-world safety practices.

Steven Bain is an accomplished safety professional with over 12 years of experience across provincially regulated construction and federally regulated telecommunications environments. Currently serving as Safety Manager, Technology and Business at Rogers Communications, Steven specializes in work at heights safety, non ionizing radiation, contractor safety management, emergency preparedness, audits, and risk management.

As a Canadian Registered Safety Professional, Steven advocates for proactive risk mitigation, innovation in safety systems, creating safer workplaces through human-centered design, and evidence based practice. He remains an active supporter of emerging leaders in the Telecom field and frequently engages with industry peers.

Diana is a highly accomplished Professional Engineer with over 15 years of experience in the design, analysis, and lifecycle management of telecom towers and related infrastructure. She is an associate member of the CSA S37 Technical Committee and is widely recognized for her deep technical expertise in the telecom sector, her expertise spans not only engineering design, but also construction oversight, fabrication, project management and operations leadership. Over the course of her career, Diana has held senior engineering roles with leading  telecom consulting firms, including Roehampton, Trylon, and Nabatech. Today, Diana serves as a Senior Engineer on Rogers National Standards, where she leads key national initiatives. Her work includes leading the Engineering Centre of Excellence, driving tower and foundation standardization programs, developing vendor qualification programs and developing cost optimization tools that enhance capital efficiency and procurement performance. Recognized as a technical leader and a trusted mentor, Diana has built a reputation for educating and empowering teams while delivering safe, compliant, and cost-effective engineering solutions across the telecom industry. 

Annik Rochefort is a metallurgical engineer with 18 years of experience specializing in corrosion, metal fabrication, and welding. Her diverse background includes civil and industrial engineering, as well as military experience, which has honed her analytical skills and broadened her expertise. Annik’s work focuses on the protection of buried structures and asset management, making her a valuable collaborator in the telecommunications industry.

Annik is committed to enhancing the durability and longevity of critical infrastructure, including telecommunications tower anchors. Her approach combines hands-on fieldwork with theoretical knowledge, allowing her and her team to develop and implement methods that are both practical and effective in real-world conditions. Annik's values center around effective asset management and investing in areas that make a significant impact for a financially sustainable industry.    

Jacques started his career in the academia and then joined Reid Crowther as a consulting structural engineer in Western Canada.   In 2000 he joined Trylon and developed products, designs, installations and augmentations of telecommunications sites on all 7 continents.   He started his own consulting firm in 2015 that was acquired by Seguin Morris in late 2024.  Jacques is currently the Chief Engineer – Telecom at Seguin Morris.

With over 38 years of industry experience, I hold a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master's degree in Project Management. 

Since joining the telecom industry in Canada, I have managed a diverse range of projects, including rooftop installations and tower constructions. I am committed to sharing my experience with my colleagues to ensure that everyone adheres to company standards and engineering best practices.

Christiana Enebeli is a procurement leader with over 19 years of global experience in strategic sourcing, supplier governance and procurement strategy. She currently serves as a Regional Procurement Manager at Nokia, where she leads procurement initiatives supporting enterprise accounts in the United States and customer accounts in Canada.

Christiana is also a Doctor of Business Administration Student at Royal Roads University. Her research explores how artificial intelligence (AI) can augment procurement decision-making and enhance strategic procurement processes.

She has shared her research at academic and professional forums, including the Canadian Sociological Association Conference, where she participated in 2025 and will present again in 2026. Beyond her professional work, she is passionate about mentorship and supporting the development of purpose-driven careers.

Through her work, she aims to bridge industry practice and academic research to advance the future of AI-enabled procurement and data-driven supply chain leadership.

A highly accomplished skilled sales professional with exceptional spirit and expertise widely known for being a trusted leader in the telecom industry for over 25+ years. Newly appointed lead for the Women of STAC committee in 2024. Proud mom to Kennedy and Keaton and wife to Thomas. Hobbies: Music, Gardening and Sports

Tracey Walsh is the Senior Manager of Asset and Lease Management at CBC/Radio-Canada, where she oversees a multimillion-dollar portfolio for let and lease of transmission sites and the management of the Corporation’s properties and facilities. With 25 years of telecommunications expertise, Tracey leads a high-performing team managing 500 communication sites and 1,000 complex revenue and expense colocation license agreements nationwide.

A deeply engaged leader with a passion for industry inclusion, Tracey has served on the STAC Steering Committee since 2025 and is currently in her third year as Co-Lead of the Women of STAC Committee. She is known for her ability to bridge the gap between Operations and Project Engineering—both for internal colleagues in Media Technology and Infrastructure and for the Corporation’s external clients. She believes that while the towers are made of steel, the industry is built on trust and strategic partnerships.

Reflecting a career-long commitment to professional growth and mentorship, Tracey holds a Bachelor of Commerce, an MBA in International Business, and is a REIC Certified Leasing Officer.

Bahulee Holtz is a Senior Civil Engineer at Rogers specializing in wireless infrastructure and structural assessment. She leads national programs that enhance tower resiliency, safety, and network reliability across Canada. With expertise in CSA compliance, vendor coordination, and large-scale program delivery, Bahulee focuses on engineering solutions that maintain network infrastructure integrity and reliability.

With more than 20 years of experience in asset integrity and corrosion control, Johanna Chavez Lares brings deep technical expertise and a strong commitment to corrosion control. Originally from Venezuela, she earned her bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering in 2004 before completing a master’s degree specializing in corrosion.

Throughout her career, Johanna has strengthened her professional profile with several respected industry certifications. She is an AMPP CP4 Cathodic Protection Specialist, a CIP Level 1 Basic Coating Inspector and holds the API 580 certification in risk based inspection. These credentials reflect her dedication to mastering both the theoretical and practical aspects of corrosion mitigation and reliability engineering.

Johanna’s work focuses on integrating risk management with advanced corrosion prevention strategies to safeguard critical infrastructure. Her ability to combine a solid academic foundation with hands on field experience makes her a valuable contributor to projects that require innovative, durable and technically sound solutions.

She is currently working as a Corrosion Project Manager at Englobe and serves as the Chair of the AMPP Quebec Chapter. (AMPP - Association for Materials Protection and Performance, formerly known as NACE). Through these roles, she continues to support industry excellence while promoting collaboration and advancing best practices in corrosion management within the professional community.

Iain Harrison graduated from McMaster University in 1997 and was recruited by classmates into the telecom industry in 1998.  Starting at Weisman Consultants, he performed engineering and inspections for various clients across North America.  He joined PSEC in 2005 and helped grow that firm until their eventual acquisition in 2019 by TEP.  Iain is on the S37 Committee, the STAC steering committee and is licensed across Canada as a professional engineer.   He continues to keep his climbing gear in the back of his car, just in case.

Michael Tiller, P.Eng., is a Project Engineer with Tiller Engineering. Since joining the firm in 2017, he has gained extensive experience in the design, inspection, and structural analysis of telecommunications towers. Michael has worked on numerous projects across Canada and internationally, supporting critical telecommunications infrastructure development and assessment.

Steven Bain is an accomplished safety professional with over 12 years of experience across provincially regulated construction and federally regulated telecommunications environments. Currently serving as Safety Manager, Technology and Business at Rogers Communications, Steven specializes in work at heights safety, non ionizing radiation, contractor safety management, emergency preparedness, audits, and risk management.

As a Canadian Registered Safety Professional, Steven advocates for proactive risk mitigation, innovation in safety systems, creating safer workplaces through human-centered design, and evidence based practice. He remains an active supporter of emerging leaders in the Telecom field and frequently engages with industry peers.

Alex is a senior business and policy executive with extensive experience in government relations, stakeholder engagement, and public policy.

He currently serves as Senior Director of Manufacturing and Value Chains at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, where he leads the Chamber’s manufacturing policy practice and oversees the Digital Economy Committee, as well as lobbying and compliance, and strategic stakeholder initiatives. He is also a participant in the organization’s Leadership Accelerator Program.

Previously, Alex was Senior Director of Policy and Government Affairs at the Canadian Beverage Association, where he led the association’s government relations function, and Director of Manufacturing Policy at Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, where he led Ontario government relations and the national environmental policy file.

Across these roles, Alex has championed the interests of manufacturers in Canada and advanced policies to strengthen value chains across sectors including aerospace, automotive, food and beverage, and advanced manufacturing.

He currently serves on the Board of Governors at Seneca College and has held other senior board roles, including as President of the Public Affairs Association of Canada’s Ontario Chapter and as a public member of the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario.

Alex holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Criminology and a Master of Arts in Political Science from the University of Toronto.

Eric Smith is Senior Vice-President at the Canadian Telecommunications Association, where he leads the organization’s regulatory, policy, and public affairs work.

He brings deep experience at the intersection of law, technology, and public policy, having previously held senior roles at BlackBerry (Divisional General Counsel & Head of Government Relations – Canada), Corel Corporation (as Vice-President and General Counsel), and Fraser Milner Casgrain (now Dentons), where he co-chaired the Technology Transactions Practice Group and was recognized by The Best Lawyers in Canada for his work in the field of information technology law.

Ingrid Thompson has over 30 years of experience in the telecommunications, electricity, environment, and public affairs sectors. Highlights of her career include leading change management programs for Vodafone, Telenor, and Yettel; guiding a Czech startup’s communications team through its acquisition by Vodafone; and advising Bell Canada and Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) on crisis response during major events such as the 1997 Ice Storm and the Northeast blackout of 2003.
 
In the electricity sector, Ingrid has consulted for local distribution companies on everything from grid upgrades and Smart Meter rollouts to preparing Ontario Energy Board rate applications. She began her career in government, supporting Ontario cabinet ministers through the early years of the province’s electricity market reforms, including serving as Chief of Staff to the Minister of Environment during the Walkerton E. coli water contamination crisis.
 
Her environmental work has focused largely on water quality and climate files, including serving as CEO of Pollution Probe, Canada’s oldest home-grown environmental ENGO. She is currently on the Board of Governors of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine University (NOSM U).

Ingrid Thompson has over 30 years of experience in the telecommunications, electricity, environment, and public affairs sectors. Highlights of her career include leading change management programs for Vodafone, Telenor, and Yettel; guiding a Czech startup’s communications team through its acquisition by Vodafone; and advising Bell Canada and Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) on crisis response during major events such as the 1997 Ice Storm and the Northeast blackout of 2003.
 
In the electricity sector, Ingrid has consulted for local distribution companies on everything from grid upgrades and Smart Meter rollouts to preparing Ontario Energy Board rate applications. She began her career in government, supporting Ontario cabinet ministers through the early years of the province’s electricity market reforms, including serving as Chief of Staff to the Minister of Environment during the Walkerton E. coli water contamination crisis.
 
Her environmental work has focused largely on water quality and climate files, including serving as CEO of Pollution Probe, Canada’s oldest home-grown environmental ENGO. She is currently on the Board of Governors of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine University (NOSM U).

Ted Woodhead resides in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Mr. Woodhead has over 25 years of experience in the telecommunications and broadcasting sector. He served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Regulatory & Government Affairs Officer at Rogers Communications until May 2023. Mr. Woodhead was responsible for overseeing Regulatory and Government Affairs at Rogers and led the regulatory processes that culminated in Rogers Communications’ acquisition of Shaw Communications in 2023. Prior to Rogers, Mr. Woodhead was the Senior Vice President of Regulatory and Government Affairs at TELUS Communications. He advocated for these companies in numerous proceedings before the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) and other Federal departments and agencies with respect to broadcasting and telecommunications matters. Prior to Telus and Rogers, Ted held various senior positions at the CRTC in both telecommunications and broadcasting. He currently provides advisory and regulatory services to various wireless and wireline telecom and broadcasting companies, independent tower companies, and rural ISPs.

Mr. Woodhead is a member of the External Relations and Development Committee of the Queens University Board of Trustees, Member of the Board of Directors of the Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation and has served on the Boards of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian Telecommunications Association. Mr. Woodhead holds a B.A. (Honours) in Political Studies and History from Queen’s University, and an LL.B. from the University of Windsor. Mr. Woodhead was admitted to the Ontario Bar in 1989. Mr. Woodhead is currently President of Woodhead Regulatory Consulting and a Senior Associate at Clear Strategy, a Public Affairs Agency. 

Dennis Béland is Vice President, Regulatory Affairs at Terrestar Solutions Inc., a Canadian mobile satellite operator dedicated to bringing direct-to-mobile services to smartphones and IoT devices throughout Canada and around the world. In this capacity, Dennis is responsible for regulatory policy and compliance for Terrestar’s existing geostationary and planned low earth orbit satellite operations. Prior to joining Terrestar in 2024, Dennis held senior regulatory positions at a major provider of terrestrial mobile wireless and cable telecommunications services, as well as at an early facilities-based new entrant into the Canadian mobile wireless market. Dennis began his career in the Economic Development Policy Branch of the federal Department of Finance. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Engineering Physics and Management from McMaster University and a master’s degree in Public Policy from Harvard University.