Moderators and Speakers

Wendy Dupley

Wendy Dupley is the principal and founder of WeDu Consulting and has over 25 years of innovative, strategic, and visionary leadership experience from her work across three continents and at all three levels of government. Her economic development experience has been in both urban and rural settings, and across public and private sectors, providing a unique balance of experience and perspectives to her clients.

Wendy served as President of The Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC) for three years from 2020 to 2023 and continues to serve on various boards and committees to current day.  She is an award-winning professional for her work on multiple projects and initiatives. Awards include the 2013 Marketing Canada Award presented by EDAC, and the 2018 International Contributor Award presented by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) for her work with Ukraine. She was named by US-based Site Selector publication, Consultant Connect, as one of the Top 25 Economic Developers in North America. A Certified Economic Developer, and a Certified Financial Planner by the Chartered Institute in the UK, Wendy understands the challenges facing leaders in community, economic development, and tourism organizations. 

John Jung

John Jung is the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF) Chairman and Co-Founder; a professor, author, and keynote speaker; a Planning and Economic Development Consultant; and former Canadian Economic Development President and CEO. He is a professional, award-winning Canada-based urban planner, urban designer, economic developer, author and global speaker on planning, development, urban design and economic development related issues, especially related to Smart Cities and Intelligent Communities since the mid-1980s. John has had a varied career across multiple disciplines, but his focus has been on the vibrancy, liveability, and prosperity of communities. He has worked internationally and across Canada in senior positions such as President and CEO of the Calgary Economic Development Authority, Director of Planning and Development for the Toronto Harbour Commission and City of Toronto Planning Department, President and CEO of the Greater Toronto Marketing Alliance and CEO of Canada’s Technology Triangle in Waterloo Region, among others.

As a planning and economic development professional, he has developed strategies for undertaking two-way trade and investment (export and FDI); leveraging built form and mobility; and leveraging smart city infrastructure and Intelligent Community branding to attract and retain investment and talent.

As a professor, author and co-author of several research papers and books, he has been an author of works of both fiction and non-fiction. His latest book: “Transformation, Liveability, and Opportunities in Urban Planning” is now available at: https://www.cambridgescholars.com/product/978-1-5275-7312-3

Ema Hsieh

Ema Hsieh worked for the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), one of Taiwan’s most important research organizations, beginning in 1989. She held several significant positions during her career here, including: Head of PR, Project Manager in Latin America, Co-Leader of the Energy Saving Service Team and Director for the New Business Division of the Technology Center for Service Industries.

After her retirement from ITRI in 2013, she was invited to be an advisor to the Joint Innovation Center of the Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association (JIC of TEEMA) to assist the Taiwanese industry with expanding its sales to Latin America. She is fluent in Spanish and has had a lot of experience speaking on smart city in LATAM. Through collaborations and partnerships, Ema has worked to connect people to opportunities through business matchmaking.

In 2018, she joined the ICF Institute in Taiwan and is responsible for business development and marketing. She has an extensive network with the smart city solution providers in Taiwan. Current active projects include international partnership development, consulting to build smart city, training program and promoting best practice solutions from Taiwan.

Jeff Melanson

Jeff Melanson is known for his inventive approach to meeting disruptive innovation with bold strategy and practical vision. Lauded internationally for his creative entrepreneurship approach to leadership, Jeff has proven methods for finding hidden talent and opportunity within an organization, from out-of-the-box strategic and financial growth opportunities for organizations to finding the dynamic growth potential that traditional business practice overlooks. 

Jeff is proud to serve as CEO of Altruistic XR, Vice Chairman of Altruistic AI, Strategic Partner for Unity Technologies, and an Advisor at Lansberg Gersick Advisors (an advisory and educational partner to the world's leading family enterprises). In his executive life, Jeff served as President and CEO of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, President of The Banff Centre, Dean of The Royal Conservatory of Music’s Community School in Toronto and Executive Director of Canada’s National Ballet School. 

Doug McCollough

Doug McCollough works to connect people to opportunities, remove barriers, and promote change in initiatives ranging from Smart and Connected Cities, IT Workforce Development, expanding broadband access, Connected and Autonomous Vehicles, and Blockchain in Government. Now serving as the Executive Director of The Beta District in Central Ohio, which organizes innovation, development, and investment in Smart Mobility industry sectors, he speaks as a Subject Matter Expert and advocate on using technology for community development.

Doug is also the CEO of Color Coded Labs, which targets underserved, underrepresented, and marginalized communities, seeking gritty working adults for new, transformative career pathways in the technology industry, and co-founder of The Columbus Rising Project, which fights against the digital divide by sharing basic tech skills in the Columbus, Ohio region.

Prior to his current work, Doug held positions within the State of Ohio Departments of Public Safety, Commerce, Industrial Commission, and Medicaid. He served as the Director of Information Technology for the City of Richmond, Virginia, and as CIO for the City of Dublin, Ohio. He is on the boards of Per Scholas Columbus, TECH CORPS, and Jewish Family Services of Columbus, is a cofounder of Black Tech Columbus, and a Trustee for the Central Ohio Transit Authority.

Dr. Simon Potter

Dr. Simon Potter joined NBCC’s research office with extensive experience in biomaterials, composites, forestry, precision health and genetics applied research.  He is responsible for NBCC’s overarching research program which, based on its exceptional strength and depth in ICT, is now expanding into new areas such as agriculture, precision health, and educational and accessibility research.  Simon holds a Ph.D. in biochemistry and molecular biology from the University of Edinburgh, a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from the University of Bath and has built a global reputation in the implementation of large-scale research initiatives in Canada and Australia.

Robert Bell

Robert Bell heads research, analysis and content development activities and directs the Assessment that ICF uses to certify Intelligent Communities and select honorees for the annual Intelligent Community Awards program. Robert developed and leads the Intelligent Community Accelerator and Certification programs. He is also the author or editor of ICF's research reports, and lead co-author of Brain Gain, Seizing Our Destiny and Broadband Economies. 

Robert has contributed articles to IEDC Journal, Mayors & Cities, Global Urbanist, and Daily Yonder; and has appeared in segments of ABC World News and The Discovery Channel. A frequent keynote speaker and moderator at municipal and telecom industry events, he has also led economic development missions and study tours to cities in Asia and the US.  

Dr. Diana Bowman

Dr. Diana Bowman is a Professor of Law in the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, where she serves as the Associate Dean for Applied Research and Partnerships and the School for the Future of Innovation and Society, at Arizona State University (ASU). Diana is a Co-Director of the Center for Smart Cities and Regions (CenSCR), a Faculty Innovation Fellow with ASU’s University Technology Office and Andrew Carnegie Fellow (2018).

Diana’s research has primarily focused on the legal and policy issues associated with emerging technologies including, for example, nanotechnologies, CRISPR and autonomous vehicles. Diana’s second pillar of work is within the sphere of public health law and policy, with a particular focus on road safety, assisted reproductive technologies and water safety. She has published over 150 peer reviewed journal papers and chapters and is the co-editor of 11 books including Reproduction Report (Oxford University Press, with Ludlow and Johnston). Her work has appeared in leading journals such as Nature Nanotechnology, Nature Materials, Law & Policy and Regulation & Governance. 

As the co-director for CenSCR, Diana lead ASU’s efforts in building out the first smart region in the United States. The Connective brings together 22 cities and towns in the Greater Phoenix region, along with private sector partners such as Intel and T-Mobile, to work collectively to solve pressing regional challenges including, for example, transportation, water sustainability and air quality. Diana represents ASU on the Executive Committee.

In addition to her research and teaching, Diana has worked extensively with external organizations such as the Australian Government, the World Economic Forum, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the Food and Agricultural Organization and the Energy Retailers Association of Australia on the governance of emerging technologies. In 2011 Diana was a member of the Australian Government’s delegation to the United States for the Inaugural Australia-US Science and Technology, Joint Commission Meeting, and between 2010 and 2012 served as a member of the Prime Minster of Australia’s National Enabling Technologies Strategy Expert Forum (housed within the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research).  

Diana earned her Bachelor of Science (Physiology), a Bachelor of Law and a Doctor of Philosophy (Law) from Monash University (Australia). In August 2011 she was admitted to practice as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria (Australia). In December 2022 she graduated from the Thunderbird School of Global Management with a Masters of Global Leadership and Management (Executive Program). 

Dr. Bill McIver

Dr. Bill McIver is the Director of the Information and Communication Technologies Research Group at NBCC. He leads a diverse team focused on research and development for business and community partners of all sizes. While his background is in computer science, Bill’s expertise encompasses software development and engineering, data analysis, useability, product ideation, human-centred design, and accessibility.

Bern Grush

Bern Grush is the Executive Director of the Urban Robotics Foundation and project lead for the draft technical standard ISO 4448 "Public-area Mobile Robots." Since 2002, Bern has been involved with transportation-related innovation, standards, and regulatory research for road pricing, parking management, automated vehicles, and now the robots designed to clean your sidewalks, deliver your groceries, secure your neighbourhood, operate your wheelchair at hospitals and airports, and scrub the floor at the mall. Before that, he co-founded PCI Geomatics to develop AI for image analysis systems for earth-imaging satellites. He has degrees in Human Factors Psychology from the University of Toronto and Systems Design Engineering from the University of Waterloo.

Dr. Kyle Brymer

Dr. Kyle Brymer is the Research Associate in Health at NBCC. He has research expertise in neuroscience, mental health and Alzheimer disease, and aging. He is leading a sensory mapping and campus twinning project at the NBCC Fredericton campus titled SMART: Sensitivity Mapping for Accessibility Resources and Technology. Dr. Brymer is also spearheading the creation of a functional genomics training and education program to be offered in NBCC’s Saint John campus.

Rianna Poskin

Rianna Poskin, MSBA, BSAT, is a Category Account Manager for the Snoezelen Division at School Specialty. Rianna works closely with a design team to bring Snoezelen projects to fruition in schools, hospitals, long-term care facilities, and more. She is passionate about her efforts to serve populations in need of safe spaces to engage the senses and enrich their lives.

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As the world’s first and leading multi-sensory brand, we at Snoezelen® know firsthand the amazing power of sensory experiences to transform lives. Since the late 70s, we have brought together more experts, developed more state-of-the-art product solutions, and offered more services and training than anyone else to create wondrous multi-sensory environments for people of every age and need.

Mullai Manoharan

Mullai Manoharan is the Research Associate in Precision Agriculture at NBCC. He is leading a research project involving deployment of a low-cost, internet-of-things-based agricultural monitoring technology in a diverse set of growing climates in coordination with the Apple Growers Association of New Brunswick.

Jakub Skrzypczyk

Canada’s Ocean Supercluster (OSC) accelerates the development and commercialization of made-in-Canada ocean solutions in energy transition, food security, future of transport, and climate change while also growing more companies, creating more jobs, and attracting ocean talent. 

Jakub Skrzypczyk is responsible for OSC's engagement activities, including curating membership, convening events, and building international partnerships. He has leadership experience in managing innovation, ecosystem building and business development. Jakub worked in non-profits in Canada, Europe and Africa across a wide range of issues, including innovation, climate, sustainability and human rights, and holds an MA in Political Science. He is currently based in Fredericton, New Brunswick.

Cedric MacLeod

Cedric MacLeod was born and raised in Carleton County, NB and developed an early love for agriculture with encouragement from family and pouring concrete with his father on farms throughout the Saint John River Valley.  A desire to support soil health and conservation opportunities in the New Brunswick potato belt led Cedric towards the completion of a Bachelor of Science from the Nova Scotia Agricultural College and a Master’s Degree from the University of Manitoba, Department of Soil Science.

Early career experience immersed Cedric in the agricultural greenhouse gas management field where he has led or contributed to the development of numerous Canadian and international GHG quantification protocols in the livestock and cropping sectors.

With 20-years of experience in GHG management, Cedric was asked to lead the development of New Brunswick’s 5-year Living Lab project which will reach across New Brunswick with research and extension efforts to support growers in adopting Climate Smart management practices and enhance biodiversity on their operations.

Charles Gervais

Charles Gervais, a dynamic entrepreneur and NBCC alumnus, leads two pioneering ventures - MLT, a telecom agency started in 2001, and iTransform, a firm dedicated to modernizing SMBs. An active member of the Wallace McCain Institute since 2016, Charles is also a devoted mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs. Outside the office, he cherishes outdoor adventures with his wife and two daughters.

Catherine José Bechlam

Catherine José Bechlam came with her two children in 2017 to NB. Originally from France, she spent her career in the civil service, in charge of two departments within the Environment Department of her local authority. Arriving in Canada in 2017, as her professional experience was not recognized, she completed a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, graduating in 2022. Aunt to an autistic child and having participated in the Connect Research Project on Autistic Adults, Catherine has been the Executive Director of the Autism Resource Centre of Southeastern NB for the past 2 years. She is always eager to collaborate with research teams helping them improve the living conditions of autistic people. Catherine serves a community ranging from early childhood to adults of all ages. The Centre she manages offers a wide range of resources, tools, books, activities and programs.

Manphool Fageria

Manphool Fageria, Director of the McCain Farm of the Future, was born and raised on a family farm business in India. He completed his undergraduate, Master's, and PhD in sustainable crop production and has over 25 years of experience as an agronomist. Fageria is the Director of McCain's Farm of the Future located in Florenceville-Bristol, N.B. At the farm, regenerative agricultural practices and innovative technologies are tested to show their economic viability and regional scalability.