Ian Brodie is political scientist at the University of Calgary and a fellow of its Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies. He is also a fellow of the Halifax International Security Forum, and former Chair of the Research Committee at the Institute for Research on Public Policy. His newsletter, The Thursday Question, is closely read in Ottawa. He appears regularly on The CGAI Podcast Network and “The Chiefs” on the The Herle Burly Podcast. He is also a senior advisor with New West Public Affairs. Ian Brodie was Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister of Canada from 2006 to 2008. Prior to that, he worked as Executive Director of the Conservative Party of Canada and as Chief of Staff to the Opposition Leader. From 2009 to 2013 he worked at the InterAmerican Development Bank. Combining his academic training and political experience, he wrote At the Center of Government, an Amazon.ca bestseller in politics. He is a graduate of the University of Calgary and McGill, and taught at the University of Western Ontario before heading to Ottawa. In 2009, Brodie was Visiting Fellow at the McGill Institute for the Study of Canada. He has been awarded the Charles III Coronation Medal and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.

In her current role as National Director, Clients & Industries, Gillian oversees a team working with Bennett Jones’ leadership team, lawyers, external industry leaders and key clients to identify, understand and advance strategies to anticipate and capitalize upon opportunities and trends impacting business and investment. Her professional experience spans over 20 years including senior management roles with American Express Canada and Calgary Economic Development (CED). In her most recent position as Vice President, Investment and Trade with CED, Gillian earned valuable insights into global capital flows along with international experience into the importance of sound public policy in elevating Canada as an investment destination in a global economy.

Seasoned and battle-hardened from over 40 years of business leadership and professional services experience at EY, Barry is an expert in corporate finance, having advised on more than 200 mandates on strategy, mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, financing, restructuring and valuations.  He led multiple businesses within EY, including the Canadian Corporate Finance practice and served as the Calgary Managing Partner.  Barry withdrew from the EY partnership in June 2024. Combining a strategic growth mindset to drive value with his direct operations, finance and strategy expertise, Barry is trusted by executive management and boards to provide strategic insights on managing capital, executing transactions and applying leading-edge finance strategies in periods of rapid transformation and great disruption.  Barry is a FCA/FCPA, hold his ICD.D designation, has securities registrations in Canada and the US; has completed executive leadership programs at Harvard and Instead (Singapore), and holds a BComm (1984) from the University of Saskatchewan.

Kelly J. Ogle is the Managing Director of CGAI. He also manages the Energy Security Forum and is the host of Energy Security Cubed, a weekly podcast discussing all facets of energy security. Mr. Ogle is a serial entrepreneur, scholar, and published author. He has served as a board member of several companies, public, private and not for profit, including the board of the Humboldt Broncos hockey club, where is a proud alumnus. Mr. Ogle received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Saskatchewan, a Master of Strategic Studies from the University of Calgary and holds the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Canadian Directors.

Dr. David Perry is the President of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute, host of the institute’s Defence Deconstructed Podcast and a co-director of the Triple Helix MINDs Collaborate Network. He is the author of multiple publications related to defence budgeting, transformation and procurement and a columnist for the Canadian Naval Review. He received his PhD in political science from Carleton University where his dissertation examined the link between defence budgeting and defence procurement. He is an adjunct professor at the Centre for Military and Strategic Studies at the University of Calgary and a research fellow of the Centre for the Study of Security and Development at Dalhousie University.  He was previously the Senior Security and Defence Analyst of the Conference of Defence Associations Institute and Deputy Director of Dalhousie University’s Centre for Foreign Policy Studies.  Embassy Magazine and The Hill Times has named him one of the “Top 100 Influencing Canadian Foreign Policy.”

Craig is an active rancher with varied business interests. He was the former Executive Chairman of RMP Energy Inc., Chairman, President and Chief Executive of RMP Energy Ltd., President and Chief Executive Officer of Rider Resources Ltd, Meota Resources Corp, and Poco Petroleums Ltd.

Craig is a Board member of Western Gas Equity Partners, a Houston based Corporation, as well as a former part owner and Board member of the Arizona Coyotes, an NHL hockey team.

He served as the Chairman of the Calgary STARS Helicopter Fundraising Campaign and was the Honorary Chairman of the Calgary dinner for Ducks Unlimited Canada.

Craig earned a bachelor degree in Economics and Business from the University of Calgary.

Mr. Ian Wild was, prior to his retirement, responsible for ATB Financial’s corporate finance division which provides custom built solutions for mid- and senior-market businesses operating in Alberta in the Energy, Real Estate and Diversified industries.

Ian started his 30+ year career in banking in London, U.K., working for National Westminster Bank Ltd. While there, he served in a variety of positions in their International Division including international credit, corporate finance and trade finance. After immigrating to Canada, Ian began working for Continental Bank of Canada (HSBC) and later moved on to RBC. During his time with RBC, Ian started in the Special Loans Group and as the economy improved, took roles in Oil & Gas Banking and Corporate Banking. Capping off his experience at RBC, Ian transferred to RBC Dominion Securities where he served as Vice President in their Investment Banking group.

In addition to Ian’s experience, he is a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors, holds an ICD designation and is an associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of the United Kingdom. Ian is also involved with the Business Banking Board’s Corporate Executive Board, Calgary Economic Development, various current and past Advisory Boards for the Universities of Alberta and Calgary, the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters and other industry associations, and he is a past member of SAIT’s Chairman’s Circle.

Ian also currently serves as a strategic advisor having previously been a Board Director for AltaCorp Capital Inc., a Calgary-based financial and advisory services firm that provides solutions to the three cornerstones of the Alberta economy – energy, agriculture and diversified. He is a Director of Delphi Energy (TSX:DEE), a Calgary based E&P company and is Chairman of the Financial Services Advisory Committee for Calgary Economic Development.