THE BEST MINDS
Our Featured Speakers

Hana Gartner, Moderator
One of Canada’s top
journalists, Ms.
Gartner is also an
outstanding host and moderator.
She has enjoyed a distinguished
career with more than 30 years in
television. Her straightforward
style and willingness to ask the tough questions has earned her both numerous awards, and the respect of the journalistic community.

Thomas Homer-Dixon
Renowned author and expert in the field of international relations and global security,
Mr. Homer-Dixon is a professor in the Centre for Environment and Business in the University of Waterloo’s Faculty of Environment. Mr. Homer-Dixon’s research has focused on threats to global security in the 21st century,
and on how societies adapt to complex economic, ecological, and technological change.

Dr. John Root
A highly respected scientist with Canada’s National Research Council, Mr. Root has been instrumental in developing neutron diffraction methods for industrial applications. As a result of his work, the Chalk River neutron program is recognized as a world-leader in this area. He is currently Director of the Canadian Neutron Beam Centre.

Dr.Rolf Nordstrom
Executive director of the Great Plains Institute, based in Minneapolis, MN, serves on the US Department of Energy’s Hydrogen Education Review Panel and sits on the steering committee for Minnesota’s Renewable Hydrogen Initiative. Mr. Nordstrom’s research on hydrogen and fuel cells for the state of Minnesota was only his last during a decade with the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board and Office of Strategic and Long-range Planning. He has authored and edited more than thirty publications on energy, transportation, and sustainable development. Mr. Nordstrom has an M.A. in international environmental policy from Tufts University and a B.A. in English literature from Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota.

Harold McFarlane, Ph.D.
Harold McFarlane is a Deputy Associate Laboratory Director for Nuclear Science and Technology at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Idaho National Laboratory. He has held numerous technical leadership positions with responsibility for
developing advanced systems for nuclear power plants, the nuclear fuel cycle, and space nuclear power for science and exploration. Dr. McFarlane has a Ph.D. in
engineering science from the CA Institute of Technology, a BA in physics from the University of Texas, and MA in business administration from the University of Chicago.

“The Connective Circuit” – Opening Night Reception featuring:

Lorne Elliot, Entertainer
Come and enjoy one of Canada’s best known comedians at the Opening Night Reception – “The Connective Circuit Reception”. Mr. Elliot’s skills are recognized around the world. He hosted his own nationally broadcast radio series for ten years, has performed across Canada, the U.S. and Australia, and is an award-winning playwright.