Niagara Economic Summit

Brian Kon

Indigenous Relations Advisor, Niagara Region

Brian Kon is an internationally recognized Métis artist, community advocate and Knowledge Keeper. Born in the Métis homeland of the Red River Settlement (Winnipeg), Brian moved to the Niagara Region in 1996. Brian is an active member of the Indigenous community, including holding the role of Board President of the Orange Shirt Society that honours Indian Residential School Survivors. He is also a Fire Keeper and can be seen tending fires at local events. Brian works at Niagara Region as the Indigenous Relations Advisor.

Rashmi Biswas

Executive Vice-President, Lake and Associates

Rashmi Biswas is a leadership strategist, workplace learning expert, and skilled facilitator with a career spanning Canada, the U.S., and the U.K. Rashmi works with senior leaders across public, and private sector organizations, in non-profit, complex, mission-driven environments, and has provided consulting services across Canada, in South America, Asia, and the Middle East. Rashmi is a program facilitator with OISE at the University of Toronto, and currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Board of Governors for Niagara College.

The Honourable Doug Ford

Premier of Ontario

Doug Ford is the Premier of Ontario and leader of the Progressive Conservative Party. A lifelong Etobicoke resident, he and his wife Karla are proud parents of four daughters. Before entering provincial politics, Doug served on Toronto City Council, where he helped deliver major taxpayer savings as Vice Chair of the Budget Committee. A businessman and community advocate, he has dedicated over 20 years to public service.

Michelle Seaborn

Councillor, Niagara Region

Councillor Michelle Seaborn represents the Town of Grimsby at Niagara Regional Council, where she serves as Chair of the Planning and Economic Development Committee and contributes to the Public Health and Social Services, Public Works, Agricultural Policy & Action, and Budget Review committees. With deep roots in Grimsby’s agricultural community and decades of civic involvement, Michelle is dedicated to fostering regional collaboration, sustainable growth, and strong partnerships that balance community needs with economic development across Niagara.

Scott Johnstone

Vice-President, Administration & Services, Brock University

With more than 17 years at Brock University, Scott Johnstone has led major infrastructure and sustainability initiatives that have strengthened the institution’s operational excellence. His leadership has driven projects such as the Cairns Family Health Bioscience Complex, Canada Games Park, Residence 8, and the Burlington Campus. Scott also developed Brock’s carbon reduction strategy, securing significant government funding and positioning the University as a national leader in sustainability, innovation, and strategic growth.

Sean Kennedy

President, Niagara College

A champion of applied education, Sean Kennedy has more than 20 years of leadership experience in postsecondary education. Since joining Niagara College in 2006, he has guided major initiatives in international engagement, student success, and institutional growth. Recognized nationally for his leadership in global education and student services, Sean has served on numerous provincial and national boards. He holds degrees from the University of Alberta and Queen’s University and is completing doctoral studies at the University of Toronto.

Brendon Buckler

Vice President, Niagara Commercial Financial Services, RBC

Ian Hamilton

President & CEO, HOPA Ports

Rick Nero

Partner, Assurance and Advisory, Baker Tilly

Blake Landry

Manager, Economic Research and Analysis, Niagara Economic Development

A Certified Economic Developer (Ec.D.), Blake brings extensive experience in business start-up services, innovation commercialization, investment attraction, and regional economic strategy. Deeply engaged in Niagara’s business community, Blake has served on several industry boards and committees and has mentored internationally trained professionals entering the local workforce, and is recognized for his analytical and collaborative leadership.

Mark Cascagnette

Founder and Expert Advisor, The CRE Authority

With over 35 years of experience in corporate real estate, logistics, and investment strategy, Mark Cascagnette helps organizations align real estate and operations with business growth and long-term value. As Founder of The CRE Authority, he advises executives on expansion, location, and supply chain strategy across North America. A proud Ontarian and Grimsby resident, Mark’s cross-border expertise and leadership with firms like CP Rail, Penske, and Cushman & Wakefield provide businesses with strategic, data-driven insights for sustainable growth.

Tim Prince

Canadian Managing Partner for Clients and Markets, KPMG

Tim Prince is the Canadian Managing Partner for Clients and Markets at KPMG Canada and a member of the firm’s Canadian Management Committee. In this national leadership role, he drives strategic growth, oversees client and industry programs, and elevates KPMG’s brand while contributing to KPMG’s Global Clients & Markets leadership team.

With over two decades of international experience in mergers and acquisitions, operational value creation, and deal execution, Tim has advised management teams and investors across every phase of the deal lifecycle. He has worked with 65% of Canada’s largest companies and 90% of major institutional and private equity investors, specializing in post-merger integration, separation, and transformation.

Before joining KPMG, Tim held senior roles at Deloitte UK, focusing on value creation. He holds a B.Sc. (Hons.) from the University of Strathclyde, is an ACMA, and completed executive studies at Harvard Business School and the Beijing Language and Culture University. Passionate about community impact, he also serves on the Board of Canadian Feed the Children, supporting sustainable, community-led solutions to food insecurity.

Rebekah Young

Vice President, Head of Inclusion and Resilience Economics, Scotiabank

Rebekah Young provides thought leadership on inclusive, sustainable, and resilient economic growth in a rapidly evolving global landscape. Since joining Scotiabank in 2019, she has led analysis on fiscal and provincial economics and the global auto sector. Her career spans senior roles with the International Monetary Fund, Department of Finance Canada, and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. Rebekah holds degrees from McGill University, the London School of Economics, and INSEAD in France and Singapore.

Paul Dubkowski

CEO, Andrew Peller Limited

Appointed in 2024, Paul Dubkowski, CPA, CA leads Andrew Peller Limited, Canada’s largest publicly traded wine producer. Guided by Niagara roots, the company continues to grow its national profile through innovation, quality, and operational excellence. With more than 20 years of executive experience across finance, manufacturing, hospitality, and the beverage industry, Paul has held senior roles with Indigo, Sunwing, and Accor Hotels, where he supported world-renowned brands including Fairmont, Raffles, Sofitel, and Swissôtel.

Rodney Bierhuizen

President, Sunrise Greenhouses Ltd.

Rodney Bierhuizen is President of Sunrise Greenhouses, a one-million-square-foot operation with exclusive crops. He also serves as President of Flowers Canada (Ontario) and sits on Niagara Greenhouse Growers and Niagara Region’s Agricultural Policy and Action Committee, advancing sector advocacy. An innovation leader, he partners with the Vineland Research & Innovation Centre and the University of Waterloo on breeding and automation; Sunrise helped commercialize a dwarf edible grape. Named Greenhouse Canada’s 2023 Grower of the Year, he also serves on COHA and Vineland’s Stakeholder Advisory Council.

Kurt DeVries

Trade Commissioner, Global Affairs Canada

Kurt DeVries is a Trade Commissioner with Global Affairs Canada, specializing in Ontario’s automotive, autotech, and critical minerals sectors. With over 15 years of international trade and investment experience, he facilitates partnerships across the German, American, Japanese, and Austrian markets. Kurt has extensive expertise in export development, market entry, and foreign direct investment, helping Canadian companies expand globally through the Trade Commissioner Service’s vast international network. He holds an Honours BA from Brock University and a CITP designation in international trade.

Cara Krezek — Moderator

Founder & Chief Purpose Officer, The Talent Strategy Collective and The Apiary

With a unique blend of passion and strategy, Cara excels in building value-driven, high-performing teams. Her recent publication showcases a strengths-based coaching approach, emphasizing personal growth and work satisfaction. Notably, Cara’s leadership has made significant impacts in Work-Integrated Learning (WIL). Cara is the current Chair of the Women In Niagara Council. Renowned for her vision in experiential education, Cara stands out as a beacon, helping others harness their potential and purpose.

Vincent Caron

Vice-President, Policy, Ontario Chamber of Commerce

Vincent Caron is Vice President, Policy at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, where he leads advocacy on competitiveness, investment, and economic growth across the province. A seasoned policy leader, he previously served as Vice President, Ontario Government Relations and Member Advocacy at Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME), where he advanced key initiatives such as the Ontario Made Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit. With over 15 years in government and industry, Vincent also served with the Governments of Canada and Ontario.

Karen Thompson

President, Haver & Boecker Canada

Karen Thompson is President of Haver & Boecker Canada, leading the company’s North American and Australian operations from its St. Catharines base. With nearly three decades in mineral processing and equipment manufacturing, she has advanced through operations, logistics, and sales to become a respected industry leader. A University of Toronto MBA graduate, Karen champions innovation in sustainable mining technologies and workforce development. Recognized for her collaborative leadership, she continues to advocate for women in engineering, manufacturing, and the broader industrial sector.

Steph Vivier — Moderator

Morning Show Host, Newstalk 610 CKTB

You know Steph Vivier as the voice of Niagara in the Morning on Newstalk 610 CKTB, where she brings energy, insight, and curiosity to the stories that shape the region. Beyond broadcasting, Steph is a business owner in the construction and industrial flooring sector, combining her communication skills with hands-on leadership. A passionate community advocate, she has volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters and St. John Ambulance, championing connection, mentorship, and service across Niagara’s business and civic communities.

Mark Cherney

President, IBEW Construction Council of Ontario

Mark Cherney is President of the IBEW Construction Council of Ontario and Business Manager of IBEW Local 303, representing electrical workers across the Niagara Region. A Red Seal 309A Construction and Maintenance Electrician, he began his career as an apprentice in 1998 and has since become a leading advocate for Ontario’s skilled trades. Mark also serves as President of the Niagara-Haldimand Building and Construction Trades Council, promoting apprenticeship opportunities, workplace safety, and workforce development through collaboration with industry, labour, and government partners..

Kim Marshall

Director, Workforce Development, TIAO

Kim Marshall is a purpose-driven leader and social impact strategist with over 20 years of experience advancing workforce innovation, tourism development, and cross-sector collaboration. As Director of Workforce Development at the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO), she leads evidence-based initiatives that strengthen Ontario’s tourism and hospitality labour market. Formerly Vice President of Workforce Strategies at OTEC, Kim has championed research-driven strategies to build resilient, future-ready workforces.

Jeffrey Post — Moderator

Senior Director, Academic Quality & Learning Innovation, Niagara College

Jeffrey is Senior Director of Academic Quality & Learning Innovation at Niagara College, where he leads initiatives that strengthen program excellence, innovation, and student success. With more than 20 years of experience in Ontario’s postsecondary sector, he oversees academic quality assurance, program development, and degree consent through the Postsecondary Education Quality Assessment Board (PEQAB). Jeffrey also serves as Vice-Chair of the provincial Heads of Quality Committee, representing all 24 Ontario colleges.

Carla Stout

General Manager, Niagara Transit

Carla Stout is the inaugural General Manager of the Niagara Transit Commission, bringing over 25 years of leadership in local government management and public service. With expertise in operations, strategic planning, and organizational development, she has overseen both small and large transit systems across Niagara. A Board Member of the Ontario Public Transit Association, Carla holds credentials from Western University and Brock University and is recognized for her innovative, people-first leadership and commitment to building inclusive, high-performing public service teams.

Mike Cristea

Partner, Tariffs and Trade Advisory Leader, MNP

Mike is a member of MNP’s Tax Services group in Toronto and leads the firm’s Trade Advisory group. He brings more than two decades of consulting and operational experience to his role advising private and public sector clients on matters involving international trade.

Mike provides fiscal and regulatory advisory services to clients who are importing or exporting, or seeking to import or export tangible goods. While his depth of knowledge is industry-agnostic, he brings extensive experience to his role in industry sectors such as consumer retail, particularly apparel; life sciences; automotive; marine; oil and gas; and mining and metals, particularly steel and aluminum.

Clients can lean on Mike’s deep knowledge of customs program legislation and current administrative practice for various business requirements, including trade chain planning, market entry into Canada or the U.S., compliance filings, duty claims, and controversy work including trade verifications and appeals.

Mike’s practice also includes supporting clients with internal reviews and audits of trade operations and trade compliance functions, lobbying federal trade authorities, analyzing trade data to identify import duty and tax-reduction opportunities, and antidumping and countervailing analysis and submissions. He supports tax due diligence for mergers and acquisitions with assessments of fiscal risks relevant to import and export operations, and provides support for global trade management systems implementation.

Mike earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) with a double major in political science and Community, Public Affairs and Policy Studies from Concordia University in Montreal.

Christine Bonaguide

Partner, Hodgson Russ LLP

Christine advises clients on complex domestic and international commercial transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and corporate reorganizations. She counsels businesses across sectors such as manufacturing, technology, healthcare, and food and beverage, with a focus on cross-border operations between Canada and the United States. Christine also works extensively with family-owned and closely held enterprises on succession planning and governance matters. She practices exclusively U.S. law and is admitted to the New York and Maryland bars.

John Boynton

President & CEO, Arterra Wines

John is President of Arterra Wines Canada, overseeing domestic and international operations for the country’s leading wine company. With more than 35 years of experience across sales, marketing, and operations, John has led transformative growth in diverse industries. Before joining Arterra in 2022, he served as Vice Chair and President of Digital at NordStar and as President and CEO of Torstar. A Canadian with global experience, John is known for his collaborative leadership and results-driven business transformation.

Mike Cristea

Partner, Tariffs & Trade Advisory Leader, MNP

Mishka Balsom — Moderator

CEO, Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce

Mishka Balsom has served as CEO of the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce since 2015. Under the direction of the GNCC’s Board, she is responsible for developing and implementing initiatives that are designed to strengthen the business climate in Niagara and support the economic prosperity of the region. Under her leadership, the GNCC launched a number of new programs and collaborative partnerships, not only within the region but throughout Ontario and in New York State.