Tangle McClaron

Denise's Bio

Denise Beaven has over 35 years of IT experience, mainly in the oil and gas industry. Co-Chair of Girls Talk Tech, which educates, encourages and empowers young girls to consider STEM careers.

ConocoPhillips Canada

Ben's Bio

Ben Cress is an environmental enthusiast with a passion for sustainability and conservation. Armed with a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and over 10 years of hands-on experience in the energy sector, Ben has led numerous initiatives including emissions reductions, waste management, water management and biodiversity conservation.

His expertise includes environmental regulations and compliance and finding innovative solutions to complex environmental challenges. Ben is passionate about reconnecting people with nature and changing how we value the services and wisdom nature offers.

Keyera 

Elder's Bio

Elder Heather Poitras, a member of the Sawridge First Nation (Treaty 8), is currently serving as an Elder for her Nation. Elder Heather grew up by the Kehewin Cree Nation (Treaty 6). Proud of both her First Nation and Métis culture, she has dedicated her 25+ year federal career to Indigenous awareness and culture. 

As the Elder-In-Residence at the Northern Forestry Centre (NRCAN) in Edmonton, she also played an instrumental role in the establishment of the We Walk Together Forward – Indigenous Learning Centre at the Northern Forestry Centre, Edmonton, Alberta.

Elder Heather Poitras, a descendant of Big Bear, comes from a long line of leaders. Her chapan (Cree for great-grandfather) J.F. Dion, one of the founders of the Métis Nation of Alberta, ensured that the Métis in Alberta had land base. The only province to do so.  

Elder Heather strives to ensure that her people, the original people of this country, are included in every aspect of society. She has been dedicated to creating awareness of Canada’s true history, to help with the healing process of reconciliation, and to improve relationships.

Northern Forestry Centre

Jennifer's Bio

Jennifer Klutsch is a forest entomologist who works on bark beetles. Prior to her work at the Canadian Forest Service, she identified factors that impact mountain pine beetle populations in lodgepole pine and jack pine ecosystems while working on her PhD and post-doc at University of Alberta. She has also done research on the impact of mountain pine beetle on fuels and fire hazard.

Her current research focuses on early detection of mountain pine beetle and understanding whether the community of insects and fungi in jack pine may allow mountain pine beetles to expand its current range.

Northern Forestry Centre