John Weigelt
Chief Technology Officer, Microsoft Canada

Presentation: Revolutionizing Canada’s Economy: How Innovation Can Help Us Thrive

John Weigelt leads Microsoft Canada’s strategic policy and technology efforts.  He helps individuals and organizations across Canada innovate with technology while avoiding the unintended consequences that might arise.  John has contributed to many technological efforts that established the foundation for the electronic services we take for granted today and he continues to lead efforts to evolve technology standards and policy.  His extensive experience in technology, business and policy provides him with a unique perspective of our technology-enabled economy.

Irina Im
Senior Tax Manager, Industrials Analyst, RSM

Presentation: Canada’s Outlook: The Economic Case for Innovation and Automation

Irina has more than 15 years of public practice and industry experience advising companies and business owners on complex tax issues related to various aspects of their operations, including strategic tax planning, tax accounting, and reporting and compliance.

In May 2022, Irina joined RSM’s Industry Eminence Program, which positions her to understand, forecast and communicate economic, business and technology trends shaping the industrials industry. Irina will work with the firm’s chief economist and other industry eminence participants to analyze trends and themes affecting the manufacturing industry.

Joris Myny
Senior Vice President, Digital Industries, Siemens Canada

Joris Myny is Senior Vice President, Digital Industries at Siemens Canada. Siemens’ Digital Industries business is an innovation and technology leader in industrial automation and digitalization in both the discrete and process industries. Mr. Myny is responsible for the overall strategic direction and management of the division in Canada; including sales, marketing and service operations.

Mr.Myny began his career as an Electrical Engineer with Siemens in Brussels. He was the Business Development Director for Automation at Siemens head office in Germany, covering Asia, Africa and Latin America. Prior to his current role, he served as the Vice President at Siemens Product Lifecycle Management Software Inc. in Plano, Texas. Mr.Myny is a member of the Ontario Global 100 and serves on the following boards: Chairman of Siemens Digital Industries Software, AéroMontreal, Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association (APMA), and Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGEN Canada).

Sungwoo Park
Planning Director, NextStar Energy

Sungwoo Park is the Planning Director for NextStar Energy. He has been with LG since 2011, starting at LG CNS and then with LG Energy Solution beginning in 2017. At LG Energy Solution, working at the headquarters in Seoul, Mr. Park was part of the Business Development Team and was responsible for business strategy development, global OEM JV negotiation and new corporation establishment.

Dr. Bill Van Heyst
Dean, Faculty of Engineering, University of Windsor

Dr. Bill Van Heyst is the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Windsor. His research interests include air quality issues associated with agricultural practices, development of clean air technologies,and solid-state heating and cooling. Dr. Van Heyst is a Registered Professional Engineer in Ontario and a member of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers and the Canadian Society for Bioengineering.

Dr. Peter Wawrow
Director, Research and Innovation, St. Clair College

Dr. Peter Wawrow currently holds the position of Director, Research and Innovation at St. Clair College. He is responsible for successfully establishing and managing the research department at the College, by engaging local industry to work with College researchers and students through publicly funded research projects. These grants have allowed a closer engagement between the College, industry, and the community, resulting in elevated student learning experiences and improving the economic development and innovation of local industry and organizations.