Experienced international business professional with a proven record of international trade cooperation facilitation, investment attraction, and market intelligence; with an anthropological background, strong research and analytical skills, critical thinking, passionate about networking, new challenges, and committed to life-long education.

Paul W. Bennett is Founding Director of Schoolhouse Institute, Senor Fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, and Adjunct Professor of Education, Saint Mary’s University.  Nationally-recognized in Canada as an education leader, policy researcher and education commentator, Paul is also the author of ten books, most recently The State of the System: A Reality Check on Canada’s Schools (MQUP, 2020). From 1997 until 2009, Paul served as Headmaster of two of Canada’s leading independent coeducational day schools, Lower Canada College and Halifax Grammar School. Since joining CIIA/CIC Toronto in 1984, Paul has organized dozens of public events and served as President of the Halifax Branch from 2011 to 2016. He was selected by the Halifax Regional Library Board as Chair of Halifax Public Libraries (2012-16) and was instrumental in the 2015 opening of the Halifax Central Library.  From 2012 to 2022, Paul was a lead volunteer and Board Chair at Churchill Academy, a Dartmouth school for learning challenged students. 

Simone a visionary leader, speaker and award-winning digital skills education innovator on a mission to democratize science education across the globe. With a proven track record of managing over $50 million in projects, I have created thematic STEM curricula that have impacted the lives of more than 200,000 learners worldwide. First Immigrant to be Provincial Director of Immigration and Settlement in Nova Scotia. First Black Woman to be a STEM Curriculum consultant for adult education for the department of Labor and Advanced Education in Nova Scotia. Led the strategic planning of curriculum, programs, and operations for Nova Scotia’s adult education service delivery system (30+ Community Organizations, approx. 4450 participants annually). Guided the development of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) instruments for three national/internationally funded multi-year programs (Caribbean, EU-LAC, and Trinidad & Tobago). Co-led the development, implementation, and evaluation of a 3-year Innovation capacity-building project in Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, and Germany (INVOCAB Project). Developed thematic STEM programming for target audiences of approximately 200,000+ learners. Designed and facilitated corporate training for over 600 participants worldwide.

Strategic and engaging, Jason uses his deep public and private sector expertise to develop trade, build international relationships, and drive economic development while connecting businesses to the resources and partners they need to succeed and prosper in Halifax. As a respected leader, Jason manages a dedicated team who works collaboratively to make Halifax a more welcoming place for investment, business growth, and sector development. Jason’s Acadian roots allow him to serve businesses in both French and English.

Policy professional with 10+ years of global experience spanning international maritime operations and Canadian public service. As Senior Policy Analyst with the FLMM Secretariat, he leads pan-Canadian labour policy coordination, Nirav leads Federal-Provincial-Territorial (FPT) engagement, intergovernmental reports, and major ministerial briefings. He has advised on labour, immigration, and social policy files across departments, prepared cabinet submissions (e.g., MEC, R&R), and contributed to national forums like the FLMM. His work bridges complex research, strategic analysis, and policy innovation, grounded in equity, economic insight, and data-driven governance. His earlier maritime career included managing marine operations and maintenance of oil tankers, international trade compliance, foreign port documentation, and collaboration with port state authorities. He has prepared and briefed international delegations and supported cross-border logistics and trade diplomacy.

Jerome is a Canadian Armed Forces Public Affairs Officer, Director and Founder of DMF Energy Inc, a management consulting and general contracting firm. My areas of professional interest include; education, professional development, infrastructure resiliency, global affairs, human rights, financial markets, project management, media, technology, innovation, volunteering, public policy, national security and defence.

Jay Heisler is a writer, analyst and instructor at a university in Halifax. He is a freelance writer published in CNBC, Small Wars Journal, Voice of America and as a music journalist in Canadian newspapers. As an analyst, he has been published in Canadian Global Affairs Institute, US Naval Institute Proceedings and Daily NK, and had work accepted internally by the Hudson Institute and other DC think tanks. Jay has worked as a journalist in Africa, the Middle East and Eastern Europe, plus Washington DC. He currently rides a rusty bike around his home town of Halifax, Nova Scotia where he mostly works remotely. 

Rany Ibrahim is a recognized thought leader in international trade, public policy, and strategic marketing, with over two decades of experience spanning government, academia, and the private sector. He has been featured in global media and is a recipient of national honours such as the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award and the Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference membership. A regular columnist, Rany brings a globally informed perspective shaped by professional engagements across more than 85 countries. His work focuses on advancing inclusive economic development, cross-cultural understanding, and innovation in policy and trade.

Suzanne Drisdelle is a Foreign Service Officer with Global Affairs Canada (GAC) since 2001, promoting Canada’s commercial, political and security interests at Canadian missions abroad, and through the Trade Commissioner Service domestic network. Suzanne’s background includes bilateral diplomacy, advocacy and stakeholder engagement, trade policy, communications, business development programming and crisis management. Suzanne currently serves as the Director of GAC’s Atlantic team supporting Canadian exporters.