In this session, CEOs of cutting-edge clean tech companies will share their vision of what industry, government and civil society need to do to accelerate the energy transition and how their technologies can transform the way we live, work and sustain our planet. We will hear their thoughts on the challenges and opportunities we face in the coming years and how important a global approach will be in mitigating climate change. This will be an interactive session where we hope to provoke new approaches and ways of think about the energy transition and how global partnerships can be formed to accelerate these efforts.

Date: September 12, 2023, 12:00 - 1:30pm
Location: CURE. by Deerfield - New York City, NY
Format: In-person and online

Moderator:

Dr. Alejandro Adem, President, NSERC (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada) and Chair of the Board of the Global Research Council

Professor Alejandro Adem was appointed President of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) in October 2019.

As a highly accomplished researcher in the field of mathematics and a faculty member at the University of British Columbia, Professor Adem has significant leadership experience in the Canadian research and innovation ecosystem. Before joining NSERC, he was CEO and Scientific Director of Mitacs (2015-19) where he oversaw a significant expansion of its domestic and international internship programs, as well as launching the Mitacs Canadian Science Policy Fellowships, an Indigenous engagement initiative and an innovative entrepreneurship program. Prior to that, he served as Director (2008-2015) of the Pacific Institute for the Mathematical Sciences, a research and training consortium supporting the mathematical sciences across Western Canada. From 1989 to 2004 he was a faculty member at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (USA).

Professor Adem earned a BS at the National University of Mexico and a PhD at Princeton University. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, a Fellow of the American Mathematical Society, a Fellow of the Canadian Mathematical Society and a Corresponding Member of the Mexican Academy of Sciences. He has authored more than 70 articles as well as two books; delivered close to 400 invited research lectures around the world; and held postdoctoral or visiting positions at Stanford University, the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, the ETH-Zurich, the Max Planck Institute for Mathematics in Bonn, the University of Paris and Princeton University. Other distinctions include a senior Canada Research Chair at the University of British Columbia, the Jeffery-Williams Research Prize (awarded by the Canadian Mathematical Society), the National Science Foundation Young Investigator Award (USA) and an Alfred P. Sloan Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship.

Over his career Professor Adem has served on a variety of scientific, editorial and governance boards for the scientific research community worldwide, and he is currently Chair of the Global Research Council’s Governing Board.

Alejandro Adem is a Canadian citizen who was born and raised in Mexico City and is a proud member of the Latin American community in Canada. He is married and has two grown children.

NSERC - Alejandro Adem (nserc-crsng.gc.ca)

CEO, Acceleware Ltd.

Geoff Clark is leading a broad research and development portfolio of electromagnetic applications that focus on an urgent climate change challenge: the electrification of industrial heating. Geoff’s vision is that Intelligent Electric Heating could replace large-scale industrial combustion heating, making a material difference in global GHG emissions in the near term. 

CEO, Solaires Entreprises

Fabian de la Fuente is a six-time serial entrepreneur with over 100 patents on software, electronics, and photovoltaics. He has led research and manufacturing teams on four continents. Passionate about science, sustainability, and innovation, he is the current Co-founder and CEO of Solaires Entreprises Inc., where they are developing photovoltaic solutions for a cleaner world.

CEO, Ayrton Energy

Natasha is a Professional Engineer with 20+ years’ experience in the energy service industry. In addition to founding Ayrton, Natasha worked as a strategic advisor for two technology companies from bootstrap to $40M+ evaluation. She has built her career around bridging technology and business, working in the early-stage of many new technologies.