Description

Join us on Monday, June 17 for an engaging panel discussion that will unite the private sector and academia to explore collaborative strategies for addressing major research challenges. By fostering meaningful partnerships, we can harness the collective knowledge, resources, and expertise needed to develop sustainable solutions. The panel will offer a platform for sharing insights, best practices, and success stories, fostering a dynamic exchange of ideas.

This event is offered in partnership with the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce, the University of Saskatchewan, and the Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce.

Meet the Panelists

Peter Stoicheff, President, University of Saskatchewan

Peter Stoicheff began his 38-year career at the University of Saskatchewan in 1986. After serving as a professor and then dean of the College of Arts & Science, he was appointed the 11th President of the University of Saskatchewan in 2015. He has led it to be one of Canada's top research-intensive medical-doctoral universities, with global impact in water and food security, synchrotron science, pandemic preparedness and agricultural technology. Recognizing the importance of postsecondary education to Indigenous peoples, Peter has supported the University of Saskatchewan to be a Reconciliation leader in the country, increasing its Indigenous student enrolments and ensuring its close connections with local and national Indigenous communities and organizations. He has also increased the university's partnerships with other world-leading institutions around the world.
 

Kari Harvey, CEO, Innovation Saskatchewan
As CEO of Innovation Saskatchewan, Kari Harvey is a leader in Saskatchewan's innovation sector.  With the increasingly important role that tech is playing in growing Saskatchewan's economy, Kari is leading initiatives to encourage more public procurement of locally developed technology, to support investment into our early stage companies, and to develop our labour force talent, including increasing the diversity in our technology sector. 
 
With over 25 years of government service prior to working with Innovation Saskatchewan, Kari is a values-based leader who understands the importance of building relationships to accomplish her goals. She is a champion of our province and has travelled internationally and throughout Canada to promote our world-class innovation and technology sector.  She was a key player in the launch of Saskatchewan's first technology incubator, the introduction of Saskatchewan's angel investment tax credit, the Saskatchewan Technology Startup Incentive (STSI) and her support of the industry through digital storytelling was nominated for a national Digital Transformation Award.  Kari is also a recipient of the Premier's Award for Excellence in the Public Service and Saskatoon Reginal Economic Development Authority's Science, Technology, Innovation and Collaboration (STIC) Ambassador Award in 2021.
 
Kari's entrepreneurial spirit guides her approach and the results are a testament to her passion for Saskatchewan's technology industry. 

 
Brendan King, CEO, Vendasta
Brendan King is the innovative force behind Vendasta. Responsible for providing the vision, thought leadership, and business strategy, it is Brendan's ability to focus on the big picture while maintaining quality on the finest details that drives Vendasta's success. Prior to starting the company, Brendan has many business ventures, including a computer chain which was nationally franchised and was entrepreneurial force behind Point2 Agent, a real estate software company, where he grew its membership to more than 185,000 agents and brokers in 85 countries. He was named one of the Top 50 Saas CEOs by the Software Report in 2019. Brendan and Vendasta are almost synonymous. Both are governed by four core values: Drive, innovation, respect and agility. Brendan is extremely passionate about upholding these values while helping Vendasta on its path of becoming the #1 platform for selling digital solutions to local businesses.

Kirsty Taylor, Head of Human Resources, BHP 
Kirsty Taylor has worked in HR for over 20 years across a number of industries, predominately in retail and mining. For the last 15 years, Kirsty has worked at BHP, beginning her career as HR Advisor based at a Coal mining site in Central Queensland, Australia. During her time at BHP she has worked in a number of areas of HR including Talent Acquisition, Organizational Development, Workforce Planning, Employee Relations and HR Business Partnership in a number of jurisdictions and commodities. Mostly recently, Kirsty and her family moved to Canada in late 2023 where she provides HR support to the developing Potash Asset in Saskatchewan, Canada as the Head of HR Business Partnership.

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