8:30 – 8:50am

Registration & Networking

8:50 – 9:00am

Welcome & Opening Comments

9:00 – 10:00am

Participant Introductions – Breakout Moment

10:00 – 11:30am

Session #1: Economic Overview

Guest Speaker:
Hon. Gary G. Mar, President & CEO, Canada West Foundation

Moderator:
Grant Kook, President & CEO, Westcap Mgt. Ltd.

11:30 – 11:45am

Workday Check-in & Table Reset

11:45am – 12:30pm

Lunch & Seating Change

12:30 – 3:00pm

Session #2: Intro to AI

Guest Speakers:

Sharjil Salim, Partner, Operations M&A, KPMG
Jesse Bond, Senior Manager, Technology M&A, KPMG

Panel:
Steve Engel, CEO, Paradigm Consulting Group
Glenna Stewart, COO, Degelman Industries
Jody Sagen, Director Technology Experience & Enablement, WBM Technologies

Moderator:
Jesse Bond, Senior Manager, Technology M&A, KPMG

Copilot Workshop: Led by WBM Technologies

Group Share Takeaways

3:00 – 3:15pm

Networking Break

Featuring Prairie Meats, Three Farmers Foods & Drake Meats products

3:15 – 4:15pm

Session #3: Dissecting Pivotal Decisions

Panel:

Wendy Murphy, CEO, Timber-Tech Truss

Dan Rasmussen, VP Sales & Engineering, Tackpoint

Scott Shupeniuk, President, Fort Garry Brewing

Garrett Ganden, President & CEO, Rocky Mountain Equipment

Moderator:

Jamie Schwitzer, CIO, Westcap Mgt. Ltd.

4:15pm

Wrap Up & Social

Hon. Gary G. Mar, President & CEO

Since 2020, Gary Mar has served as President & CEO of the Canada West Foundation (CWF), an independent, non-partisan, evidence-based public policy think tank focused on Western Canada. The Foundation ensures that Western Canada’s priorities backed by its economic strength shape national policy through bold solutions and strategic engagement. Under Gary’s leadership, the Foundation’s team of research, public policy and communications experts advances the interests of Western Canadians by working with governments, industry, and partners to build a stronger, more united, and prosperous Western region, one that powers Canada’s future.

An accomplished and respected leader, Gary brings decades of experience in government, business, and international relations. Before joining CWF, he was President and CEO of the Petroleum Services Association of Canada. From 1993 to 2007, he served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, holding Cabinet portfolios in Health, Education, Environment, Community Development, and International & Intergovernmental Relations. He later represented the Government of Alberta as Minister-Counsellor, serving as the Government’s Official Representative in Washington, D.C. (2007–2011). He also served the Government of Alberta as the Province’s Official Representative across Asia (2011–2015), advancing energy and trade priorities in key global markets, out of their office in Hong Kong and overseeing five other offices in Beijing, shanghai, Tokyo, Seoul, and Taiwan.

In the private sector, Gary co-founded Canadian Advantage Petroleum Corporation and advised Canadian and Chinese firms on trans-Pacific trade and investment. He is also an Adjunct Professor at the University of Alberta’s School of Business and the University of Calgary’s Haskayne School of Business. In 2022, he was appointed Chair of the Council of the Alberta Order of Excellence.

In September 2025, Gary had the honour of being elected by Alberta’s MacEwan University’s Board of Governors as their University Chancellor serving a four-year term. As Chancellor, Gary serves as a member of the Board of Governors and represents the University at ceremonial occasions. The Chancellor also presides over all degree-conferring ceremonies of the University and confers degrees upon those to which they are entitled.

Gary holds a Law degree from the University of Alberta and practiced law prior to entering public service. He was born in raised in Alberta, and lives with his wife Nancy in Calgary. They have three children.

Sharjil Salim, Partner, Operations M&A

Sharjil is a Partner in KPMG in Canada’s Operations Mergers and Acquisitions practice, leading the Technology M&A services in Canada.

Sharjil specializes in advising clients on the strategic, financial, and operational impacts of Technology within M&A transactions, with a focus on identifying and minimizing risks, as well as creating and maximizing value in IT.

Sharjil has over 15 years’ experience advising on over 200 deals, providing commercially focused IT M&A advisory across the deal lens of Digital & AI, Data & Analytics, and Cyber, including Sell-side and Buy-side IT Due Diligence, IT Carve-out/Separations, IT Synergy Assessments, IT Value Creation, and Post-Merger IT Integrations.

Jesse Bond, Senior Manager, Technology M&A

Jesse Bond is a Senior Manager in KPMG’s Technology M&A practice, specializing in driving digital value creation throughout the entire deal lifecycle. With over a decade of experience in technology integration and strategic advisory, Jesse helps clients unlock the full potential of their technology investments in M&A transactions. His expertise spans from IT integration and process optimization to advanced project management and change leadership. Jesse’s approach is centered on aligning technology strategy with business goals, ensuring seamless transitions and maximizing post-deal value.

He has successfully led complex technology integrations for global organizations, focusing on minimizing disruption while accelerating value realization. Jesse’s commitment to excellence and his deep understanding of digital transformation make him a trusted advisor for organizations looking to leverage technology as a catalyst for growth in today’s fast-paced digital landscape.