April 22, 2022 (Edmonton Metropolitan Region) – Today, Edmonton Global shareholders are pleased to announce that they have appointed five new members to their board of directors. Edmonton Global is a not-for-profit economic development corporation whose shareholders represent the interests of 14 Regional municipalities that make up the Edmonton Region. Edmonton Global went through an extensive recruitment process, which saw applications from more than 60 candidates. The new appointments are:
Enzo Barichello is a partner and former managing partner of Bennett Jones LLP a top-tier national and international law firm and co-head of Bennett Jones’ Government Affairs and Public Policy group. He has extensive experience in commercial electric power and gas transactions and mergers and acquisitions with a focus on transactions in the pharmaceutical sector, forestry purchase and sale transactions, major commercial leases, and major commercial and financing transactions. He also acts on airport management and operations transactions and related joint ventures.
Tanis Kozak is the Vice President and General Manager at Direct Energy – one of Alberta’s largest natural gas and electricity retailers. She is a member of NRG’s Home Leadership Team and is a Direct Energy Marketing Limited Board Director & Officer. In addition to over 20 years of experience in retail energy, Tanis has held senior roles in operations, sales, product development, strategy and enterprise project management with TELUS, EPCOR and ADC Telecom – Systems Software Division.
Adam O’Brien is the Founder and CEO of Bitcoin Well, the first publicly traded Bitcoin ATM company globally. He is recognized as a true visionary in the field and strives to bring bitcoin to the mainstream, making it easy, approachable, and accessible for all. Adam is a leading advocate for education, consumer protection, and financial services decentralization.
Paul Verhesen is the past President & CEO of the Clark Builders Group of Companies – a commercial, industrial, and institutional builder operating throughout Western and Northern Canada. Paul’s respect for his colleagues, visionary leadership and industry knowledge combine to provide clients, trades, and employees foundation for sharing in a great experience. Presently, Paul participates on several advisory board’s bringing his expertise and market knowledge to these private companies.
Sheetal Mehta Walsh has 20 years of international experience in VC and technology; she created the VC strategy for Bill Gates at Microsoft globally and served as Deal Maker for the UK Government’s Global Entrepreneur Programme. She facilitated fundraising of 1 billion GBP for over 900 companies. In 2020- 2021 Sheetal was appointed as Chief Strategy Officer, Ministry for Jobs, Economy and Innovation in Alberta. Most recently, she was appointed Senior Advisor to the President of the University of Alberta to focus on spin-outs, access to smart capital, and innovation.
Commenting on the appointment of the new board members, Edmonton Global Shareholder Chair and Mayor of Fort Saskatchewan, Gale Katchur stated, “We were very pleased with the candidates who applied to sit on the Edmonton Global board and are confident that the successful applicants have the skills and abilities to deliver on their important Regional mandate. We look forward to watching Edmonton Global continue its critical work in securing a prosperous and sustainable economic future for our Region.”
Outgoing Board Chair and President of John Day Developments, John Day added, “One of the biggest strengths of Edmonton Global is in its highly skilled board. These are leaders from our business community who understand the needs of international investors, have a global mindset and are able to set the direction for this critical Regional organization. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to serve our broader community during my time as Board Chair and I’m equally confident that the candidates selected have the required skills to continue this important work.”
Incoming Chair, Enzo Barichello stated upon his appointment, “I’m honoured to have been selected as chair of this important Regional economic development organization. Edmonton Global has a very significant mandate in leveraging in a unified manner the collective strength of the 14 municipalities in the greater Edmonton Metropolitan Region. After meeting the team at Edmonton Global and all of the new and returning board members, I’m confident that Edmonton Global is in very good hands and that we will be able to achieve our economic development goals for the benefit of our Region. The current state of the Regional, provincial, national and global economic landscape, including the drive to net-zero and the intense geo-political risk has created a particularly challenging set of circumstances. There has never been a more acute need to work cooperatively and creatively in the Region to attract capital and export our products, services and expertise. Now is an opportune time to truly super charge our economy and take our Region to the next level.”
About Edmonton Global:
The purpose of Edmonton Global is to radically transform and grow the economy of the Edmonton Metropolitan Region. We are a not-for-profit corporation founded by 14 municipalities that make up the Edmonton Metropolitan Region. Our focus is attracting foreign investment, helping Regional businesses export with the world, enhancing our Region’s global competitiveness, and bringing our Region together with a unified voice to attract the attention and interest of investors the world over.
Contact Edmonton Global Chris McLeod Vice President, Global Marketing & Communications +1 780 499 4517 cmcleod@edmontonglobal.ca
