Speakers

Danna’s practice focuses on project finance, including social and transportation infrastructure, renewable energy, public-private partnerships, syndicated loan facilities and acquisition loan facilities. 

She advises a broad range of corporate borrowers and lenders including developers, equity sponsors, contractors, domestic and foreign banks, bond underwriters and other investors on the negotiation of credit facilities, indentures and infrastructure documents. Danna has led Osler’s commercial team in providing advisory services on a number of infrastructure and energy transactions, including the debt and equity financing of some of Canada’s largest wind and solar projects. 

Danna is a Founding Member and the Past Chair (2014–2016) of the Toronto Women’s Infrastructure Network and is currently a member of the Steering Committee. 

Shelley Denny is a Mi’kmaq from Eskasoni First Nation and the Senior Advisor for an organization that represents the five First Nations in the Mi’kmaw district of Unama’ki, also known as Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada, the Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resource. Dr Denny holds three adjunct professor positions at Dalhousie University (Marine Affairs & Biology) and University of Windsor (Biology). Having a keen interest in aquatic life and habitats, Shelley attended Acadia University where she obtained her BSc in Biology and obtained her MSc in Biology at St. F.X University. In 2022, she obtained a PhD at Dalhousie University in Interdisciplinary Studies.

Her research interests are in exploring ways Indigenous and western knowledge can be used for the benefit of all, known as Two-Eyed Seeing. Her doctoral research built on her current interest and experience at UINR by exploring how Aboriginal and treaty fisheries can be governed in Nova Scotia using Two-Eyed Seeing, and continues to be involved in a wide range of research utilizing the perspective of Two-Eyed Seeing.

Shelley enjoys opportunities for working with traditional fishers/harvesters and plays a key role in bringing the voice of traditional Mi’kmaw fishers into discussions with Indigenous, federal, provincial governments and international forums.

John has a comprehensive energy law practice covering a breadth of corporate, commercial and regulatory issues with a particular focus on Canadian electricity markets and infrastructure revitalization. 

He is a Partner and National Co-leader, Energy and Power Group at BLG, encompassing the Power, Oil & Gas, Mining and Forestry sectors. His clients include Provincial and Territorial governments, system operators, regulated utilities, developers, investors, and lenders. He provides counsel concerning corporate, commercial and regulatory aspects of the electricity and natural gas industries and power project development for a variety of technologies including wind, tidal, battery storage, solar, and biomass. 

As the Manager of Workforce Development at COVE, Katherine Mataya is involved in the development of strategic-level workforce and education initiatives. Initially, Kat found her passion for education after working in South America researching and educating people on the local flora and fauna. With a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Math from Queen’s University and a Graduate Certificate in Environmental Management and Assessment from Niagara College, Kat has taken her experiences to support the workforce development programs at COVE. In her work today, Kat engages with a wide variety of stakeholders including educators, youth, industry partners, and government departments to adopt and implement programs aimed at building capacity and talent in the marine economy. 

As Director of Learning & Workforce Transformation at COVE, Kim brings substantial expertise in higher education and workforce development. Her work is grounded in strategic program design, team management, and fostering industry collaboration to build effective talent pipelines.  With over two decades of experience in academia and workforce development, Kim’s mission centers on aligning education with industry needs to empower individuals and organizations. Kim holds a Master of Education focused on curriculum design and the adult learner from Queens University, along with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Dalhousie University. Kim is motivated by the opportunity to create innovative learning experiences and partnerships that prepare learners for success in a rapidly evolving workforce. 

Marc Beaubien is a Partner in Cox & Palmer’s Halifax office. Before completing his law degree at the University of New Brunswick, Marc earned his Bachelor of Commerce in Economics & Marketing from Saint Mary’s University. 

Marc acts for a variety of clients in commercial real estate acquisition, leasing, and financing. He also has significant experience acting on behalf of retailers in the acquisition and subleasing of properties in Atlantic Canada. 

Mary Ellen Greenough is Director, Legal and Regulatory, with the Eastern Clean Energy Initiative at Nova Scotia Power Inc., working on achieving clean energy goals for our region. 

Mary Ellen possesses a broad legal background with over two decades of experience focused in the areas of commercial, construction and regulatory law. 

Mary Ellen holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Saint Mary’s University and a Bachelor of Laws degree from Dalhousie University. She was admitted to the Nova Scotia Bar in 1999. She is a member of the Canadian Bar Association and the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society and a past member of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Corporate Counsel Association. 

Since 2018, Melissa has been the Director of Fisheries and Integrated Resources at the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat (APC) where she works closely with Atlantic First Nations communities and organizations on fisheries, environment, Indigenous Knowledgesystems, climate and energy. The APC Fisheries & Integrated resources department amplifies and advocates policy change, research, collaboration, capacity and funding across the region.APC is an Aboriginal Aquatic Resources and Oceans Management (AAROM) body, that works closely with other AAROMs across the Atlantic region to support coordination and collaboration. 

Melissa participates in various federal and provincial committees on energy, mining, environment, climate change and is an active board member of both FORCE (2019 – present) and CLIMAtlantic (2024 – present). As of 2025, APC have received accreditation from the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization (NASCO) as an Indigenous Peoples’ Representative Institution (IPRI) official observer. The IPRI role of APC is to provide Indigenous perspectives and traditional knowledge into the science of Atlantic salmon.

With over 20 years in supporting First Nations rights in the Fisheries sector, Melissa is a strong advocate for Atlantic First Nations as she ensures that Indigenous knowledge systems, perspectives, and values are brought to the forefront of every conversation and are seen as a priority at the policy level.

Melissa Nevin is a member of Sipekne’katik First Nation and holds a master’s degree in Geography from St. Mary’s University.

Melissa can be reached at: melissa.nevin@apcfnc.ca

Mohammad Ali has over 20 years of experience in general corporate commercial advisory and transactional and regulatory work, both in private practice and in-house in Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Canada. 

In his practice, Mohammad Ali supports businesses in multiple sectors, most notably in energy, housing, infrastructure development, and ocean technology. From drafting complex contracts to advising on project structuring and financing, Mohammad Ali provides practical solutions to the challenges his clients face at every stage and aspect of their business operations. Mohammad Ali is experienced in fast-paced business environments and recognizes the importance of response times. He believes passionately in working hard to understand the business of his clients – a trait that he feels is a distinguishing characteristic of a successful business lawyer. 

Philip Duguay is Principal at Canada Grid Advisory, offering independent advice on interregional transmission development to clients ranging from utilities and independent developers to Indigenous governments and civil society clients. Phil has over fifteen years of experience working across Canada and the United States, originating projects for two independent transmission developers, running public advocacy campaigns, and serving in strategic advisory roles for the governments of Québec and the Northwest Territories. He also worked on international development initiatives in Senegal, Ethiopia, Indonesia, as well as for a wind energy trade association in South Africa. Phil holds a dual law degree from McGill University and BA from Dalhousie University.

Sarah Clark is a marketing and communications professional with more than 15 years of experience spanning renewable energy, sustainability, technology, travel, hospitality, publishing, and nonprofit organisations across the US and UK. She currently serves as Marketing and Media Manager at Orbital Marine Power, where she leads marketing, communications, media, and content initiatives.

Sarah is particularly passionate about using strategic communications to support organisations working toward positive environmental and social impact. Her professional development reflects this focus, with qualifications in Business Sustainability Management from the University of Cambridge and Corporate Sustainability from NYU Stern School of Business, alongside an MSc in Public Relations, Advertising and Applied Communication from Drexel University.

Sarah uses her thorough understanding of evolving issues in environmental and energy law to provide clients with practical, concise advice. She works with clients both directly and as a member of Davies’ transaction teams – to evaluate environmental and social risks in Canadian and international deals. Mining, renewable energy and Indigenous issues are significant areas of focus. Sarah is also very successful at advocating before administrative tribunals regarding permitting for infrastructure, resource development and manufacturing projects. Deeply involved in the development and reform of Canadian environmental law, Sarah has held leadership roles in prominent legal and business organizations. Sarah is past chair of the Environmental sections of the Canadian Bar Association and Ontario Bar Association and one of two Canadian fellows elected to the American College of Environmental Lawyers.

Stephen Penton is the Manager of Engineering Consultancy at Aker Solutions’ office in St. John’s. He has more than 20 years of experience in the energy industry from complex project developments in Canada and globally. He has held leadership roles in project management teams, EPC contracting and consultancy. He currently heads up a dedicated techno-economic team providing clients with low-carbon and renewable energy solutions. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering from Memorial University