2024 Conference Speakers

Fred is a Senior Policy Analyst at the Atlantic Economic Council. He has been the Council's lead on economic impact analysis and Indigenous economic research since 2009. Fred is responsible for monitoring the New Brunswick economy. He sits on the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce Policy Advisory Committee for Nova Scotia. Prior to joining the Atlantic Economic Council, he was the Director of the Economics and Statistics Division at the Nova Scotia Department of Finance.

Fred is a Chartered Professional Accountant. He has a Master of Business Administration from Dalhousie University, a Master of Arts in Economics from the University of Guelph, and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Saint Francis Xavier University.

An innovative chef and entrepreneur, Mark Brand is a leader in the Social Impact and Community Development realm. He has founded five distinct organizations, and is a Stanford fellow and a Professor of Innovation and Design Thinking. He has served as the executive chef for the American Refugee Committee and Pope Francis’s Climate Challenge, and was the Entrepreneur in Residence for The City of Sydney, Australia.

Recognized for his outstanding service to both country and community, Mark Brand is a proud recipient of Canada’s Golden Jubilee Medal. Stepping onto the international stage, he leads the United Nations Catalyst team, addressing critical issues such as food waste, poverty, and the repercussions of systemic structures on marginalized communities. Mark's commitment transcends borders as he travels the globe, absorbing and disseminating real-world solutions gleaned from kitchens and stages worldwide.

Briana Brownell is a visionary technologist who bridges the gap between complex concepts and the general audience as a data scientist and tech entrepreneur, aiming to make AI and data science approachable for all. With a rich background spanning over a decade in data science within marketing research and finance, she founded Pure Strategy in 2015, and her strategic guidance has elevated organizations, including the United Nations and Fortune 50 companies, by translating advanced analytics into actionable insights that drive innovation and impact.

Brownell's insights have been featured in TIME Magazine and through media properties on PBS, Discovery, and the TED Organization, making her a prominent voice in AI discourse. She actively shapes the future of ethical AI, contributing her expertise to the ISO JTC 1/SC 42 Committee and AI Governance and Safety Canada. Her visionary leadership in AI has been recognized with VentureBeat’s AI Entrepreneur of the Year (2021) and as a top leader in AI by Authority Magazine.

A committed investor, advisor, and board director, Brownell pushes the boundaries of technology and its application for a better future. She sits on several corporate boards, including Sandbox Mutual Insurance and League Data, and is a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors and the Nasdaq Center for Board Excellence. Beyond her board roles, Brownell is an active angel investor and advisor to several fast-growing startups, focusing on sectors that leverage technology for societal benefit.

Jeff Guthrie is the President and CEO of the Canadian Credit Union Association (CCUA) and represents Canada’s credit unions on the World Council of Credit Union Board (WOCCU). He is an accomplished financial services executive with a wide range of experience in financial services and leading organization-wide transformations.

Jeff began his career with RBC, holding various roles with a progression of responsibilities, eventually becoming an executive team member as Vice President of Card Services. He left RBC in late 2000 and became one of the founding executives of Moneris Solutions (Moneris). During his 19-year tenure with Moneris, Jeff served on the MasterCard Canada, Visa International, and Discover North American Advisory Boards. Prior to joining CCUA, Jeff served as President and COO of Hank Payments, a Canadian start-up focused on providing tools to help consumers improve their financial well-being.

Jeff holds a Master of Management degree from McGill University, specializing in international business. He is an avid traveller and an accomplished ultra-marathon runner, completing races in the most extreme environments, including the Egyptian Sahara and Fijian mountains. When not indulging his passion for travel and adventure, Jeff resides in Toronto, Canada.

Jeff Guthrie is the President and CEO of the Canadian Credit Union Association (CCUA) and represents Canada’s credit unions on the World Council of Credit Union Board (WOCCU). He is an accomplished financial services executive with a wide range of experience in financial services and leading organization-wide transformations.

Jeff began his career with RBC, holding various roles with a progression of responsibilities, eventually becoming an executive team member as Vice President of Card Services. He left RBC in late 2000 and became one of the founding executives of Moneris Solutions (Moneris). During his 19-year tenure with Moneris, Jeff served on the MasterCard Canada, Visa International, and Discover North American Advisory Boards. Prior to joining CCUA, Jeff served as President and COO of Hank Payments, a Canadian start-up focused on providing tools to help consumers improve their financial well-being.

Jeff holds a Master of Management degree from McGill University, specializing in international business. He is an avid traveller and an accomplished ultra-marathon runner, completing races in the most extreme environments, including the Egyptian Sahara and Fijian mountains. When not indulging his passion for travel and adventure, Jeff resides in Toronto, Canada.

Briana Brownell is a visionary technologist who bridges the gap between complex concepts and the general audience as a data scientist and tech entrepreneur, aiming to make AI and data science approachable for all. With a rich background spanning over a decade in data science within marketing research and finance, she founded Pure Strategy in 2015, and her strategic guidance has elevated organizations, including the United Nations and Fortune 50 companies, by translating advanced analytics into actionable insights that drive innovation and impact.

Brownell's insights have been featured in TIME Magazine and through media properties on PBS, Discovery, and the TED Organization, making her a prominent voice in AI discourse. She actively shapes the future of ethical AI, contributing her expertise to the ISO JTC 1/SC 42 Committee and AI Governance and Safety Canada. Her visionary leadership in AI has been recognized with VentureBeat’s AI Entrepreneur of the Year (2021) and as a top leader in AI by Authority Magazine.

A committed investor, advisor, and board director, Brownell pushes the boundaries of technology and its application for a better future. She sits on several corporate boards, including Sandbox Mutual Insurance and League Data, and is a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors and the Nasdaq Center for Board Excellence. Beyond her board roles, Brownell is an active angel investor and advisor to several fast-growing startups, focusing on sectors that leverage technology for societal benefit.

An innovative chef and entrepreneur, Mark Brand is a leader in the Social Impact and Community Development realm. He has founded five distinct organizations, and is a Stanford fellow and a Professor of Innovation and Design Thinking. He has served as the executive chef for the American Refugee Committee and Pope Francis’s Climate Challenge, and was the Entrepreneur in Residence for The City of Sydney, Australia.

Recognized for his outstanding service to both country and community, Mark Brand is a proud recipient of Canada’s Golden Jubilee Medal. Stepping onto the international stage, he leads the United Nations Catalyst team, addressing critical issues such as food waste, poverty, and the repercussions of systemic structures on marginalized communities. Mark's commitment transcends borders as he travels the globe, absorbing and disseminating real-world solutions gleaned from kitchens and stages worldwide.

Fred is a Senior Policy Analyst at the Atlantic Economic Council. He has been the Council's lead on economic impact analysis and Indigenous economic research since 2009. Fred is responsible for monitoring the New Brunswick economy. He sits on the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce Policy Advisory Committee for Nova Scotia. Prior to joining the Atlantic Economic Council, he was the Director of the Economics and Statistics Division at the Nova Scotia Department of Finance.

Fred is a Chartered Professional Accountant. He has a Master of Business Administration from Dalhousie University, a Master of Arts in Economics from the University of Guelph, and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Saint Francis Xavier University.