Speaker Biographies
Ordered by Timeline
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Panel Discussion: 9:00 AM - 9:45 AM
Emerging Professionals Committee
Session: The Ripple Effect: How Volunteering Shapes Careers and Community
Moderator: Makayla Rozsa-Grover, P.Eng.
Panelists: TBD
Session details coming soon...
Communication & Leadership Breakout: 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
Sarah L. Manley Robertson - President & Founder, Prospect Strategies Ltd.
Session: Amplifying Your Technical Expertise: Clarity, Courage, and Connection
for a Responsible Future
Sarah L. Manley Robertson, SCMP®, brings nearly three decades of experience across diverse industries to her work as a communications and leadership strategist. As Founder of Prospect Strategies, she helps professionals strengthen the human skills technology cannot replicate and lead through complexity with confidence. In this engaging session, Sarah will explore how engineers can pair technical expertise with Clarity, Courage, and Connection to communicate effectively, navigate difficult conversations, and build trust with colleagues, clients, and the public. Participants will leave with practical tools to cut through noise, address challenges, and communicate with the rigour they bring to their work.
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Ethical Breakout: 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
Co-presenter: Levi Morrison, P.Eng. - Director of Innovation, COVE
Session: Indigenous Perspectives in Engineering
Levi Morrison is Director of Innovation at COVE and a sessional lecturer in Engineering at Dalhousie University, where he develops and delivers the Indigenous Pathways to Engineering course and teaches project management in engineering. Levi brings a practical perspective on integrating Indigenous engagement into professional engineering practice. Together with Christopher Googoo, Levi will explore how engineers can move beyond minimum legal requirements to build stronger relationships, understand Indigenous knowledge systems, and approach engagement as an essential professional competency.
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Ethical Breakout: 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
Co-presenter: Christopher Googoo - Executive Director, Ulnooweg Education Centre
Session: Indigenous Perspectives in Engineering
Christopher Googoo is Executive Director of Ulnooweg Education Centre and a longstanding collaborator in Indigenous education and economic development across Atlantic Canada. Drawing on his deep expertise in Indigenous community relationships and knowledge systems, Christopher brings an important community perspective to the engineering profession. Together with Levi Morrison, he will explore practical approaches to Indigenous engagement and partnership, helping engineers build more meaningful, respectful, and collaborative relationships across their work in Nova Scotia.
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Keynote Lunch Presentation: 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Melissa Peneycad - Director, Public Engagement & AI Strategy, MDR Strategy Group
Session: Responsible AI Use in Engineering Practice
Melissa Peneycad is an award-winning, recognized AI author, speaker, educator, and trainer with 15 years of experience in the architecture, engineering, and construction sector. She advises organizations worldwide on AI governance, ethics, innovation, sustainability, and emerging technologies, and has delivered programs for regulators across Canada and internationally. In this keynote, Melissa will explore how engineers can use AI to improve efficiency while navigating risks related to accuracy, confidentiality, bias, professional judgment, and accountability. Participants will gain guidance on identifying AI applications, applying human oversight, and understanding expectations around verification, transparency, and professional responsibility.
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Technical Breakout: 1:45 PM - 2:30 PM
Iaian Archibald - Executive Director, DeepSense
Session: AI Basics and Beasts: Understanding AI, It's History and Macro
Level Impacts
Iaian is a seasoned technology entrepreneur, executive, and AI strategist specializing in emerging technologies. As Executive Director of DeepSense at Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Computer Science, he leads an applied AI research platform focused on advancing practical applications of AI. In this engaging session, Iaian will explore the evolution of AI, the key differences between generative AI and other technologies, and the organizational, social, and interpersonal impacts of these tools. Participants will leave with a stronger understanding of different types of AI, their strengths and limitations, and how AI is shaping the world around us.
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Regulatory Breakout: 1:45 PM - 2:30 PM
Kris Dove, FEC, P.Eng. - COO and Treasurer at Engineers Nova Scotia
Session: Modernized CPD Program: The Report Card Is In
Kris Dove is the Chief Operating Officer and Treasurer of Engineers Nova Scotia, with extensive experience in regulatory operations within the engineering profession. He leads the organization’s professional conduct, complaints, and discipline processes and has a deep understanding of professional regulation. In this session, Kris will assess the Modernized CPD Program more than a year after its launch, using a report card approach to highlight successes, lessons learned, registrant engagement, and opportunities for improvement. Attendees will explore reporting trends, CPD categories, Learning Management Platform adoption, compliance and audit readiness, common questions, and upcoming enhancements.
Fireside Chat: 2:45 PM - 3:30 PM
Moderator: Pal Mann, CD, FEC, P.Eng. - CEO & Registrar at Engineers Nova Scotia
Pal Mann, CD, FEC, P.Eng., is the CEO and Registrar of Engineers Nova Scotia, where he leads the organization in fulfilling its mandate to regulate and advance the engineering profession in the public interest across Nova Scotia. Pal previously spent five years with APEGA and completed over 32 years of distinguished service with the Royal Canadian Engineers, including key leadership roles in military engineering education and international deployments. With a strong background and deep expertise in professional regulation, organizational leadership, and decades of military service, Pal brings strategic vision and insightful guidance to the engineering profession in Nova Scotia and beyond.
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