Opening KeynoteMonday, May 12th, 3:30pm, Hall E
Sponsored by:
We invite you to embark on a journey back to the heart of geoscience with our esteemed panel of experts. Our keynote panel discussion will shed light on the timeless contributions of geoscientists, exploring how these practices remain relevant today and what makes them indispensable in our rapidly evolving world. While discussions may naturally include politics, economics, policy, and business, the panel focus will be on the essence of geoscience – what we have achieved traditionally and where the future opportunities lie. This session will not only highlight the critical role of geoscience within Canada but also engage in a broader discussion about international dynamics. The panel will offer a rare chance to gain insights from multiple distinguished voices in the field, drawing from their extensive experiences. Join us for an engaging and thought-provoking keynote panel discussion that will reignite your passion for geoscience and uncover new horizons in the field. The Opening Keynote will be delivered May 12, 3:30pm on the Exhibit Hall E stage.
Bill Whitelaw
Bill Whitelaw is Managing Director, Strategy and Sustainability, at geoLOGIC Systems. Previously, he was CEO of JWN Energy, which was acquired by geoLOGIC in 2021, including its global intelligence business, Evaluate Energy, headquartered in London.
Bill currently chairs the Canadian Society for Evolving Energy and is a Fellow with the Energy Futures Lab. Bill also works with the teams at the Petroleum Technology Alliance of Canada and the Clean Resource Innovation Network and sits on the board of Ten Peaks Innovation Alliance, a non-profit dedicated to developing energy literacy initiatives for high school students and their teachers. In the past, he was a long-time director of the Canadian Heavy Oil Association and chair of Calgary Economic Development’s energy systems advisory committee.
As a former journalist, he chairs the Digital Media and Journalism Advisory Committee at Mount Royal University and contributes actively to the dialogues critical to the energy sector’s evolution. He is a graduate of the University of Calgary, Queen’s University and Loyalist College.
Moderator
Panelist
Shelley Leggitt
Shelley Leggitt is VP of Geoscience at Kiwetinohk Energy Corporation (KEC) and brings 35 years of technical and leadership experience in conventional and unconventional plays in Western Canada. Prior to joining KEC, Shelley was VP of Geoscience at Velvet Energy responsible for a large technical team working on leading-edge technologies to develop the Montney at Gold Creek and Pouce Coupe and further develop seismic techniques to exploit deep basin gas.
Before Velvet Energy, Shelley was VP of exploration at NAL Resources working on a large portfolio of assets extending from SE Sask to AB Sturgeon Lake Montney. A highlight of her career was her tenure as Exploration Manager at EOG Canada responsible for early development of the Horn River Basin and initial exploration and the first well in the Duvernay East Shale basin. Shelley has also held leadership roles at Enerplus and Encana/PanCanadian and worked early in her career at the Petroleum Recovery Institute where she focused on enhanced oil recovery projects.
Shelley holds a Master’s degree in Geology from McMaster University and is a registered Professional Geologist in Alberta. Shelley has been active with the Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists (now CEGA) for many years, having served as finance director, education director, Geoconvention chair, Calgary Geoleaders co-chair, and is President of the society.
Jennifer Young
Jennifer is a senior energy leader with 20 years of Canadian and international upstream experience. She is currently on sabbatical from Suncor Energy and has held diverse technical and leadership roles spanning exploration, development, new ventures, reclamation, strategic planning, and governance.
Her career highlights include serving as Manager for Equinor Canada, where she led the Exploration and Development of Bay du Nord—Equinor’s largest discovery outside of Norway and one of Canada’s lowest-carbon potential oil developments. Jennifer also played a key role in expanding Petro-Canada’s U.S. portfolio during the shale boom, led Suncor’s in situ growth strategy, and managed its portfolio of legacy reclamation sites in Canada’s Arctic.
Jennifer holds a B.Sc. in Geology and M.Sc. in Geophysics, both from Memorial University of Newfoundland. She is pursuing an MBA in Sustainable Innovation from the University of Victoria. A registered Professional Geoscientist in Alberta and a Fellow of the Energy Futures Lab, Jennifer is also an avid nature enthusiast, soccer player, dedicated volunteer, and most importantly, mom of two.
Panelist
Panelist
Robert Stewart
Robert Stewart is Professor of Geophysics, holds the Cullen Chair in Exploration Geophysics, and is Director of the Allied Geophysical Laboratories at the University of Houston. Prior to his current position, he was employed with Chevron’s Oil Field Research Lab in California; ARCO in Dallas; and Veritas Software in Calgary. Stewart was Professor of Geophysics at the University of Calgary, held its Chair in Exploration Geophysics, and co-founded the CREWES Project, a university-industry consortium.
He received the Natural Sciences and Mathematics Teaching Excellence Award from the University of Houston in 2013 and was presented with the UH Provost’s Teaching Excellence Award in 2014. Rob is a licensed geoscientist in Alberta (P. Geo.) and Texas (P.G.).
Stewart was a Society of Exploration Geophysicists’ (SEG) Distinguished Educator and received the SEG Lifetime Membership Award. He also served as President of the Canadian SEG and received its Honorary Membership Award and Medal. He served as Vice President of the Geophysical Society of Houston and is currently Vice President of the SEG.
Stewart received his Bachelor of Science in physics from the University of Toronto and a Ph.D. in geophysics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.