Rory Wheat

Vittoria's Bio

Vittoria Bellissimo is President & CEO of the Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA). Vittoria leads a member association focused on ensuring that wind energy, solar energy and energy storage play a central role in transforming Canada’s energy mix.

Vittoria was previously the Executive Director of the Industrial Power Consumers Association of Alberta and worked in renewable energy procurement at both the Ontario Ministry of Energy and the Ontario Power Authority (now the IESO).

Vittoria served on the Board of Emissions Reduction Alberta, as Vice Chair of Energy Efficiency Alberta, and was a founding Board member of Women+Power. She holds a M.Sc. in Environmental Sustainability from the University of Edinburgh and is a licensed professional engineer (B.Sc. Queen’s University). Vittoria is based in Calgary.

CanREA

Andrea's Bio

Andrea Visser is the Director of Fund Development and External Relations at Iron & Earth. Holding a Bachelor of Science in Geography and working towards her Certified Human Resources Executive (CHRE) designation, Andrea has played a key role in building Iron & Earth from the ground up.

She has successfully secured significant funding from government, industry partners, and foundations, leading the organization’s growth. Andrea specializes in advancing renewable energy workforce development and community-based training programs, with a focus on rural and Indigenous communities across Canada.

Iron & Earth

Rory's Bio

With a background in energy security, Rory uses an interdisciplinary approach to navigate the complex regulatory and commercial ecosystem of project development. Since it’s inception, Rory has helping shape and propel Varme’s mission forward. His role within the company includes government engagement, policy strategy, business development, and grant writing.

Varme Energy

Bryan's Bio

Bryan Helfenbaum is the Vice President of Clean Energy at Alberta Innovates, where he oversees programs in Clean Technology and Advanced Hydrocarbons with key initiatives in hydrogen, CCUS, digital energy, bitumen beyond combustion, and others. Before joining Alberta Innovates, he spent 20 years in technical, business, and innovation roles in the private sector.  Bryan has taught courses at the University of Calgary and worked on innovative community residential development projects.  

Bryan has a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering from Waterloo and an MBA from Calgary.

Alberta Innovates