Sarah Nason

Denise's Bio

Denise Beaven has over 35 years of IT experience, mainly in the oil and gas industry. Co-Chair of Girls Talk Tech, which educates, encourages and empowers young girls to consider STEM careers.

ConocoPhillips Canada

Elder's Bio

Elder Heather Poitras, a member of the Sawridge First Nation (Treaty 8), is currently serving as an Elder for her Nation. Elder Heather grew up by the Kehewin Cree Nation (Treaty 6). Proud of both her First Nation and Métis culture, she has dedicated her 25+ year federal career to Indigenous awareness and culture. 

As the Elder-In-Residence at the Northern Forestry Centre (NRCAN) in Edmonton, she also played an instrumental role in the establishment of the We Walk Together Forward – Indigenous Learning Centre at the Northern Forestry Centre, Edmonton, Alberta.

Elder Heather Poitras, a descendant of Big Bear, comes from a long line of leaders. Her chapan (Cree for great-grandfather) J.F. Dion, one of the founders of the Métis Nation of Alberta, ensured that the Métis in Alberta had land base. The only province to do so.  

Elder Heather strives to ensure that her people, the original people of this country, are included in every aspect of society. She has been dedicated to creating awareness of Canada’s true history, to help with the healing process of reconciliation, and to improve relationships.

Northern Forestry Centre

Amit's Bio

Amit Saxena is a large mammal wildlife biologist, working in the Environmental Planning Section of TC Energy. Amit has spent a large part of his career working as a biologist in Alberta’s energy sector, focusing on predator/prey dynamics related to large mammals (especially wolves, bears and caribou).

Amit’s Masters studies took him to places all over the world studying everything from Grizzly bears to tigers. Amit has been a frequent speaker on Inside Education teacher workshops and many previous youth summits.

TC Energy

Maxine's Bio

Maxine and Tangle McClaron have worked with a variety of Parks Organizations throughout Western Canada on a municipal, provincial and federal level. They also both have a background in theatre, which informs their communication styles. Through their work with the Alberta Parks Interpretation, Maxine and Tangle love finding creative ways to engage diverse audiences and spark interest in natural history. 

There is a one main difference between them: Max is very good at organizing things. Tangle is very good at making messes. 

Alberta Parks - Kananaskis Country