Terava Groff

Denise's Bio

Denise Beaven | Girls Talk Tech Co-Chair, Conocophillips Canada
Round Tables (Friday afternoon)

Denise Beaven has spent 40 years in the IT industry with 33 years at ConocoPhillips Canada. Girls Talk Tech’s goal is to help girls learn more about IT careers and feel confident they can succeed. Girls Talk Tech (GTT) was formalized in 2018 with the mission to educate, encourage and empower young women to embrace technology for the future.

Girls Talk Tech

Dr.Vanessa's Bio

Dr. Vanessa Swarbrick | Senior Science Advisor, Office of the Chief Scientist, Government of Alberta
Water 101 (Friday morning)

Vanessa Swarbrick is passionate about using science to advance the way we manage aquatic ecosystems and has worked on water-related issues across academic, non-profit, industry, and government sectors. As a scientist, she is interested in the intersection of limnology, biogeochemistry, and resource management.

From the highest alpine lakes to our prairie rivers and streams, Dr. Swarbrick’s research has evaluated the impacts of different types of pollution, like mercury, organic contaminants, and nutrients, on freshwater ecosystems in Canada. Since joining the Government of Alberta in 2014, she has focused on improving the way water is managed through science and monitoring, policy, and resource management programs. 

Office of the Chief Scientist

Lisa's Bio

Lisa Pollio | Program Manager, Careers in Energy (Energy Safety Canada)
Innovation Gallery (Saturday morning)

Lisa joined Energy Safety Canada (ESC) as a Program Manager in 2013, after six years of working in the oil sands region of Fort McMurray. Lisa learned valuable field experience as a Health, Safety and Environment Advisor and then transitioned to a Disability Management role. This hands-on knowledge allowed her to obtain the Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP) designation.

Being part of the Training and Industry Development and Support teams at ESC has enabled Lisa to bring her expertise of our sector to the Careers in Energy group. An adventurer at heart, Lisa loves spending her free time in the mountains or travelling to different parts of the world with her family.

Careers in Energy

David's Bio

David Hill | Director, Centres and Institues and Research Advocacy, University of Lethbridge
Water Futures Panel (Friday 10:30-11:30)

David Hill has almost 50 years of experience in water, irrigation, agriculture, and natural resource management. He is a member of the Board of Inside Education (www.insideeducation.ca) and since 2005 he has served as the Water Policy Co-Chair for the Pacific Northwest Economic Region (www.pnwer.org). His various roles at the University of Lethbridge provide focus on connecting water and agricultural research and training with the needs of community, government, and business.

David was a member of the Alberta Water Council for 9 years from its inception until joining the University of Lethbridge in 2012. He is a former Chair of the Alberta Science and Technology Leadership (ASTech) Foundation (www.astech.ca) and a past president of the Canadian Committee on Irrigation and Drainage. David has served on the Alberta Endangered Species Conservation Committee, Alberta Environmental Agriculture Council, and as a past member of the Rosenberg International Forum on Water Policy (University of California, Berkeley, 2004-2010).

Prior to joining the University of Lethbridge David was the Executive Director for Water at Alberta Innovates and formerly the Executive Director of the Alberta Irrigation Districts Association.

University of Lethbridge