Richard Piche is a respected Indigenous leader in the energy sector, boasting over 50 years of operations experience in Canada and internationally. He is the president of Cascade Projects Ltd., an Indigenous-owned firm that deals with project initiation, management, Indigenous engagement, and consultation. Additionally, Richard serves on the Board of the Alberta Energy Regulator and Yaqwa Development Corporation, a Haisla Nation-owned company. His extensive career includes management roles at prominent Exploration and Production companies, such as ConocoPhillips Ltd. in Indonesia, Niko Resources Ltd. in India, and Northridge Exploration Ltd. (now TC Energy). As a former Vice President at Keywest Projects Ltd., Richard focused on developing Northeast BC’s Montney field facilities and the O’Chiese Nees-Ohpawganu’ck deep-cut gas plant near Alder Flats. As a Senior Project Manager at Gas Liquids Engineering, he optimized Canadian and international oil and gas processing facilities. He led significant Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) projects capable of 6575 tonnes/day (125 mmscfd) for deep well sequencing. Richard also played a key role in facilitating discussions between Finance Canada and 159 Indigenous Nations affected by the Trans Mountain Expansion Project, assisting them with participation models that best suited their communities, whether equity purchasing or revenue-sharing models. He holds designations from the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD.D) and the Project Management Institute (PMP).

Katie Kachur joined the Canadian Propane Association (CPA) in 2021 as the Vice President, Government Relations, West. Prior to joining the CPA, Katie worked TC Energy as part of the stakeholder relations team. Prior to TC Energy Katie spent almost 7 years at the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP), working on oil sands policy initiatives. Katie’s professional background includes experience in communications, sustainability, policy and government relations in the energy sector. Born and raised in Vernon, British Columbia, Katie holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Calgary and a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Victoria. Katie grew up playing soccer in the Okanagan and played for the University of Calgary soccer team. Katie is married and has two young sons and a spirited dog. Outside of work, Katie enjoys spending time outside and exploring new places with her family.

Deborah Green (Gopher) is a proud Nēhiyaw iskwêw (Cree Woman) hailing from Kawacatoose and Piapot’s First Nations in Saskatchewan who has emerged as one of Canada's most influential and pioneering voices in Indigenous Reconciliation and Sacred Truth Telling. Her journey began many years ago with the history of her ancestors, and the intergenerational impacts of Canada’s history with Indigenous Peoples, within her family. She experienced barriers to fair opportunities, racism, intergenerational trauma, and wanted to make her life’s work dedicated to drive change for future generations. She brings over 25 years of professional and personal lived cultural expertise in Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI), with a specialization in Indigenous Reconciliation. Her career has been marked by breaking down systemic barriers and creating pathways for significant contributions in relationship building, Strategy Framework & Policy development, keynote speaking on experience, Indigenous workforce development, and Indigenous awareness training & education. Deborah is renowned for her role in developing and integrating Indigenous workforce diversity strategies aimed at enhancing talent diversity and Indigenous leadership, fostering inclusive work environments, ensuring retention and leader accountability. Her influence spans across various sectors including private, public, non-profit, and government organizations in Canada, where she has cultivated an extensive network within diversity-focused entities. Recognized as a genuine and successful subject matter expert and role model within the Indigenous community and mainstream Canada, Deborah has received notable accolades such as the 2024 City of Calgary Chief David Crowchild Memorial Award, the Urban Society of Aboriginal Youth Changemaker Award, and the Native Women's Association of Canada Esquao Award. She also serves as a board member for significant initiatives, further solidifying her commitment to advancing equity and inclusion. Her passion is evident in the changes she has driven from seeing pride in Indigenous youth, equitable Indigenous employment in Canada, and the education and awareness of all Canadians about the true colonial history of the country. Deborah has held various roles in corporate Canada including National Lead for Indigenous Workforce Development & Indigenous Awareness at Suncor Energy, Global Diversity Strategist for Shell Canada and was the founder for Corporate Cree Consulting (her Indigenous business in 2017/2018). Her passion includes working in collaboration with Indigenous communities to understand community needs, share employment and training initiatives, and identifying opportunities to strengthen candidates’ employment readiness. Deborah provided Indigenous insights, training and advice to senior leaders and teams, managed programs, and fostered relationships and collaboration opportunities with external organizations. She has successfully designed and lead two Indigenous employee networks within oil and gas companies. This included leading and advising the companies on cultural awareness activities through storytelling, sharing her lived experiences as a Nehiyaw Iskwew, advising leaders on Indigenous knowledge to guide and incorporate Indigenous worldviews and ways of knowing and into company. “A place to call home” within the corporate environment, Deborah is committed to Indigenous employees to thrive and take pride in who they are. Deborah uses her voice, empowers others, and takes action in her advocacy work for Missing, Murdered, Exploited Indigenous Peoples; is part of an Indigenous Women’s Hand Drum Group “Sings Many Songs Women” and is entrenched in many Indigenous community and urban gatherings, social justice events, celebrations, and

John is Néhinaw (Cree)-Metis from Kaministikominahikoskak (Cumberland House), Saskatchewan. John has a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering, and an MBA from the University of Saskatchewan and started his career in 2001 in the mining industry and worked in a variety of roles including environment and safety, maintenance and reliability engineering management until moving onto executive leadership in economic development, construction, and management consulting. John serves as the Executive Director of the Indigenous Resource Network and volunteers as Past President of APEGS. John also has extensive regulatory, volunteer, governance, and civil society experience serving on a variety of boards, committees, and other initiatives.