EMC unveils Future of Manufacturing keynote speaker lineup

OWEN SOUND, Ont. — The Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium (EMC) has announced a slate of keynote speakers that that will focus on the world of advanced manufacturing at its annual conference Oct. 8-10.

The Advantage through Excellence – Future of Manufacturing will focus on operational excellence featuring sessions that cover skills and best practices, and the insights of the keynote speakers.

“Through these discussions our speakers will shed light on the how the advancement of technology and manufacturing techniques can support higher levels of productivity and efficiency for Canadian manufacturers,” said Shawn Casemore, president of EMC.

The conference will take place at Universal Eventspace in Vaughan, Ont.

Here is the speaker lineup:

Michelle Chretien

She is the director of the Centre for Advanced Manufacturing and Design Technologies at Sheridan College. Prior to joining Sheridan in 2018, Michelle spent 12 years at the Xerox Research Centre of Canada (XRCC) in various roles including global program manager (Electronic Materials), senior R&D manager (Materials Science), and program manager (Strategic Partnerships). At Xerox and at Sheridan College, Michelle focuses on leading and enabling applied research in advanced manufacturing which includes 3D printing, automation, robotics, computer aided design, printed and flexible electronics and more.

Michelle is passionate about the commercialization of innovation and public engagement in science. She has substantial experience with Canadian funding programs for academia, entrepreneurs, and small/medium-size enterprises and enjoys working with companies to help them achieve their business and technology goals.

Jayson Myers

The award-winning business economist specializing in industrial and technological change is widely recognized as one of the most influential policy advocates in Canada. He is an advisor to both private and public sector leaders, and has counselled Canadian prime ministers and premiers, as well as senior corporate executives and policymakers around the world.

With more than 25 years’ experience building alliances among businesses, academic institutions, as well as community, labour, and advocacy organizations, Myers has been instrumental in shaping the public policy environment in Canada. Between 2007 and 2016, he served as president and CEO of Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, Canada’s largest industry and trade association. He was also the founding chair of the Canadian Manufacturing Coalition, vice chair of Canada’s National Roundtable on Skills, and vice chair of the Ontario and Great Lakes Manufacturing Councils.

Myers currently chairs the Global Gateways Federation and is an advisor to legal and consulting firms in Canada, the US, and the UK. As principal of Jayson Myers Public Affairs Inc., he helps organizations identify and manage opportunities arising from the changes that are reshaping industry and international business.

Ron Kelusky

He’s Ontario’s new chief prevention officer (CPO). The CPO oversees the Prevention Office within the Ministry of Labour and has a wide range of responsibilities.

Prior to his appointment as CPO, he was president and CEO of Public Services Health and Safety Association (PSHSA), a health and safety association of the Ministry of Labour. Before joining PSHSA, he held senior positions within the private and not for profit sectors and in municipal government. Kelusky holds a Master of Business Administration, is a Certified Municipal Manager (CMM III) and is a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors and Canadian Society of Safety Engineers.

Douglas Porter

The chief economist at BMO Financial Group has more than 30 years of experience analyzing global economies and financial markets. He oversees the macroeconomic and financial market forecasts and co-authors the BMO’s weekly flagship publication, Focus. His team has won numerous awards including Best Forecaster for Canada by Focus Economics, top Canadian forecaster by Bloomberg and the prestigious Lawrence Klein award for forecast accuracy of the US economy.

As a respected commentator on economic and financial trends, he is regularly quoted in the national press and often interviewed on radio and television.

Before joining BMO, Porter held the positions of economist and country risk analyst with other Canadian financial institutions and began his career at the Bank of Canada.

He has been a member of C.D. Howe’s Monetary Policy Council since 2008 and serves on the Investment Management Committees of the Bank of Montreal’s Canada Pension Plan and Western’s Endowment Fund. He also sits on the Board of Directors of Toronto Finance International and on the American Bankers Association’s Economic Advisory Committee.

The Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping manufacturers grow and become more competitive.