About the Supply Chain Forum
The second annual Port of Halifax Supply Chain Forum event will bring together senior leaders and stakeholders who share a keen interest in the Port of Halifax supply chain priorities, issues and solutions, and opportunities.
This two-day program will:
Provide a forum for constructive and forward‑looking discussions
Improve supply chain resiliency in unpredictable times
Facilitate collaboration and networking among supply chain and port stakeholders
Discuss how to position the Port of Halifax globally and sustain meaningful change
Tuesday | September 24, 2024
10:00 – 14:00
Kartbahn Racing
PSA Halifax Grand Prix 2024
Kartbahn Racing
PSA Halifax is proud to announce the inaugural PSA Halifax Grand Prix—a fun-filled, challenging day at the outdoor Kartbahn Racing track just minutes from downtown Halifax. PSA Halifax is renting the facility for the day solely for delegates attending the Supply Chain Forum.
Kartbahn Racing promotes fun, safe, and fast driving in a controlled environment. Want to win the best lap of the season? Challenge your competitors by finding that perfect lap! PSA will be providing refreshments, snacks and prizes, so come prepared for a great day of kart racing with your colleagues and clients.
Registration for the PSA Halifax Grand Prix is required and space is limited. Details on the timing and the cost to register via PSA Halifax will be available shortly. For more information and to register, please contact Todd Protheroe (Commercial Manager - PSA Halifax) at 902-210-5590 or .
17:30 – 19:00
Commonwealth Ballroom
Welcome Reception
Commonwealth Ballroom
Wednesday | September 25, 2024
07:30 – 14:00
Commonwealth Foyer
Forum Information and Registration Desk Open
Commonwealth Foyer
09:00 – 09:45
Commonwealth Ballroom
Opening and Welcome to the Forum
Setting the Stage
Commonwealth Ballroom
09:45 – 11:00
Commonwealth Ballroom
Panel Discussion 1
Leveraging Transportation Assets
Commonwealth Ballroom
Moderator: Paul MacIsaac, Senior Vice-President, Halifax Port Authority
Panelists: Dan Bresolin, Vice-President, Intermodal, Sales & Marketing, CN;
Grace Liang, President, OOCL Canada Inc.;
Todd Seward, General Manager, Classic Freight Transport;
Jennifer Reardon, Associate Vice President, International Transportation, Canadian Tire Corporation, Ltd.;
11:00 – 11:15
Coffee and Connecting
11:15 – 12:30
Commonwealth Ballroom
Panel Discussion 2
Optimizing Supply Chain Visibility and Predictability
Commonwealth Ballroom
Moderator: Mark Szakonyi, Executive Editor, JOC, S&P Global
Panelists: Jonathan Chia, Head, Commercial & Corporate Development, PSA Halifax;
Girish Nair, Vice President, Multimodal Operations, CN;
Gary Ross, President, GE Ross Consulting;
Simon Sundboell, Founder and CEO, eeSea;
12:30 – 14:00
Commonwealth Ballroom
Luncheon & KeynoteKeynote Speaker: Robert Dick, Head of Canada’s National Supply Chain Office, Transport Canada
Commonwealth Ballroom
14:00 – 15:15
Commonwealth Ballroom
Panel Discussion 3
Driving Sustainable Competitive Advantage
Commonwealth Ballroom
Moderator: Chris Hall, President and CEO, The Shipping Federation of Canada
Panelists: Jason Carl, Managing Director of North America, PSA BDP;
Sara Colburne, Vice President Strategy & Transformation, Halifax Port Authority;
Alison Leavitt, Managing Director, Wine & Spirits Shippers Association;
Tours
Please choose one of the following:
15:30 - 17:00
The PIER
Tour 1: PIER Member Day
The PIER
Join us for a networking reception at The PIER, Canada’s first living lab dedicated to supply chain and logistics. Enjoy a live showcase of port supply chain & logistics innovations from PIER Members, tours of the Port Operations Centre, and networking with Port of Halifax partners, innovators and stakeholders.
Located at 1209 Marginal Road, The PIER is on the waterfront immediately behind the Westin Nova Scotian Hotel.
Please register to attend (no charge).
15:30 - 17:00
Board the bus from the Westin lobby
Tour 2: Port Bus Tour SOLD OUT
Board the bus from the Westin lobby
A bus tour takes you on a 90-minute bus tour of the Port of Halifax’s Seaport area and an on-terminal visit to the PSA Halifax Atlantic Hub Terminal.
Pre-registration is required. SOLD OUT (register to join the waiting list)
Registration now closed
Registration for the Supply Chain Forum is now closed as we have reached capacity. If you have any questions, please email .
Venue & Accommodation
The Supply Chain Forum will be staged at The Westin Nova Scotian located in the Halifax historic seaport district. The hotel features excellent meeting facilities and state of the art audiovisual services. The lobby bar and restaurant provide an excellent informal meeting venue for our attendees.
Our hotel conference blocks at the Westin Nova Scotian and the Marriott Courtyard Halifax Downtown is now sold out. View the link below to help you find other accommodations and Halifax hotels.
For those not staying at the The Westin Nova Scotian, parking is offered on a space available basis at a special rate of $10/day for Supply Chain Forum attendees.
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Sara Colburne
Vice President Strategy & Transformation
Halifax Port Authority
A trusted and experienced leader, Sara Colburne officially joined the Halifax Port Authority team in September 2022 as VP, Strategy and Transformation.
Sara has extensive experience in business strategy, communications and branding, stakeholder engagement, and workforce development. She has worked with innovation founders, CEOs, and start-ups to accelerate their vision and navigate transformational change via her business, Colburne Consulting, Inc. She previously served as Managing Director for Engage Nova Scotia.
Sara is passionate about community, equity, and trust. She currently serves as Chair of Alice House Board of Directors and volunteers her time providing invaluable mentorship to young professionals. She also served the Halifax Port Authority in a volunteer role as Chair of the Port Community Liaison Committee, where for more than two years, was instrumental in fostering meaningful communication between the HPA and broader community.
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Todd Seward
General Manager
Classic Freight Transport
Todd Seward is a B. Comm. graduate from Memorial University of Newfoundland, and he has also completed the Certified Human Resource Professional (CHRP) and Certified Canadian Logistic Professional (CCLP) designations.
Todd’s lengthy career in transportation has seen him work in marine, rail, and over the road sectors and has spanned private & public companies as well as a stint with a Crown Corporation. For the past 10 years he has been the Vice President & General Manager of Classic Freight Transport, a diverse transportation company based in Dartmouth, NS. Growth focused, one constant has been the success and commitment of the teams working with him – to provide quality, safe and efficient transportation services for Classic’s growing customer partners.
In addition to his day job, Todd has been active with various boards, foundations, and agencies and is currently the Chairperson of the Trucking Human Resource Sector Council Atlantic (THRSCA) and he sits on the Board of the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association (APTA).
Away from the office Todd stays active in various team & individual sports and activities and is most proud of his family who he spends as much time with as they will allow.
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Jim Maniatis
Vice President, Sales
Maritime-Ontario Freight Lines Ltd.
As the Vice President of Sales at Maritime Ontario, a leading provider of coast to coast transportation services, Jim leads and works with a team across Canada to meet the diverse and complex supply chain needs of his customers. With over 35 years of experience in the transportation and logistics industry, he has a proven record of driving, aligning and implementing sales initiatives that align with corporate goals and create a culture of partnership between customers and his company.
He is passionate about providing customized transportation solutions that deliver value, efficiency and reliability.
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Hon. Susan Corkum-Greek
Minister of Economic Development
Province of Nova Scotia
Former journalist and long-time community development advocate, the Honourable Susan Corkum-Greek was first elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly as MLA for Lunenburg in 2021. She serves as Minister of Economic Development and also sits on the Treasury and Policy Board.
A graduate of the University of King’s College, Halifax, Corkum-Greek spent nearly two decades in community journalism. She credits those years for igniting her passion for community economic development, which she has pursued full time since 2002.
Corkum-Greek’s professional experience spans a number of industries from tourism and culture to small manufacturing, and includes both volunteer and paid work in the Chamber of Commerce movement. She was a founding member of the Lunenburg Waterfront Association, formed to protect and revitalize the seaport’s working waterfront. She also played a foundational role in the development of LAMP (Lunenburg Academy of Music Performance), an elite finishing school for performing artists that helped transform a longtime public school and National Historic Site into a vibrant community and cultural hub.
Corkum-Greek lives in Bayport with her husband Jody, a professional mariner, and two children.
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Captain Allan Gray
President and CEO
Halifax Port Authority
Captain Allan Gray is President and CEO of the Halifax Port Authority, a role he assumed in November 2019. Captain Gray leads a dedicated team focused on creating economic benefit for the region through the Port’s core lines of business which are cargo, cruise and real estate. He is focused on advancing digital transformation, decarbonization, and safe, efficient port operations while balancing the needs of community, economics, and the environment.
Captain Gray is an experienced leader and trusted partner in the marine sector. Prior to his role at the Halifax Port Authority, Allan most recently served as the General Manager of Fremantle Ports in Australia. He was previously appointed Harbour Master in September 2008, and was appointed General Manager Port Operations in July 2009 including commercial operations and management of the Port’s bulk business. Prior to coming ashore, Captain Gray’s career at sea spanned over 20 years trading on various vessels from RO-RO, container, bulk, and LPG Tankers.
Throughout his career, Allan has been recognized for his leadership and in 2013 and was awarded life membership for his contribution to raising the profile of the Company of Master Mariners Australia.
Captain Gray currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Association of Canadian Port Authorities and is an ex-officio member of the Port Community Liaison Committee in Halifax, a working group which he established to foster collaboration and engagement between the Port and the greater community.
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Enno Koll
Regional CEO Americas
PSA International Pte Ltd
Enno Koll is the Regional CEO Americas. He is also a member of the Senior Management Council of PSA International. Enno is responsible for leading his management teams to develop and implement long term growth strategies as well as to establish relationships for the container port businesses in North, Central and South America.
Enno has been with PSA for 20 years and has held management positions in Europe and the Americas. Enno’s experience lies in Business Development, Marketing/Commercial and Finance. Before this role, Enno was Head of PSA Americas, responsible for the strategic development of PSA’s terminals in Panama (Pacific Coast), Argentina (Buenos Aires), Colombia (Buenaventura) and the 2018/2019 acquisitions and integrations in Canada (Ashcroft and Halifax) and the USA (Philadelphia). In Joint Venture terminals, Enno acts as a PSA representative in the partnership. In Panama and Colombia, Enno has overseen major terminal construction and start-up processes.
Between 2019 and 2022, he held the concurrent role as the CEO of Ashcroft Terminal based in British Colombia, Canada where he led the positioning and growing of the inland terminal that serves as a supply chain gateway for Vancouver.
Prior to his role in PSA Americas, Enno was the Managing Director for PSA in Zeebrugge, Belgium. While starting up a new mega vessel terminal in the port, Enno created inland distribution networks, developed approaches for shipper’s marketing and built multimodal connectivity.
Before joining PSA, Enno worked as a consultant in transport and logistics. Enno studied at the University of Hamburg, Germany and holds an MBA from ESCP-EAP in France.
Enno lived in Belgium until 2014 and then moved to Panama. In 2019, he relocated with his wife and 3 children to Canada and returned to Panama in 2022, where he currently lives.
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Remi G. Lalonde
Executive Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer
CN
Remi G. Lalonde was appointed as Executive Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer, on April 18, 2024.
Based in Montreal, Remi joined CN on January 8, 2024, as Executive vice-president and Special Advisor to the CEO. Prior to CN, Remi was President and CEO of a Quebec-based forest products company. After several years at a Wall Street law firm, he joined the forest products company as a senior securities counsel. Over his tenure at the company, he served in corporate and customer focused roles, including as Senior Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer and as General Manager for a critical manufacturing facility.
Fluently bilingual in his native French as well as English, Remi holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Environmental Engineering from the University of Ottawa. Remi has led teams, executed strategy, managed regulatory matters, engaged with Indigenous communities and stakeholders, headed manufacturing operations, and worked with investors and suppliers. His successful track record of cross-functional experience and first-hand knowledge of the importance of supply chains, as well as his focus on business growth and sustainability, will help drive CN’s growth agenda.
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Paul MacIsaac
Senior Vice-President
Halifax Port Authority
Paul MacIsaac joined the Halifax Port Authority in September 2005 as Senior Vice-President and has enjoyed a variety of responsibilities over his tenure. Currently, Paul leads our finance, trade, and real estate teams
Prior to joining the Halifax Port Authority, Paul had an extensive career in the private sector in retail operations, commercial real estate and professional advisory services.
Actively involved in his profession and community, Paul is a member of the Board of Governors for Mount Saint Vincent University, Jordan Boyd Foundation Advisor, past Chair of the Nova Scotia Division for the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, and Past-Chair of the ACPA Finance Committee. He has volunteered with a number of local charities and has served as a coach and executive member of various sports associations within his community.
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Grace Liang
President
OOCL Canada Inc.
Grace Liang joined OOCL at the Hong Kong head office in the eighties and began her career in container shipping following her two bachelor’s degrees from the University of Western Ontario and University of Windsor in Canada. After two years of service, she returned to pursue her MBA degree and upon completion of her post-graduate education, she rejoined OOCL in Hong Kong and worked in the Trans-Pacific Trade marketing department. This role in the Trade department gave her an excellent opportunity to build a strong foundation and knowledge base in container shipping which greatly helped to shape her career path in both the company and industry.
Canada has a special place in Grace’s heart. She returned to the country where she married her husband and continued her career in container shipping with Manchester Liner Canada in Toronto which was then a wholly own company under the Group. Manchester Liner was later renamed to OOCL Canada Inc. in 1988. Grace continued to pursue her career in Marketing and Sales by taking on various roles in this area within the company and was appointed to her current role as President of OOCL Canada Inc. in October 2012. That same year, she enhanced her leadership skills through the Executive Development Program at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
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Dan Bresolin
Vice-President, Intermodal
Sales & Marketing, CN
Dan Bresolin was appointed Vice-President, Intermodal in January 2020. He is based in Brampton, ON.
Currently representing a substantial portion of CN’s revenues, Intermodal is critical to CN’s current and future success. In this expanded role, Dan will focus on driving growth in both Domestic and International Intermodal and will be responsible for all components of CN’s International and Domestic portfolios, including regional sales, marketing, brokerage and CN WorldWide freight forwarding services.
Since he joined CN in 1999, Dan has taken on increasing responsibilities through his various roles as Assistant Vice-President Intermodal, Assistant Vice-President International Intermodal, Director of Marketing, Intermodal International and Director of Sales of both Strategic Sales and Domestic Intermodal.
As a qualified Rail Conductor and Intermodal Crane Operator, Dan takes great pride in his knowledge and experience in rail operations and in helping add value for Intermodal customers.
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Jennifer Reardon
Associate Vice President, International Transportation
Canadian Tire Corporation, Ltd.
Jennifer is the Associate Vice President of International Transportation at Canadian Tire Corporation, Ltd., a group of companies that includes a Retail segment, a Financial Services division and CT REIT. She leads the global freight operations team and utilizes all transportation modes to meet business needs and enhance efficiency.
With over 20 years of experience in the Canadian Supply Chain industry, Jennifer has a strong track record in managing complex business processes and international ventures. She has been a key driver of growth, successfully leading teams locally and globally in eCommerce, Forecasting and Replenishment, Production Planning, International Operations, and Transportation, and implementing strategies that have led to significant operational improvements.
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Mark Szakonyi
Executive Editor, JOC
S&P Global
Bringing more than a decade of experience in researching and analyzing container shipping and logistics, Mark leads editorial coverage at the JOC, encompassing JOC.com and The Journal of Commerce, part of S&P Global Market Intelligence. Szakonyi oversees the magazine’s 100-plus special reports a year, including the Annual Review and Outlook and Top 100 Importers and Exporters issues. In addition to supporting all JOC events, including TPM, TPM Asia, and the Inland Distribution Conference, he is chairman of the annual Canada Trade Conference. His analysis and work have been quoted in mainstream news media including the BBC, The Economist, NPR, and USA Today
Before joining JOC in July 2011, Mark worked for eight years as a journalist at various daily newspapers and weekly business publications, where he covered logistics, economic development, defense, and public safety. He earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in English and Political Science from Elmhurst College, United States, and a Master’s degree with a focus on investigative reporting at the University of Missouri, United States.
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Jonathan Chia
Head, Commercial & Corporate Development
PSA Halifax
Jonathan joined PSA Halifax in 2022 as Head of Commercial and Corporate Development and is responsible for all commercial activities, focusing on sales and marketing, business development and customer relationships. Jonathan plays a critical role in driving revenue growth, implementing commercial strategies and ensuring the overall success of PSA Halifax’s commercial operations. Jonathan joined PSA Singapore in 2011 and held various positions in operations, terminal development, and business development. Prior to joining PSA Halifax, Jonathan was an Assistant Vice President in PSA International Group Business Development division and was involved in several merger and acquisition projects spanning multiple locations in the Americas and Middle East South Asia.
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Girish Nair
Vice President, Multimodal Operations
CN
Girish Nair was appointed Vice-President, Multimodal, in December 2023. He is responsible for sustaining and building excellent service to customers through CN’s Multimodal operations.
A dynamic leader, Girish is distinguished by his unwavering commitment to excellence, a keen understanding of market dynamics, and an unrelenting pursuit of providing best-in-class customer service.
Girish started his journey at CN in 2010 as Market Manager. He then advanced to more senior Sales and Marketing roles and became Assistant Vice-President, International Intermodal, Sales and Marketing in 2021. Beyond CN, Girish has left his mark on the global stage in senior sales and marketing roles at COSCO in Dubai, UAE, as well as with GE and Tata Donnelley Ltd. in Mumbai, India.
Girish holds an MBA from the University of Leicester in England and a bachelor’s degree in commerce from the University of Mumbai.
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Gary Ross
President
GE Ross Consulting
Gary Ross is President of GERoss Consulting, where he has consulted for over 10 years in a variety of industries, from seasonal travel to specialty retail and manufacturing. Known for his sharp leadership skills, Gary has advised companies and governments on international trade, global sourcing, distribution and logistics. One of his primary partnerships has been with Reitmans (Canada) Ltd, which specializes in fashion apparel with nearly 400 stores and a solid presence on the e-commerce scene that makes it one of Canada’s major public retail companies. As a seasoned collaborator, Gary’s main role is to support international sourcing, manufacturing, quality, logistics, distribution, and marketplace for the retailer.
In addition to his work with GERoss Consulting, Gary worked at Avon’s Global Fashion and Home Supply Chain as Vice President, which accounted for nearly 40% of the company’s overall sales. He also held the position of Corporate Vice President of Global Manufacturing and Sourcing at Liz Claiborne for almost two decades. Mr. Ross received his Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Science degree from University of Philadelphia.
Gary also served as Co-Chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, the Textile and Apparel sub-committee and on the Cotton Board for 12 years, holding senior leadership positions which included Chairman of the Cotton Board. He was also a member of the Board of the United States Association of Importers Textiles and Apparel. He served in the US. Department of Commerce Trade Advisory Committee for Textile, Apparel, Footwear and Travel Goods (ITAC 13).
With his substantial expertise and remarkable career path, Gary is undeniably a leading figure in the industry and continues with his work today.
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Simon Sundboell
Founder and CEO
eeSea
Simon Sundboell is the Founder and CEO of eeSea, a maritime intelligence company based in Copenhagen, Denmark. He established eeSea in 2015 intending to provide comprehensive data and insights into global container shipping. The company offers real-time intelligence on shipping schedules, carrier performance, and global trade patterns.
Before founding eeSea, Sundboell had a decade-long career with Maersk, one of the world’s largest shipping companies, which provided him with extensive industry experience and insights into the complexities of global supply chains.
Under his leadership, eeSea has grown to become a notable player in the maritime intelligence sector, leveraging technology to enhance the transparency and efficiency of the shipping industry.
Sundboell frequently contributes his expertise to discussions on maritime logistics, emphasizing the evolving nature of global trade and the increasing challenges posed by geopolitical shifts and supply chain disruptions.
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Chris Hall
President and CEO
The Shipping Federation of Canada
Chris Hall has been in the marine industry for over 30 years. He is a Master Mariner and a graduate of Canadian Coast Guard College. Chris started his career at sea, sailing on vessels ranging from ice breakers in the Arctic to offshore supply vessels in the Gulf of Mexico. For the last twenty years Chris has worked ashore where he has held operational, commercial, and executive roles, most recently with a Canadian port authority. Throughout his career, Chris has been involved with port and marine operations across the country and around the world.
Chris is currently the President and CEO of The Shipping Federation of Canada - the national association that represents the owners, operators, and agents of ocean ships. The Federation works in support of a safe, efficient, competitive, environmentally sustainable, and quality-oriented marine transportation system that serves the needs of the Canadian economy. In this capacity, Chris has been called upon by the House of Commons and Senate standing committees to give expert testimony on these issues and assist in the forming of bills and national policy.
Chris is currently based in Montreal and is pleased to return to his home province of Nova Scotia to facilitate this discussion.
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Jason Carl
Managing Director of North America
PSA BDP
Jason Carl is the Managing Director of North America with overall responsibility for PSA BDP’s activity in the US and Canada. During his 18-year tenure with BDP, Jason has worked closely across multiple clients and roles with a focus on transformation, service excellence, technology implementations, and change management. Prior to his role as Managing Director, Jason held the role of Vice President of 4PL Solutions for PSA BDP’s sister company, BridgeNet Solutions, where he was responsible for the development, performance, and operations of the BNS 4PL product. Jason holds an undergraduate degree in Economics from Austin College in Sherman, Texas and an MBA with a focus on strategy from Temple University’s Fox School of Business.
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Mike Davie
Vice-President, Operations and Technology
Halifax Port Authority
Capt(N) (Ret’d) Mike Davie joined the Halifax Port Authority (HPA) in 2018 initially in the role of Vice President Operations & Planning. Mike led efforts to modernize operations management and built a Planning team to complete a comprehensive Port 50-Year Plan and manage HPA’s larger infrastructure projects in the future. This year, as VP Operations & Technology, Mike continues in ensuring secure, safe, efficient, and environmentally sustainable conduct of marine and landside operational activities. He also oversees the port’s ability to respond to emergencies through a comprehensive Emergency Management System and provides oversight for Information and Technology Services transformation and innovation through the Port’s living lab, The PIER (Port Innovation, Engagement and Research).
Prior to joining HPA, Mike gained Command, Leadership and Management experience spanning a 30-year career with the Royal Canadian Navy, serving in several senior roles including Director Naval Force Readiness, Commander Sea Training, Chief of Staff to Commander Maritime Forces Atlantic and Commanding Officer, HMCS Athabaskan. He holds a Master’s degree from King’s College London.
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Alison Leavitt
Managing Director
Wine & Spirits Shippers Association
Alison Leavitt is currently the Managing Director of WSSA (the Wine and Spirits Shippers Association), taking over the leadership of the association in 2013. Under her management, WSSA has grown dramatically and formed coalitions with other industry associations, port authorities, and trade groups. WSSA represents over 600 members involved in the import and export of alcoholic beverages and related products. The Association manages over 35 service contracts and a cargo insurance program that covers over a billion dollars in value in beverages shipped globally. Ms. Leavitt has been involved in the international logistics industry for over 40 years and is also a licensed U.S. customs broker. Prior to joining WSSA, she served for 14 years as the Director of Business Development at Albatrans, Inc., a global freight forwarder specializing in beverage alcohol headquartered in Florence, Italy working on global accounts and strategic initiatives. Alison serves on various boards, including the Coalition of New England Companies for Trade, and Maine College of Art, and also serves on the Editorial Board of American Shipper, and is involved in the AgTC (Agriculture Transport Coalition). In 2021, Ms. Leavitt was appointed to the National Shippers Advisory Council, one of 24 members who will advise the Federal Maritime Commission on policies related to ocean shipping. Alison was educated at Bowdoin College, graduating Magna Cum Laude and studied at the London School of Economics, specializing in Government and International Relations.
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2024 PORT OF HALIFAX SUPPLY CHAIN FORUM
Robert Dick
Head of Canada’s National Supply Chain Office
Transport Canada
Robert Dick is the Head of Canada’s National Supply Chain Office, which has been created in response to the National Supply Chain Task Force Report. The Supply Chain Office’s mandate is to collaborate with other orders of government, industry, and labour to strengthen the efficiency and resiliency of transportation and logistics infrastructure and operations, to improve the reliability of Canada’s supply chains and contribute to productivity and affordability.
For the past eight years, Robert served as Assistant Deputy Minister of the Transport Canada’s Pacific Region. His area of responsibility included safety and security oversight of federally regulated air, marine and rail modes of transportation, as well as the transport of dangerous goods; the operation of airports owned by Transport Canada; and the delivery of environmental programs.
Under Robert’s leadership, Transport Canada’s Pacific Region built successful collaboration mechanisms with industry and other levels of government that transformed how supply chain disruptions were managed in the critical Western Canadian gateway and corridor. He has also been instrumental in leading the development of new partnerships with First Nations and Indigenous groups, including as the national lead for Canada’s Oceans Protection Plan. These partnerships, which often included industry, resulted in new ways of collaborating to advance reconciliation, protect the environment, and bring greater acceptance of, and certainty for, transport operations.
Robert brings over 25 years of federal government experience to his new role, with an extensive background working in air sector policy, national cyber security, and on a range of economic, social and national security files at Transport Canada, Public Safety Canada, the Privy Council Office, and Western Economic Diversification. Robert is from Winnipeg and has lived and worked in there as well as in Ottawa, and, since 2014, in Vancouver, where he will continue to be based.
