Virtual Event: Canada’s Goal of Net Zero by 2050 and the Critical Role of Nuclear Power

Nuclear power is an integral component for Canada and the rest of the world in order to achieve its GHG emissions targets; simply put, without nuclear power as part of the solution, it is not possible to combat the devastating effects of climate change.

Join Bruce Power’s President and CEO Mike Rencheck as he unveils Bruce Power’s strategy to contribute to a Net Zero Canada while growing the economy and supporting innovation. Mike will be joined by Ontario’s business leaders including, Rocco Rossi, President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, OCC, Bruce Wallace, President and CEO of the Nuclear Innovation Institute, NII, and Sujin Wren, Hydrogen Technologies Lead at Hatch as they discuss the integral role of Bruce Power nuclear in turning climate change ambitions and targets into a decarbonized reality.

Panelists:

Mike Rencheck, President and CEO, Bruce Power

Michael W. Rencheck is President and Chief Executive Officer of Bruce Power. Bruce Power provides over 30% of the electricity for Ontario, and produces medical grade isotopes that help to sterilize 40% of the single use medical devices around the world, while also treating cancer. Bruce Power provides electricity from eight nuclear reactors, and a five turbine wind energy facility. We believe in our social responsibility and have award winning economic development and community betterment initiatives.

Over the last 36 years, Mike has served in a number of roles. Prior to joining Bruce Power in 2016, he served as the Deputy Chief Operating Officer for AREVA Group, overseeing its extensive global capital portfolio of nuclear and renewable projects. Prior to this, he served as President and CEO of AREVA Inc. in North America, leading its diverse nuclear manufacturing and services business in Canada and the United States with a workforce of about 5,000 people.

Prior to joining AREVA, Mike was the Senior Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer at American Electric Power. AEP is a major investor owned electric utility in the United States, delivering electricity to more than five million customers in 11 states, with 38,000 megawatts of generation assets.

After joining AEP in 1998 as VP of Nuclear Engineering, Mike held various positions during his tenure, including Senior Vice President of Engineering, Projects and Field Services, where he led an extensive capital expansion program and strategic initiatives; Senior VP of Engineering, Technical and Environmental Services; and President of AEP ProServ, a wholly owned engineering and field services subsidiary responsible for major power generation projects and outage management. ​

Before joining AEP, Mike worked for Florida Power Corporation serving as Director, Nuclear Engineering and Projects, for Crystal River Nuclear Station. Earlier in his career, Mike worked at Public Service Electric and Gas Company Salem Nuclear Generating Station as Director of System Engineering and Duquesne Light Company’s Beaver Valley Power Station.

In 2014, Mike was recognized by the National Safety Council for his leadership demonstrating a personal commitment to worker safety and health as part of CEO’s who get it. He was designated by the U.S. Department of Energy as a STEM ambassador, and served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Virginia Nuclear Energy Consortium Authority.

He also has demonstrated a commitment to many organizations that make a difference in people’s lives including Habitat for Humanity and the United Way.

He is a Professional Engineer and certified senior reactor operator and currently serves on the Advisory Councils of several small modular reactor companies.

Rocco Rossi, President and CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce

A successful entrepreneur and business executive, champion fundraiser, and dedicated public servant, Rocco Rossi joined the Ontario Chamber of Commerce in 2018 as President and CEO.

Prior to joining the OCC, Rossi most recently served as President and CEO of Prostate Cancer Canada where he helped to advance the research, advocacy, education, and awareness of the most common cancer in men.

Mr. Rossi also served as CEO of Heart and Stroke Foundation, one of Canada’s largest non profit organizations overseeing consecutive years of record fundraising combining for over $600 million in total and launching many new, life saving initiatives.

His passion for public policy has led him to stand for election both for the position of Mayor of Toronto and for MPP.

Mr. Rossi has held senior positions at the Boston Consulting Group, TORSTAR, Labatt Interbrew, and MGI Software. He is a graduate of McGill and Princeton.

Rossi currently serves as a member of the Board and Audit Committee of TerraVest Industries. A past board member of United Way of Greater Toronto and other charities, Mr. Rossi has been an active community builder. In fact, in 2012 he was awarded the Queen’s Jubilee Medal for his Philanthropic and Community service.

A dedicated adventurer, Rocco has walked the legendary Camino de Santiago several times, cycled the 1900 km length of Yonge Street from Rainy River to Toronto, kayaked the 500 km from Toronto to Ottawa, and climbed to Everest Base Camp.

Mr. Rossi has a BA, Hons, in political science from McGill University and a Masters of Arts in politics from Princeton University. He is married to his wife of 30 years, Rhonnie, and they have a 28 year old son, Domenic John, who is a teacher.

Bruce Wallace, President and CEO, Nuclear Innovation Institute

Bruce Wallace is president and CEO of the Nuclear Innovation Institute, an independent, not for profit organization committed to accelerating the pace of innovation in the nuclear industry. He comes to nuclear issues with a background in media and public policy. Bruce was a foreign correspondent and editor for over three decades, living and reporting from across Europe, Asia, and North America with a focus on reporting from conflict zones. He also wrote broadly on politics and business, sports, entertainment, and the environment, primarily for Maclean’s magazine and the Los Angeles Times.

After leaving journalism, Bruce worked as Chief Creative Officer for NGen, Canada’s Advanced Manufacturing Supercluster and, before that, was Special Advisor to the Deputy Minister for Economic Development and Growth, Research, Innovation and Science at Queen’s Park. He currently lives in Southampton, Ontario.

Sujin Wren, Hydrogen Technologies Lead, Hatch

Sujin is the Hydrogen Technologies Lead in Hatch’s Power Business Unit with over 12 years of experience, principally in the design and implementation of hydrogen, gasification, and waste to energy technologies. Her project experience ranges from conceptual design and feasibility studies to project implementation and commissioning support. She has experience leading multi disciplinary and cross functional teams through design, manufacture, validation, certification, and commissioning of hydrogen solutions, including fuel cells, electrolyzers, compression, storage, and dispensing for both stationary and mobility applications.

Sujin recently managed the design and installation of hydrogen production, compression, storage, and dispensing equipment for Quebec’s first public hydrogen fueling station and led a cross functional team through product development of a fuel cell system for integration on the world’s first hydrogen powered passenger train.

Sujin holds a BScE in Mechanical Engineering from Queen’s University and an MPhil in Energy Technologies from the University of Cambridge.

Moderator:

Jan De Silva, President and CEO, Toronto Region Board of Trade

Jan De Silva is President and CEO of the Toronto Region Board of Trade, one of the largest and most influential business organizations in North America. She is spearheading efforts to make Toronto one of the most competitive and sought after business regions in the world.

Jan brings to the role more than 14 years of international CEO experience building ambitious, high growth organizations. Anchored in her leadership is her belief in the power of economic development to lift communities.

Prior to joining the Board, she served as CEO of Sun Life Financial’s Hong Kong and Mainland China businesses and co founded and later sold Retail China Limited. Jan also served as Dean of Ivey Asia for Ivey Business School of Western University.

Highly respected for her business advocacy and government engagement, Jan has been Chair of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, Chair of the Canada China Business Council in Beijing, and served on the Board of the Asian Corporate Governance Association. In 2019, she was appointed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to represent Canada on the APEC Business Advisory Council. Jan also sits on the boards of Intact Financial Corporation, listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange; and, Blue Umbrella Limited, a global compliance technology company headquartered in Hong Kong.