ACG Atlantic Network Conference 2025

Leveraging on a diverse 30-year career in business, Bennett Brown is a boutique advisory firm that connects some of Canada’s most enterprising and affluent families with private investments, M&A services and philanthropic planning opportunities. 

Having built much of his practice while living in Western Canada, Geoff found great value in being an ACG member in Vancouver and attending events in Calgary and Edmonton. Bennett Brown’s greatest asset is its coast-to-coast network of investors and business professionals, and ACG has once again been instrumental in helping to grow his network in Toronto, and Atlantic Canada, upon Geoff’s return to Halifax in 2020.

Christine practices in business law with a focus on mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, and infrastructure projects. She has an ICD designation, was the recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal, and has received national recognition for her work by Best Lawyers, Lexpert, and Chambers and Partners in various areas. 

Erin O’Toole is the President and Managing Director of ADIT North America and serves on the executive committee of ADIT Group. ADIT Group is a Paris-based business intelligence firm that provides global investment due diligence, operational support and economic diplomacy services around the world. He assumed this role after having served as the Leader of the Conservative Party and a Member of Parliament for a decade. In 2021, Erin ran to be the Prime Minister of Canada in the general election held amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenging circumstances of the election, Mr. O’Toole won the popular vote and advanced a series of policies that continue to resonate in Canadian politics today.

Melanie Nadeau is the Chief Executive Officer of COVE where she is responsible for leading the strategic direction and managing overall operations. She brings over 20 years of experience in business development initiatives that drive high-tech innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment. Melanie has been a noted expert for the International Energy Agency, the United Nations Environment Programme, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the International Electrotechnical Commission. She has earned multiple awards, including Canada’s Clean16 Award for her outstanding contribution towards clean capitalism, has been named Atlantic Canada’s 25 most powerful women, was an invited speaker to TEDGlobal, and is a strong supporter for Canada’s tech ecosystem as a mentor for the Creative Destruction Lab.

David previously worked for the Department of Health Wellness as the Senior Executive Director of Strategic Investment and Infrastructure Planning for the healthcare facilities across the province.  While in the Department, he co-led the provincial COVID 19 Vaccine and Immunization program.  Prior to his joining the Province, he served 30 years with the Canadian Armed Forces as an engineering officer in the Royal Canadian Navy retiring as a Captain (N). He served on the east and west coasts and in Ottawa, with his last appointment in Command of the Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Scott in Halifax.

Tim Houtsma is the CEO and co-owner of Marid Industries Limited. 

Marid is a steel fabrication and erection company focused primarily on the Atlantic Canadian market. Marid prides itself on providing both innovative and unique design and construction solutions for their clients. Projects range from warehouses, schools, long- term care facilities and bridge repair.

Cory Bell is a transformative leader, investor, developer, and mentor whose vision has reshaped both Atlantic Canada’s construction industry and its broader business community. As CEO, President, and co-owner of Lindsay Construction, he has guided the company’s evolution into the premier general contracting firm in Atlantic Canada, delivering growth and innovation with a blend of strategic business acumen, technical expertise, and an unwavering focus on people.

Sean is a Vice-President at BFL CANADA, one of the largest risk management, insurance brokerage and benefits consulting firms in Canada. The BFL M&A team is a leading Canadian broker of transactional risk insurance and insurance due diligence. Commitment to customer excellence has allowed the BFL M&A team to grow to the largest in Canada servicing the entire Canadian M&A market, including pensions, strategic acquirers, private equity funds, family offices, search funds and independent sponsors

Michael Young specializes in Private Equity with a particular focus on identifying and creating technology informed value creation opportunities at all stages of the Private Equity lifecycle. Previously as VP of Products at Private AI, he drove innovation in AI and privacy technologies, led GTM strategy (including pricing, packaging, and distribution strategy) and Marketing. His background includes leadership roles in private equity and technology at Birch Hill, Salesforce, and SAP, where he has excelled in guiding teams and fostering growth across various sectors. Michael’s expertise spans across product management, technology strategy, corporate development, and leadership, enabling organizations to develop and implement cutting-edge solutions

Jack Dallaire is a Principal at SeaFort Capital, a Halifax-based private equity firm. In his role, he focuses on investment origination, transaction execution, and supporting portfolio company growth. Prior to SeaFort, Jack worked in RBC’s Mid-Market Mergers & Acquisitions group and in corporate development for a publicly traded media company. He holds a BBA from the University of New Brunswick, an MBA from Dalhousie University, and is a CFA Charterholder.

Jennifer LaPlante joined the Government of Nova Scotia as Deputy Minister of the Department of Cyber Security and Digital Solutions in July 2025 after more than two decades in digital transformation, data governance and artificial intelligence. Much of her work has focused on the intersection of technology, innovation, and data analytics.

I began my career in downtown Toronto, took a detour through quantum physics, and landed at the intersection of AI, engineering, and business transformation. After earning a PhD in Quantum Theory from the University of Basel (Switzerland), I spent 14 years as a professor at Dalhousie University, leading the Quantum Theory Group — until I left academia to build something new.

As CEO of QRA, I lead the development of AI-driven tools that help global aerospace, energy, and biotech companies design and validate complex systems. Our technology enables organizations to uncover hidden risks early, accelerate integration, and create enduring value — all crucial in high-stakes, high-complexity environments.

CIBC Commercial Banking provides tailored end-to-end solutions to support business’ financial needs at every stage of growth from privately held, owner-managed or professionally-managed companies to publicly traded junior corporates. Andrew and his team help companies finance growth, manage cash flow, increase efficiency and mitigate risk.

Andrew has spent over 11 years with CIBC in Toronto and Halifax holding progressive individual contributor and team leadership roles across CIBC Corporate Finance (Leveraged Finance and Asset-Based Lending) and CIBC Commercial Banking’s Independent Business, Mid-Market, Cross Border, and National Accounts businesses. 

A Director in the Transactions group based in Halifax, Sean provides advisory services to our clients, specializing in financial modelling and analysis, due diligence, debt financing, M&A, and business valuation. 

Michael Maracle-Polak (Mohawk, Bear Clan—Six Nations of the Grand River) is President & CEO of Akwekon Enterprise, Chief Administrative Officer of Glooscap First Nation, and a Harvard alumnus in First Nation Leadership. Over the past decade, he’s guided Chiefs and Councils through governance reform, operational turnarounds, band management and the creation of community‑owned economic development corporations.

Chief Jenny Brake has served as Chief of Qalipu First Nation (QFN) since October 2024, following 10 months as Interim Chief. She brings a diverse background as a welder, artist, and community advocate, always striving to build meaningful relationships and advance the well-being of the people she represents.

As Chief, she has led significant initiatives for the Nation, including the acquisition of New Dock on behalf of QFN, strengthening the Nation’s economic foundation and future opportunities.

Gioia Usher is the CEO of We'koqma'q L'nue'kati, an Indigenous community in Cape Breton advancing economic development and strategic investment across Mi'kma'ki and beyond. A Chartered Professional Accountant, Gioia brings expertise in financial governance and investment to the community. Under the strategic leadership by Chief and Council, Gioia has helped We'koqma'q become a co-owner of Clearwater Seafoods and was one of the participating communities in the landmark acquisition of PURE Canadian Gaming in Alberta through Indigenous Gaming Partners. She lives in Baddeck, Nova Scotia with her husband and two children, and actively contributes to regional initiatives as a Director of the Margaree Salmon Association, a Board Member of the Cape Breton Partnership, and a member of the Village of Baddeck Audit Committee. Her work reflects a commitment to Indigenous economic development and self-sufficiency.

Jeff has been a part of the Confederation M&A team since 2015 and a Partner since 2017.  Jeff oversees the M&A practice, working with clients across a variety of industries to help them meet their business growth or succession planning goals. 

Prior to joining Confederation M&A Jeff worked for a global management consulting firm, helping clients create rapid and sustainable performance improvement. During his time as a consultant and project manager, Jeff led teams in a variety of industries, helping businesses in designing and implementing a variety of profitability improvement plans, corporate restructuring initiatives, and mergers & acquisitions.

Matthew is a Partner at BDO, with over 20 years of professional experience providing financial reporting and advisory services to clients in multiple industries including private equity, real estate & construction, retail & consumer business, and technology.

As an advisor to companies in these sectors, Matthew has been required to have intimate industry knowledge to support his high-quality deliverables. This includes financial statement audits and reviews, internal control work, and advising companies during key moments of innovation, compliance, and growth such as navigating cross-border transactions. 

Loren Rafeson is Partner, Growth Equity Partners, at BDC Capital where he helps leading Canadian companies scale nationally and internationally. Since joining BDC in 2018, Loren has been involved in the execution of BDC’s investments in BCES Global, Firmex, Groupe Tecnic, Monarch House, Preciseley Microtechnology, and Resolute Health. He currently serves on the boards of BCES Global, Groupe Tecnic, Monarch House, and Resolute Health and previously served on the boards of Firmex, InvestorCOM, and Neighbourly Pharmacy (formerly Rx Drug Mart).

Cooke, headquartered in Saint John, New Brunswick, is a multi-national seafood leader and one of the largest integrated seafood businesses in the world with operations in 15 countries.  He is responsible for Cooke’s legal affairs globally with a focus on leading M&A teams to successfully execute complex cross-border transactions – acquisitions since joining Cooke include the largest salmon farming business in Australia and the largest holder of anchovy quota in Peru.

Zac has more than 15 years of experience in private equity investing, M&A, and corporate finance and strategy. He leads McCain Capital Partners (MCP), a long-term investor in great businesses, on behalf of the McCain family in Toronto. Prior to leading MCP, Zac was an investment professional at a mid-market private equity firm, where he was responsible for acquiring and creating value in market-leading businesses. He previously made and managed investments on behalf of another ultra-high net worth family. Zac has a Bachelor of Commerce from Mount Allison University, where he now serves on the Board of Regents; he received his MBA from Queen’s School of Business, and he is a CFA charterholder.

Damian Burke is a Managing Director on Main Street Capital’s lower middle market team. Mr. Burke joined Main Street in September 2019 and has also served as a Managing Director of MSC Income since October 2020. Prior to joining Main Street, from 2016 to 2019, Mr. Burke served as Chief Financial Officer of Melior Innovations, Inc., a Houston, Texas based company focused on commercializing new technologies in the semiconductor, coatings and oil field service sectors. Prior to joining Melior, from 2011 to 2016, Mr. Burke served as VP Corporate Development for Kraton Corporation (NYSE: KRA), a leading global specialty chemicals company, where he created and built out the corporate development group and led the execution of an acquisition program that doubled the size of the company. Prior to joining Kraton, from 2006 to 2011, Mr. Burke served as an SVP Development and Strategy with Oldcastle, Inc. (now known as CRH Americas), the North American division of CRH plc (NYSE: CRH), a leading global building materials business, where he led the acquisition of numerous privately held businesses in the building materials and products sectors. Mr. Burke began his career as an engineer with ExxonMobil Corporation (NYSE: XOM) and served in roles of increasing responsibility in the United Kingdom and the United States.

Derrick is an Audit and Advisory partner at our Deloitte Halifax practice. Derrick is the firms co-leader of the Canada’s Best Managed Companies program. Derrick brings over 30 years of unique experience to his clients, having been an entrepreneur and involved in running many successful companies in a variety of industries. Derrick’s client portfolio consists primarily of private companies, but also includes not-forprofit and public sector organizations. Derrick’s number one priority is to bring value to his clients and to help them improve

Don Mills is currently the President of Crane Cove Holdings Limited, his family investment firm, a partner and Director with CABCO Communications, an IT infrastructure company and Total Marketing & Communications, a Bermuda based company he co-founded. He is the co-founder and former owner and CEO of Corporate Research Associates (now Narrative Research). He continued to be associated with Narrative Research as Chair of the Board and Senior Counsel until recently. He is a regular columnist with both the Saltwire Network and Brunswick News, as well as being a frequent media commentator on public affair issues. He is also the Co-host of the Insights Podcast on the Acadia Broadcasting Network.

With a Ph.D. in Geology and Environmental Microbiology, Dr. Wanger is an experienced research scientist 
whose career milestones include five years at the NASA Jet Propulsion Lab, culminating in their optical 
organics’ mapper, SHERLOC, landing on Mars in February 2021 with the Perseverance rover. Jumping 
back to 2016, Greg and his family relocated to Halifax, Nova Scotia in Atlantic Canada. Shortly after, Dr. 
Wanger founded Oberland Agriscience Inc. out of his desire to address the escalating global protein 
shortage

Michelle has more than 25 years of public relations, education and business management experience. She has led research projects and community engagement initiatives in various sectors for government, industry and non-profits.  In her role as President of the Atlantica Centre for Energy, Michelle proactively advocates for the evolution and growth of Atlantic Canada’s energy sector.

Cathy Bennett is a seasoned investor, entrepreneur, and former public servant whose career spans finance, entrepreneurship, and venture capital. She served as Minister of Finance and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women in Newfoundland and Labrador, sat on the board of the BDC, and is a founding and managing partner of Sandpiper Ventures—one of Canada’s first venture capital funds dedicated to women-led innovation.

Lauren Ledwell is an Atlantic Canada-based leader with a proven track record in business transformation, venture capital, and innovation strategy. Lauren has most recently been a Principal with Sandpiper Ventures, leading investments focused on inclusive, high-growth technology companies across Canada. In September, Lauren was appointed the CEO of the PEI BioAlliance

Lauren has a breadth of cross-sector experience — spanning early-stage startups to global multinationals. Her previous roles include a global leadership role in driving digital customer experience at Manulife, corporate strategy and digital innovation at RBC, and commercial operations at Maple Leaf Foods. Before joining Sandpiper Ventures, Lauren was CEO of discovery garden