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About this Event
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<h4>Join the Canadian Australian Chamber of Commerce (CACC) as we welcome TransAlta CEO John Kousinioris to a boardroom briefing to explore the regulatory landscape for land use concerning wind and solar farms. Join us for an insightful discussion as we analyse the factors and strategies influencing success in this sector.</h4>
THIS IS A PRIVATE EVENT, BY INVITATION ONLY.
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HOSTED BY
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KEYNOTE SPEAKER
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Appointed as President, Chief Executive Officer, and a Director of TransAlta Corporation in 2021, John Kousinioris is responsible for the overall stewardship of the company, including providing strategic leadership as the company navigates the transition to net zero and achieves its clean energy goals.
John’s prior leadership roles as Chief Legal and Compliance Officer, Chief Growth Officer and, most recently, Chief Operating Officer, have provided him with responsibility for almost every aspect of TransAlta’s business. He has overseen operations, shared services, commercial, trading, customer solutions, hedging and optimization and business development. John also served as President and a Director of TransAlta Renewables from 2017 – 2021.
Under John’s leadership, TransAlta successfully launched its Clean Electricity Growth Plan, which will see the Company invest $3.6 billion to add 1.75 gigawatts of new generation to TransAlta’s portfolio by 2028.
John is an active member of his community, serving as Vice Chair of the Board of Governors of Bow Valley College, as a Director on the Board of the Calgary Stampede Foundation and as a Board Member of Axis Connects. John is also a member of the Business Council of Canada, the Business Council of Alberta and the Net Zero Council of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. He was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal in 2023 in recognition of his contributions and service to the Province of Alberta in the field of business, commerce, industry and economics.
John earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Honors Business Administration from the Ivey Business School of the University of Western Ontario, a Master of Business Administration degree from York University and a Bachelor of Laws degree from Osgoode Hall Law School at York University. He has also completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University.
John and his family live in Calgary.
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WELCOME REMARKS
Melissa WhartonChief Executive OfficerCACC
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As CEO for a not-for-profit volunteer-based organization, Mel leads the mission to promote trade and investment between Canada & Australia. The CACC is the only bilateral international chamber that has a presence and operations in both countries with nearly 4,000 members across both regions.
Headquartered in Sydney, Australia, the CACC has been leading the discussion of the Critical Minerals Nexus: Opportunity for Australia & Canada.
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HOST
Brendan ClarkManaging Partner - InternationalMINTERELLISON
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Brendan Clark is a director of the Canadian Australian Chamber of Commerce and a partner of MinterEllison, one of Australia’s largest law firms. He has over two decades' experience advising on M&A transactions, project developments, financings and a range of commercial transactions and regulatory matters in the energy, resources and infrastructure sectors in Australia and abroad.
As the Managing Partner - International, he oversees MinterEllison's international markets strategy, its foreign offices and its engagement with foreign firms and networks.
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DISTINGUISHED GUEST
Robert MillardManaging Director & Vice President - AustraliaTRANSALTA
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Robert Millard joined TransAlta Corporation in 2014 and is currently serving as Managing Director and Vice President of the Australian business based in Perth, Western Australia. In this role, Robert is accountable for the generation fleet, business operations, customer and commercial relationships, and all strategic planning.
Previously, Robert was accountable for all customer relationships at TransAlta’s North America facilities outside of Alberta, ensuring the successful re-contracting of PPAs and leveraging those relationships for future growth.
Robert has over 18 years of management experience in the power industry, having served as vice-president of a private renewable power developer before joining TransAlta. In that capacity, Robert successfully developed and built a run-of-river hydro plant in British Columbia with a 60-year PPA and a 150 MW wind facility in North Dakota. In addition, he negotiated agreements with offtakers, First Nations, ensured regulatory and legislative compliance for wind and hydro projects across Canada and the US, and led all government, stakeholder and media relations.
Prior to entering the power sector, Robert practised law with a leading Calgary firm in the areas of energy matters and commercial litigation. During that time, Robert appeared successfully before all levels of Court in Alberta, as well as the Federal Court of Canada.
Robert is a member of the Law Society of Alberta and Calgary Bar Association. He holds a Bachelor of Education (with Distinction) and a Bachelor of Laws (with Great Distinction) from the University of Saskatchewan.
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SPEAKERS PANEL
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AGENDA
12:00PM - DOORS OPEN
12:22PM - Plated Lunch Served
12:22PM - Welcome Remarks
12:47PM - Moderated Discussion
1:47PM - Networking
2:00PM - BRIEFING CONCLUDES
ABOUT THE CACC
The Canadian Australian Chamber of Commerce (CACC) is a non-profit volunteer based organisation that aims to bring businesses together to facilitate strong economic and trade relationships between Canada and Australia.Annou
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
level 9/1 The Esplanade, 1 The Esplanade, Perth, Australia