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Distinguished Guests

Our Speakers

Keynote Speakers

Distinguished Keynote Speakers

The Right Honourable Mark Carney

The Right Honourable Mark Carney

Prime Minister of Canada

Prime Minister Carney will deliver remarks at the Maple Leaf Gala on May 8, 2026.

President Ali

His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali

President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana

President Ali will deliver the keynote address at the Business Forum on May 8, 2026.

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Featured Speakers & Panelists

Business & Government Leaders

Alistair Routledge
Alistair Routledge
President, ExxonMobil Guyana
Alistair Routledge serves as President of ExxonMobil Guyana, leading one of the world's most significant offshore oil developments.

Under his leadership, ExxonMobil Guyana has become the country's largest oil producer and a central partner in developing the Stabroek Block, which has yielded more than 30 major discoveries since 2015.

With more than three decades of international experience at ExxonMobil, Mr. Routledge has held senior leadership roles across multiple regions, bringing deep expertise in engineering, large-scale project execution, and energy strategy.

Mr. Routledge is widely recognized for promoting responsible resource development, environmental stewardship, and strategic partnerships that contribute to Guyana's economic transformation.

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Elaine Ellingham
Elaine Ellingham
CEO, Omai Gold Mines
Elaine Ellingham is an accomplished geoscientist and senior energy professional with extensive experience in petroleum exploration.

Holding advanced qualifications in geoscience and business administration, she brings a multidisciplinary perspective that integrates technical excellence with commercial strategy. Throughout her career, she has contributed to major upstream projects and has advocated for sustainable resource development.

Ms. Ellingham is also recognized for her commitment to mentorship and to advancing diversity and inclusion within the energy sector.

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Captain Gerald Gouveia Jr.
Captain Gerald Gouveia Jr.
Chairman, Private Sector Commission Guyana | Director of Aviation & Security, Roraima Group
Captain Gerald Gouveia Jr. is a prominent Guyanese aviation professional, business executive, and private-sector leader.

He serves as Director of Aviation & Security for the Roraima Group of Companies, Chief Pilot of Roraima Airways, and Director of Omni Helicopters Guyana Inc. A licensed Airline Transport Pilot and former Military Officer, Captain Gouveia has extensive operational experience.

In his capacity as Chairman of the Private Sector Commission of Guyana, he is a leading advocate for private-sector development, aviation security, and stronger international partnerships.

Captain Gouveia is widely recognized for his leadership in business strategy, his commitment to national development, and his role in positioning Guyana as a competitive, globally connected economy.

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Hon. Vickram Bharrat
Hon. Vickram Bharrat (Invited)
Minister of Natural Resources, Co-operative Republic of Guyana
The Honourable Vickram Bharrat serves as Guyana's Minister of Natural Resources, responsible for strategic oversight of the country's oil and gas, mining, forestry, and energy sectors.

Born in Berbice, Region Six, Minister Bharrat holds a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science from the University of Guyana and is formally trained in Public Management. He brings extensive experience in governance, policy implementation, and managerial leadership.

Prior to his ministerial appointment, he held several technical and leadership roles, including Technical Officer in the Ministries of Local Government and Health, and Project Manager with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

As Minister, he continues to play a central role in shaping policies that guide the sustainable management of Guyana's natural resources, advance local content development, environmental stewardship, and long-term national prosperity.

Ministry Profile
Hon. Lloyd Parrott
Hon. Lloyd Parrott (Invited)
Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology & Government House Leader, Newfoundland and Labrador
The Honourable Lloyd Parrott serves as Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology and Government House Leader in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

Raised in Wabush, Minister Parrott brings a diverse, disciplined background to public service, having spent more than 21 years in the Canadian Armed Forces as both a soldier and a civilian. After his military career, he transitioned into the private sector as General Manager of a successful construction company specializing in oil and gas.

His commitment to community and public service is reflected in extensive involvement in governance and labour relations. He has served on multiple community boards, contributed to provincial labour relations initiatives, and acted as a trustee of a health and welfare plan.

Minister Parrott was first elected as the Member of the House of Assembly (MHA) for the District of Terra Nova in May 2019. He is widely regarded for his practical leadership and his focus on strengthening industry, supporting workers, and fostering sustainable economic development.

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Komal Samaroo
Komal Samaroo
Chairman, Demerara Distillers Limited & Business Leader
Komal Samaroo is a distinguished Caribbean business leader and Chairman of Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), one of Guyana's most prominent manufacturing and export companies.

A Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA), he has played a pivotal role in expanding Guyana's manufacturing sector and strengthening its presence in regional and international markets. Mr. Samaroo has also held key leadership roles on corporate boards, including in shipping and logistics.

He has been awarded the Cacique's Crown of Honour (CCH), one of Guyana's highest national honours, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to national development.

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Lilian Chatterjee
Lilian Chatterjee
Chair, Canada Guyana Chamber of Commerce
Lilian Chatterjee is a distinguished Canadian diplomat with extensive experience in international development, diplomacy, and multilateral engagement.

She most recently served as High Commissioner of Canada to Guyana, with concurrent accreditation as Ambassador to Suriname and as Plenipotentiary Representative of Canada to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). During her tenure in Guyana, she played a key role in strengthening bilateral relations and advancing economic and institutional cooperation. She also spearheaded the launch of the Canada Guyana Chamber of Commerce, of which she is now the Chair.

Ms. Chatterjee began her professional career as a journalist, then worked at the House of Commons and with several international non-governmental organizations. She joined the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) in 2003 and later served as Director General at both CIDA and Global Affairs Canada.

She holds a Bachelor of Journalism (Honours) from Carleton University and a Master's degree from the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs. Ms. Chatterjee is widely respected for her leadership in strengthening bilateral relations, advancing sustainable development, and fostering inclusive economic partnerships across the Caribbean region.

CGCC Chair
Hon. Alison Redford
Hon. Alison Redford, KC
Former Premier of Alberta | International Policy & Energy Advisor
The Honourable Alison Redford, KC, is a senior Canadian lawyer and international advisor with over 30 years' experience in public policy, national security, and sustainable energy development.

As Alberta's first woman Premier (2011–2014), she oversaw legislative, policy, and financial operations in one of Canada's most resource-rich jurisdictions. During her tenure, she led the development of the Canadian Energy Strategy, advanced renewable energy initiatives, and established key regulatory frameworks, including the Alberta Energy Regulator.

Ms. Redford has advised governments and organizations, including the World Bank, UNDP, and Global Affairs Canada, on extractive sector reform, sustainable energy regulation, and governance. Her international work spans the Solomon Islands, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Southern Africa, and she has contributed to projects in Guyana's offshore energy sector.

Currently, she is Principal Consultant at The Redford Group, where she leads international advisory teams on sustainable energy projects, and serves as an Independent Board Member for Gran Tierra Energy, focusing on finance, governance, and ESG oversight.

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Hon. Dr. Peter Ramsaroop
Hon. Dr. Peter Ramsaroop
Chief Investment Officer, Guyana | Head of GO-Invest
The Honourable Dr. Peter Ramsaroop serves as Guyana's Chief Investment Officer in the Office of the President and as Head of the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest).

Dr. Ramsaroop brings extensive private-sector experience as a successful entrepreneur, having launched and managed multiple multimillion-dollar ventures and held executive leadership roles at Fortune 500 companies.

He also has a distinguished record of service, having served in the United States Military as a war veteran with assignments at the Pentagon and during the Desert Storm Persian Gulf War.

An accomplished author and academic, Dr. Ramsaroop has written several publications and has served as an associate professor at major international universities. He is widely recognized for his leadership in investment promotion, economic diversification, and national development strategy.

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Hon. Maninder Sidhu
Hon. Maninder Sidhu (Invited)
Member of Parliament, Canada
The Honourable Maninder Sidhu has served as Member of Parliament for Brampton East since 2019 and has been Parliamentary Secretary at Global Affairs Canada for over four years.

A long-time Brampton resident, Mr. Sidhu brings a strong, community-centred approach to public service. Prior to entering politics, he built a successful customs brokerage business, helping companies across Canada navigate international trade and regulatory systems.

He is also an active philanthropist and founder of The Kindness Movement Charity, which supports underprivileged communities in Canada and abroad. Deeply committed to youth empowerment, mentorship, and inclusive economic growth, he continues to advocate for opportunities that enable families and young people to thrive.

Mr. Sidhu holds a degree from the University of Waterloo and remains dedicated to advancing policies that strengthen Canada's global engagement and local communities.

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