Keith Gillard is a former Fortune 100 executive, who founded, led, invested in, and exited dozens of sustainability companies. He is co-founder and CEO of Sustaero, building Canada’s first billion-litre sustainable aviation fuel production capacity, as well as co-founder and chair of Foresight, Canada’s largest cleantech accelerator. Mr. Gillard is an operator and investor with decades of hands-on experience with dozens of companies, funds, and not-for-profit organizations. He is a proven leader, fund-raiser, dealmaker, and business development matchmaker with an extensive international network, having close relationships throughout multinational organizations and industry leaders across North America, Asia, and Europe.

Mr. Gillard previously served as President of BASF Venture Capital America, where he was responsible for the establishment of the Silicon Valley office, as well as all direct and fund investments. Mr. Gillard spent five years with Mitsubishi Corporation, managing venture investment and business development activities with a specific focus on cleantech. Mr. Gillard also served as General Partner of Pangaea Ventures Ltd., an impact investor with a focus on deeptech, and co-founder and CEO of UpperStage.Capital, an impact-focused lower middle market private equity firm. In his 20s, he was a serial entrepreneur in software and media, who began his career in investment banking, structuring lower middle market mergers and acquisitions as well as manufacturing technology joint ventures into China.

Mr. Gillard is co-founder and chair of Foresight Canada, which has grown to national scale over the last twelve years, becoming Canada’s largest cleantech accelerator with over 1,500 client companies to date. He is a venture partner with Pioneera Ventures, a member of the advisory board of the Lifeboat Foundation, a board committee member of the Canadian Venture Capital Association, a voting committee member of Canada’s Best Private Boards, and a mentor with the Scotiabank Women Initiative. He has served as chair of Vestaron, and director of Talius, Keela, Hazel Technologies, NewLeaf Symbiotics, Advanced BioNutrition, Sciona, SDCmaterials, and other companies. Mr. Gillard served on the advisory boards of ARCH Venture Partners, Chrysalix Venture Capital, and NGEN Partners. He served as advisor to the World Economic Forum on sustainability and collaborative innovation in chemicals and materials, speaking at Davos in 2020. He is the co-author of “Inside The Minds: Best Practices for Energy Venture Capital.” Outside of work, he is a high-energy father of three, cyclist, and an internationally-charting, twice-nominated Canadian Independent Music Award winner.

Joey O’Brien is an award-winning serial entrepreneur who has been owning and developing businesses since he was 19 years old. He is co-founder, president and chair of Sustaero, building Canada’s first billion-litre sustainable aviation fuel production capacity, as well as Vice Chair of both the Bow Valley Green Energy Co-op and Rocky Mountain Community Energy.

Mr. O’Brien’s career started with acquiring the Martock ski resort in Nova Scotia in 1979 at age 19. Year 1 had 250% growth and year 2 had another 150%. By age 21 he had approximately 200 staff. After 25 years, it was a stable business with just under 300 staff. He sold it to one of his staff in 2003. 

Mr. O’Brien has rejuvenated three more alpine resorts in western Canada, include Fortress Mountain Resort, Baldy Mountain Resort and then Pass PowderKeg. He also served as Manager of Community Services for the Community of Crowsnest Pass. He improved the cost recovery of the 21 budgets he was responsible for from 25% to 39% in 24 months. 

Mr. O’Brien has served on over 50 boards and committees over a 47-year period, presently serving as chair of the sustainability committee of the Rotary Club of Canmore, Vice Chair of Bow Valley Green Energy Co-op, Vice Chair of Rocky Mountain Community Energy, and the Bow Valley Developers Association sustainability committee. He co-founded and served as CEO of SustainAgro and as president of SustainDriven, and co-chaired the sustainability committee of the 2014 Banff Canmore Alberta Winter Games, the most sustainable multi-sport event in history. He has been Sustainability Director for the Banff Marathon since 2014, where he led the process to become the first Canadian entity and 80th in the world to be awarded a partnership under the UNFCCC Sport for Climate Action call for leadership. The Banff Marathon remains one of only three entities in Canada that meets the revised targets as a result of the sixth IPCC report. He continues to advise the Town of Banff on their GHG goals. In 1997, he won the Ernst & Young Atlantic Canada Entrepreneur of the Year in the services category; in 2019, he won the Green Sports Alliance Innovator of the Year (pictured), and in 2023 was inducted into the Atlantic Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance Hall of Fame.  Outside of work, Mr. O’Brien is an active skier and a proud grandfather, whose grandchildren help motivate his career focus on environmental sustainability. 

Scott Travers is an innovative senior business leader with more than 30 years’ domestic and international experience in manufacturing and consulting, with a focus on economic and business development, environmental sustainability, pulp and paper, aquaculture, and the energy sector. He is highly effective operating at the corporate level and in global markets, and has been successful in building corporate and ethical cultures, as well as coaching, consulting, mentoring, and training executive, financial, operational, and sales teams. Mr. Travers is entrepreneurial in spirit and well-versed in governmental policy and regulations, with a large professional network and close connections within the investment community, private and government sectors. He is an accomplished public speaker with exceptional communication skills, including being functional in French. Mr. Travers is an assertive, goal-oriented strategic thinker with repeated success in building profitable solutions and corporate growth through environmental and renewable energy solutions.

Mr. Travers is the past chair of the Pulp & Paper Technical Association of Canada, and past chair of the Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy. He was President and COO of Minas Basin Pulp and Power Company Limited, as well as General Manager and VP Operations for Newton Falls Fine Paper Company. He served as Director of Woodland Biofuels, Tignish Initiatives, Nova Scotia Business Inc., Seaforth Energy, Carib-Regen Barbados, Maritime Tidal Energy Corp., Nova Renew Inc.. In 2005, he was recognized by Progress Magazine as a Top 50 CEO. 

Mr. Travers has his Bachelor of Engineering from Dalhousie University and completed the Ivey Executive Program at Western University. He is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers of Nova Scotia. Outside of work, he is a pilot who builds his own aircraft, a certified scuba diver, and a licensed pyrotechnician.

Ryan Houston is the Chief Operating Officer of Sustaero Inc., responsible for overseeing operational execution across the company’s sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) infrastructure projects. A Red Seal Electrician with more than 20 years of experience in industrial operations, project delivery, and workforce leadership, he brings a disciplined, team-focused approach to developing complex, capital-intensive infrastructure.

Mr. Houston began his leadership journey in electrical automation with Convergint Technologies, where he transitioned from technical field work into operations management. There, he managed large-scale service contracts and infrastructure installations for clients such as Suncor and the GoA, gaining early experience in coordinating teams, managing subcontractors, and executing work scopes in industrial environments. This role sparked his long-term focus on operational systems, team structure, and client performance.

He advanced to Acuren Group Inc., initially serving as Turnaround Manager, where he led over 300 project staff through the 24/7 execution of major shutdowns in the Northern Alberta Oilsands. Through an acquisition Mr. Houston was later promoted to Director of Industrial Services for Remote Access Technology (RAT), overseeing more than 220 highly skilled rope access staff, and holding full responsibility for budget, strategic planning, and service execution across clients including Suncor main plant, Suncor Firebag, Syncrude, CNRL, Shell, Kearl, Cenovus, Husky, and MEG Energy. His leadership was grounded in operational discipline, team accountability, and continuous improvement of service delivery in high-risk, high-performance settings.

As Director of Industrial Services at Remote Access Technology, Mr. Houston was part of the senior management team that introduced and scaled rope access as a service offering across Alberta’s oil sands. Under his leadership, the division expanded from a single site to nine major industrial locations, achieving more than 80% revenue growth in under two years. This success demonstrated his ability to operationalize new service models, build strong field teams, and align delivery with client and commercial objectives in highly technical environments.

At Sustaero, Mr. Houston leads the company’s overall project delivery strategy, with responsibility for permitting, infrastructure development, site readiness, supply chain coordination, and contractor execution. He works closely with the CTO and engineering teams to ensure that technical designs are translated into practical, buildable solutions that meet regulatory, commercial, and investor expectations. His leadership style emphasizes team trust, cross-functional alignment, and clear accountability at every stage of development.

Joachim Stroink is a Canadian community leader, entrepreneur, and former provincial politician best known for his work advancing sustainable development, creative industry growth, and inclusive community programs across Nova Scotia. Joachim Stroink has built a diverse professional career spanning entrepreneurship, public policy, and nonprofit leadership.

Born in Montreal, Mr. Stroink grew up in Halifax and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Geography from Saint Mary’s University in 1999. His early experiences with learning disabilities helped shape his lifelong advocacy for inclusive education and support systems.

Mr. Stroink was elected in 2013 as the Liberal Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Halifax Chebucto, serving until 2017. As Chair of the Standing Committee on Economic Development, he championed innovation in ocean technology and clean energy, and worked to reform commercial tax policy for small businesses by helping amend the Halifax Regional Municipality Charter.

He was a key advocate in reshaping the province’s support for the film and television sector following the closure of the traditional Film Tax Credit. Mr. Stroink played a leading role in creating a dialogue between government and industry stakeholders, resulting in the development of the Nova Scotia Film and Television Production Incentive Fund—which provided a sustainable model for local and international film production in the province.

Deeply involved in volunteerism and social advocacy, Mr. Stroink served as President of the Learning Disabilities Association of Nova Scotia, using his own experience with ADHD and dyslexia to raise awareness and resources for youth.

He co-founded Brigadoon Village, a year-round camp for children living with chronic illnesses, and initiated Brigaswim, a high-profile fundraising swim around Georges Island. Mr. Stroink was also instrumental in launching the Blue Nose Marathon, acting as its first Race Director from 2004 to 2008, and continues to volunteer with the event.

Mr. Stroink co-owned and operated The Trail Shop, a Nova Scotian outdoor equipment retailer. Under his leadership, the business expanded its customer base and strengthened its reputation as a community-driven enterprise. He also co-founded Rackology, a company specializing in customized vehicle racks and adventure gear solutions. Both ventures showcased his entrepreneurial acumen, culminating in a successful exit from Rackology, demonstrating his ability to scale and strategically transition businesses.

In addition to his work in retail, Mr. Stroink has worked extensively at the intersection of government, sustainability, and innovation. He currently serves as the Chief Government & Global Relations Officer at Sustaero, a company dedicated to advancing sustainable aviation fuel bio-based inputs and regenerative practices. In this role, Mr. Stroink oversees policy engagement, international partnerships, and government affairs, bridging the gap between scientific innovation and practical implementation.

Beyond the private sector, he is deeply involved in national sport development. Mr. Stroink has served on the board of Climbing Escalade Canada since 2019, becoming Board Chair in 2022. 

Throughout his professional life, Mr. Stroink has maintained a focus on building inclusive systems, promoting environmental responsibility, and fostering youth engagement—principles that continue to shape his approach to leadership in both business and community.

With nearly four decades of experience across various facets of the international capital markets, Paul Walton brings a wealth of expertise to Chatsworth. His background spans investment banking, equity research, investment strategy and consulting.  He has significant expertise in technology, green energy ventures, and the dynamic world of crypto / blockchain.

Early in his career, Mr. Walton held pivotal roles as an investment strategist in London, working closely with the investment teams at firms such as SG Warburg, James Capel, Schroders, Goldman Sachs, and Merrill Lynch. More recently, he spearheaded business development efforts in New York for the London Stock Exchange. He has also assisted in marketing a private
derivative fund associated with renowned Yale and MIT economist Steve Ross, and for factor-
based investment guru Vijay Vaidyanathan, both influential figures in their fields.

Additionally, he provided strategic counsel to a leading blockchain company, a green hydrogen producer, and a cryptocurrency venture. Academically accomplished, Mr. Walton earned honours in Philosophy from Victoria University of Manchester and holds a Master’s Degree in Economics from the University of London. His early career also included contributions to the Financial Times.  He is a dual national citizen of the UK and US.

Priya Parkash is a seasoned finance and risk professional with extensive experience in audit, internal controls, and power markets. She has developed robust risk frameworks and enhanced governance practices to ensure compliance and strategic growth. Notably, she has conducted audit engagements for publicly traded companies and delivered SOX internal control testing (Methanex), ensuring transparency and reliability in financial reporting. She has also managed a portfolio of trading partners (Powerex, CWP Energy), leveraging market insights to optimize performance and mitigate exposures using collateral management. Ms. Parkash has built and implemented automation tools with IT developers to support monthly financial reporting and business process mapping, streamlining operations and enabling data-driven decision-making in a complex energy environment.

Ms. Parkash leverages her audit expertise to strengthen governance practices, ensure transparent financial reporting, and instill a culture of continuous improvement. Her ability to translate market and regulatory data into a comprehensive narrative enables businesses into actionable strategies.

Ms. Parkash is a CPA and CA, with Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting from the University of British Columbia.

Michelle Hunt is a proven operations wizard with over 20 years of experience making things run smoother, faster, and smarter. As VP Administration at Sustaero, she keeps projects on track, teams in sync, and systems humming—bringing structure to the inevitable chaos of a startup without ever losing her sense of humour.

Before joining Sustaero, Ms. Hunt led operations across a mix of sectors—from national retail chains to niche consultancies. As Director of Business Operations at Foresight, Canada’s largest cleantech accelerator, she helped scale programs and systems that support some of the country’s most promising climate innovators. Her wide-ranging experience across startups, nonprofits, and small businesses gives her the agility and strategic depth to handle just about any challenge that comes her way.

Known for her sharp attention to detail, creative problem-solving, logic and unshakable calm under pressure, Ms. Hunt leads with clarity, accountability, and a genuine focus on helping people do their best work.

Outside the office, Ms. Hunt is a certified competition curling coach, a Level 3 curling ice technician, and a licensed pyrotechnician. She also conducts a local Royal Canadian Air Cadet Band and leads a junior curling program—proof that her ability to orchestrate teams and keep things moving extends far beyond the workplace.

Ms. Wei has worked with CEO Keith Gillard since 2020 at both CLEARink Displays and Talius. She served as Global Talent Development Head for Phillips Corporation, in an HR role there since 2007. She has also served as Manager of HR Solutions for Canadian Tire, and provided HR and business development services to startups. Ms. Wei holds an MBA in Strategy and Finance from the University of Toronto Rotman School of Management, a Human Resources Management Graduate Certificate with High Honours from Seneca College, and a Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics from York University. She holds a CPHR designation and is active in the ALS Society of BC and of Canada. Ms. Wei’s role is initially part-time and will scale as do SUSTAERO’s needs.