The Future of Manufacturing in Canada
Roundtable Luncheon with Mike Kilfoil, Jayson Myers and Irene Sterian
Sponsored by:
Michael Kilfoil, Program Director, Advanced Manufacturing, National Research Council Canada
Michael (Mike) Kilfoil is the Director of the National Research Council’s Advanced Manufacturing Program.
Mike has been with NRC for more than 20 years in various roles including mechanical design engineer, performance manager and as Director General.
Mike has supported research and technology development in aerospace, automotive, mining, construction, astrophysics, metrology, medical devices, and oceans technologies.
Mike has an extensive background in business management, mechanical engineering, and project management with a breadth of experience having worked in the manufacturing, mining, and agriculture sectors before joining NRC.
Mike holds a Master’s in Business Management (MBA) from Athabasca University, a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (B.Eng) from Memorial University of Newfoundland, has been a member (P.Eng) of the Professional Engineers of Ontario (PEO) since 2003 and holds a professional designation in Performance Management.
Jayson Myers, Chief Executive Officer, NGen (Next Generation Manufacturing Canada)
Jayson is an award-winning business economist specializing in industrial and technological change and is widely recognized as an influential policy advocate in Canada. He is an advisor to both private and public sector leaders, and has counselled Canadian prime ministers and premiers as well as senior corporate executives and policymakers around the world.
Jayson has more than 25 years’ experience building alliances among businesses, academic institutions, as well as community, labour, and advocacy organizations. Between 2007 and 2016, he served as President & CEO of Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, Canada’s largest industry and trade association. He was also the founding Chair of the Canadian Manufacturing Coalition, Vice Chair of Canada’s National Roundtable on Skills, and Vice Chair of the Ontario and Great Lakes Manufacturing Councils.
Jayson studied at Queen’s University and the University of British Columbia in Canada, as well as at the London School of Economics and Oxford University in the United Kingdom. He has held appointments as a Research Fellow at Nuffield College, Oxford, and as a lecturer in politics, economics, and international studies at both Oxford and the University of Warwick.
Irene Sterian, President & Chief Executive Officer, ReMAP (Refined Manufacturing Acceleration Process)
Irene Sterian is a successful engineering executive and technology leader with a distinguished career in manufacturing. Irene presents significant accomplishments in engineering management and a pioneer of environmentally safe, sustainable manufacturing technologies. She is the Founder, President & CEO of ReMAP, a $50M+ not-for-profit tech ecosystem that accelerates the commercialization of innovations developed in Canada for the global market. Irene demonstrates incredible creative vision with the ability to forge successful large-scale, cross-sector partnerships resulting in unprecedented investments in Canadian electronics and research initiatives for the healthcare, energy, telecom and aerospace sectors. Irene has been a regular contributor of global manufacturing standards at international associations through several board membership and steering committee appointments.
Key accomplishments:
- Patent in high density, high performance memory circuit packaging
- Recipient of Canada’s 2018 WISE 50/50 Entrepreneur Award
- Named one of Canada’s 2018 Inspiring 50: Women in STEM
- Professional Engineers of Ontario 2019 Medal for Management
Canada’s manufacturing sector has historically been at the forefront of steady job creation, sustaining the middle class, while providing economic growth and revenue across the country. With an abundance of new international trade agreements and shifting regional balances, these past few decades has drastically altered Canada’s manufacturing landscape. Is its future as bleak as some are predicting, left to fade into oblivion as other countries reap the benefits of this lucrative sector? Or is Canada poised to become a leader in advanced manufacturing, utilizing its skilled workforce, abundance of technology start-ups and innovative thinking to grasp and master the future? Join our panel of experts as they discuss the numerous possibilities, challenges and rewards that can be ours!
Mike Kilfoil, Flagship Program Leader, Factory of The Future, National Research Council Canada
Jayson Myers, Chief Executive Officer, NGen (Next Generation Manufacturing Canada)
Irene Sterian, President & Chief Executive Officer, ReMAP (Refined Manufacturing Acceleration Process)
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