Mike Greenley
MDA
Chief Executive Officer
Mike Greenley is the Chief Executive Officer of MDA. Founded in 1969, MDA is an international space mission partner and a robotics, satellite systems and geointelligence pioneer with a 50 year story of firsts on and above the Earth. MDA is a publically traded company on the Toronto Stock Exchange that is headquartered in Canada.
Mr. Greenley oversees more than 2,700 employees across Canada at locations including Brampton, Kanata and Nepean, ON; Richmond, BC; Montreal, QC; and Halifax, NS; as well as the company’s operations in Houston, TX, and the United Kingdom.
Before joining MDA in early 2018, Mr. Greenley was Sector President of L-3 WESCAM, a provider of systems for defence, homeland security and law enforcement. From 2013 to 2016, he served as Vice President and General Manager of CAE Canada, supporting defence and security markets. From 2008 to 2013 he served first as Vice President, Strategy and Business Development for General Dynamics (GD) Canada, then as Vice President, International for GD Mission Systems. From 2004 to 2008, he was Vice President of the modeling and simulation business at CAE. Mr. Greenley has over 25 years of experience in the defence and security business, with broad experience serving the Land, Air, Maritime, Joint, and Public Safety sectors.
Mr. Greenley is the Chair of Space Canada and recently served as the Vice-Chair of the Government of Canada’s Economic Strategy Table for Advanced Manufacturing. He served as Chairman of the Board of the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI) for six years, and as a Board Member of the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC) and the Ontario Aerospace Council. He was previously Chairman of the Advisory Board for Defence and Security Export to the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) in Canada, and was a member of the Industry Advisory Boards to Department of National Defence, Defence R&D Canada, Public Services and Procurement Canada, and the CEO of the Export Development Canada (EDC).
Mr. Greenley has been recognized for his business and community leadership as an Ottawa Top 40 under 40 business leader, a PROFIT 100 CEO for leading one of Canada’s fastest growing companies for three years running, and as a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for service to peers and country in the defence sector.
MDA
Chief Executive Officer
Mike Greenley is the Chief Executive Officer of MDA. Founded in 1969, MDA is an international space mission partner and a robotics, satellite systems and geointelligence pioneer with a 50 year story of firsts on and above the Earth. MDA is a publically traded company on the Toronto Stock Exchange that is headquartered in Canada.
Mr. Greenley oversees more than 2,700 employees across Canada at locations including Brampton, Kanata and Nepean, ON; Richmond, BC; Montreal, QC; and Halifax, NS; as well as the company’s operations in Houston, TX, and the United Kingdom.
Before joining MDA in early 2018, Mr. Greenley was Sector President of L-3 WESCAM, a provider of systems for defence, homeland security and law enforcement. From 2013 to 2016, he served as Vice President and General Manager of CAE Canada, supporting defence and security markets. From 2008 to 2013 he served first as Vice President, Strategy and Business Development for General Dynamics (GD) Canada, then as Vice President, International for GD Mission Systems. From 2004 to 2008, he was Vice President of the modeling and simulation business at CAE. Mr. Greenley has over 25 years of experience in the defence and security business, with broad experience serving the Land, Air, Maritime, Joint, and Public Safety sectors.
Mr. Greenley is the Chair of Space Canada and recently served as the Vice-Chair of the Government of Canada’s Economic Strategy Table for Advanced Manufacturing. He served as Chairman of the Board of the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI) for six years, and as a Board Member of the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC) and the Ontario Aerospace Council. He was previously Chairman of the Advisory Board for Defence and Security Export to the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) in Canada, and was a member of the Industry Advisory Boards to Department of National Defence, Defence R&D Canada, Public Services and Procurement Canada, and the CEO of the Export Development Canada (EDC).
Mr. Greenley has been recognized for his business and community leadership as an Ottawa Top 40 under 40 business leader, a PROFIT 100 CEO for leading one of Canada’s fastest growing companies for three years running, and as a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for service to peers and country in the defence sector.
Minda Suchan, Ph.D
MDA
Vice President of Geointelligence
Minda Suchan, Ph.D. is a currently the Vice President of Geointelligence at MDA, where she is responsible for the Geointelligence business area focused on geospatial systems, services, and analytics, primarily based in the Richmond BC and Halifax NS facilities. Dr. Suchan has extensive leadership background in the US defence and intelligence community with experience in business execution and operations, strategy and business development, acquisition integration, engineering management, and technology portfolio investments, while leveraging innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence.
Dr. Suchan is a long-time advocate for women in technology, and has a number of professional
affiliations, including her prior work with the Raytheon El Segundo Women’s Network. She served as a co-chair for the Women in Aerospace (WIA) Conference, and both a member of Women in Technology (WIT) and Women in Defense (WID). Dr. Suchan is also on the board of trustees for St. Catherine University, focused on advanced education for women. Dr. Suchan earned a B.A. in Mathematics and Chemistry from the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, MN, followed by a Ph.D. in Chemical Physics at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA.
MDA
Vice President of Geointelligence
Minda Suchan, Ph.D. is a currently the Vice President of Geointelligence at MDA, where she is responsible for the Geointelligence business area focused on geospatial systems, services, and analytics, primarily based in the Richmond BC and Halifax NS facilities. Dr. Suchan has extensive leadership background in the US defence and intelligence community with experience in business execution and operations, strategy and business development, acquisition integration, engineering management, and technology portfolio investments, while leveraging innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence.
Dr. Suchan is a long-time advocate for women in technology, and has a number of professional
affiliations, including her prior work with the Raytheon El Segundo Women’s Network. She served as a co-chair for the Women in Aerospace (WIA) Conference, and both a member of Women in Technology (WIT) and Women in Defense (WID). Dr. Suchan is also on the board of trustees for St. Catherine University, focused on advanced education for women. Dr. Suchan earned a B.A. in Mathematics and Chemistry from the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, MN, followed by a Ph.D. in Chemical Physics at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA.
David Valdez
ICEYE
Director of Product
As the Director of Product at ICEYE U.S., Dave Valdez is responsible for the development and enhancement of the product line to meet the remote sensing needs of current customers and attract future customers with anticipated demands. He joined ICEYE U.S. in 2022 during a period of significant corporate expansion in both the U.S. and Finland, where several new Synthetic Aperture Radar small satellites were placed in orbit.
Before joining ICEYE U.S., Dave Valdez accumulated over 15 years of experience as a Department of Defense civilian employee at the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA). During his tenure at NGA, he held various positions within the Innovision and Research directorate. Most notably, Dave oversaw initiatives in machine learning, large-scale GEOINT processing, and data curation related to SAR efforts.
ICEYE
Director of Product
As the Director of Product at ICEYE U.S., Dave Valdez is responsible for the development and enhancement of the product line to meet the remote sensing needs of current customers and attract future customers with anticipated demands. He joined ICEYE U.S. in 2022 during a period of significant corporate expansion in both the U.S. and Finland, where several new Synthetic Aperture Radar small satellites were placed in orbit.
Before joining ICEYE U.S., Dave Valdez accumulated over 15 years of experience as a Department of Defense civilian employee at the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA). During his tenure at NGA, he held various positions within the Innovision and Research directorate. Most notably, Dave oversaw initiatives in machine learning, large-scale GEOINT processing, and data curation related to SAR efforts.
Andrew House
Sparkgeo
VP, Business Development
Andrew, originally from the scenic western coast of Newfoundland, earned his Bachelor of Science in Geography (Remote Sensing) from Memorial University Of Newfoundland. He ventured to Calgary and embarked on a notable career at Itres, a hyperspectral remote sensing technology firm, where he excelled in roles ranging from international airborne surveys to managing the client services department over a period of eight years. Andrew later contributed as a short-term board member at Itres.
Following this impactful chapter, Andrew embraced an exciting opportunity at TECTERRA, an influential not-for-profit organization based in Calgary focused on investment in Canada’s geospatial sector. At TECTERRA, Andrew quickly demonstrated his industry insights and leadership skills and ascended to the esteemed positions of Program Director and Chair of the Project Advisory Committee.
In 2022, Andrew stepped into the VP of Business Development role at Sparkgeo, showcasing his strategic vision and leadership in the geospatial technology sector. This role marked a pivotal point in his career, allowing him to leverage his expertise further and drive impactful growth within the industry.
Sparkgeo
VP, Business Development
Andrew, originally from the scenic western coast of Newfoundland, earned his Bachelor of Science in Geography (Remote Sensing) from Memorial University Of Newfoundland. He ventured to Calgary and embarked on a notable career at Itres, a hyperspectral remote sensing technology firm, where he excelled in roles ranging from international airborne surveys to managing the client services department over a period of eight years. Andrew later contributed as a short-term board member at Itres.
Following this impactful chapter, Andrew embraced an exciting opportunity at TECTERRA, an influential not-for-profit organization based in Calgary focused on investment in Canada’s geospatial sector. At TECTERRA, Andrew quickly demonstrated his industry insights and leadership skills and ascended to the esteemed positions of Program Director and Chair of the Project Advisory Committee.
In 2022, Andrew stepped into the VP of Business Development role at Sparkgeo, showcasing his strategic vision and leadership in the geospatial technology sector. This role marked a pivotal point in his career, allowing him to leverage his expertise further and drive impactful growth within the industry.
George Facaeru
Spire Global Inc.
Maritime Sales Director
With 18 years of diverse professional experience spanning the Public and Private Sectors, I have become a sales and business development expert by leveraging my experience in integrated security solutions and unmanned aerial vehicles. Since 2018, I've proudly represented Spire Global as a Senior Sales Director for Maritime. Presently, I lead the Enterprise & Government Clients Team to drive further success. My career embodies a commitment to excellence, innovation, and delivering exceptional results across various domains.
Spire Global Inc.
Maritime Sales Director
With 18 years of diverse professional experience spanning the Public and Private Sectors, I have become a sales and business development expert by leveraging my experience in integrated security solutions and unmanned aerial vehicles. Since 2018, I've proudly represented Spire Global as a Senior Sales Director for Maritime. Presently, I lead the Enterprise & Government Clients Team to drive further success. My career embodies a commitment to excellence, innovation, and delivering exceptional results across various domains.
Ian Lifshitz
The Americas for Asia Paper and Pulp
Head, Sustainability and Public Affairs,
Ian Lifshitz currently serves as Head, Sustainability and Public Affairs, The Americas for Asia Paper and Pulp
With over 25 years of experience in strategic communications, Ian Lifshitz has consulted with many international organizations across a variety of sectors including not-for-profit, healthcare, technology and commodity-driven industries to develop environmental and corporate social responsibility programs.
Since joining Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) in 2010 as the Stakeholder Relations Manager for North America, Ian has taken on increasingly significant responsibilities and is responsible for driving and promoting many of APP’s conservation, biodiversity, social and community programs to a wide range of stakeholders.
In Ian’s current role at APP, Ian oversees the company’s sustainability, marketing, and public affairs programs across all three geographies. Ian remains instrumental in driving APP’s commitment to sustainability as he continues to foster meaningful stakeholder engagements and further sustainability efforts.
The Americas for Asia Paper and Pulp
Head, Sustainability and Public Affairs,
Ian Lifshitz currently serves as Head, Sustainability and Public Affairs, The Americas for Asia Paper and Pulp
With over 25 years of experience in strategic communications, Ian Lifshitz has consulted with many international organizations across a variety of sectors including not-for-profit, healthcare, technology and commodity-driven industries to develop environmental and corporate social responsibility programs.
Since joining Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) in 2010 as the Stakeholder Relations Manager for North America, Ian has taken on increasingly significant responsibilities and is responsible for driving and promoting many of APP’s conservation, biodiversity, social and community programs to a wide range of stakeholders.
In Ian’s current role at APP, Ian oversees the company’s sustainability, marketing, and public affairs programs across all three geographies. Ian remains instrumental in driving APP’s commitment to sustainability as he continues to foster meaningful stakeholder engagements and further sustainability efforts.
Olivier Michel
Unseenlabs
VP Sales
Olivier is VP Sales at Unseenlabs. He has a great knowledge regarding public and private maritime stakeholders’ needs. For almost 5 years, Olivier has been making his knowledge and expertise, and promoting Unseenlabs' innovative maritime surveillance solution to public and private actors, in order to protect marine areas and ensure safety at sea.
Unseenlabs
VP Sales
Olivier is VP Sales at Unseenlabs. He has a great knowledge regarding public and private maritime stakeholders’ needs. For almost 5 years, Olivier has been making his knowledge and expertise, and promoting Unseenlabs' innovative maritime surveillance solution to public and private actors, in order to protect marine areas and ensure safety at sea.
Julie Baker
Ursa Space System
Co-founder
Julie Baker co-founded Ursa Space Systems in 2014 to connect satellite-derived insights with decision makers around the globe. As Ursa’s Chief Operating Officer and member of its board of directors, Julie has built diverse, interdisciplinary teams across the company. As a co-founder, she has worn multiple hats since the company’s start and currently works with the technical teams at Ursa to build and deliver products and services to the growing number of customers in global security, maritime, utilities, energy and finance sectors.
Ursa Space System
Co-founder
Julie Baker co-founded Ursa Space Systems in 2014 to connect satellite-derived insights with decision makers around the globe. As Ursa’s Chief Operating Officer and member of its board of directors, Julie has built diverse, interdisciplinary teams across the company. As a co-founder, she has worn multiple hats since the company’s start and currently works with the technical teams at Ursa to build and deliver products and services to the growing number of customers in global security, maritime, utilities, energy and finance sectors.