Catherine Brownlee is the President and CEO of CBI Business Solutions and a Calgary-based executive, entrepreneur and community builder with more than 30 years of leadership experience across business, professional services, associations and civic initiatives.

A highly engaged, relationship-driven leader and hands-on operator, Catherine is known for building trust across community, government and business. Throughout her career, she has brought together organizations, boards, teams, volunteers, donors and partners; created revenue and fundraising pathways; and turned ambitious ideas into disciplined execution. She has successfully led concurrent mandates by building strong teams, establishing clear accountability and remaining focused on strategy, people, relationships and results.

Catherine has built an international network of more than 95,000 contacts, reflecting her longstanding ability to connect people, organizations and opportunities. Deeply rooted in Alberta, she also co-founded the 2026 revival of Heritage Park’s 69-year Stampede breakfast tradition, now the Legacy Stampede Breakfast.

Recognized by her peers for her leadership, Catherine was named among the top five Women of Influence in 2009 and 2010 and has received two Paul Harris Awards through Rotary. She regularly presents career and business development seminars and is the co-author of three bestselling books, including Want to Work in Oil and Gas?, Cat’s Tips to Get the Job of Your Dreams, and How to Sell in Any Economy, which reached number one on Amazon in multiple categories on its first day of release.

Outside of her professional work, Catherine is actively involved in the community through the Rotary Club of Calgary. Her interests include business, politics, technology and artificial intelligence, human rights, and the people, stories and traditions that have shaped Alberta communities.

Shondell Sabad, CFA, is a senior leader at CBI Business Solutions with more than two decades of executive experience in finance, operations, sustainability, and enterprise growth.

A Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and seasoned CEO and CFO, Shondell brings deep expertise in financial governance, operational execution, and value creation strategy. His work spans capital raising, ESG readiness, IFRS S1 and S2 and CSDS, risk management, and enterprise optimization for mid-market organizations.

He currently serves as President and CEO of a Canadian clean fuel company developing Indigenous-partnered, TRL9-validated biofuels projects. His experience also includes initiatives across clean energy, mining, oil and gas, and emerging technologies, with a consistent focus on sustainability and long-term economic development.

At CBI, Shondell works closely with leadership to deliver strategic insight and high-impact talent solutions. His analytical approach and collaborative style help clients navigate complex challenges and achieve meaningful, results-driven outcomes.

Paul Marcuk is an operations and project management leader with more than 25 years of experience spanning business operations, event management, technology, team development and organizational growth. He is known for solving complex problems, building practical systems and turning ideas into disciplined execution.

As Operations Manager at CBI Business Solutions, Paul oversees organizational operations and supports a broad range of business initiatives, including digital systems, website development, communications, client projects, and the planning and execution of executive-level events connecting leaders from business, industry, government and the community.

Paul also serves as Managing Director of the Alberta Business Alliance, overseeing day-to-day operations and helping build the organization’s membership program, events, digital infrastructure, business processes and member experience.

His career includes leadership roles with Alberta Enterprise Group and nearly two decades with Laser Quest, where he progressed to General Manager and National Trainer, developing teams, improving operations and strengthening business performance.

Outside of work, Paul enjoys fishing, practising karate and volunteering in his community.

Jennifer Hadley brings more than 20 years of experience in marketing, event planning, operations, and business management. Her diverse background provides her with a practical understanding of the opportunities and challenges organizations face, from business ownership and leadership to team collaboration and execution.

Jennifer is recognized for her strengths in strategic planning, stakeholder relationship management, leadership, and creative execution. She has successfully led teams, developed marketing initiatives, built strategic partnerships, and planned and delivered impactful events across a variety of industries.

Passionate about continuous learning and professional growth, Jennifer is committed to helping organizations achieve meaningful results through collaboration, innovation, and thoughtful execution. She thrives in environments that value high standards, creative problem-solving, and building strong relationships that contribute to long-term success.

Cathie Saroka is a seasoned CEO and leadership advisor with more than three decades of experience. As former CEO of Goldray Glass, she transformed the organization into one of North America’s leading architectural glass manufacturers.

As a fractional CEO and consultant, Cathie provides clarity, leadership alignment, strategic planning, and cultural transformation support. She is known for her practical and direct approach that strengthens teams and accelerates performance.

With more than 30 years in public policy, government leadership, and political strategy, Kelley Charlebois brings deep expertise navigating Alberta’s public, private, and nonprofit sectors. A former Chief of Staff across four provincial ministries and past Executive Director of the PC Party of Alberta, Kelley helps clients design and implement successful government engagement, regulatory navigation, and stakeholder strategies.

Stan Peake brings more than two decades of experience guiding executives, leadership teams, and organizations toward high-performance results. He specializes in executive coaching, business coaching, leadership development, corporate facilitation, and team workshops.

Stan is known for his ability to translate strategy into actionable outcomes, strengthen leadership capacity, and foster collaboration across complex organizations. He also delivers keynote presentations and professional development sessions that inspire teams and drive measurable impact.

With more than 30 years of HR leadership and consulting experience, Jan Nighswander has led organizational transformations across the energy, health, regulatory, retail, engineering, and education sectors. She has built HR functions from the ground up, guided companies through deregulation and restructuring, and supported leaders in strategy execution, engagement, and team development.

Roxanne Kirton is an experienced administration and operations leader with more than 25 years across nonprofit, corporate, and commercial environments. She brings strong capabilities in team leadership, project coordination, stakeholder engagement, and community relations.

Roxanne has held senior roles including Marketing Director, Shopping Centre Manager, Business Development Manager, and Sponsorship Manager. She has overseen multimillion-dollar budgets, operational teams, volunteer programs, and major events.

She is known for her practical, people-focused approach that strengthens operations, enhances organizational efficiency, and supports leaders in delivering measurable outcomes.

Matthew O’Connor spent nearly a decade in newsrooms developing a strong foundation in storytelling, critical thinking, and clear communication. Today, he helps organizations apply those same principles to navigate complex issues and communicate with clarity and impact.

His career spans senior communications roles with Fortune 500 companies including PETRONAS and Imperial Oil (ExxonMobil), as well as Ernst & Young, the Red Cross, the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, and the Canadian Energy Pipeline Association. He has also worked closely with the Tsuut’ina Nation and Tsuut’ina Nation Police Service, leading communications efforts both domestically and internationally.

Matthew’s approach is grounded in strategic research, audience insight, and strong relationship building. Known for his authenticity and compassion, he supports organizations, governments, and leaders in developing effective communication strategies that resonate and deliver results.

Dr. Tammy Nemeth provides ESG² consulting, helping organizations understand and address challenges at the intersection of energy, security, and geopolitics. Her work supports leaders navigating increasingly complex global environments where environmental, social, and governance considerations are closely tied to geopolitical risk and energy systems.

With a focus on practical insight and strategic clarity, Tammy helps organizations strengthen decision-making, manage risk, and align their operations with evolving ESG and global security dynamics.