2025 Keynotes

Matt Knight, Alberta Business Family Institute

Keynote - Tuesday Afternoon

Matt Knight is the Executive Director of the Alberta Business Family Institute, where he leads innovative research, educational programs and outreach that empower business families and advisors. With over 17 years of experience in leadership, strategy consulting, and family business management, Matt brings expertise in strategy development, governance, and facilitation. His work focuseso n helping family businesses navigate succession, growth, and operational challenges.

In addition to his role at ABFI, Matt is an Impact Investor and Entrepreneur in Residence with Spring and a lecture at the University of Alberta, sharing insights on managing family businesses and consulting business families in both undergraduate and MBA programs. His credentials include an MBA, FEA designation, and an ICD.D, equipping him to support family businesses and boards with practical knowledge and deep industry insights.

Chris Cassin, Zero Point Cryogenics

Panelist - Tuesday Afternoon

Many people talk about making a difference in the world. Senior Wealth Manager and Certified financial planner, Petra Remy, just gets out there and does it! A tireless advocate for life long learning, Petra obtained her Masters while a single mom raising two daughters, and then just kept right on going, eventually amassing 18 years of financial experience as a “retirement readiness” investment specialist, growing her successful team of financial experts from 7 to 57 in exemplary time!

An avid philanthropist, Petra donates her “spare” time and formidable talents to an entire array of worthy causes and pursuits, from chairing conferences, to running fundraisers, as well as serving as an executive board member for organizations as varied as the Rotary Club, Toastmasters International and BNI. Passionate about helping her clients achieve their dreams of financial independence, Petra is especially committed to socially conscious investing in corporate entities operating in alignment with enlightened values that make for a more positive community while reducing the risk of her clients portfolios. All in all, it seems apparent that the legacy Ms. Remy will leave us… is a better world.

Dave Bodnarchuk, ElectionBuddy

Panelist - Tuesday Afternoon

Dave is the President of ElectionBuddy Inc. Based in Edmonton, ElectionBuddy is a high integrity, cloud-based voting platform that has run over 350,000 votes for candidate elections, bylaw amendments, contract ratifications and motion approvals by remote election and onsite and virtual meetings for Professional Associations, Homeowner Associations, Unions, Universities, Religious Groups and For Profit Companies.

Dave has operational experience in technology, accounting and attestation as the founder of EventIQ and RightLabs. He worked with Apple, KPMG and Oracle. He has extensive governance skills from past board positions with Crimestoppers, Caritas Hospitals Foundation, Kids Upfront, Rural Alberta Development Fund, CPA Alberta Education Foundation and Acetech. He currently is the Chair of the CPA Insurance Plans West and is a member of the A100. Dave enjoys spending time with his wife and family time in Edmonton and Arizona, along with running, professional sports and the occasional technology gadget!

Puneeta McBryan, Edmonton Downtown Business Association

Panelist - Tuesday Afternoon

Puneeta McBryan is the CEO of the Edmonton Downtown Business Association, a role she took on in December of 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, as cities, downtowns and businesses all over the world grappled with the devastating impact of the pandemic and the unknown reality ahead. As the lead convener, connector, and ‘chief optimist’ for Edmonton’s Downtown, Puneeta is working with all three orders of government, the private sector, the arts & cultural and post-secondary sectors, and her city’s social services and nonprofit leaders to help build vibrancy, social well-being, and economic prosperity for her community.

This work has led to her recognition as the Inspired Leader of the Year in 2022 by IABC Edmonton, one of Edmonton’s Top 40 Under 40 by Edify Magazine in 2021, and the recipient of the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce’s 2022 Community Impact Award. Puneeta also serves on the Board of Directors for Health Cities, sits on the Norquest Workforce Advisory Council, and often volunteers her time to work with business students at the University of Alberta School of Business.

Previously, Puneeta was an industry leader in the field of marketing and communications, most recently as the Director of Client Services at ZGM Modern Marketing Partners, Western Canada’s largest independently owned full-service advertising agency.

Brooke Rose, University of Alberta

Panelist - Tuesday Afternoon

Brooke Rose (she/her) is a self-professed charity nerd with more than 15 years of working in healthcare philanthropy. With a Bachelor of Commerce from the UofA, a Masters degree in Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership from Carleton University, and a CFRE (Certified Fundraising Executive) designation, Brooke has dedicated a career to funding medical innovations, research and new treatments that have saved lives around the world. She has raised more than $40 million working for charities in Canada and Australia and looks forward to speaking with RMBS delegates on building a career with purpose. When not raising funds and meeting with donors in the community, Brooke can be found championing EDII at the University of Alberta, on stage doing improv in the city or sneaking in another trip overseas.

Bryan Smith, Bluetrain

Panelist - Tuesday Afternoon

Bryan founded Bluetrain in 2007, growing the firm into a team of over twenty professionals who have provided digital marketing expertise to some of Canada’s most recognized corporate and non-profit brands, including ATB Financial, EPCOR, Canadian Brewhouse, Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation, UNICEF Canada and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). A leader in digital marketing, Bluetrain provides data-driven digital marketing services on an ongoing basis to clients across Canada and the United States. It focuses on offering management of online advertising, SEO, content marketing, social media, and web analytics. Bryan is a digital marketing expert with over 25 years of experience working on hundreds of websites, and managing millions in advertising spend. His professional marketing career began in 1999 as a member of SMART Technologies’ online department in Calgary and continued with his marketing consulting role at Incite in 2001, an Edmonton marketing firm.

With a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Alberta School of Business, Bryan went overseas to work in Europe and did marketing for a U.S. mobile software startup. In 2003, Bryan returned to Edmonton to continue his career, starting a four-year marketing and business development career at Micralyne, a world-leading micro/nanotechnology company. Named a Business in Edmonton Leader and awarded Sherwood Park Chamber Young Entrepreneurial Award, Bryan has overseen 17 years of growth for Bluetrain, is an engaged member of Edmonton Executive Association, and sits on the Board for both Alberta Municipalities.

Petra Remy, Remy Investment Group at CIBC Wood Gundy

Keynote - Tuesday Evening

Many people talk about making a difference in the world. Senior Wealth Manager and Certified financial planner, Petra Remy, just gets out there and does it! A tireless advocate for life long learning, Petra obtained her Masters while a single mom raising two daughters, and then just kept right on going, eventually amassing 18 years of financial experience as a “retirement readiness” investment specialist, growing her successful team of financial experts from 7 to 57 in exemplary time!

An avid philanthropist, Petra donates her “spare” time and formidable talents to an entire array of worthy causes and pursuits, from chairing conferences, to running fundraisers, as well as serving as an executive board member for organizations as varied as the Rotary Club, Toastmasters International and BNI. Passionate about helping her clients achieve their dreams of financial independence, Petra is especially committed to socially conscious investing in corporate entities operating in alignment with enlightened values that make for a more positive community while reducing the risk of her clients portfolios. All in all, it seems apparent that the legacy Ms. Remy will leave us… is a better world.

Peter Keith, eHUB

Keynote- Wednesday Morning

Peter Keith is the director of the eHUB Ideas Lab, the University of Alberta's entrepreneurship centre. His background as an award-winning chef in Canadian fine dining restaurants led to co-founding two food companies and developing a mentorship program for food entrepreneurs. He holds a BCom and MBA from the Alberta School of Business, where he now teaches the entrepreneurship capstone course. Along with his University roles and entrepreneurial ventures, Peter serves on a number of community boards including Skills Alberta and the Canadian Chef's Association.

Gregory Mowbrey, Mowbrey Gil LLP

Keynote - Wednesday Evening

Gregory Mowbrey is the Managing Partner of Mowbrey Gil LLP Chartered Professional Accountants & Business Advisors. After obtaining his General Arts degree with an Economics Major and an MBA, he began articling with a major international accounting firm, gaining a wealth of knowledge and experience. Driven by the pull towards his roots, he joined his father's local practice. It was here he expanded his skill set in owner/manager financing, taxation, audit and assurance, advisory services, and the nuanced art of mergers and acquisitions.

Today, Mowbrey Gil proudly stands as the second largest local firm in Edmonton, boasting a powerhouse team of approximately 80 people. The firm offers a comprehensive range of services comparable to an international firm, with the exception of public companies and insolvency, made by choice.

Gregory not only excels in his professional life but is also a dedicated family man and has been married to his wife for nearly 30 years and is a proud father of two daughters both of whom have followed in their father's footsteps, joining the world of accounting. Gregory is eager to share his insights and stories from his career with the delegates at RMBS and hopes to engage the next generation of CPAs.

Cheryll Watson, Junior Achievement Northern Alberta

Keynote - Thursday Afternoon

Cheryll Watson is the CEO of JA Northern Alberta, empowering youth for financial success in the global economy. Cheryll’s career legacy has been focused passionately around supporting entrepreneurs. From her early start with Intuit, a global leader in financial software, she gained an immersive understanding of the importance and impact of small businesses.

 Transitioning from Intuit in 2015, she dedicated herself to enhancing Edmonton's entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystems. Founding Innovate Edmonton (now Edmonton Unlimited) at Edmonton Economic Development Corporation, she focused on fostering a growth environment for local tech startups. Drawing on her global experience, Cheryll ran for Mayor in 2021 and later spearheaded the opening of STEM Collegiate, now serving as its inaugural Board Chair. 

Alongside her family, Cheryll actively supports various causes, including mental health, education, municipal government, environmental initiatives and is a founding member of the Downtown Revitalization Coalition, aiming to create a vibrant, welcoming and prosperous downtown for everyone.

Jessica Culo, Specialized Recruiting Group

Keynote - Thursday Afternoon

Jessica is the President and Co-Owner of Express Employment Professionals and Specialized Recruiting Group in Edmonton, AB.

After graduating from the University of Alberta in 2004, Jessica (with the help of her parents) purchased and launched a handful of franchises that operate in the Recruitment, Headhunting and Staffing Industry. These were start up businesses, and originally, Jessica’s primary role was Business to Business Sales.

In 2014, her husband joined her in the business, and now together- as co-owners of the group, have 16 employees, serve approximately 400 companies in the Edmonton area annually, and provide approximately 3000 people with contract and permanent jobs each year. They are proud to operate the largest group of franchises within their Canadian network of approximately 40 offices, and are consistently ranked within the top 10 for production within their international network of 800+ franchises. Together, Jessica and Branko also have 2 children- Jax and Addison that are in Jr High, and a dog named Stanley.

James Smith, PCL Construction

Keynote - Thursday Evening

With two decades of experience as a journalist and communications strategist, James has worked to define and protect PCL’s reputation since 2011. Based in Edmonton, he is responsible for the Industrial division’s marketing strategy, public relations, internal communications, design and editorial focus. A member of the PCL MarComm steering committee, he works with teams based in Canada and the United States to ensure ongoing strategic planning.

James holds a dual degree in English Literature and Political Science from the University of Alberta (2003) and a post-graduate degree in Journalism from the University of King’s College in Nova Scotia (2006). During his time on the east coast, he worked for the Pearson Peacekeeping Centre (2005) as it hosted Exercise Indigo Sword—a month-long corps-level training exercise focused on enhancing NATO’s response readiness. He worked subsequently as senior online editor of the Edmonton Sun (2005-2006) and manager of corporate communications with EPCOR Utilities (2006-2011) before joining PCL. He has served on the boards of The Canadian Liver Foundation (Alberta), IABC (Edmonton), and Latitude 53 Contemporary Visual Culture. In his spare time he enjoys reading, writing, watching English football and exploring with his dogs.