Prepare to be captivated by an evening filled with networking opportunities, insightful discussions, and thought-provoking presentations. This is your chance to connect with industry leaders, gain valuable insights, and be part of a truly remarkable experience.
The event will kick off with a networking reception, where you can mingle with fellow attendees while enjoying a variety of appetizers. As you take your seat for dinner, get ready to be inspired by our panel led by keynote Justin D. Young who will provide an overview of the market with a focus on the prairies.
Following the keynote, we have an exceptional panel discussion lined up, featuring local investors.
After an evening of engaging conversations and enlightening discussions, we will wrap up with closing remarks and a delectable dessert buffet. This is your chance to connect with like-minded professionals, expand your network, and leave with a wealth of knowledge that will propel your career forward.
Don't miss out on this extraordinary event. Join us at the Regina Dinner and be part of an unforgettable evening that will leave you inspired, informed, and ready to take on the future of finance.
MASTER OF CEREMONIES
COSTA MARAGOS
Veteran Broadcast Journalist
Costa Maragos is a veteran broadcast journalist based in Regina.
Many in Saskatchewan remember Costa from his years as host of CBC TV’s supper hour news from 1991 to 2013. Costa’s CBC career also included hosting assignments with CBC Radio across the country.
His work has been recognized by his peers, having received four Gemini Award nominations and one Gemini Award for best newscast. The Gemini Awards (now the Canadian Screen Awards) recognize the finest in Canadian broadcasting.
Following his CBC Career, Costa accepted a position as Spokesperson at the University of Regina. Costa is now back in the studio hosting an online interview program on Facebook Live - In Real Time with Costa Maragos.
SPEAKER
JUSTIN D. YOUNG
Partner | Emerging and High Growth Companies
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
Justin Young is a Partner in Osler’s Emerging and High Growth Companies practice group. His practice focuses on venture financing, mergers and acquisitions and corporate commercial matters for private technology companies.
Justin has acted for hundreds of technology clients across Canada and in the US, from start-ups to listed public companies, as well as many of the leading Canadian and US venture funds. He has acted extensively for entrepreneurs, start-ups and venture-backed technology companies, from start-up through their growth trajectory, as well as venture capital funds, private equity and strategic and angel investors, including on hundreds of venture capital and other private financings raising over $1 Billion since 2005, as well as on IPOs and other public offerings for technology companies.
Justin also frequently advises clients on M&A transactions with a particular focus on the purchase or sale of private Canadian technology companies. He has represented offerors and targets in friendly and unsolicited takeover bids, arrangements, asset sales, amalgamations and share sale transactions, with transaction values ranging from $2 million to $17 billion. Justin also regularly advises clients on various commercial and strategic matters, including corporate governance, company formation, shareholder arrangements, licensing, SaaS, joint ventures and other commercial relationships.
Justin has been involved as a legal partner from Osler for CDL West, a Board Member of Open Angel Vancouver and VIATEC and is counsel to the BC CEO Cleantech Alliance. Justin is named as one of The Best Lawyers in Canada, in the areas of Corporate Law and Technology Law, is recognized by Lexpert in Technology Transactions and is one of the few individually ranked lawyers for Startups & Emerging Companies by Chambers Canada.
MODERATOR
ERIN TRAPP, BA (Econ), CFA
Erin is a Partner at Emmertech, a Saskatchewan based AgTech fund investing in agribusiness innovation. Erin sits on the funds investment committee and provides support to portfolio companies in the form of governance, financial & operational guidance, business strategy and more. Prior to Emmertech, Erin was Vice President, Product & Strategy at TD Asset Management. Prior to TD, Erin held various roles of increasing seniority at Saskatchewan based Greystone Managed Investments. Erin holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Victoria, where she attended on an athletic scholarship (basketball), and is a CFA Charterholder. Erin sits on the Board of the CFA Society Saskatchewan.
PANEL
KYLE FOLK, CEO OF GROUND TRUTH AGRICULTURE
Kyle Folk is a seasoned AgTech entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of Ground Truth Agriculture Inc., a Regina-based company pioneering automated, real-time grain grading solutions. Raised on his family's 4,000-acre grain farm in Saskatchewan, Kyle developed a deep understanding of farming challenges from an early age. He began his career as an electrical contractor before founding IntraGrain Technologies Inc. in 2011, where he led the development of BIN-SENSE®, an award-winning grain storage monitoring system. Under his leadership, IntraGrain grew to over 40 employees and became a global leader in its field, culminating in its acquisition by Calian Group in 2018.
In 2021, Kyle launched Ground Truth Ag with the mission to eliminate subjectivity in grain grading. Leveraging AI, machine vision, and near-infrared spectroscopy, the company provides consistent, objective grain quality data directly from the combine.
WANDA HUNCHAK, CFA, CPA, CMA
Wanda Hunchak is Executive Vice President at Westcap Mgt. Ltd. where, for the past 25 years she has helped to build the company into the largest private Equity and Venture Capital investment fund manager in Saskatchewan having invested more than $1Billion into the Province with another $1Billion currently under management. Westcap’s portfolio of funds includes Golden Opportunities Fund, a retail venture capital fund which allows Saskatchewan people to keep their money invested at home into some of our Province’s best companies, the Westcap MBO Investment LPs, capitalized by institutions and high net worth investors, and various niche funds directed at specific sectors such as housing.
JEFF LINNER, CFA, CBV
Jeff Linner is the Chief Investment Officer and a partner of PFM Capital, having joined the firm in 2009. Mr. Linner has served in the Private Equity industry in Saskatchewan for 19 years where he has held a number of positions, including Vice President at Crown Capital Partners.
With his tenure in the private equity industry, Mr. Linner brings to PFM depth of experience in both portfolio and fund management. As CIO, Mr. Linner is responsible for managing the firm’s investment team, implementation of the investment strategy and overseeing all major investment decision-making.
Mr. Linner serves on the board of such portfolio companies as Hi-Tec Profiles Inc., Lift Auto Group, Bone and Biscuit Co., and All-Fab Group of Companies. He is also the Chair of the Regina Food Bank and is a former President of CFA Saskatchewan.