Expert Advisory Group

Edward Steeves

Edward Steeves

Regional Vice President, Atlantic Canada, Export Development Canada

Edward Steeves has over 25 years of banking experience having held senior management positions with several Canadian financial institutions in the area of corporate and commercial banking, structured and project finance, and overall risk mitigation. Mr. Steeves is currently responsible for all of Export Development Canada (“EDC”)’s business activities within Atlantic Canada. EDC is a Crown corporation dedicated to helping Canadian companies of all sizes succeed on the world stage by equipping them with the tools they need – the trade knowledge, financial solutions, equity, insurance, and connections – to grow their business with confidence. Mr. Steeves is a graduate of Saint Mary’s University where he earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1995 as well as a graduate of Dalhousie University where he earned a Master of Business Administration degree in 1997.

Ellen Frisch

Ellen Frisch

Principal, Ellen Frisch & Associates, Victoria, BC

Originally trained as an economist, Ellen spent her early career establishing the first managed health care networks in California and Oregon. At the BC Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs, she served indigenous communities negotiating health and educational service transitions and later provided analysis that resulted in development of the Treaty Commission. Over ten years she designed BC’s first regional stakeholder consultation processes and led successful treaty negotiations, responsible for land, resource and governance mandates and policy drafting. As Executive Director at the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources from 2005 to 2010, Ellen led the development of BC’s first international energy and mining investment strategy; contributed to redevelopment of energy regulation and supported development of the green energy and low carbon economy initiatives.  All of the initiatives have served to build bridges between communities and industry and positively transform how BC implements traditional and clean energy planning. Her work culminated in a number of new trade initiatives, innovative operational programs and legislative and regulatory developments that enhance business and community opportunities in BC. Ellen’s strengths flow from her ability to enable connections between vibrant economies and sustainable communities, whether forestry, agriculture, ranching, fisheries, tourism, aquaculture or energy development.

Robert Stephenson

Dr. Robert Stephenson

Research Scientist, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Government of Canada

Dr. Robert Stephenson is a Research Scientist with the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans (St. Andrews Biological Station, since 1984), and Visiting Research Professor at the University of New Brunswick (since 2010). From 2010-2016, he was Principal Investigator of the Canadian Fisheries Research Network – an NSERC-funded network that linked academics, industry and government in collaborative fisheries research across Canada. Dr. Stephenson has worked extensively on the ecology, assessment, and management of Atlantic herring, and more broadly on issues related to fisheries resource evaluation and Fisheries Management Science. Current research interests include development of integrated coastal management, implementation of the ecosystem approach in social-ecological systems, development of policies and strategies for full-spectrum sustainability of marine activities including the integration of ecological, economic, social/cultural and institutional aspects of management, and strategic foresighting in relation to the management of coastal activities and the viability of coastal communities in the context of ecosystem change.

Steve Tipman

Steve Tipman

Executive Director, Trade Facilitation Office Canada

Steve Tipman is the Executive Director of TFO Canada and leads the organization in fulfilling its mission of improving lives through international trade.  Leading the successful execution of TFO Canada’s strategic and business plans, Mr. Tipman is responsible for overall administration, strategic management, and reporting to the Board of Directors. With over 25 years of experience in both the private and non-profit sectors, Mr. Tipman has spent much of his career working in the areas of international trade and development. He spent eight years working at Livingston International, a trade services company focused on customs brokerage and compliance. He also served as a Vice President with CARE Canada and President and CEO of Volunteer Canada.  He is a former member of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Association of International Development Professionals. Mr. Tipman holds an International Masters in Business Administration degree from the University of Ottawa and is fluently bilingual in both French and English.