Jack Britt is the Senior Director of Fuel and Radiation Safety at the Nuclear Energy Institute. With over 25 years of nuclear experience, his career began with support of naval nuclear power operations, followed by work in shipyard overhauls. He then spent 10 years at URENCO USA, where he served in various roles, contributing to the startup and operations of the company.

After URENCO, Jack worked at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) as an executive advisor in the Actinide Material Processing and Power Division. He then served as the department head for the National Reactor Innovation Center (NRIC), focusing on demonstration infrastructure for advanced reactor developers and support of project partnerships. Jack holds a Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering Technology from Thomas Edison State University, a Master of Business Administration from Temple University, and a Master of Engineering from Texas A&M University. He is a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and Project Management Professional.

Sama Bilbao y León is Director General of World Nuclear Association and also President of World Nuclear University.  She has more than 20 years of diverse experience in nuclear engineering and energy policy; having worked with distinction in industry, academia and having held high level positions at OECD/NEA and IAEA.

Sama holds a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering,  a master’s degree in Energy Technologies, as well as a  master's degree and a PhD in Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics and an MBA . Sama is one of founders of the North American Young Generation in Nuclear (NA-YGN).

Sama Bilbao y León is Director General of World Nuclear Association and also President of World Nuclear University.  She has more than 20 years of diverse experience in nuclear engineering and energy policy; having worked with distinction in industry, academia and having held high level positions at OECD/NEA and IAEA.

Sama holds a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering,  a master’s degree in Energy Technologies, as well as a  master's degree and a PhD in Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics and an MBA . Sama is one of founders of the North American Young Generation in Nuclear (NA-YGN).

Nicolle Butcher was appointed OPG’s President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in January 2025.

Among her priorities as President and CEO, Nicolle is focused on ensuring the safe, on-time, on-budget completion of the Darlington Refurbishment, executing the development of the continent’s first fleet of Small Modular Reactors, advancing the Pickering Refurbishment and fleet-wide program of hydroelectric refurbishments, and advancing opportunities for new generation development to meet the province’s quickly growing demand for electricity. Nicolle is a champion for Indigenous economic Reconciliation and working with Indigenous communities, companies, and businesses to achieve OPG’s Reconciliation Action Plan commitments.

Previously, as OPG’s Chief Officer, Nicolle was responsible for overseeing one of the largest, most diverse generating portfolios in North America. Over her 25-plus years with OPG, she has held a range of roles throughout the company as well as senior level positions in Corporate Business Development and Strategy, Renewable Generation, and the energy-related commercial business functions such as energy trading, commercial contracting and market affairs.

Nicolle specializes in creating an inclusive business culture-one that embraces safety, performance, and operational excellence, while fostering innovation. Under her leadership, OPG successfully, delivered a strategic plan that included executing $5 billion worth of acquisitions and building an electrification strategy.

In 2021, Nicolle was named one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women and Women of the Year by WIRE (Women in Renewable Energy) and APPRO (Association of Power Producers of Ontario). She is Chair of the Board for both Eagle Creek Renewable Energy, OPG’s U.S subsidiary, and Atura Power, its gas generating subsidiary. She also sits on the board of Interfor Corporation. Nicolle holds an MBA from McGill University, is a Chartered Business Valuator, and has earned an ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors.

As a wife and mother of two boys, and Jasper the Labradoodle, Nicolle enjoys hiking and family time at the cottage.

Tim Gitzel was appointed chief executive officer of Cameco on July 1, 2011. 

Tim joined Cameco in January 2007 as senior vice-president and chief operating officer. He was subsequently appointed president on May 14, 2010. 

Tim has extensive experience in Canadian and international uranium mining activities through more than 30 years of senior management and legal experience. Prior to joining Cameco, he was executive vice-president, mining business unit for Orano, based in Paris, France with responsibility for global uranium, gold, exploration and decommissioning operations in 11 countries. He also served as president and chief executive officer for Orano's Canadian subsidiary. 

Tim was born and raised in Saskatchewan, graduated from the College of Arts & Science and the College of Law at the University of Saskatchewan in 1990. He served as a lawyer with the firm MacPherson, Leslie and Tyerman in Saskatoon. 

Tim currently serves on the boards of the World Nuclear Association, Washington-based Nuclear Energy Institute, the Business Council of Canada and The Mosaic Company. He is a member of the IAEA’s Standing Advisory Group on Nuclear Energy, as well as the advisory councils for the Canada-India Business Council, the Edwards School of Business, the University of Saskatchewan College of Law and a Saskatchewan Polytechnic President’s Circle member. As well, Tim serves as Honorary Consul of Kazakhstan to Saskatchewan and is Co-Chair of the Kazakhstan Canada Business Council. 

He is past chair of the World Nuclear Association, past president of the Saskatchewan Mining Association, and has served on the boards of Mining Association of Canada, the Canadian Nuclear Association, Sask Energy and the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce. Tim was co-chair of the Royal Care campaign raising funds for the Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon and served as vice-president, communications for the 2010 World Junior Hockey Championships. 

Tim is recipient of the 2024 Saskatchewan Polytechnic Honorary Degree.  He was named 2023 Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce Business Leader of the Year, 2023 Northern Miner Person of the Year and is recipient of the 2023 International Juran Medal from the American Society of Quality. He was named one of the 100 Alumni of Influence from the University of Saskatchewan in 2007, is a recipient of the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal and of both the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond and Platinum Jubilee Medals. 

Sashi Davies is Strategic Advisor to Boss Energy Ltd, the owner of the Honeymoon Project in Australia.  She joined Boss Energy Ltd in 2017 and has over 30 years of experience in the front end of the nuclear fuel cycle.  

Sashi began her career in the nuclear industry with the UK Central Electricity Generating Board as a reactor physicist at the Dungeness "A" power station and later served as senior market analyst with the British Civil Uranium Procurement Organisation.  She then joined Rio Tinto Mineral Services Limited; marketing uranium from the Rossing mine in Namibia in a succession of marketing roles before being appointed Commercial Director. Sashi has also worked for The Uranium Exchange Company and The Ux Consulting Company in Europe as a consultant and broker and Nufcor International Limited in a marketing and trading role.  In 2010 Mrs Davies joined Extract Resources UK Ltd. and continued with the CGN Group, when it acquired the Husab uranium mine in Namibia, as General Manager of CGN Global Uranium Ltd until 2017.  

Mrs Davies holds a BSc in Nuclear Engineering from Manchester University and an MBA. 

As head of international sales and global marketing at Cameco Corporation, one of the world’s largest providers of uranium fuel, Lisa leads an international marketing team in developing and executing the overall marketing strategy for Cameco’s suite of nuclear fuel products and services. She has been with Cameco for almost 20 years and held senior positions in marketing before assuming her current role. Prior to joining Cameco, she held various positions at an international pharmaceutical company.   

Lisa holds a Bachelor of Commerce and MBA from the University of Saskatchewan and the ICD.D designation in corporate governance from the Canadian Institute of Corporate Directors. Lisa is an active board member with World Nuclear Fuel Market (WNFM) and past board member of the Nuclear Innovation Institute (Canada), and the Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP). 

Seitzhan Zhanybekov has been serving as the Managing Director for Sales at Kazatomprom since April 2024. In this capacity, he oversees the company's sales operations, including the development and execution of strategic sales initiatives, and coordinates trading activities to drive Kazatomprom’s market presence. 

Seitzhan Zhanybekov joined Kazatomprom’s logistics team in 2016 after gaining extensive experience in various logistics companies. His expertise and leadership skills quickly earned him a promotion to Deputy Director of Logistics in 2020. From 2021 to 2023, he led Kazatomprom’s marketing department, focusing on strategic initiatives and market positioning. This success paved the way for his appointment as Managing Director of Marketing and Strategy. Following this role, he transitioned to his current position as Managing Director for Sales, where he now oversees sales operations and drives key strategic initiatives for the company. 

Mr. Zhanybekov received his bachelor’s degree in Supply chain management from Michigan State University in 2014 and master’s degree in Management from Kazakh-British Technical University in 2016.  

Tammy Van Lambalgen is Vice President, Chief Corporate Officer at Orano Canada Inc. with oversight over legal, human resources, corporate social responsibility and communications.  Orano Canada Inc. is the wholly owned subsidiary of the Orano Group, a multinational nuclear fuel cycle company headquartered in Paris that is engaged in uranium mining, conversion-enrichment, spent fuel recycling, nuclear logistics, dismantling, and nuclear cycle engineering activities. Tammy graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a Bachelor of Arts in 1990, a Juris Doctor in 1993 and her IDC.D designation in 2022. Before joining Orano Tammy worked in Calgary, Alberta with both in a large law firm and as in-house counsel for Shell Canada. 

Tammy currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Nuclear Association, SaskTel Corporation and the Saskatoon Airport Authority. She also served on the Board of Directors of SaskPower Corporation, Saskatchewan Mining Association and other not-for profit organizations.  

She received her King’s Counsel designation from the law society of Saskatchewan in 2023 and in 2022 received the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal for contributions to business.  

Andrew is an equity research analyst and a member of the RBC Capital Markets Global Mining & Materials team based in Toronto, Canada. He has almost 15 years of experience covering the uranium industry and is also responsible for coverage of the fertilizer industry. Prior to joining RBC in 2011, he spent two years at a US-based research broker and two years at a Toronto-based consultancy. Andrew holds an honors bachelor of science degree from the University of Waterloo. 

Mr. Collida is currently the Deputy Head of Nuclear Fuel at WMC Energy, a global nuclear fuel solutions provider.  Previously, he served as Vice President, Business Development for ConverDyn, and in other prior at the company roles for 12 years.  He joined WMC Energy in 2024 entered the nuclear industry in 2013 after starting at ConverDyn. 

Mr. Collida has undergraduate degrees in economics and mathematics from Saint Louis University as well as a master’s degree in Mineral and Energy Economics from Colorado School of Mines. 

Nima Ashkeboussi is the Vice President for Government Relations and Communications at Global Laser Enrichment where he leads the policy, legislative, and communication efforts to support the commercialization of next generation laser enrichment technology. Prior to joining GLE, he was Sr. Director for Fuel and Radiation Safety at the Nuclear Energy Institute, managing policy, regulatory, and market issues associated with the nuclear fuel cycle, transportation, research and test reactors, and radiation protection. Before joining NEI in 2015, he spent 13 years with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission in a variety of roles. Nima has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Maryland and a master’s degree in environmental planning and management from The Johns Hopkins University.

Bradley T. Beatty is a seasoned energy and nuclear fuel professional. Currently serving as Commercial Manager at ConverDyn since September 2021, he spearheads the development of ancillary revenue streams, and acts as the primary marketing representative for UF6, uranium, and storage services across the US, Europe and Japan. With a knack for optimizing complex nuclear fuel supply chains, he manages material swaps, portfolio optimization, and credit exposures while staying attuned to market trends and competitors. Prior to this, Bradley spent over a decade at Ameren in St. Louis, progressing through roles such as Nuclear Fuel Manager, Commodity Term Trader, and Real Time Power Trader. 

Steffen Asser is an experienced expert in Supply Chain Management and Nuclear Technology. Since January 2022, he has been working as a Senior Supply Chain Manager at Axpo Power AG, where he is responsible for “Source to Contract” in the areas of fuel procurement and disposal, as well as for cross-site procurement initiatives. 

Previously, from 2017 to 2023, he coordinated a procurement cooperation for Swiss nuclear power plants, focusing particularly on compliance in tenders as well as stakeholder and supplier management. From 2016 to 2021, he worked as a Technical Expert at swissnuclear, where he led consultations on regulations and participated in both national and international working groups. 

He began his career as a Project Engineer at NPP Gundremmingen (2010–2012) before moving on to work as a System Engineer for Nuclear Technology at NPP Leibstadt AG (2013–2015), where he led projects in the field of emergency power and cooling systems. 

Steffen Asser holds a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Augsburg University of Applied Sciences and a master’s degree in supply management Excellence from University of Applied Sciences Windisch-Brugg. 

Anna (Anya) Bryndza joined UxC, LLC (UxC) in 2008 and currently holds the position of Executive Vice President, International. In this capacity, she is responsible for analyzing government policies as they relate to the nuclear fuel markets worldwide. Ms. Bryndza is the manager of UxC's Policy Watch service, which provides clients with a comprehensive, timely analysis of all relevant policy, regulatory, and trade issues affecting the global nuclear markets. Ms. Bryndza's expertise includes an in-depth understanding of the critical role played by secondary supplies in the nuclear fuel markets, including the government inventory management, enricher uranium supplies, and global commercial inventories.

Ms. Bryndza is recognized as the industry's leading expert on nuclear power and fuel developments in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, with a comprehensive understanding of the current state, ongoing trends, and prospects for Russia's vast nuclear power complex. Ms. Bryndza also possesses a thorough knowledge of uranium production developments in Kazakhstan and throughout Central Asia. She manages UxC's customer relations in the region and has contributed to the company's increased presence in Eurasia, including the establishment of a Russian language nuclear fuel publication, UxNuclear Weekly.

Ms. Bryndza is also a member of UxC's price reporting team, responsible for tracking market price information and transaction data from buyers and sellers across the front-end of the nuclear fuel cycle. She has presented at the nuclear industry's key international forums, including the World Nuclear Association's Symposium (London), ATOMEXPO (Moscow), and NEI's Nuclear Fuel Supply Forum (Washington), among others. Ms. Bryndza has been interviewed by worldwide press publications, including a number of Eurasian media outlets.

Prior to her tenure with UxC, Ms. Bryndza's worked at several Washington, D.C. think tanks, with a specific focus on geopolitics, the global political economy, and energy issues in the Eurasia region. She is trilingual (English, Russian, and Ukrainian) and holds a dual degree of Bachelor of Science and Arts in Economics and Political Science from the College of Charleston and a Master of Arts in International Trade and Investment Policy from the George Washington University.

Ms. Jeanne Tortorelli is the Director Nuclear Fuel Supply for Constellation where she manages the procurement of nuclear fuel and related services for Constellation’s fleet of twenty-one reactors.  She is also the current chairwoman and member of the Board of Governors of the World Nuclear Fuel Market organization.

Jeanne has over 35 years of commercial and engineering experience in the energy industry. She is responsible for the management of the nuclear fuel contract portfolio for Constellation’s generating fleet, including the strategic planning, fuel related government policy support, financial oversight, risk monitoring and procurement of all fuel commodities and fabrication and related services.  Until March 2020, she also managed Constellation’s (then Exelon) high-level waste contract and settlement agreement between Exelon and the U.S. Department of Energy. 

Jeanne earned a BS in mechanical engineering from the University of Illinois in Champaign/Urbana and an MBA in finance and strategic planning from the University of Illinois Chicago. 

Jean-Luc Palayer is the Chief Executive Officer and President of Orano USA, Orano’s operations in the United States providing commercial and federal customers with global expertise in nuclear materials management.

He oversees all five of Orano's business units in the United States, including MCES for sales of uranium fuel, conversion, and enrichment services; Orano Decommissioning Services for dismantling nuclear facilities; TN Americas offering the full breadth of used

nuclear fuel management (pool to pad, storage, transportation, and ISFSI management); Orano Med for the development of medical isotopes for targeted immunotherapy for fighting cancer; and Orano Federal Services supporting the development of advanced reactors and offering the full complement of engineering and technology to solve some of the more complex nuclear material processing, conditioning, and packaging for the U.S. Department of Energy.

With more than 20 years in the nuclear industry, Jean-Luc’s international leadership experience includes nuclear materials transportation and storage, front-end material production and deliveries, supply chain optimization, and industrial project development in the United States, Europe, and Asia.

He began his career in 1999 with COGEMA (now part of Orano). In 2007, Jean-Luc was named Director of Business Analysis for AREVA Enrichment Services. In 2012, he served as Managing Director of AREVA Solar India and Vice-President of Operations for AREVA Solar Inc with the responsibility to lead construction projects in the United States and India. In 2015, he joined TN Americas (Orano TN) as Vice President of Global Supply Chain and then as Chief Operating Officer, leading the project management organization, the nuclear manufacturing plants, and the field service business line.

Jean-Luc holds a Master of Engineering degree from École des Mines and an Executive MBA from Georgetown University.

Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer

John M.A. Donelson is senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Centrus Energy Corp. He is responsible for the Company’s trading operations, including revenue generation from the sale of enriched and natural uranium and for managing relationships with customers.

Mr. Donelson joined Centrus in 1995 in the advanced technology department. He later became director, North American and European sales, and was later promoted to vice president, Marketing, Sales, and Power. Prior to joining Centrus, he held positions of increasing responsibility at Newport News Shipbuilding and Duke Energy.

Mr. Donelson holds a bachelor of science degree in physics from Hampden-Sydney College, a master’s degree in nuclear engineering from the University of Virginia, and a master of business administration degree from Queens University. He is a registered professional engineer in the state of North Carolina. Donelson received Centrus’ highest honor, the Chairman’s Award, for outstanding performance.

John-Paul has over eighteen years’ experience in the energy sector working in a variety of roles in the energy sector power generation, covering, gas, renewables, energy balancing and nuclear.

In 2012, he joined Urenco, an international supplier of uranium enrichment services and fuel cycle products operating four facilities across Europe and the USA, where he is the Head of Commercial and Market Intelligence.

Christo J. Liebenberg is an accomplished professional with 30 years of diverse technical & management experience in state-of-the-art laser & optical systems and applications. Most of this experience is in the field of Laser Isotope Separation of UF6, and he was involved in several classified laser enrichment processes on three different continents. 

Mr Liebenberg started his career in the 1980’s at the Atomic Energy Corporation of South Africa where he later spearheaded the optimization of enrichment parameters of the Molecular Laser Isotope Separation (MLIS) process. By the end of the 1990’s his journey led him to Australia where he later joined Silex Systems Ltd as their Laser Manager, and continued this role at Global Laser Enrichment (GLE) in Wilmington, NC where he played a key role in the architecture of the Test Loop Facility. In 2012 he joined the research team at ASML where he was intricately involved with the R&D of state-of-the-art CO2 laser systems to generate EUV (Extreme Ultraviolet), used today to manufacture modern semiconductor chips. 

Championing CRISLA’s Revival: Mr Liebenberg has long been convinced that an alternative laser enrichment architecture was needed to make laser enrichment viable on a commercial scale. As such, he always kept a close eye on developments of Dr. Eerkens’s CRISLA process. In 2016, he did a critical risk analysis of CRISLA-3G, which included developing a scaling model of the process. Enthralled by impressive enrichment results, favorable techno-economics, seismic geo-political events, the advent of SMR’s and the DOE quest for a US-origin enrichment technology, he recognized the need to resurrect the CRISLA process. He co-founded CRISLA, Inc with Dr Eerkens in June 2020, and later co-founded LIS Technologies in August 2023. 

Liebenberg obtained his MS degree in Physics from Stellenbosch University (1991) in South Africa. He (co-)authored at least 10 patents and published many technical papers and reports, mostly in the classified space. He received Australian citizenship in 2004 and US citizenship in 2021. He is married and the father of two children. 

Eileen Supko is a Principal at Energy Resources International, Inc., a Washington, D.C. based consulting firm that specializes in the nuclear fuel cycle. She has more than 30 years of experience in providing consulting services to the nuclear industry associated with nuclear fuel management, nuclear waste management, and radioactive materials transportation. Ms. Supko serves as the Principal Representative in North America for the World Nuclear Transport Institute. Ms. Supko received her Bachelor of Science degree in Nuclear Engineering from the Pennsylvania State University.   

Ms. Supko is a member of the American Nuclear Society, Women in Nuclear and the Nuclear Alumni Advisory Council and the Nuclear Engineering Society at the Pennsylvania State University, Department of Nuclear Engineering. 

Anne PRESTA, since 2019, is Head of Institutional Relations Unit for Orano NPS, the Nuclear Package and Services Business Unit of the Orano Group. 

She oversees Physical Protection and Public Acceptance activities directly linked with Nuclear Material Transportation. 

She has over eighteen years of experience in the transport of radioactive & nuclear material, in charge of Project and Business Development transport activities. 

In addition to that, Anne was involved in transport risk management, Emergency Preparedness and Response in charge of crisis communication.  

Over her experience in the nuclear industry, Anne has gained a strong expertise in managing relationships with governmental authorities, networking and partnering with institutional stakeholders involved in nuclear transportation. She has represented industry interests, contributed to enhance transport performance. 

Anne is involved in the IAEA Denial of Shipment initiative and was appointed in 2024 as France National Focal Point.  

Since 2024, Anne is co-chair of the WNA Transport Working Group.   

Anne Presta is graduated from Paris Law University where she gained a law degree and Kedge International Business School where she obtained a master’s degree in international business. 

Kurtis Hinz is the current CEO of TAM International, an international nuclear logistics firm headquartered in Saskatoon, Canada. One of the founding members of the company, Mr. Hinz has been with TAM since 2005. He was named President of the company in 2011 and CEO of TAM International LP following the strategic partnership established with PFM Capital in 2019. Mr. Hinz brings over 20 years of experience in international nuclear logistics to TAM. He has represented TAM in organizations such as the World Nuclear Association, the World Nuclear Transport Institute, and the Canadian Nuclear Association, along with other global logistics organizations, as both an industry participant and speaker. Mr. Hinz also sits on the board of directors of the Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP). In 2019, he was named Chairman of the World Nuclear Association Transport Working Group and served in that position until this past year. He also currently sits on the IAEA Transport Denial and Delay Committee. Through these roles, he continues to work with various stakeholders in addressing the numerous issues faced in the transportation of nuclear material.

Dr. Michael McMahon is NAC International’s Vice President of Transportation and Strategic Projects, heading the company’s Transportation Projects business unit. He serves concurrently as Chairman of the Board of Managers of NAC LPT LLC, a subsidiary of NAC International Inc. that is a leading provider of nuclear materials packaging and transportation solutions to the nuclear industry.  He is also Chairman of the Board of Directors of NAC Philotechnics, Ltd., a recently acquired health physics, radiological services, and waste management company headquartered in Oak Ridge, TN with a satellite facility in San Diego, CA. 

Dr. McMahon joined NAC International from EXCEL Services Corporation, where he served as Senior Vice President of Business Development. Prior to joining EXCEL, he worked at AREVA for more than 17 years including as President and CEO of Transnuclear Inc. (now Orano TN USA).   Prior to his U.S.-based leadership positions at Transnuclear Inc., he lived and worked in France and served as the U.S. director of international projects for AREVA’s Back End Business Group, which includes the group’s used fuel management, recycling, transportation and decommissioning activities. Before joining AREVA, he worked as an Associate for the management consulting firm McKinsey & Company and served on nuclear submarines as an officer in the U.S. Navy. 

Dr. McMahon is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in systems engineering. He also received a doctorate in nuclear engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management. 

George Kargopolov is an accomplished expert with over 20 years of experience in the nuclear industry transportation sector.  

As Transportation and Special Projects Director at CIS Navigation, he specializes in international logistics for radioactive and nuclear materials, marine transportation, and regulatory compliance. His expertise spans ship voyage chartering, port operations, inland transport, radiation protection, and nuclear liability insurance. 

Alongside his academic foundation, George brings practical, real-world experience in marine shipping. He holds a Master of Laws in Maritime Law from London Metropolitan University and a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance from Concordia University. He actively contributes to industry organizations such as the World Nuclear Association and the World Nuclear Transport Institute. 

Jonathan Hinze is President of UxC, LLC (UxC), the world’s leading nuclear fuel cycle market research and analysis firm. He has been active in the international nuclear industry since 2001. Mr. Hinze assumed the position of President of UxC in February 2018, having been at the company since 2006. During his tenure at UxC, he has helped to significantly expand the company’s nuclear market analytics and product offerings. With many years of direct experience in the nuclear industry, Mr. Hinze has extensive knowledge of the nuclear fuel cycle and reactor markets. One of his main areas of focus has been nuclear reactor developments and global nuclear power forecasting as well as analyzing the future of the nuclear fuel markets and the reactor supply chain. Prior to his entry in the nuclear industry, Mr. Hinze also worked in positions in government, industry, and education in several countries, including the U.S., Germany, and Japan. He is fluent in English, German, and Japanese. Mr. Hinze received a Bachelor of Arts in East Asian Studies from Haverford College and a Master of Arts in International Trade and Investment Policy from The George Washington University.

George Christidis is the interim President and CEO of Canadian Nuclear Association and most recently held the role of Vice President of Government Relations and International Affairs.  He is also Director of Federal Affairs for Ontario Power Generation.

George has extensive experience in designing and implementing advocacy strategies and initiatives that have supported the Canadian nuclear industry in Canada and abroad. With over 20 years of experience working with federal, provincial, municipal, and international government stakeholders, Mr. Christidis' experience includes diverse public and private sector involvement, providing strategic advice and recommendations to senior government and corporate decision-makers. He has previously held key positions within the Canadian government that include policy advisor and former chief of staff for key ministers in the Canadian government.

Dr. Paul Chan is currently the Chief Technology Officer at the Clean Core Thorium Energy and an Emeritus Professor at the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC). 

Dr. Paul Chan has 38 years of experience in nuclear fuel, reactor safety and regulatory affairs. He worked for the Atomic Energy of Canada Limited and Bruce Power as a senior scientist and a manager until 2010. He was a Full Professor, a Director and a Licensed Operator of the SLOWPOKE-2 Facility at RMC.  Dr. Chan received many awards, published over 150 peer-reviewed papers and was the past chair of the Fuel Technologies Division for the Canadian Nuclear Society. 

Iftikhar is the Vice President of Nuclear Supply Chain at Terrestrial Energy since 2019. He is responsible for developing strategic relationships and alliances with suppliers and service providers in the nuclear energy industry. Terrestrial Energy is an Advanced Reactor developer using its proprietary Integral Molten Salt Reactor IMSR® technology. Iftikhar has over 25 years of experience in the energy industry in all facets of supply chain management. He played a key role in supply chain transformation as Vice President at OPG for Pickering and Darlington nuclear power plants during 2013-2016. Prior to that he spent ten years at Siemens in Canada, Dubai and Saudi Arabia as Vice President of Supply Chain. Iftikhar is an active leader in the nuclear energy industry and currently serves as a Board Member of the Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries (OCNI). Prior to that he has also served as a Board Member of Supply Chain Canada. Iftikhar is a graduate of the University of Texas, with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering. He also holds a Diploma in Advanced Management from the Duke University.

Micah Hackett received his M.S. and Ph.D. at the University of Michigan in nuclear engineering and has 17 years’ experience working in the nuclear industry, nearly all in advanced nuclear reactor development. Since 2017 he has been leading the programs on materials and fuels development and qualification for Kairos Power’s fluoride-salt-cooled high-temperature reactor (FHR). His work supports materials testing, qualification, and product development, tritium management strategies, development of non-destructive evaluation technologies for high-temperature reactor applications, fuel qualification, and fabrication of TRISO fuel. Previously, he worked in various programs on materials optimization, qualification, testing, manufacturing, and supply chain development for the sodium-cooled fast reactor design at TerraPower. He also worked on weld materials development and welding methods for Naval Reactors at the Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory, where he was awarded the 2009 Young Scientist of the Year Award.   

Ms. Lourdes Guzman is the Supply and Business Development Manager at ENUSA’s Uranium Procurement Direction.

Ms. Guzman has more than 25 years of experience in the nuclear industry. She worked in Nuclear Engineering department at ENUSA for more than 10 years. In this role, she performed nuclear design activities for European BWR Nuclear Power Plants and led the licensing process for several new fuel designs.

Since 2006 Ms. Guzman, as the Uranium Supply Manager takes care of the purchases of natural uranium and associated services (conversion and enrichment) for the seven Spanish Nuclear Reactors. She manages the supplier selection and qualification and the offers request, evaluation and negotiation. Additionally, she performs the Supply Chain Risk Analyses, collaborates in the elaboration of the Strategic Analysis and the Supply Policies and is responsible of the Market Intelligence. Furthermore, she develops potential new business into the Procurement area.

Ms. Guzman is the Spanish representative in the NEA/IAEA Uranium Group and member of the Board of Directors of the Spanish Nuclear Society. She collaborates in different Working Groups in the WNA and in the Security of Supply WG of the Euratom Supply Agency.

Dr. Chookah is the Vice President Fuel Development Projects & New Ventures for the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC). He is responsible for identifying strategic investment opportunities, overseeing the development of new nuclear projects, and ensuring their successful implementation.

He also served as the Vice President of Nuclear Fuel Management. In this role, he is responsible to develop and maintain the procurement plan for nuclear fuel assemblies which will ensure supplies for the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant and the generation of electricity. His department continuously monitors the global uranium and nuclear fuel market, exploring various opportunities to enhance the supply portfolio and strengthen security of supply. He ensures economical functioning of the portfolio of the nuclear fuel contracts and effective management of contracts to support timely fuel fabrication and delivery remain the department’s primary responsibility.

Dr. Chookah previously led the CPO-Licensing and Regulatory Affairs as the Executive Director for HSE & Regulatory Affairs. He is responsible for ensuring ENEC delivers all related permits and licenses required by the Regulatory Authorities (the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) and the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi) to support major project milestones. Dr Chookah was involved in submitting the construction and operating license applications for Unit 1 of the Barakah plant, Dr Chookah was a Board Member for two terms in the Advisory Board for KINGS University in South Korea and supported the establishment of the Emirates Nuclear Technology Center at Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Dr. Chookah holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maryland, College Park, Washington D.C. USA

Mr. Brookmire is manager of the Nuclear Fuel Procurement group at Dominion Energy, responsible for procuring uranium, conversion, enrichment, and fabrication services for Dominion’s fleet. He also oversees multi-discipline projects related to nuclear fuel for Dominion Energy’s nuclear units.  Prior to becoming manager of Nuclear Fuel Procurement, he was responsible for in-reactor fuel performance and overseeing the dry storage projects at Dominion Energy’s independent spent fuel storage installations (ISFSIs) at Surry, North Anna, Millstone, and Kewaunee.  

Mr. Brookmire has over 41 years of experience related to the procurement, design, fabrication, operation, analysis, testing, storage (wet and dry), and transportation of nuclear fuel.  He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Science from Virginia Tech and a master’s degree in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Virginia.  He is a registered professional engineer in the Commonwealth of Virginia. 

Chris Opperman is the C5 Capital’s Partner for Africa, and the Middle East focused on the firm’s investment strategy to invest in the resilience of the supply chain of the global nuclear industry. 

Chris builds value through strategic partnerships with public and private sector organisations across Washington DC, Africa, and the Middle East.  

Chris previously held several leadership positions across critical infrastructure industries. As Director of Rakgas International, under the leadership of Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, he successfully negotiated oil and gas exploration agreements and spearheaded the development of a gas pipeline in Tanzania and Malawi. As Managing Director of Seacom Tanzania, he led capital-raising initiatives for the Seacom East African undersea fibre optic cable project, significantly enhancing the region's connectivity infrastructure. 

His background includes diplomatic postings for South Africa in Washington, D.C., and Dar es Salaam. He collaborated with Paul Tudor Jones and the Scowcroft Group to promote investment projects in Africa and initiated a special project on behalf of the Tanzanian Government to strengthen bilateral ties with the United States. 

Chris holds a law degree from the University of Pretoria and has been recognized by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation for his work in promoting reconciliation between communities in South Africa. 

Sama Bilbao y León is Director General of World Nuclear Association and also President of World Nuclear University.  She has more than 20 years of diverse experience in nuclear engineering and energy policy; having worked with distinction in industry, academia and having held high level positions at OECD/NEA and IAEA.

Sama holds a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering,  a master’s degree in Energy Technologies, as well as a  master's degree and a PhD in Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics and an MBA . Sama is one of founders of the North American Young Generation in Nuclear (NA-YGN).