Powering the future - Responsible AI for the Energy Transition

Kshitij Ahuja

Director of Digital Transformation, Nuclear Promise X

Kshitij Ahuja is the Director of Digital Transformation at NPX, where he leads strategy and execution at the intersection of technology, AI and the energy sector. A graduate in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Waterloo, he brings over a decade of experience in the nuclear industry, driving complex transformation initiatives and building high-performing teams.

Driven by turning ideas from 0→1, Kshitij focuses on solving complex business problems and believes strongly in the Who Not How mindset, bringing the right people together to deliver meaningful results.

Lisa McBride

Country Leader, GE Vernova Hitachi’s Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Canada business

Lisa McBride is the Country Leader of GE Vernova Hitachi’s Small Modular Reactor Canada business. She is responsible for the vision and strategy to lead the deployment and implementation of the BWRX-300 Small Modular Reactor in Canada. She leads and oversees business operations across Canada, as well as collaboration with customers, government, industry and partners. 

She has more than 22 years of experience in the nuclear industry, beginning her career with Ontario Power Generation. Her drive and commitment have propelled her into several key leadership roles in nuclear and corporate functions. Her diverse experiences have positioned her to engage in several critical initiatives, where her cross-functional experience has enabled her to lead multi-disciplinary teams. 

She is the past President of Women in Nuclear (WiN) Canada, a not-for-profit organization with more than 6,700 members. She holds several board positions, including:

• Director of the Canadian Nuclear Association Board
• Vice-Chair of the Board for the Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries
• Executive Director of the WiN Global Board
• Vice-Chair of the Strategy & Planning Committee for Ontario Tech University

She holds a Master of Arts degree in Leadership from the University of Guelph.

Marlene Ramphal

Nuclear Engineer in Residence, Ontario Tech University

Marlene Ramphal, P.Eng, is a senior nuclear engineering leader with over 30 years of experience across engineering, operations, refurbishment, training, security and organizational effectiveness in Canada’s nuclear industry. She began her career as a commissioning engineer at Darlington Nuclear Generating Station and later held senior licensed operations roles, including Control Room Shift Supervisor, Shift Manager, Duty Manager and Operations Manager, becoming one of the first women licensed by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission in these positions.

Marlene has held numerous executive and director-level roles at Ontario Power Generation and has led major initiatives in operations training, refurbishment, outage management, WANO peer review preparation and culture change. She has also served in senior advisory roles supporting regulatory readiness, nuclear security performance and organizational excellence at Darlington, Pickering and Canadian Nuclear Laboratories. Marlene holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Toronto, is a licensed Professional Engineer in Ontario and a recognized advocate for mentorship and the development of future engineering leaders.

Susanna Zagar

President and CEO, Canadian Gas Association

Susanna Zagar is an accomplished leader who delivers results through clarity of purpose, a strategic mindset and disciplined focus on outcomes. Recently named President and CEO of the Canadian Gas Association (CGA), Susanna has a national mandate to advance future-focused public policy in support of Canadian energy safety, security and affordability. Prior to joining the CGA, Susanna spent five years as Chief Executive Officer of the Ontario Energy Board where she earned a reputation as a forward thinker, problem solver and a key player in Ontario’s evolution into an energy superpower.

Susanna brings passion and clarity of purpose to everything she does, and her reputation reflects her professional curiosity, belief in the value of collaboration and commitment to advancing the interests of Canadians from coast to coast.

Named as one of the Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada by the Women’s Executive Network, Susanna is an accomplished executive, seasoned board member and engaged citizen whose affiliations extend from United Way of Great Toronto, Peel and York, to the national Prosperity Project and the International Women’s Forum. Susanna was also recently honoured to receive an Ontario Volunteer Service Award in recognition of more than 30 years of volunteer service across various sectors.

Chris Benedetti

Managing Partner and Chief Executive Officer with Sussex Strategy Group

With experience in both federal and provincial governments, Mr. Benedetti provides an in-depth insight and expertise into various policy development and political processes and has an extensive background in strategic communications, advisory services and public affairs. 

For over 25 years he has helped clients to better understand policy and political imperatives and has worked with governments at all levels to support results-based decision-making. He is an expert in energy-related matters, infrastructure, trade and the environment, as well as in public administration and political affairs. He has also spoken at numerous conferences and has been published in several leading journals. 

While managing the interests of several high-profile public and private sector clients, Mr. Benedetti serves as an elected Board Director of the Ontario Energy Association, the Association of Power Producers of Ontario, the Empire Club of Canada and Outward Bound Canada. He is a member of the Advisory Board of Red Jar Capital. He also previously served as Chair of the Recycling Council of Ontario, Director of the Canadian Institute for Environmental Law and Policy, President of the Public Affairs Association of Canada, Board Director of the Toronto ZooShare Biogas Cooperative and Senior Advisor to the Canada-Europe Roundtable for Business. He has also been a member of the Energy Policy Council of the C.D. Howe Institute.

In March 2025, Mr. Benedetti received the King Charles III Coronation Medal for his exceptional contribution to Canada in the fields of environmental stewardship and youth education. He was also selected in 2024 as the Hedley Palmer award winner from the Association of Power Producers of Ontario. The Hedley Palmer Award recognizes individuals who have contributed exceptional contributions to Ontario’s power generation industry. 

Prior to joining Sussex, Mr. Benedetti was Vice President and Government Relations Practice Leader for a global public affairs and communications company. He has held several positions in the federal government with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and as a political advisor within the House of Commons and the Senate of Canada.  

Mr. Benedetti holds a BA in law and a BA (High Hons.) in political science from Carleton University, an MA in political science (International Relations) from McMaster University and the University of Bath, England.  Active in his local community, Mr. Benedetti has served as President of Horizons for Youth, a United Way agency and one of Toronto’s largest youth shelters, and is a former Director for Common Ground Co-Operative, providing business training opportunities for individuals with development disabilities.