Western Canada Committee

Matthew Lawson

Matthew Lawson is a senior corporate lawyer whose main areas of practice include mergers and acquisitions, financings of public and private securities issuers (including private equity), capital markets transactions, strategic investments, and resources and energy matters, both domestically and internationally. Matt also advises on corporate governance, regulatory compliance, continuous disclosure and stock exchange matters for public issuers.

Having practiced extensively in Canada and Australia, Matt helps clients structure and implement transactions across the globe.

Elyse MacDonald

Elyse is an environmental consultant with over 25 years of experience working in all major resource sectors for public and private clients. She specializes in aquatic biology and erosion and sediment control, managing complex projects across Canada. She has also held progressively responsible operational roles allowing her to work globally.

Arabella Kempton

Arabella is originally from Warrnambool, Victoria, and now resides in Calgary, Alberta, after spending time living in Switzerland. Arabella is a lawyer and internationally experienced business development and strategy professional with more than nine years spanning the public and private sectors in Canada, Australia, and abroad.

She has built her career at the intersection of business, environment, and policy delivering projects in the infrastructure, energy, and environmental sectors. Her expertise includes stakeholder engagement, regulatory compliance, and strategy.

Passionate about fostering cross-border collaboration, Arabella is dedicated to strengthening ties between Canadian and Australian industries and advancing innovation, sustainability, and responsible growth in both markets.

Arabella holds a Juris Doctor (Master of Law). She studied at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, deepening her connection to Canada’s business and policy landscape.

Shane Jaffer

Shane has an extensive background in international trade and investment, having worked with various organizations, including the Government of Alberta and Calgary Economic Development. Some of his previous roles include serving as Director of International and Intergovernmental Relations at Calgary Economic Development and as Managing Director of the Alberta Southeast Asia and Oceania Office, based at the Canadian High Commission in Singapore. Prior to his role in Singapore, he was the Senior Director for Africa at the Alberta International Development Office (AIDO) and worked with International Financial Institutions (IFIs) such as the World Bank Group, Asian Development Bank, and African Development Bank.
He was also part of the World Bank Group and Inter-American Development Bank’s Private Sector Liaison Officer (PSLO) Network. Currently, Shane is a sessional lecturer at Mount Royal University’s Bissett School of Business, where he teaches Emerging Markets and Global Business Environment.

Brianna Peake

Brianna Peake is the Investment and Trade Commissioner Americas, for the Government of Western Australia.

Brianna and her team based in Austin, Texas work to attract investment into and grow trade from the great state of Western Australia. The focus areas for the team are defence industries, critical minerals, energy transition, aerospace, mining services and health medical life sciences.

Brianna has over 20 years’ experience in agribusiness and food supply chains, stakeholder engagement, international trade relations, operational management, sustainability, community investment and customer service.

She is an alumni of the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program, Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Fellow of the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation.

Nikola Fischerova

Nikola joined Invest Vancouver in 2023 as a Business Development Analyst for the Strategic Investment team. Since September 2024, she has been serving as the Sector Development Lead, focusing on attracting foreign direct investment and supporting businesses in the Digital Media & Entertainment, High-Tech, and Apparel sectors. She provides tailored guidance on regulatory matters, government programs, & regional advantages to her clients.
Before joining Invest Vancouver, Nikola spent 6.5 years at the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association as the Membership Engagement and Economic Development Lead. In this role, she supported a diverse group of 8,000 businesses and played a key role in driving economic recovery campaigns. Nikola holds a Master’s degree in Economics and Business Law, along with training in economic development.

Alejandra Gutierrez

Alejandra Gutierrez is a global partnerships professional passionate about community development and inclusive economic growth. She brings expertise in stakeholder engagement, relationship building, and strategic collaboration across sectors and regions. As Global Partnerships Coordinator at Invest Alberta, Alejandra supports international investment attraction by fostering meaningful connections between business, government, and community. Her background in Economics and International Studies, combined with her experience working with diverse stakeholders, enables her to navigate complex environments and deliver impactful outcomes. Prior to joining Invest Alberta, Alejandra worked with Community Futures in Northern British Columbia, where she supported over 100 businesses through tailored advisory services and partnership development.

Brock Freeman

Brock is the Head of Communications at the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I-SPARC), where he currently leads communication efforts after dedicating two years volunteering on one of their regional committees. I-SPARC is committed to fostering thriving communities through sport-based programs, breaking barriers for Indigenous athletes across British Columbia.

With a rich background in marketing, brand development, and communications, specializing in branded consumer goods and biotech industries, including collaborations with multinational groups such as Beam-Suntory, Asahi Beverages, and Tetley Tea.

Brock holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree with a focus on Marketing Management from the Australian Institute of Business (AIB).

Beyond his professional endeavors, Brock's enduring passion for sports, especially lacrosse, has remained a constant in his life, and contributes by coaching youth lacrosse in Vancouver.

Tim Joyce

Tim Joyce is the Founder and Director of Nooma Logic, an AI and business strategy firm that helps businesses, Indigenous organizations, and development corporations accelerate growth through digital transformation, automation, funding strategies, and strategic partnerships.

A dual Australian and Canadian citizen, Tim has built a career spanning Australia and Canada across the mining, energy, construction, technology, and professional services sectors. His experience includes service in the Australian Army, national business development leadership, entrepreneurship, and advising organizations on growth, market strategy, and major project opportunities.

Based in Prince George, British Columbia, Tim is passionate about strengthening economic ties between Canada and Australia while supporting regional growth, Indigenous economic development, and innovation across Northern Canada.

Karen Gardiner

Bio to Follow

OPEN POSITIONS

The CACC has various roles that we are recruiting for the Western Canada Committee including Co-Chair and Co-Secretary among others. If you are seeking to volunteer and are based in BC, Alberta or Saskatchewan please submit your expression of interest to [email protected].

VOLUNTEER FORM

If you’re passionate about strengthening Canadian Australian connections and want to contribute your skills to a dynamic, purpose-driven team, the CACC would love to hear from you. We’re currently seeking enthusiastic individuals for a range of volunteer roles that are matched to your experience, interests, and availability.

Join us in shaping meaningful impact across trade, investment, and community collaboration!

If you’re based in Western Canada, please submit your Expression of Interest via our Volunteer Form (link below) or email us directly at: [email protected]

• CACC Volunteer Form