A moderated discussion featuring leaders from industry associations and key sectors discussing future opportunities, challenges, and priorities. This panel will feature representatives from environmental, energy, ocean, mining, technology, and resource-sector organizations.
What makes innovation possible in industries and environments that are difficult to change? It is a question Meagan Kay-Fowlow has explored throughout her career—from global governance and global development, through global health, to her work today, especially with Newfoundland and Labrador’s energy, mining, oceans, and defence sectors.
As President of Co. Innovation Centre (COIC), she applies that perspective to a province where some of the very conditions that make business difficult—including remoteness, harsh climate, demanding operating environments, and limited infrastructure—can also create pressure to innovate. COIC works with companies to develop, test, adopt, and commercialize new technologies and approaches, helping turn the realities of operating in Newfoundland and Labrador into a source of competitive advantage.
That work builds on more than a decade focused on the conditions that allow innovation to move from idea to practice. From 2008 to 2020, Meagan worked internationally on complex policy and development challenges, where she became interested in the systems around innovation: the policies that enable it, the pathways that move ideas from discovery to delivery, and the relationships that make collaboration possible.
When a visit home in 2022 became a permanent move, she found companies doing ambitious, technically challenging work in some of the world’s most demanding operating environments. She stayed, and has spent the years since building the connections, programs, and infrastructure to help those companies—and the province they call home—turn those challenges into an advantage.
Andrea King is an executive, entrepreneur and community builder with experience in international finance, media and tech startups. She is the CEO of techNL, where she is focused on strengthening Newfoundland and Labrador’s technology sector, helping local companies grow and scale, and creating more opportunities for people to build their careers and futures in the province.
Throughout her career, Andrea has worked in more than 25 countries and has built, led and advised companies at various stages of growth. She has held senior leadership roles at Nasdaq and Verafin, co-founded an AI technology company, and previously founded, scaled and sold her own business.
Andrea is also an active investor, advisor and mentor in the Atlantic Canadian startup ecosystem. She co-founded Women’s Equity Lab Atlantic, is an investor with Sandpiper Ventures, and has worked with founders and growth-stage companies on strategy, commercialization and scaling.
Executive Director, Mining Industry NL
Amanda is a geologist, prospector, educator and entrepreneur. With a career spanning over two decades, she is a transformative leader in the mining and minerals sectors. In 2024, Amanda was appointed as Executive Director/CEO of Mining Industry NL, a non-profit industry association, the first woman to serve in this role. Amanda has navigated through both private and public sectors, demonstrating proficiency across various aspects of the mining domain. Whether leading prospect generation and exploration initiatives or enhancing investment appeal, her versatile skill set epitomizes a steadfast dedication to driving industry progress.
Amanda is a graduate from Memorial University with a Bachelor of Science in Geology and a Bachelor of Education. Amanda also holds a Masters Certificate in Project Management from Schulich School of Business, York University. Additionally, she has completed the Directors Education Program, Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto and the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors.
CEO Energy NL
Charlene Johnson was a Member of the House of Assembly, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, from 2003 to 2014. She was a senior cabinet minister in several departments including, Finance and Human Resource Secretariat, President of Treasury Board; Innovation, Business and Rural Development; Child, Youth and Family Services; and Environment and Conservation. She was also the minister responsible for the Status of Women and parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources. Prior to the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Charlene worked as a policy analyst for the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board.
Following her time in provincial politics Charlene lived in Brunei. During her time overseas, she completed a Master of Business Administration (with Distinction) from Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland. This complements her Bachelor of Science in forest engineering from the University of New Brunswick and Master of Applied Science in environmental engineering from Memorial University. Charlene has the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors and a certificate in Energy Innovation and Emerging Technologies from Stanford University. She is currently enrolled in Year Two of the Saint Mary’s University (Halifax) Executive Doctorate of Business Administration program.
Charlene became Chief Executive Officer of Energy NL on January 9, 2018.
Shelly Petten is the Chief Executive Officer of Oceans Advance, the ocean technology cluster group in Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada. Shelly joined Oceans Advance in 2023 and brings over 20 years’ experience in the ocean technology sector from both private industry and the public sector to the organization. Prior to joining Oceans Advance, Shelly was a Sales Manager with Kraken Robotics and held previous roles as Marketing & Communications Manager with Kraken as well as with PanGeo Subsea. Throughout her career with industry and as an Economic Development Officer with the government of Newfoundland & Labrador, Shelly has fostered many professional relationships with partners throughout the province, country and the world and she is eager to continue to use those relationships to not only support the growth of the ocean technology sector in Newfoundland & Labrador, but also to position the province as the leader in this sector for technology development and ocean technology capacity.
Laura Barron joined the econext team as Chief Executive Officer in August 2025. econext is a not-for-profit industry association dedicated to advancing environmentally sustainable economic growth in Newfoundland and Labrador. With a network of approximately 200 member businesses, research institutions, governments, and NGOs, econext serves as a leading voice for the province’s green economy.
With a background in strategic communications and stakeholder relations in public sector, private sector and not-for-profit environments, Laura has worked with World Energy GH2, m5 Marketing Communications, Ray Creative Agency, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Soulpepper Theatre, and the Luminato Festival.
Laura has a Master of Public Relations from Mount Saint Vincent University, a Master of Arts and Bachelor of Arts from Memorial University, a certificate in Strategic Public Relations from the University of Toronto, and a certificate in Leading People and Teams from the University of Michigan. In 2018, Laura was certified as a strategic communications management professional (SCMP) through the Global Communication Certification Council (GCCC) and the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC).
Laura is a mentor (‘big sister’) with Big Brothers Big Sisters NL, and serves on the board of directors for the Katie Sullivan Instrument Library. Laura has previously served on the boards of Perchance Theatre and IABC NL.
Abbie Hodder is the Chief Executive Officer of Equiforce, formerly known as the Women in Resource Development Corporation (WRDC), a provincial not-for-profit dedicated to advancing gender equity and strengthening workforces. She leads the organization’s work with employers, community partners, and women and girls to expand career opportunities and address barriers to participation and advancement in skilled trades, technology, and other underrepresented fields.
Before joining Equiforce in January 2025, Abbie spent nearly 13 years with econext, culminating in her role as Chief Operating Officer. Her work spanned international business development, industry partnerships, and initiatives supporting environmentally sustainable economic growth in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Abbie brings a perspective that connects industry development, women’s economic participation, and the workforce needs of a changing economy. She is particularly interested in how the province can build the talent, partnerships, and inclusive workplaces needed to realize opportunities in both established and emerging sectors.
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