Board of Directors
Brent Brough
Chairperson
CCO of InflowControl
Brent Brough is the Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of InflowControl, a Norwegian oil and gas technology company. With 23 years of international experience, he has worked and lived in various countries, including Canada, Russia, the UK, Norway, and the UAE. Brent has extensive director-level experience in energy technology companies and start-ups. He earned an MBA from Warwick Business School in Coventry, UK, and holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology in Calgary, Canada. Brent's diverse background and international expertise enables him to be a valuable asset within the broader energy sector.
Stacia Leonard
Vice Chair
Stacia Leonard is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta. She holds degrees in Geology and Psychology from the University of Calgary and began her career as a professional geologist in the oil and gas industry, with positions at CNRL, Talisman, Encana, and Murphy Oil. After completing her MBA at the Haskayne School of Business, she broadened her expertise across industries, including industrial equipment and machinery (Finning Canada), railroad (Canadian Pacific Railway), and government (City of Calgary). With a strong multidisciplinary background, Stacia is passionate about helping others solve complex problems, drive innovation, and deliver value across a range of sectors.
Cassandra Maria Defazio
Secretary | Head, Admin and Governance
Commercial Manager and Export Control Officer (Middle East) - CAE MME L.L.C.
Cassandra Maria Defazio was born and raised in Montreal, Quebec, and has been with CAE for the past 14 years - spending 12 years in Montreal at CAE Headquarters before relocating to the UAE. She currently serves as a Commercial Manager and Export Control Officer (Middle East), where she plays a key role in business negotiations, compliance, and strategic initiatives. Known for her expertise in relationship building, identifying business opportunities, strategic planning and drive for consistent collaboration. She also leads the Professional Women's Network at CAE for the Middle East Region, fostering a strong community for women in business and aviation.
Andrew Fawcett
Treasurer
Andrew is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA Canada) with over 20 years of experience. He has worked across several industries including, insurance, government, infrastructure, resort operations, international aid and development and higher education. He brings a range of expertise in compliance and governance, contract and commercial management, and financial and management accounting. He holds a Bachelor's of Business Administration (B.B.A) from Bishop's University and is a member of the hockey community in the UAE.
Waleed Shahnawaz
Board Director
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Waleed Shahnawaz is a seasoned finance leader, board advisor, and entrepreneur with more than 15 years of international experience across the UAE, Canada, Australia, and serving clients across North America and Europe. He has worked with large organizations including KPMG and EY Canada, leading finance functions, advisory, and regulatory engagements. Over the years in the UAE, he has taken on senior responsibilities within the Abu Dhabi government ecosystem, contributing to governance, strategy, and financial leadership.
In parallel, he leads a consulting practice providing strategic advisory, board consulting, and Group CFO services to large organizations, while serving on multiple audit and investment committees and corporate boards.
He holds FCCA (UK), CPA (Canada), and CIA (USA) designations, He also earned a Master of Professional Accounting from the University of Technology Sydney Australia, a Masters of Finance from the University of Wollongong Australia, and completed CFO Executive Education at Harvard Business School.
Dima Al- Elsawi
Board Director
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Dima Al-Eisawi is a strategic leader working at the intersection of corporate asset management, infrastructure planning, and financial strategy. She brings experience advising the Ontario public sector on long-term asset stewardship, fiscal sustainability, and evidence-based investment planning, and has supported major infrastructure and financial transactions through her work with EY (Ernst & Young).
She currently serves the Abu Dhabi Government as Senior Manager, Strategic Affairs, leading strategic planning for enterprise development. Recognised as an emerging voice in Canada’s infrastructure sector, she was nominated for the 2022 Emerging Leader Award by the Women’s Infrastructure Network.
Dima holds a PhD from Coventry University, certifications in asset management and AI & business strategy, and brings strong analytical, governance, and public-sector insight to her professional and volunteer roles across Canada and the UAE.
Amin Sajan
Board Director
Consultant Emergency Physician, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City
I am a Consultant Emergency Physician from Vancouver. This stint will be my third time living in the Middle East. Most recently, we lived in Abu Dhabi from 2012 to 2018 and just returned last December. While we lived here, I completed an MBA from London Business School and was able to work on multiple collaborations with major health tech industry partners on projects to support the clinical planning of a $2B green field health campus build in Vancouver. I’m excited to explore how to raise the profile of Canadian health care brands in the GCC market. .
Mazen Shehada
Board Director
Director of Business Development, Abu Dhabi Oilfield Services (ADOS
Mazen Shehada is the Director of Business Development at Abu Dhabi Oilfield Services (ADOS), a role he has held since 2016. He leads multiple sales and operational teams, connecting international businesses with the UAE market. Mazen started his career in Calgary in the energy industry before taking on international assignments in Southeast Asia, the USA, and Saudi Arabia. He holds a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering from Queen’s University, a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Toronto, and a Master of Legal Studies specializing in Commercial Law from Washington University. With strong ties to both the UAE and Canada, Mazen brings a unique perspective, enabling him to foster collaboration and build strategic relationships across diverse markets.
Maher Doleh
Counsellor (Commercial) and Senior Trade Commissioner
Embassy of Canada in the UAE
Maher Doleh is a career diplomat serving as Counsellor (Commercial) and Senior Trade Commissioner at the Embassy of Canada to the UAE. He has held various roles, including Counsellor (Commercial) at the Embassies of Canada in Kuwait, Qatar, Libya, and Saudi Arabia, and Consul and Trade Commissioner in Bangalore, India. He has also worked at headquarters in Ottawa as a Political Officer, Trade Commissioner, and Advisor to the Associate Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. Maher holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Ryerson University, a Master of Arts from Royal Roads University, and is a Certified International Trade Professional (CITP | FIBP).
CBC Executive Team
Peter Hastie
Manager Business Development & Strategic Partnerships
Peter Hastie is the Business Development Specialist at CBC, where he has been making significant contributions since joining in September 2023. Originally from Ireland, Peter’s role is to drive growth and foster strong client relationships. With a background in sales and a deep enthusiasm for business development, he is committed to delivering and building lasting partnerships
Camille Velayo
Finance and Administration Officer
Camille Velayo holds a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management and has amassed five years of professional experience in the UAE. Camille is currently, the Finance and Administration Officer at the Canadian Business Council, where she manages the day-to-day financial transactions and administrative operations to ensure the smooth running of the Council’s activities and previously worked at Burjeel Medical City. Camille is dedicated to using her expertise to support the Council's mission of strengthening business connections between Canada and the UAE.