G7 Canada Brain Economy Summit: Global Briefing Agenda

About the Summit

Join us for the G7 Canada Brain Economy Summit, a global initiative focused on how brain capital—our collective brain health and brain skills—can drive economic growth, resilience, and innovation.

Timed to coincide with Canada’s G7 Presidency and the G7 Leaders’ Summit in June 2025, the summit includes G7-aligned virtual roundtables and culminates in a Global Briefing in Calgary, bringing together senior leaders from government, business, research, and civil society to shape a shared vision for inclusive, brain-centered progress.

Download the Global Briefing Agenda.

G7 Canada Brain Economy Summit: In Person Global Briefing Agenda
Time Activity Speaker(s)
10:00am – 10:30am Guests arrive / registration n/a
MC Introduction Richard Hatzfeld
Senior Partner, Global Health Impact at FINN Partners
10:30am – 10:55am Introduction and overview of roundtable and outputs Dr. Jennie Z. Young
Executive Director, Canadian Brain Research Strategy
MC introduces first two speakers
Welcome from the University of Calgary President Dr. Edward McCauley
President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Calgary
Welcome from the Hotchkiss Brain Institute Dr. David Park
Director of the Hotchkiss Brain Institute at the University of Calgary
MC introduces next group of speakers
10:55am – 11:15am Dignitaries’ Speeches The Honourable Matt Jones
Minister of Hospital and Surgical Health Services, Government of Alberta

The Honourable Katherine Hay
Senator, Senate of Canada, President & Co-CEO (Retired Designate), Kids Help Phone

The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, P.C., M.P. (video)
Former Minister of Science of Canada
MC introduces next group of speakers
11:15am – 11:50am Introductory Interventions for Context Linda Lafontaine
Patient, Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia

Kana Enomoto (video)
Director of Brain Health, McKinsey Health Institute

Dr. Angela Apeaygei, PhD (video)
Research Assistant Professor, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation

Dr. Harris Eyre, MD, PhD (video)
Senior Fellow and Lead of Neuro-Policy, Rice University
11:50 am – 12:15pm Innovation Showcase Overview (Allison Sekular | Garth Smith | Jennifer Dotchin)
12:15 pm – 1:15 pm LUNCH
MC introduces next group of speakers
1:15pm – 2:00pm Panel: Accelerating the Canadian Brain Economy Transition Moderator: Dr. Allison Sekuler, PhD, FSEP, FAPS, FPsyS
Professor & Sandra A. Rotman Chair in Cognitive Neuroscience, Baycrest and University of Toronto
President and Chief Scientist, Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation and Baycrest Academy for Research and Education

Dr. Alice Luo Clayton, PhD
CEO, McKnight Brain Research Foundation

David Gow
CEO, Center for Houston’s Future

Dr. Valerie Taylor, MD, PhD
Chair of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Professor, Hotchkiss Brain Institute
Departmental Science Advisor, Health Canada
2:00pm – 2:05pm 5 minute break
MC introduces next group of speakers
2:05pm – 2:45pm TED-Style Talks Shawn Fluharty, Esq.
Head of Government Affairs, Play’n GO; Minority Whip; West Virginia Legislature; Attorney; President, NCLGS

Dr. Dilpriya K. Mangat
CEO and Founder of NexCerebrum, Adjunct Professor, University of Calgary

Dr. Jane Rylett
Distinguished University Professor at Western University, Scientific Director at CIHR Institute of Aging, Scientist at Robarts Research Institute

Dr. Alexander Caudarella
CEO, Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction

Seth and Lauren Rogen (video)
Filmmakers and Co-Founders, Hilarity for Charity
2:45pm – 3:15pm Afternoon Break
MC Introduces next group of speakers
3:15pm – 3:50pm TED-Style Talks Dr. Thabele Leslie Mazwi
Professor and Chair of the Department of Neurology, The University of Washington, and Representative for the American Heart Association

Dr. Edith Sky Gross
Director of International Relations at the Paris Brain Institute

Krystal Sexton
Board of Directors Member, Health Enhancement Research Organization (HERO)
Scientific Advisor, Business Collaborative for Brain Health
MC introduces George Vradenburg for closing remarks
3:50pm – 4:00pm Closing Remarks George Vradenburg
Founding Chairman of Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative
4:00pm – 5:00pm Networking Reception & Innovation Showcase

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