Conférenciers d'honneur (anglais seulement)

Hydrographer General of Canada and Director General for the Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS) with Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Dr. Geneviève Béchard was appointed Hydrographer General of Canada and Director General for the Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS) with Fisheries and Oceans Canada in February 2018. She has joined CHS at an exciting time when there are profound changes in the world of hydrography as we go digital. She previously held executive positions with the Canada Centre for Remote Sensing, the Geological Survey of Canada and the Meteorological Service of Canada. Dr. Béchard co-chairs the United States – Canada Hydrographic Commission and represents Canada at the Arctic Regional Hydrographic Commission and at International Hydrographic Organization’s Council. She also serves as Canadian Co-Chair of the International Lake Ontario St. Lawrence River Board of the International Joint Commission.

Parks Canada - Underwater Archaeology Team (UAT).

Marc-André Bernier is the Manager of the Parks Canada’s Underwater Archaeology Team (UAT). With the UAT since 1990, he has worked all over Canada and participated in underwater archaeology projects in France, Mexico, Argentina, Uruguay, Columbia and the United States. A former Chair of the Advisory Council for Underwater Archaeology, he is a member of the International Committee on the Underwater Cultural Heritage. The UAT is presently conducting archaeological work on the Franklin 1845 Expedition shipwrecks, HMS Erebus and HMS Terror, in the Canadian Arctic. 

Groupe Océan

Marie-Ève Biron est directrice-adjointe des opérations de dragage à succion au sein du Groupe Océan à Québec. Elle a obtenu un baccalauréat en génie géomatique en 2003. Elle possède une solide expérience en hydrographie, qu’elle a forgée en travaillant au sein d’équipes multidisciplinaires : firme d’arpenteurs-géomètres et firme d’ingénierie. Depuis presque trois ans, elle fait partie de l’équipe de dragage d’Océan, où elle a cheminée de surintendante en hydrographie vers le poste de directrice-adjointe des opérations. Elle puise sa motivation dans les défis imposés dans les projets de dragage qu’elle gère, où rigueur et précision sont de mise. Marie‑Ève est devenue, en 2010, la première géomètre en hydrographie de l'Ordre des arpenteurs-géomètres du Québec. 

Marie-Ève Biron is the assistant director of suction dredging operations at Ocean Group in Quebec City. She obtained a bachelor's degree in geomatics engineering in 2003. She has a solid experience in hydrography, which she acquired by working in multidisciplinary teams: a land surveyor and an engineering firm. For almost three years, she has been a member of the Ocean dredging team, where she has worked her way up from hydrography superintendent to assistant director of operations. She is motivated by the challenges imposed by the dredging projects she manages, where rigor and precision are required.  In 2010, Marie-Ève became the first hydrographic surveyor of the Ordre des arpenteurs-géomètres du Québec.

Teledyne CARIS

Karen Cove is the Senior Product Manager at Teledyne CARIS located in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Since receiving her M.SC. Engineering in Geodesy and Geomatics from the University of New Brunswick in 2005, Karen has enjoyed a career in marine geospatial. Before joining CARIS, Karen worked with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans as a survey technologist. Karen has a keen interest in mapping to support the safe and sustainable use and protection of the ocean and coastal environments.

Affiliate Research Scientist with the University of New Hampshire

International Hydrographic Organization (IHO)

Mathias Jonas is a German Doctor in Engineering, has served as the National Hydrographer of Germany, and as Vice President of the German national maritime administration. In 2017 he was elected to the position of Secretary-General of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO). His professional achievements have been focused on the introduction of computerized navigation systems for commercial shipping, and he is now leading the international drive for improved and coordinated hydrographic information and services.

President of the WISTA Canada/ Norton Rose Fulbright Canada

Vanessa’s practice covers both disputes and transactional aspects of maritime law, including marine casualties, charterparty and cargo claims, marine insurance, the purchase and financing of vessels, charterparties, and regulatory compliance. Vanessa has also advised the Government of Canada on transportation policy. While she started her career in Canada, she then practiced for years in London, England, and then in Singapore. In 2015, she returned to practice in Montreal, Canada. Vanessa has a PhD in Maritime Law. Vanessa is the President of the WISTA Canada (Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association), and is a speaker on diversity in the maritime industry and unconscious bias.

Rear Admiral, Director of NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey, Chair of the IHO’s Council

Rear Admiral Shepard Smith is the Director of NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey, the domestic hydrographic office for the United States. During his 27 years with NOAA, he has led hydrographic operations in the field and office. He is the current Chair of the IHO’s Council, and a candidate for election to a Director post at the IHO in Monaco.  

University of New Hampshire

Rochelle Wigley received her PhD in Geological Sciences in 2005 from the University of Cape Town, South Africa, where her studies focused on sediment chemistry for marine sequence stratigraphic studies of condensed sediment records.  She worked in the marine offshore industry in Southern Africa. She is currently Project Director for all Nippon Foundation / GEBCO projects at the Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping/Joint Hydrographic Center, University of New Hampshire, including the Nippon Foundation / GEBCO Training Program and the Indian Ocean Bathymetric Compilation project. She oversees all administrative and management issues related to the Ocean Mapping training program, mentoring the current students and maintaining the international network of program alumni. She was co-lead for the GEBCO-NF Alumni team, grand prize winners of the Shell Ocean Discovery XPRIZE, and managed team members, advisors and business partners and suppliers from across various continents and time zones with the single goal of mapping the sea floor.