Join us October 15-16, 2026 in Kelowna for the Okanagan Right of Way Summit!

REGISTER ON EVENTBRITE

$400.00 per member

$500.00 per non-member

(includes the Thursday night event)

Make your host hotel reservations here!

Contact the host hotel directly at 1-800-716-6199 and reference "IRWA Symposium 2026" to secure the guaranteed room rate based on availability.

Red Bird Brewing, 1080 Richter St,

Kelowna, BC V1Y 2K5

Join Us at Red Bird Brewing!

Enjoy a lively evening at Red Bird Brewing's indoor/outdoor

venue featuring wood-fired pizza, craft beer, local wines, non-alcoholic beverages, and live music.

📅 Thursday, October 15, 2026

🕕6:00 PM – 11:00 PM

📍Red Bird Brewing

Your ticket includes:

Live music entertainment, Wood-fired pizza and appetizers, One beverage (craft beer, wine, or non-alcoholic option)

We look forward to celebrating with you for an

evening of great food, drinks, music, and company!

We recommend guests that have dietary restrictions to order their own dish at the bar, we can provide you with food tickets for that. They can order anything from the menu and we will give them a number and bring the dish straight to guest.

Join fellow young professionals for an evening of connection, conversation, and community during the IRWA Okanagan Summit. Enjoy live music, refreshments, appetizers, and a cash bar while building relationships and growing together in the right-of-way community, October 16 at the Coast Capri Hotel in Kelowna. Tickets are $20 and separate from summit registration.

Here is our list of featured speakers for the IRWA Okanagan Right of Way Summit, Oct 15–16, 2026.

Gitane De Silva is a recognized public policy leader with executive experience at provincial, national, and international levels. Over the course of her 25-year career, she worked extensively on Canada–US relations, energy and environment issues, intergovernmental relations, and complex negotiations. As a sought-after keynote speaker and strategist, De Silva draws on her wealth of experience to deliver actionable insights and strategic clarity on leadership, geopolitics, and the energy sector, grounded in real-world expertise.

From 2020-2023, De Silva was the CEO of Canada Energy Regulator, where she ensured the safe and efficient delivery of energy to Canada and the world, while also protecting the environment, advancing Reconciliation, and providing relevant and timely energy information and analysis. Prior to this, she was Alberta’s Deputy Minister for International and Intergovernmental Relations. De Silva directly served four Premiers and advocated for Alberta’s interests domestically and internationally.

A seasoned diplomat specializing in Canada–US relations, De Silva was Alberta’s Senior Representative in Washington, DC under the first Trump Administration and Canada’s Consul General in Chicago, among other roles. She promoted trade, investment, and energy infrastructure, and was also involved in the negotiations of several trade and environmental agreements, including the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), the Canada Free Trade Agreement, and the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.

Today, De Silva is the Founder and Principal of GDStrategic, a Special Advisor at Blue Rock Law, a Global Fellow with the Canada Institute at the Woodrow Wilson Center, a Board Member with the Public Policy Forum, and a member of the C.D. Howe Institute. She holds a BA in International Relations from the University of British Columbia and her ICD.D designation.

Kathryn Pollack was named Executive Vice-President, People, Safety and Indigenous and Corporate Relations to SaskPower in 2023.

Prior to joining SaskPower, Kathryn held a number of leadership positions in government and private industry in Saskatchewan, including Chairperson and CEO of the Public Service Commission of Saskatchewan, Chief Procurement Officer for the Ministry of SaskBuilds and Procurement, and Chief Strategy Officer with Praxis Consulting.

She studied Fine Arts at Collège du Vieux Montréal and holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Regina and a Petroleum Land Administration Certificate from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology in Calgary. She has also completed the Directors Education Program through the Rotman School of Business and Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD.D) and is a Certified Leadership Coach.

In 2022, she received the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (Saskatchewan) for Public Service.

With a practice that is directed towards energy, environmental and regulatory law, municipal planning as well as expropriation and surface rights, Daron Naffin acts for oil and gas companies,

municipalities, and utilities.

Clients benefit from his experience with matters involving all aspects of energy facility applications. He is also involved in environmental matters concerned with contaminated sites and Alberta power projects.

Daron appears before the Supreme Court of Canada, all levels of the Alberta courts, the Alberta Energy Regulator, the Alberta Utilities Commission, the Alberta Environmental Appeals Board, the Land

and Property Rights Tribunal, the Natural Resources Conservation Board, the BC Energy Regulator, the BC Energy Resource Appeal Tribunal, the BC Surface Rights Board, the Canadian Energy Regulator and various municipal and expropriation tribunals.

Daron is a past president of the Alberta Expropriation Association, is a member of the International Right of Way Association (IRWA), a member of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Landmen (CAPL) and sat on the Disciplinary Hearing Panel Roster for the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA).

Tim Myers is an experienced energy regulatory lawyer specializing in the areas of project development, utilities and rates, and environmental, Indigenous and surface rights law.

Tim regularly advises and represents clients in connection with:

facility and associated regulatory and environmental approval/assessment processes for oil and gas producers, pipeline companies, power generators, and electricity and natural gas providers;

enforcement and compliance matters in relation to significant environmental and operational incidents, including experience with contaminated sites, environmental protection orders, regulatory

enforcement actions, investigations, and prosecutions;

rates and tolling matters;

negotiation of surface rights dispositions with landowners for energy developments, and surface rights and expropriation compensation proceedings;

the energy transformation, including CCUS projects, renewable resource projects and hydrogen initiatives; and commercial transactions involving businesses and assets in the energy, energy services, mining and utility sectors.

Tim appears before the Canada Energy Regulator; various administrative tribunals in Alberta, including the Alberta Energy Regulator, Alberta Utilities Commission, Land and Property Rights Tribunal, Metis Settlement Appeal Tribunal, and Environmental Appeals Board; the British Columbia Energy Regulator, Energy Resource Appeal Tribunal; Surface Rights Board in British Columbia; public utility regulators; environmental impact assessment boards; and land and water management boards in the Yukon and Northwest Territories. Tim has represented clients before all levels of Court in Alberta and the British Columbia Supreme Court.

Larry M. Serko, RI, is a Senior Property Specialist, strong negotiator, and land management professional based in the Okanagan, BC. With a distinguished career spanning over 30 years,

Larry serves on the Board of Governors for the Real Estate Institute of British Columbia (REIBC), where he also holds his professional RI designation. He specializes in public sector land acquisition, property infrastructure development, and right-of-way management, having successfully negotiated thousands of Statutory Rights-of-Way to support critical infrastructure across the province.

Larry’s foundational background includes specialized training in Real Estate Appraisal and Investment Analysis from Langara College. His extensive career includes major private and public sector milestones, such as operating Serko Property Services. In this role, he utilized his advanced negotiation skills to successfully navigate complex municipal development applications and zoning requirements directly with Okanagan local governments. Known for his strong analytical skills, strategic contract negotiations, and budgeting precision, Larry continues to play a vital role in securing and managing critical infrastructure properties across British Columbia's communities.

Maggie Bratland is Manager of Stakeholder Relations at Manitoba Hydro, Manitoba’s Crown-owned electricity and natural gas utility.

With more than 20 years of experience in regulatory approvals, public engagement, and transmission line siting, Maggie now leads strategic external engagement for major initiatives, including the Integrated Resource Plan, HVDC reliability upgrades, and grid modernization.

She brings a practical, collaborative approach to building meaningful connections with communities, partners, and interested parties as Manitoba Hydro plans for the province’s energy future.

Conner McDonald – SR/WA is a Principal Program Manager at CMD West, providing real estate and

right-of-way services across California and the Western States.

Throughout Conner’s career in infrastructure real estate, he has worked with public agencies, utilities, non-profits, and educational institutions, overseeing all aspects of project delivery and land management, including planning; valuation; negotiation; condemnation; relocation; and property management, on a diverse array of projects from high-speed rail and transportation, to water storage and flood control. In addition, Conner has served with the IRWA and the Appraisal Institute for the better part of two decades in roles such as Chapter President, International Public Agency Committee Chair, International Young Professionals Committee Secretary and Regional Representative, and IRWA Region 1 Chair.

He is a Chapter 27 Professional of the Year, Region 1 Professional of the Year, IRWA International Instructor of the Year, and an IRWA Frank C. Balfour International Professional of the Year Finalist. 

In his free time, he loves visiting his highly excellent Right-of-Way RockStar Friends to the North, in Canada!  Let him know what you’re working on t Conner@CMDWest.com!

Ryan Seymour, J.D., RWA, is Manager of Real Estate for the City of Fredericton, where he oversees all municipal real estate functions, including acquisitions, dispositions, easements, leasing, and strategic land planning.

He regularly advises City Council and senior leadership on property matters, infrastructure projects, economic development initiatives, and long-term land management strategies.

Prior to joining the City of Fredericton, Ryan practiced property and corporate-commercial law with McInnes Cooper and later served as Corporate Counsel for Cobalt Properties, an Irving Oil subsidiary with a real estate portfolio spanning Canada and the United States.

He is a former Chair of the New Brunswick Real Property Section of the Canadian Bar Association, reflecting his long-standing involvement in property law and professional practice.

Ryan holds a Juris Doctor from Queen's University and a Bachelor of Arts from Bowdoin College. He is a Certified Right of Way Agent (RWA), Past President of International Right of Way Association Chapter 65, and a certified instructor in real estate law and easement law.

Ryan is a frequent presenter on municipal real estate, property

law, valuation, and right of way matters.

Andrew F. Sorba, SR/WA, R/W-AC, SRA, AI-RRS earned his BA from the University of Washington, double majoring in Law, Societies, & Justice, and Political Science.  

He is a Certified General Appraiser licensed in the states of Washington and Alaska. Andrew is the Managing Member of Appraisal Group of the Northwest. 

He has experience appraising and reviewing a wide variety of properties, with primary areas of practice in right-of-way and litigation support.

His clients include governmental agencies, private firms, lending institutions, and individuals.

Andrew is an IRWA Certified Instructor and currently serves as the Vice Chair of Region 7. He has previously served as the Chair of the International Valuation Committee, a member of IPEC’s Credentialing Subcommittee, and a past President of Chapter 4.

Andrew is the recipient of the 2025 Frank C. Balfour International Profession of the Year Award.

Nancy Sinclair is the Director of Canadian ROW Programs for Flairdocs. Previously, she was the regional Head of Property for the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, where she was responsible for their acquisition, appraisal and management programs, as well as the provincial lead for the development of a property management system. ​

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At Flairdocs, Nancy serves as a subject matter

expert in Right of Way and leads training programs and business development, focused on Canadian markets. ​

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An experienced facilitator and trainer with a career of over 30 years in the real estate and ROW, Nancy holds an SR/WA designation, current member of the Ethics committee, past  Chair of the International Transportation Committee and Past President of the Canadian Right of Way Education Foundation, as well as an IRWA-Certified Instructor.

Sandra is an accomplished Land Management Professional and the Supervisor of the Lands & Right-of-Way Western Canada Operations Team at Enbridge.

In her role, she is crucial in delivering leadership, mentorship, and support for land management activities across Western Canada, with specialized expertise in British Columbia land matters.

With a strong background in land management, stakeholder engagement and regulatory affairs, Sandra excels in building and maintaining relationships with stakeholders, landowners, government agencies and regulatory bodies.

I am proud and humbled to be called upon to join the leaders of the Secwepemc Nation as Tribal Chief of the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council.

I am a powerful advocate for Rights which encompasses Title.

I draw upon the knowledge passed to me from knowledge keepers, Secwepemc culture and Secwepemc laws to advance the issues of Aboriginal rights.

An experienced land professional with a strong background in the natural gas industry, specializing in stakeholder engagement, right of way management, and regulatory affairs.

She has built trusted relationships with landowners, Indigenous communities, government agencies, and regulatory bodies, successfully navigating complex projects through collaboration and effective communication.

Deborah (Deb) Zufelt, SR/WA is a Senior Director of Land at Canacre Ltd. with over 13 years of progressive experience in right of way, land acquisition, and infrastructure project delivery across Canada.

She has led and supported complex transmission, pipeline, and renewable energy projects, with expertise spanning permitting, land acquisition, title review, regulatory processes, and stakeholder engagement.

Her work has been grounded in the Canadian regulatory and legal environment, including experience navigating multi-jurisdictional requirements and supporting projects involving Indigenous communities, Crown land, and large-scale infrastructure development.

Throughout her career, Deb has held key leadership roles including Project Manager, Land Administration Lead, and Permitting Lead, working collaboratively with engineers, environmental specialists, legal teams, and government agencies.

She brings a practical, field-informed perspective to land programs, including negotiating agreements, supporting consultation processes, and advising on land strategy from early routing and siting through to acquisition and project execution.

Her experience across diverse Canadian projects enables her to connect course concepts to real-world application, particularly in areas of stakeholder engagement, regulatory compliance, and evolving expectations around Indigenous relations.

Deb holds a Bachelor of Environmental Studies in Urban Planning from the University of Waterloo and an Associate Certificate from the Institute of Law Clerks of Ontario.

Scott Bingham is an Environmental Planner and Project Manager with 10+ years of experience supporting clients in the energy sector throughout Canada from an environmental and lands perspective, with a focus on linear development projects.

Scott’s strengths include project management, coordinating field assessments or construction monitoring, directing internal and subconsultant teams, and report writing.

Scott has coordinated and managed numerous projects through the different stages of construction, including pre-construction routing, filing for regulatory approval, and overseeing the construction support and post-construction phases.

Darrin Marshall is the Director, Major Projects at FortisBC Energy Inc.

With a background in engineering and project delivery, he has spent his career largely working on large infrastructure projects across British Columbia.

Prior to his current role, Darrin served as Project Director for the Eagle Mountain-Woodfibre Gas Pipeline Project.

He is committed to safe project delivery, effective stakeholder engagement, and developing strong project teams.

Aurora Land and Environmental (Aurora Land Consulting) has provided land consultation and environmental management services since 1997.

Based in Edmonton, it supports projects from planning through final reclamation across upstream/midstream oil & gas, renewables, transportation, telecom, infrastructure and power transmission. Services include surface rights acquisition, Crown projects, First Nations consultation, damage settlement, construction attendance, tribunal negotiations, and QA.

AiM is a fully integrated land firm that provides a broad range of services for energy companies such as crossing agreements, acquisitions, consultations, permitting, regulatory, indigenous engagement, mapping, GIS, data management, environmental plans, and project evaluations.

We are a Canadian not for profit organization dedicated to improving the right of way / infrastructure real estate profession through education and professional development.

Our mission is to contribute to the advancement of the profession through the enhancement of education and training opportunities that will elevate and increase the profile of this body of work to a professional standard that is recognized domestically and internationally.

Our goal is to support quality education and professional development opportunities domestically and internationally that will contribute to increasing the quality of life for all.

Synergy Land & Environmental began in 2006, as a home-based business.

Today Synergy is an international company with offices located across Canada and the USA. Hours were spent contemplating the name of our company, finally landing on Synergy. It is indicative of our core beliefs and fundamental conviction of working together toward the greater good. The vision we had then we still believe in today and hope it will be Synergy’s legacy.

Since 1962, Vertex has provided environmental & industrial services, helping clients in energy, agriculture, and more achieve their goals across North America.

Canada West Land provides industry-leading land management, regulatory consulting, and data management services. Partner with us for expert Land and Regulatory services in western Canada tailored to your project needs.

Expert geospatial services, including drone surveys and LiDAR technology for precise mapping solutions.

Innovative Real Estate Solutions for a Dynamic World.

Canadian Resource Valuation Group Inc. (CRVG) provides professional real estate and resource consulting services throughout Western Canada, including Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the Northwest Territories. Services include property, equipment and livestock appraisals, litigation support, agricultural consulting and damage assessments, First Nation land claims, insurance claims and personal injury loss assessments. Located in St. Albert, Alberta.

Multi-disciplinary professional consulting delivering land, environmental, and regulatory services for energy and infrastructure projects across Canada and the United States.

Hurland Services Ltd. is a full-service surface land brokerage in Alberta with licensed Land Agents and experienced Surface Land Administrators. With 45+ years in business, 300+ years combined experience, and 50,000+ projects completed, they provide project management, land acquisitions, consultation, municipal applications, and Indigenous consultation for oil & gas, utilities, renewables, and power transmission.

Expert land access, acquisition, and advisory services for energy, telecom, and infrastructure—LandSolutions guides and supports projects of any scale forward from planning to completion.

Progress Land is a Canadian land and regulatory services firm supporting energy and infrastructure projects across Canada. With over 40 years of experience, it provides land acquisition, access and permitting; stakeholder engagement; regulatory compliance; third-party coordination; data management; and strategic program support. Its certainty framework emphasizes early risk identification, audit-ready documentation, quality control, and clean project close-out.

Billions of dollars are spent annually in the acquisition, management, and transfer of rights of way. Specialized education and training are essential with the technical skills required in this field. To ensure right of way professionals maintain the highest standards of competency, new courses and training must keep pace with the evolving marketplace.

The Right of Way International Education Foundation (RWIEF) is a non-profit, tax-exempt corporation. Classified as a public charity under the IRS Code in 1978, all contributions made to the Foundation are tax deductible. A separate entity from the International Right of Way Association (IRWA), RWIEF acts as a fund-raising partner for right of way education. Association staff, through input from their members, develop and manage education programing, while the Foundation provides funding for education programs and industry scholarships.

Looking for a land services expert to help you acquire surface rights in Alberta & Saskatchewan? Call Tytan Land Services Ltd. today for top-notch service.

Canacre navigates complex infrastructure projects through the regulatory process with an effective transition to construction, balancing stakeholder needs with best management practices ensures the right outcomes for our partners. Canacre brings reliability to the success of complex projects.

We’re a Canadian-based integrated energy company headquartered in Calgary. We’re committed to maximizing value by developing our assets in a safe, responsible and cost-efficient manner, integrating sustainability considerations into our business plans.

We operate in Canada, the United States and the Asia Pacific region. Our operations include oil sands projects in northern Alberta, thermal and conventional crude oil and natural gas projects across Western Canada, crude oil production offshore Newfoundland and Labrador and natural gas and liquids production offshore China and Indonesia. Cenovus’s downstream operations include upgrading, refining and marketing operations in Canada and the United States.

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IRWA Chapter 29 is the International Right of Way Association’s Central/Southern Ontario chapter, founded in 1959 to support education, professional development, and improved service in the right-of-way field.

Need land acquisition or consultation? Scott Land & Lease provides expert services for energy, telecom, and more. Discover our solutions today.

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