Chris Atchison President, British Columbia Construction Association

Chris Atchison is the President of the British Columbia Construction Association (BCCA), where he leads initiatives to modernize the construction industry, enhance workforce development, and drive economic growth for the province. With over 25 years of experience in leadership, employment, and training strategies, he oversees programs such as the Skilled Trades Employment Program (STEP), Integrating Newcomers (IN), and the Builders Code. He actively participates in industry advisory boards, including the Deputy Minister Industry Infrastructure Forum and the Canadian Construction Association’s National Advisory Council, where he helps guide the future of the sector in British Columbia and across Canada.

Kyle Wisniewski General Manager, BC Region, Black & McDonald Limited

Kyle Wisniewski is the General Manager for Black & McDonald Limited’s BC Region, overseeing Mechanical & Electrical Service, Facility Maintenance & Operations, Construction, and the Kelowna & Vernon Hospital Project divisions. With extensive experience in managing complex projects and multidisciplinary teams, Kyle focuses on operational excellence, strategic growth, and fostering collaboration across service lines. His leadership ensures timely project delivery and strong client relationships in both the public and private sectors. Kyle is deeply engaged in advancing best practices in construction and maintenance, including initiatives that improve efficiency, safety, and financial transparency. As a senior leader in one of Canada’s largest integrated contractors, he brings practical insight into how legislative changes, such as BC’s new Prompt Payment framework, impact contractors, subcontractors, and owners. Kyle is committed to building resilient teams and supporting industry-wide improvements that benefit businesses and communities.

Katie Armitage Legal Counsel, Ministry of Attorney General, Justice Services Branch

Katie Armitage is legal counsel with the Ministry of Attorney General’s Justice Services Branch, where she supports the Ministry’s work around legislation, policy, and law reform. Katie was called to the bar in 2007 after graduating from UBC’s Faculty of Law in 2006 and has worked in both the private and public sectors in Ontario and BC.

David Volk Partner, Jenkins Marzban Logan LLP

David is a highly experienced construction lawyer and partner at Jenkins Marzban Logan LLP. He provides advice and representation at all stages of a project, including contract drafting, tendering, negotiations, mediation, arbitration, and in court. He works with all types of clients in the industry, including owners (private and First Nations), general contractors, subcontractors, and material suppliers. Much of David’s construction practice involves acting as litigation counsel in large, complex disputes that require strategic planning and close attention to detail.

Glenn Ackerley Partner, WeirFoulds LLP.

Glenn is the Chair of the Construction Practice Group at WeirFoulds LLP, specializing in construction law, liens, and litigation. As a trusted project lawyer, he advises clients across the construction industry – owners, developers, contractors, and consultants – on contracts, procurement, risk management, and dispute resolution. An active industry leader, Glenn has served on the National Advisory Council of the Canadian Construction Association, the Toronto Construction Association Board, and Ontario’s Expert Panel on Construction Lien Act reforms. He has also taught construction law at Toronto Metropolitan University and frequently speaks at industry and legal seminars. With extensive experience in mediation and arbitration, Glenn is a go-to expert for navigating legal challenges and ensuring fair, efficient project outcomes.

Melanie Teetaert Co-Head, Litigation and Dispute Resolution, Bennett Jones

Melanie Teetaert is Co-Head of Litigation and Dispute Resolution Department and has practised energy, commercial and construction litigation and commercial arbitration in Calgary and Vancouver for over 20 years. She has extensive experience with contract disputes, breaches of trust and fiduciary duty, negligence and other general commercial claims. Her focus in energy related litigation includes joint ventures, CO&Os, joint operating agreements, farmout agreements and transportation and handling agreements. Melanie is experienced in royalty, accounting and operator disputes and is regularly consulted on rights of first refusals. Her focus in construction-related litigation includes delay claims, engineering and design issues, breach of contract and negligence. Additionally, she has experience in cross-border claims, including coordination of inter-related claims in Canada and the United States. Melanie has acted in both international and domestic commercial arbitrations under the Alberta and British Columbia Arbitration Acts, ADR Institute of Canada, BCIAC and the International Chamber of Commerce International Court of Arbitration.

Jerry Crawford Principal Director, KGC Consulting Services Ltd.

Jerry Crawford is the Founder and Principal Director of KGC Consulting Services Ltd., providing pre-construction administration assistance, project execution commercial management services, project performance audits, and lessons learned follow-up debriefings. With over 43 years of expertise in commercial management and contract administration, Jerry is a highly skilled Quantity Surveyor, Estimator, and Project Manager. Having predominantly worked in Canada on diverse projects in transportation, energy, commercial, industrial, multi-residential, and civil and building infrastructure, Jerry boasts a comprehensive understanding of the entire project lifecycle – from procurement and pre-contract phases to execution and post-contract phases. With a rich background attending civic court trials for insurance settlements, liens, and claim disputes, Jerry has honed skills in handling claims and disputes, collaborating with legal counsel, owners, contractors, subcontractors, and surety companies.

Rob Malli Chief Financial Officer, Marcon

Rob Malli is Chief Financial Officer at Marcon, where he leads an integrated corporate services portfolio that includes finance, business technology, and people & culture in support of the company’s ambitious growth across Metro Vancouver’s real estate and construction markets. Over the past 15+ years, Rob has served as CFO in banking, public transportation, real estate, and airport sectors—including Vancity, TransLink, Edmonton International Airport, and Western Wealth Capital—overseeing finance, shared services, strategic real estate, and major capital programs.

An operations-focused, people-centric leader, he has overseen asset portfolios in excess of $20 billion and helped pioneer initiatives such as green bond financing for large-scale transit investments. Rob also brings more than a decade of board and committee experience across financial institutions, real estate development, insurance, mutual funds, and community organizations, and he holds a CPA designation with academic training in economics, risk management, and accounting.