About Us

Brian Sullivan | Chief Executive Officer

Prior to his joining Conuma, Brian was managing member of Energy Resource Services, LLC, providing M&A and commercial advisory services to companies in the natural resources sector. He has held senior commercial and legal roles in the coal industry for 20 plus years in the US and Australia, including with Alpha Natural Resources, Inc., and United Coal Company. Brian is a graduate of Duke University and the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Law, and practiced law with two national law firms before beginning his career in the coal business.

Brian Marshall | Chief Operating Officer

As Chief Operating Officer for Conuma, Brian offers over 30 years of mining experience in Operations, Maintenance and Engineering.  He has served on the Board of Directors for the Saskatchewan Apprentice and Trades Certification Commission and was a member of the Saskatchewan Mining Association Potash Sector. 

Prior to joining Conuma, Brian held progressive roles with a number of mining companies.  He was the General Manager of Baffinland Iron Mines and was responsible for operation of the Mary River Mine in Nunavut.  Before this he worked for the Mosaic Company as General Manager of the K2 Esterhazy Potash Mine and General Manager of the Colonsay Potash mine near Saskatoon.  Brian has also held key positions with BHP at the EKATI Diamond Mine in the Northwest Territories.

Brian holds a Bachelor of Engineering from Lakehead University in Thunder Bay.

Rowland Wallenius | Chief Financial Officer

Rowland, CPA and CA, has operated as a senior executive with global experience spanning over 25 years and involving numerous mining operations and multiple industries.  Rowland has held numerous senior positions including, President, CFO and Corporate Secretary of several publicly traded and private organizations. He has been involved in all phases of a mine, including project development, financing, construction, commissioning, and operations. Rowland is an experienced CFO and has been responsible for and/or involved in all aspects of corporate and project financing (equity and debt), treasury management, corporate and financial reporting, procurement, logistics, information technology, risk management, investor/stakeholder relations and corporate development.

Hugh Kendrick | Chief Sustainability Officer

With 30 years of experience across three continents, Hugh has a wealth of financial, commercial and strategic experience, holding a wide range of roles including, most recently, the position of Chief Financial Officer with Conuma, which he held from September 2017 until early April 2021.  Between 2008 and 2013 Hugh was Chief Financial Officer for Anglo’s Peace River Coal operation in Canada before taking a position with the Dawson operation in Queensland, Australia. Prior to that he has held such positions as Finance Director, Group Financial Controller and Vice-President Finance for the Anglo American plc Ferrous Business.

Ed Griffith | Chief Human Resources Officer

Prior to his joining Conuma, Ed held multiple senior HR roles within the coal, construction, and maintenance service industries across the US and Canada, including Foresight Energy, Vista Energy Resources, and the Vonachen Group. His extensive corporate, project and human resources experience spans more than 20 years. His career includes human resources for both public and privately held coal companies.  Ed holds a Bachelor of Arts from West Virginia State University and a Master of Science from Wilmington University.

Nadia Haider | Vice President, Regulatory Strategy, Innovation & Environment

Nadia brings a breadth of experience in the mining and energy sectors. This includes nearly ten years in regulatory practice where Nadia was involved in the entire life cycle of mining, oil and gas developments, operations, and reclamation. Before commencing her regulatory journey, Nadia worked on international coal projects, and exploration projects for Xstrata Nickel and De Beers Canada. Her experiences (along with her passion) also include people leadership, project management, and leading efficiency initiatives for the energy sector. Nadia is a graduate of the University of Toronto and holds degrees in Earth Sciences/Geology and Communications and Information Technology.

Lisa Risvold | Vice President, Indigenous, Community and Stakeholder Affairs

Lisa’s career spans over 20 years of resource industry experience in professional communications, public and stakeholder relations with a direct focus on Indigenous consultation and engagement as well as regulatory approvals. Before joining Conuma, Lisa worked at Teck Coal Limited for 13 years, where she held several responsibilities, including Acting Superintendent, Environment and Project Manager, Closure and Reclamation. Lisa holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Calgary, majoring in Communications Studies.

Derek Sauve | Vice President, Human Resources & Training

A graduate of Royal Roads University Strategic Human Resources Management program, Derek is a Chartered Professional in Human Resources with 15 years of progressive HR leadership.  He has experience in unionized, non-unionized, public and privately held organizations in the mining and metals sectors internationally.  Derek specializes in employee and labour relations, performance management, succession planning, organizational development and recruiting.

Ryan Staschuk | Vice President, Marketing, Product Quality & Logistics

As Vice President, Marketing, Product Quality & Logistics, Ryan brings over 10 years of experience in natural resource exports to Conuma. Ryan works closely with operations, engineering, processing and sales teams to develop and deliver high value premium mined products to Conuma’s global steelmaking customer base. Prior to joining Conuma, Ryan served in financial and business development roles with Ridley Terminals, Conuma’s key gateway to its Asian customers, where he focused on diversification and commercialization of terminal operations.

Ryan holds a BA in Economics and Political Science from Simon Fraser University, a Diploma in Accounting from the University of British Columbia, and CA and CPA professional designations.

Matt Rimes | Vice President, Maintenance

As Vice President of Maintenance, Matt leads Conuma’s operations associated with the strategic planning, performance, reliability, and availability of our heavy equipment fleet. A Red Seal mechanic, he brings over 20 years of direct mining maintenance experience, including several years executing and providing supervisory oversight of major mining equipment repairs and assembly across Western Canada. Prior to joining Conuma, Matt held progressive roles with both mining and OEM companies, including Finning and SMS Equipment, as well as Superintendent of Maintenance at Anglo American’s Peace River Coal operation.

Christy Burres | Director of Talent Management and Workplace Equity

Throughout 17 years of pragmatic experience in the North-East BC coal mining industry, Christy has excelled in various leadership roles with Western Canadian Coal, Western Coal, and Walter Energy.
Joining Conuma in 2016, she is skilled at fostering relationships while supporting others in reaching their growth potential within the organization.
In her capacity as the Director of Talent Management and Workplace Equity, Christy collaboratively supports and advises Conuma in maintaining a value aligned high performance culture that regards Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as uncompromisable components of business success.