Australia-Canada Power Partnership Boardroom Briefing

Australia-Canada Power Partnership

Boardroom Briefing

The CACC will be hosting a private boardroom briefing in Perth with TransAlta’s visiting leadership team, bringing together senior industry executives to examine the evolving energy landscape across Australia and Canada.

With approximately 77% of Canada's electricity generated from renewable and nuclear sources and renewables accounting for 42% of Australia's on-grid electricity generation in 2025, both countries are navigating critical challenges around energy security, infrastructure investment, affordability and industrial competitiveness.

The discussion will explore how Australia and Canada can leverage their respective energy expertise, investment capital and industrial capabilities to deliver more reliable, affordable and competitive power systems, while identifying opportunities for deeper bilateral collaboration.

Please note: CACC Boardroom Briefings are invitation-only, closed-door discussions limited to a maximum of 30 senior leaders. These intimate forums are designed to facilitate candid dialogue, meaningful engagement and high-level exchange between industry decision-makers. Attendance is strictly by invitation and subject to confirmation by the CACC. 

Joel Hunter

President & CEO

TRANSALTA

Joel Hunter is the President, Chief Executive Officer and Corporate Director at TransAlta, responsible for the Company’s overall strategy, performance and long-term value creation. Joel brings more than 27 years of experience in finance, capital markets and strategic leadership within the energy sector. He was appointed President and CEO of TransAlta in 2026, following his tenure as Executive Vice President, Finance and CFO, where he led the Company’s financial strategy and capital allocation framework.

Prior to joining TransAlta, Joel spent over two decades at TC Energy, including serving as Executive Vice-President and CFO from 2021 to 2024. During his time at TC Energy, he held progressively senior leadership roles across finance and capital markets, contributing to the company’s growth and execution of large-scale infrastructure investments. Joel also served on the Board of Directors of TC PipeLines, LP from 2014 to 2018.

Joel currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Calgary Food Bank and has previously served as a Director of Junior Achievement Southern Alberta.

He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Calgary and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Regina and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).

Mike Politeski

Executive Vice President, Finance & CFO

TRANSALTA

Mike Politeski is the Executive Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer at TransAlta. Mike is responsible for providing leadership and direction over Transalta’s financial affairs including strategy, capital markets, planning, treasury, investor relations, accounting, tax, internal audit and enterprise risk management.

Mike brings more than 25 years of experience in finance and capital markets within the energy sector. He joined TransAlta in 2026 from Veren Inc. (formerly Crescent Point Energy Corporation), where he most recently served as Senior Vice President, Finance & Treasurer.

During his tenure at Veren, Mike played a significant role in the Company’s transformation including over $10 billion of M&A and helping lead the Company to investment-grade credit status. He has deep experience in capital markets and brings a strong track record in capital allocation, strategic leadership, governance and risk management.

Prior to Veren, Mike held progressively senior finance roles at Enerplus Corporation, where he was Treasurer and Corporate Controller, and began his career at KPMG LLP.

Mike is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and holds a Bachelor of Commerce with Distinction from the University of Saskatchewan.

Chris Fralick

Executive Vice President, Generation & COO

TRANSALTA

Chris Fralick is the Executive Vice President, Generation and Chief Operating Officer at TransAlta. Chris oversees TransAlta's global operations across all fuel types. Chris has over 20 years of experience in power generation operations leadership and business strategy.

Prior to joining TransAlta, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Atura Power, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ontario Power Generation (OPG), which he was responsible for creating through acquisition. Prior to Atura Power, Chris held various progressive leadership positions with OPG, including Chief Operating Officer of its Renewable Generation business.

Education

• Bachelor of Applied Science, Environmental (Chemical) Engineering, University of Waterloo, licensed Professional Engineer in Ontario

• Masters of Business Administration, Wilfrid Laurier University

• Institute of Corporate Directors-Rotman Directors Education Program

Community service

• Member Board of Directors, Burlington Hydro Inc. (2021-2023)

• Member Board of Directors, Northeast Power Coordinating Council (2016-2022)

Grant Arnold

Executive Vice President, Growth & CCO

TRANSALTA

Grant Arnold is the Executive Vice President, Growth and Chief Commercial Officer at TransAlta, responsible for overseeing Growth, Mergers & Acquisitions, Commercial, Marketing and Trading. Grant brings more than 30 years of leadership, commercial and technical experience in the power generation and energy sector.

Prior to joining TransAlta, Grant served as President and Chief Executive Officer of BluEarth Renewables Inc. for the last ten of his 15 years at the company, where he led the company through significant growth, expanding its operating and development portfolio across North America. Prior to that, he held senior leadership roles at Suncor Energy spanning natural gas exploration and development, operations and renewables.

Grant has extensive experience in business development, commercial origination, strategic partnerships and large-scale energy infrastructure projects across Canada and the United States.

Grant holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Calgary, along with a Master of Engineering and Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Alberta. He is also a graduate of the ICD Director’s Education Program.

Gehann Perera

Partner

MINTERELLISON

Gehann Perera is a Partner at MinterEllison's Perth office. He manages a general real estate and finance practice with a specific focus on structured real estate transactions. Gehann's clients are primarily developers and funds that undertake large scale residential, commercial and industrial projects, including urban renewal developments. He also acts for owners in relation to the acquisition, development and operation of retail shopping centres. This extends to all aspects of retail leasing. In addition, he has extensive experience acting for financiers and borrowers in real estate and corporate finance transactions. Gehann enjoys working with clients to find innovative methods of procuring and delivering real estate projects.

Melissa Wharton

Chief Executive Officer

Canadian Australian Chamber of Commerce

Melissa Wharton is the Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Australian Chamber of Commerce (CACC), the peak bilateral business body advancing trade, capital flows and strategic partnerships between Canada and Australia.

She is widely recognised as a leading advocate for deeper economic integration between the two countries, working at the intersection of government, institutional investors and industry. Under her leadership, the CACC convenes senior ministers, pension funds, superannuation leaders and global corporates across priority sectors including institutional investment, critical minerals, infrastructure, energy transition, defence and advanced manufacturing. The Chamber is the only bilateral organisation with active operations and governance presence in both countries.

Melissa is a dual citizen and a recognised advocate for strengthening economic ties between Canada and Australia.

Jackie Leggett

Co-Chair

CACC WESTERN AUSTRALIA COMMITTEE

Jackie Leggett is a senior banking and finance lawyer at the global law firm Clifford Chance LLP, based in Perth. She regularly advises national and international corporate clients and financial institutions on a wide variety of financing structures, with an emphasis on project finance. Her main sectors of focus are mining and natural resources (including renewables).  Jackie is originally from Toronto, Canada and holds legal qualifications in Ontario, Canada, England Wales, NSW Australia and New York State. In her spare time, Jackie enjoys exploring WA's beautiful beaches with her husband and two children.

Tara Roy

Co-Chair

CACC WESTERN AUSTRALIA COMMITTEE

Tara Roy is the current Corporate Finance Lead at South32, a globally diversified metals and mining company with operations in Australia, South Africa and South America, as well as development operations in North America. Tara is responsible for executing the group’s corporate finance strategic objectives. This includes providing input to the Group’s financing, liquidity, capital management and risk management activities.

Prior to joining South32, Tara spent several years at KPMG Australia focused on debt and capital advisory services to clients across the mining, energy, infrastructure, healthcare, government and property sectors, amongst others. Prior to KPMG, Tara spent over a decade in the banking sector in both Australia and Canada.

Tara loves to travel with her husband Chris, often back to their birthplaces in Canada to reconnect with family and friends.