In today's episode, we're excited to chat with Tim Gitzel, the President and CEO of Cameco Corporation, the world's largest uranium producer. With over 25 years of senior management and legal experience in Canadian and international uranium mining, Mr. Gitzel has a wealth of knowledge and expertise to share with our listeners. As the Honorary Council of Kazakhstan to Saskatchewan and a Board member of various prestigious organizations including the World Nuclear Association and the Kazakhstan - Canada Business Council, Mr. Gitzel provides valuable insights on the transformation of Kazakhstan ..read more

In today’s episode we are joined by Mr. Peter McCann, a Management Consultant, an author of two business books, and now Advisor to the Rector at Tashkent Chemical Technologies Institute. Peter has over 30 years of experience in consulting small and large businesses in the USA & Canada, as well as taught and lectured in Finland, Germany, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Peter shares his firsthand experience in establishing his own business and new professional and social life in Central Asia, education reforms in Uzbekistan and large-scale projects in partnership with the world leaders ..read more

In this episode, Nathan and Lou Naumovski, former Vice President and Director-General of the Kinross gold Moscow office, discuss Lou's professional journey from the Trade Commission Service to the leading positions at  EBRD, Visa International and Kinross Gold. Lou is sharing  stories and the lessons learnt when working in the Russian market and reflecting on how to influence change through doing business in a sovereign country. Learn more about CERBA here: https://www.cerbanet.org/  Related links to this episode: EBRD   Visa International   Kinross Gold McCain foods ..read more

Today we’re hosting Dr. Jean-François Caron, an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Political Science and International Relations at Nazarbayev University in Kazakhstan, where he teaches Political Theory. Dr. Caron has authored 6 monographs and more than 20 peer reviewed articles and book chapters. Jean-François shares a story of his career development in a cross-national perspective, forming family, teaching and living in Kazakhstan. He also elaborates on principles and admission criteria in the Nazarbayev University, as well as discusses State Scholar ..read more

Join us on a journey through the heart of Central Asia and the birthplace of 1001 Arabian Nights - the Republic of Uzbekistan. Visit Tashkent and Navoi, Khiva and Samarkand, Kyzylkum and Aralkum deserts - all through the eyes of the Canadian Honorary Consul of Canada in Uzbekistan and Managing Partner at Dentons Uzbekistan - Mr. Eldor Mannopov. In this episode, we discuss the progressive reforms and improvements introduced by the government of Shavkat Mirziyoyev in support of the foreign business, Uzbek's extraordinary hospitality and personal experiences living and working in the country. R ..read more

On this episode of Icebreakers, Nathan sits down with Craig Cohon, a London-based businessman, entrepreneur and investor, and the Chief Strategy Officer at ApiJect. Craig was first exposed to Canada-Russia trade 45 years ago at the age of 13, when his father, the founder and senior chairman of McDonald’s Canada and McDonald’s Russia, met with the Soviet Delegation in Montreal. Later, Craig volunteered for the weighty task of bringing Coca-Cola to the former Soviet Union during the 1990s. During the episode, Nathan and Craig discuss the process of introducing Coca-Cola to the area while it was ..read more

We are hosting Mr. Jim Gibson today, Chief Catalyst and Community Leader at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT). Jim is a passionate serial entrepreneur and author of “Tip of the Spear: Our Species and Technology at a Crossroads”. Jim brings over 30 years of experience in digital technologies, innovations, mentorship, and technological ventures into the conversation. With his help we are exploring the notion of digital literacy and digital citizenship as well as investigate the coming tsunami of technological change. Precisely, how will the exponential technological growth infl ..read more

It’s time to hear words of wisdom from our honoured guest and oil and gas expert, Mr. Don Streu, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Alberta and President, CEO and Director at Condor Petroleum.Don has over 35 years of experience in the oil & gas industry globally: from Angola to Indonesia, from Canada to Central Asia. He’s sharing his personal experience of operating a company in Kazakhstan, exploring the Uzbekistan market, working with oil & gas reserves, and leading LNG technological revolution in Central Asia. Related links: Condor Petroleum Chevron Embassy of the Repub ..read more

On this episode of Icebreakers, Nathan is joined by Ilya Lagutenko, the founder and lead-singer of Russia’s most popular and influential bands – Mumiy Troll -  an accomplished and influential musician who has not only won accolades like GQ’s Musician of the Year, but has also had significant influence on the music, clothes, hairstyles and behaviour of Russian youth. Nathan and Ilya discuss his history growing up in Russia and becoming a musician, his views on the evolution of Eurasian culture, producing a Montreal-based singer and his passion projects such as the music and arts festival h ..read more

We’re turning the tables on Nathan Hunt today - the host for the ICE/Breakers Podcast - making him the interviewee. Nathan is a Yale University graduate, summa cum laude, and a former Russia Director of the Canadian meat and dairy traders, Ronald A. Chisholm Limited.  Nathan is one of the founders of CERBA and has chaired its Moscow Chapter since its inception. He’s sharing his experience of living and doing business in rapidly changing Russia reinventing himself and discovering new potential throughout two and a half decades in the country.  Related links: CERBA Ronald A.Chisholm Lt ..read more