Jack Lifton is a highly respected natural resources industry consultant with multidisciplinary experience in evaluating, directing, and advising operations in the mining, refining, fabrication, and manufacturing of specialty chemicals and technology metals. Jack has gained a worldwide reputation as the preeminent expert in selecting and applying new and innovative processing technologies for Rare Earth Elements and other critical metals. With decades of experience in the technology metals sector, Jack has held various roles, including research scientist, technical operations manager, plant manager, and CEO in the OEM automotive electronics and rare metals manufacturing industries.
As an internationally recognized thought leader in the strategic metals mining and processing sectors, Jack’s reputation has made him a highly sought-after consultant and influential voice. His industry knowledge, analytical thinking and innovative problem-solving have long since established him as a leading expert and authority on the Rare Earth Elements value chain. Jack’s track record and broad expertise in the industry make him an invaluable asset to any organization.
Mel Sanderson is an executive with 30 years of global experience in mining, business and government relations, and most notably the founder of Ethically Sustainable Growth (ESG+). She previously served as a senior diplomat, including as Charge d’Affaires leading the US Embassy in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), In her over two decades of experience as a diplomat in the US Foreign Service, she worked on issues ranging from counter-terrorism to weapons of mass destruction.
For 14 years (2006-2020), she held senior positions at Freeport McMoran as Vice President for Africa, and the company’s primary liaison with Congolese national and provincial government officials and established the government relations office in Kinshasa, DRC. Then as the Director of International Affairs, she developed and executed an international strategic plan to merge public and government relations with sustainable development initiatives.
She has featured prominently in major media outlets (including the WSJ & the NY Times) discussing challenges in the critical minerals sector. Her insights span from China’s export restrictions on Gallium & Germanium to broader African relations.
She is a Professor of Practice (ESG, CSR, and Sustainability) at the Thunderbird School of Global Management in Arizona. She has previously served as Vice-President International at Freeport-McMoRan.
She is fluent in five languages.
Managing Partner of Blackthread LLC and co-founder of North America Critical Elements Corp., Carl began his career with the First National Bank of Boston as director of the Japan/South Korea group. He next became the founder of the Asia group for the Robert W. Baird & Company before stints with the U.S. Senate Finance Committee and U.S. Joint Economic Committee and the U.S. Treasury Department.
Carl was then appointed as a US Representative and Director of the Asian Development Bank in Manila, Philippines. At the Asian Bank, he participated in the analysis and deployment of $18 billion of capital in emerging Asia. Carl was a co-founder of Pacifica Holdings, columnist with Forbes Asia and the National Interest, served as a member on the US National Committee on Pacific Economic Cooperation, and the U.S. Naval Institute and Japan -US Friendship Commission and was chairman of the Asian Pension Forum. He is the author of Red, White & Bold: Building a New American Century, and most recently, Power Rivals: America and China’s Superpower Struggle. He earned a MALD from the Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy, Tufts University with study and research at Sophia University, Keio University, and Harvard University’s Center for International Studies.
He has a strong defense, consulting, and accounting background. As a commissioned Naval Officer in the Canadian Armed Forces, he has managed complex missions and led diverse teams. In the private sector, Abbas has worked as a consultant at a multinational firm and as an accountant at one of the leading Big 4 accounting firms. Known for his adaptability and analytical skills.
He received his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in management from the University of Regina. He holds a Top Secret (Level 3) security clearance in Canada.
Patrick Straney is a senior technology development process engineer working for Intel Mask Operations. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2016 with a PhD in chemistry with a focus on material science where he investigated mechanisms of multimetallic nanoparticle nucleation and growth for photocatalytic applications.
He has been employed at Intel since 2017 and is currently in charge of developing novel EUV photomask processes using phase shifting materials for improved printing resolution, and optimizing process yield for high volume manufacturing readiness. He specializes in material characterization, experimental design, and management of high volume process lines.
Mary Lowe Mayhugh, (Colonel, US Army, retired) serves as Principal, Health and Behavioral Social Sciences at MITRE and is President and Founder of the John P. Mayhugh Foundation.
In her role at MITRE, she is heavily involved in studies and initiatives across multiple Federal Agencies focusing on organizational change and program management. She has organized key events to bring together expertise from across MITRE and Federal agencies to develop collaborative solutions to address access to mental health programs, utilization of virtual and digital technologies for health care delivery and new program management. In her role as President of the Foundation, she leads national level symposiums to engage thought leaders in Congress, government agencies and private sectors to collaborate on ways to improve mental health for our Military, Veteran and their families impacted by trauma, Traumatic Brain Injury, Post Traumatic Stress, addiction and suicide.