Consultants

Throughout the day, Fusion’s Consultants will circulate among teams to provide real-time guidance, answer questions, and share insights. Acting as mentors and industry experts, they help participants refine their ideas, strengthen pitches, and stay on track during the case competition. Whether you’re stuck on strategy or want feedback on your presentation, the roaming Consultants are there to support and challenge you to bring your best work forward.

Visit our website regularly to see the latest additions to our growing network of industry experts

Laura Deakin, PhD

Associate Dean of Science, University of Waterloo

Laura Deakin Bio

Laura Deakin is an Associate Professor, Teaching Stream, in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Waterloo. She brings extensive experience in nanomaterials, materials science, and occupational and environmental health risks into the classroom. Laura teaches a range of undergraduate courses in general and inorganic chemistry, as well as chemical risk assessment within both chemistry and nanotechnology engineering programs.

She has been recognized multiple times with the University of Waterloo’s Outstanding Performance Award, has received the Excellence in Science Teaching Award, and teaching awards from both Science and Engineering student organizations. In addition to her teaching role, Laura serves as the Associate Dean of Science for Teaching and Learning, where she supports undergraduate student recruitment, advising, curriculum development, and overall student success.

Laura's Area of Expertise

Nanotechnology Health and Safety

Expertise in occupational health and safety risks associated with nanomaterials, including exposure assessment, risk management, and safety standards development.

Nanotoxicology and Environmental Health

Specialized knowledge of nanomaterial toxicity, environmental impacts, and public health implications of emerging technologies.

Occupational and Environmental Health

Experienced in workplace health protection, chemical hazard assessment, and occupational health policy development.

Chemistry and Advanced Materials

Strong foundation in inorganic chemistry, transition metal compounds, and the structure and properties of advanced materials.

Engineering Education and Safety Leadership

Leadership experience in engineering education, laboratory safety, and the integration of health and safety principles into nanotechnology programs.

Martha Breithaupt, ICD.D

Partner, BDO

Martha's Bio

BSc Science & Business, Biochemistry Option ‘01

As Partner in BDO’s Tax Credits & Incentives practice, Martha helps clients navigate complex innovation programs to unlock funding that fuels research, development, and growth. Her strategic and inclusive approach has earned her recognition as both a technical expert and a mentor to emerging professionals in the field.

A passionate advocate for women in leadership and STEM, Martha actively supports initiatives that encourage the next generation of women to pursue careers in science, technology, and finance.

Martha's Area of Expertise

Research & Development Tax Incentives

Expert in SR&ED tax credits, government incentives, and funding strategies that support business innovation and growth.

Clean Economy and Sustainability Incentives

Specialized in clean economy tax credits, sustainability-related funding programs, and policies that accelerate investment in low-carbon technologies.

Tax Strategy and Advisory Services

Experienced in helping organizations maximize federal and provincial tax incentives, grants, and financing opportunities.

Innovation Commercialization and Growth Strategy

Skilled in connecting businesses with non-dilutive funding and innovation ecosystems to drive commercialization, scale, and competitiveness.

Cindy Bailey, MBA

VP & Corporate Sustainability Officer, Puralator

Cindy Bailey Bio

BASc, '04

As Purolator’s Corporate Sustainability Officer, Cindy is responsible for leading the development of Purolator’s sustainability strategy, advancing policies and standards, managing risks and opportunities, and improving Purolator’s performance, disclosures, and reputation related to the Environment, Community Investment, DEIB and Health and Wellbeing. Currently Cindy is leading the development of Purolator’s emissions reduction goals and roadmap, which includes clean fuels, electrifying Purolator’s last-mile delivery vehicles and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Cindy completed her undergrad in Environmental Engineering at the University of Waterloo and has an MBA specialized in Sustainability from Schulich. For more than 20 years, Cindy has worked as an environment and sustainability professional in a variety of industries including automotive manufacturing, financial services, and transportation and logistics.

Cindy's Areas of Expertise

Corporate Sustainability & Environmental Strategy

Leads enterprise-wide sustainability strategy with a focus on science-based targets, emissions reduction, renewable energy adoption, and waste diversion initiatives within the transportation and logistics sector.

Clean Mobility and Supply-Chain Decarbonization

Expert in fleet electrification, last-mile delivery decarbonization, low-carbon logistics planning, and building cross-sector partnerships to reduce transportation-related emissions at scale.

Environmental Engineering and Technical Sustainability Leadership

Brings a strong technical foundation through an Honours BASc in Environmental Engineering (University of Waterloo) and advanced training in greenhouse gas accounting (ISO 14064-1) and sustainability-focused business strategy (MBA, Schulich School of Business).

Strategic Program Execution and Stakeholder Engagement

Experienced in developing and executing multi-year, organization-wide sustainability programs; skilled at aligning operational teams, executives, industry partners, and municipal stakeholders to drive measurable environmental impact.