Canadian astronaut Colonel Jeremy Hansen is bringing lessons from one of humanity’s most ambitious recent missions to Calgary this month as part of the growing speaker lineup for Energy Disruptors: UNITE 2026, being held at the city’s BMO Centre.
Hansen and his wife, Canadian women’s health and wellness expert Dr. Catherine Hansen, will appear together on stage at the September 28 to 29 summit, offering a perspective that extends beyond space exploration into leadership, resilience, partnership, and the pursuit of difficult goals.
In April, Hansen became the first Canadian to travel around the Moon as a member of the Artemis II crew. The historic mission carried its astronauts farther from Earth than any humans had travelled before.
A Canadian Space Agency astronaut and decorated fighter pilot, Hansen has spent decades preparing for demanding environments where technology, teamwork, and decision-making intersect. His appearance comes shortly after his move to a Reservist role this summer and will be among his first speaking engagements following the Artemis II mission.
Dr. Catherine Hansen brings another dimension to the conversation. A Canadian-trained and U.S. board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist, certified menopause practitioner, and women’s health expert, she has more than 25 years of clinical experience.
Her work examines how health and different stages of life can affect workplace performance, leadership, employee retention, and overall well-being — issues increasingly relevant to Canadian employers competing for skilled workers.
Together, the Hansens will discuss how they balanced two demanding careers, family life, and the extraordinary preparation involved in a mission to the Moon.
Their addition strengthens an increasingly Canadian flavour to a summit attracting speakers and delegates from around the world.
The 2026 program also includes celebrated Canadian author Margaret Atwood; entrepreneur, investor and Dragons’ Den personality Arlene Dickinson; RBC Senior Vice-President John Stackhouse; and Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas.
They will appear alongside international figures including former United Kingdom Prime Minister Lord David Cameron, economist Tyler Cowen, geopolitical strategist Bruno Maçães, battery expert Bob Galyen, and Columbia University energy scholar Erica Downs.
Energy Disruptors: UNITE expects approximately 3,000 founders, investors, policymakers, executives, and innovators in Calgary for two days of discussion focused on the future of energy, technology, competitiveness, and economic resilience.