LEADERSHIP
“Given my experience as a pioneer of lithium exploration and production in the lithium triangle, especially as founding Chair of Lithium Americas, I am thrilled to have joined a team as strong and experienced as ION Energy’s. I look forward to advising ION as it continues its path in solidifying its position as Asia’s newest Lithium player.”
ALI HAJI
CEO, Director
Director of Antler Hill Mining Ltd and Spirit Banner II Capital Corp. 13+ years international experience (asset management, risk analysis and program governance). Advisor to ATMA Capital Markets Ltd and Steppe Gold TSX:STGO. BSc from University of Western Ontario.
Matthew Wood
Chairman of the Board
Chairman of Steppe Gold TSX:STGO, Founding Chairman of Avanco Resources (sold in March 2018 for AUD$440M) and Hunnu Coal (sold for AUD$500M in 2012).
WENDY LI
Director, Asia
+18 years of extensive commercial and business development experience in Asia, including Mongolia and China, with Noble Resources and South Gobi Resources Ltd. BA (Hon) from Wilfrid Laurier University, in Waterloo, Canada
BATAA TUMUR-OCHIR
Director
A Mongolian Citizen that serves as CEO and Director of Steppe Gold TSX:STGO. Mr. Tumur-Ochir is an advisor to the Ministry of Mining and Heavy Industry, holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and graduate certificates in international business and marketing from Australia and Singapore.
ANEEL WARAICH
Director
EVP and Director of Steppe Gold TSX:STGO, Director of Antler Hill Mining Ltd, CEO of Spirit Banner Capital Corp, Founder of ATMA and ATMACORP with experience in investment banking at Dundee. MBA from Goodman Institute of Investment Management at John Molson School of Business.
ENKHTUVSHIN KHISHIGSUREN
Director
Over 30 years of Mongolian mineral experience for multi-nationals. Credited for having discovered several prospective gold, molybdenum and copper deposits, including the Olon Ovoot multimillion ounce gold deposit.
Robert Payment
CFO
16+ years as seasoned CPA with experience in finance, reporting, regulatory compliance, public company administration, equity markets, and the financing of publicly traded companies. Since2014 has served as a CFO and consultant to a portfolio of companies listed on both the TSX Venture Exchange and the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE). Extensive involvement across the natural resource, technology, and retail sectors. BBA from Simon Fraser University, and CPA, CA designation earned in 2009.
PAUL FORNAZZARI
Advisory Board Member
Served as inaugural Chair of Lithium Americas and secured its initial strategic investments from Mitsubishi and Magna International. Former Director of Neo Lithium Corp. Currently, Paul is a partner with Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, where he is head of Latin America for the Global Mining Group, and is also a member of the TSX-V’s National Advisory Committee. Holds an LLM from Osgoode Hall Law School in Securities Law and an LLB from the University of Windsor.
Don Hains
Advisory Board Member
President of Hains Engineering Company Limited and Principal of Hains Technology Associates. An industrial minerals exploration and economic geologist with more than 30 years of experience in exploration, development, use and analysis of industrial minerals properties and materials. Has a particular focus on critical and energy related minerals such as lithium. Has written numerous NI 43-101 technical and due diligence reports on lithium projects across the Globe.
DR. KHASHBAT DASHTESEREN
Special Advisor
A PhD lithium hydrogeologist with extensive resource exploration experience in Mongolia. Served with Mongolia’s Department of Urban Development and Investment, as Chief Geologist and then as CEO at Geolink LLC. Has spent many years researching laboratory analysis methods for lithium at the Akita University in Japan. A Professional Geologist accredited by the Mongolian Professional Institute of Geology and Mining, and a Professional Engineer accredited by the Mongolian Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy.
DAVID DEAK
Advisory Board Member
An entrepreneur whose expertise spans across lithium mining development, battery supply chain developments, energy storage, renewable energy, and electric vehicles. He is President of Marbex LLC, was formerly the CTO and SVP of Lithium Americas Corp., and is an alum of Tesla Inc., Ambri Inc. (MIT start-up), Lux Research Inc., and Siemens Wind Power. He was educated at the University of Toronto and Oxford University.
JOSEPH
GALLUCCI
Director
Senior capital markets executive and corporate director. 20+ years in investment banking and equity research focused on global mining, base metals, precious metals, critical metals and bulk commodities. Worked with BMO Capital Markets, GMP Securities and Dundee Securities. Currently Managing Director and Head of Investment Banking at Laurentian Bank Securities Inc. Holds the ICD.D designation