SANDSTONE is proud to be a partner of this yearly event in Banff.
The Global Business Forum (GBF) is an independent, not-for-profit corporation promoting thought and action leadership. The GBF provides an opportunity for prominent invited international business executives, academics, and government leaders to exchange ideas and challenge conventional approaches to pressing global economic issues.
SANDSTONE’s CEO and Chief Investment Strategist Sharon Watkins sits on the GBF’s steering committee, a position she has held for several years. Her active involvement in the committee includes finding, recommending, and funding keynote speakers who will spark active discussion and debate.
Sharon Watkins, CEO of Sandstone, introducesDaniel Debow, Chairman and Co-founder of Build Canada, and Patrick Lor, Managing Partner of Panaches Venture, at the Global Business Forum, Banff, September 2025.
Daniel Debow, Chairman and Co-founder of Build Canada, and Patrick Lor, Managing Partner of Panaches Venture, speak about Canada's role in a fractured world at the Global Business Forum, Banff, September 2025.
Global Business Forum, Banff, September 2025
Global Business Forum, Banff, September 2025
Vincent Ircandia, President and CEO of StellarAlgo, speaks about the business of sport and culture at the Global Business Forum, Banff, September 2024.
SANDSTONE CEO and Chief Investment Strategist, Sharon Watkins, at the Global Business Forum, Banff, September 2024.
2025 Global Business Forum - Building Bridges in a Fragile World
This year's Global Business Forum underscored a world in flux, with businesses navigating uncharted waters amid technological upheaval and geopolitical realignment. Conversations ranged from Arctic sovereignty in a rapidly melting polar region to wars of historic consequence and avenues to end conflict, including the global expansion of defence and militarism. Speakers examined economic competitiveness in an era defined by rapid technological change, where keeping employees as proficient as their software has become a strategic imperative. India’s continued rise as the world’s most populous nation and a key global player again featured prominently. These discussions provided attendees with valuable insights to navigate the complex and rapidly changing global business landscape.
Forum Discussion Topics:
Nordic Perspectives on Security, Sovereignty and Defence of the Arctic
Canada-U.S. Relations
Global Security and Strategy
India Rising
Supply Chains and Global Competitive Trade
Where Technology Meets Talent
Canada's Role in a Fractured World
Perspectives from the Next Generation
Past Keynote Speakers Sponsored by SANDSTONE
2025 Daniel Debow, Chairman and Co-Founder, Build Canada
2023 Kishore Mahbubani, Former President, United Nations Security Council
2023 Daniel Araya, Senior Fellow, Centre for International Governance Innovation
2022 Alastair Crooke, Founder and Director, The Conflicts Forum
2021 David Roberts, Founder and CEO, GEDI Training
2020 Trevor Noren, Executive Director, 13D Global Research & Strategy
2019 Kishore Mahbubani, Distinguished Fellow, Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore
2019 Haiyan Wang, Managing Partner, China India Institute
2018 Paul Goncharoff, Senior Advisor, Albion Overseas “De-dollarization”
2017 Alastair Crooke, Founder and Director, The Conflicts Forum
2016 Dr. Ian Goldin, Professor of Globalization and Development, Oxford Martin School
2015 Karen Elazari, Cyber Security Strategist, Amitec Information Industries
The GBF exists to engage those with vision, creativity, and ingenuity and is always an intriguing opportunity for broad discussions with industry experts on global hot-button topics. Encouraging active discussion and debate about world issues is one of the key things that sets SANDSTONE apart.
