AmCham Canada Expands Leadership Team with Key Appointments

The American Chamber of Commerce in Canada (AmCham Canada) is pleased to announce the expansion of its executive leadership team with the addition of key advisory appointments that will support and enhance advocacy programing in priority sectors nationwide.  “We’re honoured to have Art Agolli, Grant McDonald and Abby Daniell join the AmCham Canada team in guiding our strategic advocacy on behalf of U.S. and Canadian businesses as we approach the upcoming review of the CUSMA-USMCA,” said AmCham Canada President Rick Tachuk.  “Bringing these extremely talented, experienced and proven industry leaders on-board to support AmCham Canada’s programming in the energy, defense and technology sectors will compliment our focus on sustaining and strengthening the U.S.-Canada trade relationship at this critical time.”  

AmCham Canada Advisory Appointments

Art Agolli, Founder & Executive Chairman, Dsrupt Energy

AmCham Canada is honoured to appoint Calgary-based energy entrepreneur Art Agolli, Founder & Executive Chairman of Dsrupt Energy to its Energy Security Committee, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to strengthening cross-border collaboration and innovation in the North American energy sector.

Agolli is recognized for his leadership in energy services, healthcare operations, and technology-driven business development. As a Calgary entrepreneur with extensive experience across regulated industries, he brings a practical perspective on energy infrastructure, operational efficiency, and the evolving role of technology in the sector. The AmCham Canada Energy Security Committee serves as a key advisory and networking body within the Chamber, bringing together industry leaders, executives, and policy stakeholders to advance dialogue on energy security, investment, sustainability, and Canada U.S. economic cooperation.

“I’m honoured to join the Energy Committee of the American-Canadian Chamber of Commerce,” said Art Agolli. “Canada and the United States share one of the world’s most important energy partnerships. I look forward to contributing to conversations that support innovation, responsible development, and stronger cross-border collaboration.”

Agolli’s appointment comes at a time when North America’s energy landscape is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by technological advancement, evolving market demands, and increasing focus on long-term energy resilience.

Through his participation on the committee, Agolli will collaborate with fellow industry leaders to support strategic initiatives and policy discussions that strengthen economic ties and foster sustainable energy growth across both countries.
 

Grant McDonald, Former Global Leader of KPMG’s A&D Industry Practice

AmCham Canada is delighted to have appointed Grant McDonald as Senior Advisor to AmCham Canada’s Defense & Security Committee. Grant McDonald spent over 40 years with KPMG in Canada, the US and the Caribbean, and was a partner of the firm for 30 years until September 2025.  Over the course of his career, he served significant multinational clients in a variety of industries, focused on the aerospace/space and defense (A&D) sector, as well as in the manufacturing, technology and financial services sectors.  He has been a member of the AmCham Defence and Security committee since 2017.
 
From 2019 until 2025 Mr. McDonald was the global leader of KPMG’s A&D industry practice, leading a team of KPMG professionals from around the world, serving key clients, publishing thought leadership on current industry issues and speaking at global industry networking events.  These included the Farnborough (London) and le Bourget (Paris) airshows, DSEI (UK), the Space Symposium (Colorado Springs) and others. Prior to this Grant was the Canadian A&D industry leader and supported the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries, Aerospace Industries Association of Canada, Conference of Defence Associations Institute, Canadian Global Affairs Institute, and others.
 
In the A&D industry, Grant worked with many major prime contractors and supply chain participants in Canada, the US and Europe/UK with a focus on mergers, acquisitions and carve-out transactions. Grant also led a number of studies focused on the economic impact of the defence sector on the Canadian economy, both at the industry-wide level and for Canadian subsidiaries of US OEMs.

Over the course of his career Mr. McDonald held many leadership roles at KPMG, serving as a senior corporate and international tax and M&A partner, a member of the Management Committee of KPMG in Canada and office managing partner in Ottawa.  In this latter role, Mr. McDonald led the firm’s efforts in serving the Government of Canada, the largest client of the firm, with particular emphasis on the departments responsible for Defence (DND), Procurement (PSPC) and Industry/Innovation (ISED), as well as Crown agencies leading small business financing (BDC), foreign military sales (CCC), defence infrastructure (DCC) and export financing (EDC). 
 
Mr. McDonald is an active professional and community volunteer.  He is a member of CPA Ontario, CPA Canada and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Barbados.  In addition to being a member of the Defence and Security committee for the American Chamber of Commerce in Canada, he serves on the executive of the Institute of Corporate Directors and the National Judicial Institute. Grant received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his volunteer efforts. He has been published in a number of professional and defence industry journals and regularly presents at industry seminars and conferences.
 

Abby Daniell, Former Director, Worldwide Public Sector, Amazon Web Services (AWS)

AmCham Canada is honoured to announce the appointment of Abby Daneill as Senior Advisor to AmCham’s Pacific Chapter based in Vancouver.  Abby brings a wealth of experience in the technology sector to AmCham’s west coast operations. 

As the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Director of the International Organizations team, Abby Daniell was responsible for driving the digital transformation of organizations such as the United Nations, European Commission, INTERPOL and World Bank.

Prior to this role, Abby led the AWS Latin America, Canada and Caribbean public sector team responsible for implementing workforce development, diversity and inclusion, disaster preparedness, sustainability, cybersecurity, and other programs in the Latin America, Canada and Caribbean markets.

With more than 25 years of global private and public sector business experience, Abby managed AWS teams enabling public sector organizations to expand globally.

Abby previously worked as the commercial director at the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica where she formed part of the management team and assisted U.S. companies doing business in Latin America. Before joining the U.S. Embassy, she was the associate publisher of The Tico Times, Central America’s leading English-language newspaper. She represented the newspaper at the Inter-American Press Association. She lived and worked in Costa Rica for two decades and is a fluent Spanish-speaking professional. Prior to moving to Costa Rica, Abby started her career working for a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Washington State both in Seattle and in Washington, D.C.
 

About AmCham Canada
The American Chamber of Commerce in Canada (AmCham Canada) supports policies and initiatives that promote U.S.-Canada trade, investment, and innovation. With chapters across the country and strong ties to both American and Canadian business communities, AmCham Canada serves as a critical bridge between businesses and governments, advocating for a vibrant and resilient cross-border economy.