Mike van Akkooi

Helping to build the largest critical minerals company in the U.S. Establishing and leading an integrated global external affairs function to support the successful growth and development of this international company.

Taking a well-needed break to rejuvenate physically and mentally, spend qualtiy time with the family, support my son through his (succesful!) last year in high school and IB-exams, get my boating license, work on my languages and take a bucket list trip to Japan. I did do a little advisory work and consulting to stay connected to the sector, but kept it to a minimum!

Leading global government relations, strategic community relations and ESG.

The Canadian Council for the Americas (CCA) is Canada’s premier forum for discussion of the political and economic issues in the hemisphere that are critical to Canada, and particularly Canadian trade and investment. Through our symposia, meetings and publications we promote Canadian thinking and engage with business and political leaders throughout the region. We are non-partisan and member-based. The CCA is the principal private sector link between Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean. As a networking and information vehicle, the CCA’s primary objective is to stimulate the expansion of Canadian commercial interests in the markets of the countries of the region. We strive to maintain the CCA at the centre of the issues that affect Canadian hemispheric trade and investment by hosting organizing symposia on critical issues and advocating on major policy issues on behalf of our members. Founded in 1987, our membership ranges from some of Canada’s well known and important companies to small, new and emerging companies recognizing the importance of trade outside Canada’s boundaries. The CCA has been playing a key role in strengthening commercial relations between Canada and the region through activities, alliances and other participation. In Canada, we work in close collaboration with the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD), with Provincial Governments, organizing outreach business activities for Heads of State, Ministers and business leaders from throughout the hemisphere. In Toronto, we work with associations such as the Toronto Board of Trade and various Canadian Chambers of Commerce. The CCA has also been part of the Americas Business Dialogue and the CEO forum of the Americas as well as the organization of two Team Canada trade missions to Latin America. The CCA has a long-standing relationship with diplomatic missions representing Latin American and the Caribbean in Canada and several councils in Canada and abroad.

The Mining Association of Canada (MAC) is governed by a team of industry leaders from our membership who were selected for their breadth and depth of mining experience. Through their strategic guidance and oversight, these professionals collectively play a vital role in advancing the work of MAC and the industry at large.

The Canada Eurasia Russia Business Association (CERBA) is an independent non-profit organization that promotes bilateral trade and investment between Canada and Eurasia. CERBA is a membership-based association that represents over 140 corporations and individuals. With its network of nine chapters located in Almaty, Moscow, Tashkent, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Alberta, Winnipeg and Vancouver, CERBA supports its membership’s business development with international conferences and seminars, B2B meetings, trade missions, and market intelligence. It also acts as an advocate for business to governments of Canada and Eurasia. CERBA is a co-founder of the Russia - Canada Business Council (RCaBC) and the Kazakhstan-Canada Business Council (KCBC) – organizations designed to promote bilateral business cooperation and address specific issues through sector-based committees.

Degree included modules at Oxford, Babson and Tsinghua Universities. Graduated 6 June 2010.

Including several key courses at the University of Leiden Political Science Faculty