Fastmarkets Live Lounge

Saeed Alghafri, CEO of Emirates Steel part of EMSTEEL Group, shared his approach to leadership, emphasizing innovation, employee well-being, and company culture. He discussed the UAE’s leadership in shaping the future of the steel industry and the importance of accountability and growth. Recorded live at the Fastmarkets Middle East Iron and Steel Conference 2025.
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Ruchi Dana, Executive Board Member at Dana Group, shared her leadership approach in shaping the company’s future, emphasizing innovation, sustainability, and the integration of these strategies with business growth. She also reflected on Dana Steel’s global expansion and her vision for women in the industry. Recorded live at the Fastmarkets Middle East Iron and Steel Conference 2025.
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Venkee Sharma, CEO of Aquatech, discusses the intersection of water innovation and critical minerals. He explores how water–energy nexus technologies are supporting sustainable lithium extraction, the shift from supplier to strategic partner, and why North America needs coordinated action to lead the energy transition. Recorded live at the Fastmarkets Lithium Supply and Battery Raw Materials Conference 2025.
 
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Ken Hoffman, CEO of Traubenbach Associates, reflects on his career path, the pitfalls of battery investment, and why China’s innovation is reshaping the EV landscape. He shares advice for startups seeking capital, critiques Tesla’s stagnation, and outlines what defines true leadership in lithium. Recorded live at the Fastmarkets Lithium Supply and Battery Raw Materials Conference 2025.
 
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David Klanecky, President and CEO of Cirba Solutions, explores the intersection of circularity and electrification, the urgency of battery recycling infrastructure, and raising $700 million to scale solutions. He reflects on his global leadership journey, why culture drives strategy, and what it takes to lead in a fast-evolving critical minerals economy. Recorded live at the Fastmarkets Lithium Supply and Battery Raw Materials Conference 2025.
 
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Karol Kerrane, Managing Director of EPC Engineering & Technologies, discusses scaling industrial battery material production and why collaboration is critical in today’s lithium supply chain. He unpacks EPC’s turnkey engineering approach, the value of international partnerships, and how to balance innovation with project execution. Recorded live at the Fastmarkets Lithium Supply and Battery Raw Materials Conference 2025.
 
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Hugh McDonald, Secretary of Commerce for Arkansas, shares his journey from nuclear plant engineer to public office. He explores the state’s lithium potential, lessons from the private sector, and why workforce strategy and outdoor infrastructure matter in attracting investment. Recorded live at the Fastmarkets Lithium Supply and Battery Raw Materials Conference 2025.
 
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Gene Morgan, CEO of Zelandez, reveals how his oil and gas roots shaped the world’s leading lithium brine services firm. He shares lessons from operating in high-pressure environments, the rise of direct lithium extraction, and why optimism and adaptability are vital in a volatile market. Recorded live at the Fastmarkets Lithium Supply and Battery Raw Materials Conference 2025.
 
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Martin Turenne, CEO of FPX Nickel Corp, explains why nickel matters for the energy transition and how FPX’s Baptiste project could redefine sustainable supply. He shares insights on community partnerships, permitting in Canada, and the real ESG differentiators investors should watch. Recorded live at the Fastmarkets Lithium Supply and Battery Raw Materials Conference 2025.
 
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Cristina Paredes, Executive Director of SC NEXUS, shares how South Carolina is building a resilient energy innovation ecosystem through testbeds, university–industry collaboration, and public–private partnerships. She also reflects on female leadership, navigating imposter syndrome, and how strategic vision and inclusive dialogue can power sustainable growth. Recorded live at the Fastmarkets Lithium Supply and Battery Raw Materials Conference 2025.
 
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