CASMR and SMR Forum Establish Rumina Velshi Nuclear Leadership Award and Fellowship

New initiatives will recognize senior leadership in Canada's nuclear sector and support the next generation of nuclear leaders

CALGARY, AB, Oct. 13, 2026 /CNW/ -- The Canadian Association of Small Modular Reactors (CASMR) and SMR Forum have established the Rumina Velshi Nuclear Leadership Award and the Rumina Velshi Fellowship, two new initiatives focused on recognizing senior leadership in Canada's nuclear sector and supporting emerging leaders as they advance in the industry.

CASMR and SMR Forum are committing $50,000 over five years, providing $10,000 annually through the Rumina Velshi Fellowship. The Fellowship will support emerging nuclear leaders, with a particular focus on women advancing into leadership roles. The Rumina Velshi Nuclear Leadership Award will annually recognize a senior leader making an exceptional contribution to Canada's nuclear sector, both domestically and internationally.

The initiatives were established in honour of Rumina Velshi, whose more than four decades in nuclear energy have spanned regulation, utility governance, international nuclear safety and policy, strategic advisory work, innovation, and leadership development. She holds senior international roles with the International Atomic Energy Agency, the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency, and Japan's nuclear regulatory community, and serves on the boards of utilities advancing new nuclear through both planning and construction. In 2023, she received the Icon of Nuclear Award in recognition of her outstanding leadership, vision, and commitment to mentorship. She has also received an honorary doctorate in science and engineering from McMaster University.

"If Canada wants to remain a global nuclear leader, we need to invest not only in projects and technology, but in the people who will lead the sector over the next generation," said Erveina Gosalci, Founder and CEO of CASMR and CEO of SMR Forum. "Rumina has spent more than four decades helping shape Canada's nuclear sector and strengthening its international standing, while consistently investing in the next generation of leaders. The Award and Fellowship are intended to reflect both sides of that legacy."

Rumina Velshi Nuclear Leadership Award

The Rumina Velshi Nuclear Leadership Award will annually recognize a senior leader making an exceptional contribution to advancing Canada's nuclear leadership.

The award will recognize contributions through public service, industry, regulation, innovation, project delivery, international engagement, or other work that strengthens Canada's nuclear capabilities and international standing.

Rumina Velshi Fellowship

The Rumina Velshi Fellowship will support emerging nuclear leaders as they build their careers and move into leadership roles within the sector, with particular attention to women advancing into leadership positions.

Together, the Award and Fellowship are intended to recognize the leadership shaping the sector today while supporting those who will carry it forward.

"Rumina's career reflects the kind of leadership Canada will need as the sector enters a new period of growth," Gosalci added. "These initiatives recognize that legacy while helping create opportunities for the next generation."

The initiatives were established during the third edition of Pioneering New Nuclear in Western Canada, held September 16–17 in Edmonton.

The Forum brought together senior leaders from government, industry, utilities, finance, regulation, Indigenous organizations, and the international nuclear community to examine Canada's next chapter in new nuclear.

Following the Forum, CASMR and SMR Forum also published six key takeaways from the discussions, highlighting the shift from nuclear ambition to delivery across financing, regulation, industrial capability, strategic infrastructure, workforce, and Canada-U.S. cooperation.

This year's program featured The Right Honourable Stephen J. Harper, 22nd Prime Minister of Canada; the Honourable Jason Kenney, 18th Premier of Alberta; the Honourable Jeremy Harrison, Saskatchewan's Minister of Crown Investments Corporation; and Dustin H. Davidson, Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Conservation and Energy, alongside senior executives and experts from across Canada and internationally.

Further details on eligibility, nominations, and the inaugural recipients of the Rumina Velshi Nuclear Leadership Award and Rumina Velshi Fellowship will be announced in due course.

About the Canadian Association of Small Modular Reactors

The Canadian Association of Small Modular Reactors (CASMR) is a national not-for-profit organization focused on advancing informed policy, collaboration, and leadership around small modular reactors, advanced nuclear technologies, and Canada's broader nuclear future.

About SMR Forum

SMR Forum convenes senior leaders from government, utilities, Indigenous organizations, industry, finance, regulation, and the international nuclear community to advance strategic dialogue on the deployment of new nuclear energy in Canada.

SOURCE Canadian Association of Small Modular Reactors and SMR Forum

Erveina Gosalci, [email protected]