Fastmarkets Live Lounge

François-Xavier Rame, CEO of Adionics, explains how the company is redefining direct lithium extraction with proprietary liquid technology and AI driven modelling. He shares lessons from turning around engineering firms, the power of teamwork, and what winning the innovation award at the conference means for the future of sustainable lithium. Recorded live at the Fastmarkets Lithium Supply and Bat...

Paul Charles, a clean energy pioneer and Principal of Charles and Associates, LLC, reflects on three decades of building companies across Switzerland, Silicon Valley, and Arizona. He explores gigafactory innovation, modular construction, universal standards, and how the Finnish concept of sisu, grit in the face of adversity, has defined both his leadership and life. Recorded live at the Fastmarket...

Madan Manoharan, CEO of Tuleva Inc, shares how his career journey from NASA licensed tech startups to private equity and refining shaped his vision for carbon neutral lithium refining. He unpacks the difference between risk and uncertainty, the myths of green premium pricing, and how Tuleva aims to build sustainable impact without sacrificing competitiveness. Recorded live at the Fastmarkets Lithi...

Ken Brinsden, CEO of Patriot Battery Metals, talks building teams, scaling hard rock projects, and what North America must do to catch up in critical minerals. He reflects on transforming Pilbara Minerals, the importance of resilient leadership, and why energy storage is an underestimated growth driver. Recorded live at the Fastmarkets Lithium Supply and Battery Raw Materials Conference 2025.   Fo...

Howard Klein, Founder of and Partner at RK Equity, reflects on two decades of capital markets experience in lithium and why volatility is both a challenge and an opportunity. He discusses investor sentiment, China’s long term strategy, and how the Rock Stock Channel has become a hub for mentorship and market insight. Recorded live at the Fastmarkets Lithium Supply and Battery Raw Materials Confere...

Haydn Daxter, CEO of Power Metals Corp, shares his journey from mining camps in Africa to building North America’s most significant new cesium project. He explains why educating the market is key, how supply gaps create opportunity, and what it takes to lead with resilience in a niche but critical space. Recorded live at the Fastmarkets Lithium Supply and Battery Raw Materials Conference 2025.   F...

Dorothea Soule, Advisory Board Member at Momentum Technologies, reflects on her path from neuroscience to global battery recycling leadership. She discusses navigating geopolitical dynamics, the real business of production scrap, and how purpose, adaptability, and systems thinking are critical for innovation and long term strategy. Recorded live at the Fastmarkets Lithium Supply and Battery Raw Ma...

Stéphane Ballèvre, Managing Director at Geolith, unpacks the role of direct lithium extraction in creating a more secure, sustainable, and scalable supply chain. He shares why simplicity, resilience, and results define true innovation, and how partnerships like Geolith and KBR are redefining turnkey solutions from brine to battery grade lithium. Recorded live at the Fastmarkets Lithium Supply and...

Melanie Sheldon, Senior Director of Business Development at Nevada GOED, outlines how the state is evolving into a full cycle lithium hub, from mining and recycling to battery innovation and workforce upskilling. She reflects on the power of local partnerships, policy agility, and what placemaking really means in the energy transition. Recorded live at the Fastmarkets Lithium Supply and Battery Ra...

Dale Henderson, CEO of Pilbara Minerals, shares lessons from leading through market cycles and building one of Australia’s most prominent lithium producers. He talks strategic resilience, downstream partnerships, and why innovation must be embedded in a company’s DNA, not added on as an afterthought. Recorded live at the Fastmarkets Lithium Supply and Battery Raw Materials Conference 2025.   Follo...

Gary Godwin, Vice President at KBR, reflects on 35 years in global process engineering and what it takes to lead through disruption. He shares his perspective on technology licensing, risk-managed innovation, and how KBR is applying proven expertise to accelerate lithium project delivery. Recorded live at the Fastmarkets Lithium Supply and Battery Raw Materials Conference 2025.   Follow us on soci...

Andy Robinson, President and COO of Standard Lithium, unpacks the bold decisions behind building a next-generation lithium company. He reflects on developing real-world innovation at commercial scale, partnering with Equinor, and how a clear vision and a top-tier resource can anchor a decade-long journey through volatility. Recorded live at the Fastmarkets Lithium Supply and Battery Raw Materials...

David Christensen, Managing Director of Renascor Resources, explains why graphite is the missing link in battery supply chains and how Renascor is positioning South Australia as a key global source of sustainable anode material. He shares insights on eco-friendly purification, geopolitical tension, and what it takes to lead in an emerging market with near-total Chinese dominance. Recorded live at...

Jay Keener, CEO of Altillion, explains how his chemistry background and global water experience inform a fresh approach to lithium brine processing. He shares why low-energy design, smart integration, and external collaboration are the future of DLE—and why data quality must guide innovation. Recorded live at the Fastmarkets Lithium Supply and Battery Raw Materials Conference 2025.   Follow us on...

Austin Devaney, CEO of Li7 Charged, reflects on his 35-year journey through the alkaline earth metals world and why now was the right time to go independent. He talks EV innovation, lessons from the supply side, and what the lithium market can learn from oil and gas cycles. Recorded live at the Fastmarkets Lithium Supply and Battery Raw Materials Conference 2025.   Follow us on social media to get...

Daniel Abdo, VP of International Relations and Business Development at Sigma Lithium, shares how the company scaled from five employees to over 600 and built Brazil’s first green lithium operation. He dives into community development, dry stack tailings, and how diplomatic neutrality gives Brazil a global edge. Recorded live at the Fastmarkets Lithium Supply and Battery Raw Materials Conference 20...

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 Lithi...

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.   Follow us on social me...

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.   Follow us on socia...

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.   Follow us on social media to...

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 Ra...

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 Su...

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.   Follow us...

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 Confe...

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. Follow us on...