Calgary, AB, April 2026 – At our last Wine Wednesday, the conversation went beyond polished founder stories into often unheard of realities of building the company from the ground up. Featuring Amanda Hall, CEO and Founder of Summit Nanotech, it was a candid conversation about the real work of building and scaling in one of today's most complex and critical industries. As demand for electric vehicles and energy storage grows, lithium has become central to the energy transition. Amanda recognized this early, focusing on lithium before it gained widespread attention, positioning Summit Nanotech as a leader in direct lithium extraction (DLE), which boosts recovery while reducing water use.
Amanda highlighted the pivotal role that advisors and accelerator programs played in shaping Summit’s early direction. These external perspectives helped refine not just the technology, but the company’s approach to partnerships, capital, and long-term growth.
The conversation touched on key elements such as how funding decisions influence commercialization strategy and how partnerships can both accelerate or hinder progress. For founders and operators in the room, it was a practical look at how these moving pieces come together in real time.
One of the most impactful parts of the discussion was Amanda’s honesty about leadership. As Summit prepares for its next phase of growth and an active funding round, she spoke openly about the pressures that come with scaling, specifically balancing vision with execution, and ambition with sustainability. This includes actively delegating more responsibility, intentionally developing the next leaders within the company and creating the conditions for them to be just as committed to the organization's success.
Wine Wednesday continues to carve out space for these insightful discussions - honest, nuanced and rooted in lived experience rather than theory. Amanda's story resonated with the room not because it was extraordinary but because it was real, a journey shaped by tough decisions, external support and ongoing learning.
The room's takeaway was clear, building something meaningful rarely follows a straight path, however hearing from someone who is in the middle of it can make the journey feel a little less lonely.
Visit Summit Nanotech to learn more about their work.
Thank you to EY Canada for supporting this event.
Photos taken by 24 Frames Studio.