Li-FT Power Strengthens Leadership with New COO and EVP to Propel Canadian Lithium Project Development

Jeff Reinson Brings Extensive Mining Operations Leadership in Diamonds and Gold

Joining Li-FT Power's executive team, Jeff Reinson offers over 25 years of project and engineering management experience in diverse mining sectors. Before his February 2026 appointment as Senior Vice President of Development, he was Vice President of Operations at Burgundy Diamond Mines, managing continuous operations at the Ekati Diamond Mine. His background includes leadership in complex, capital-intensive mining projects emphasizing operational discipline and safety.

Previously, Reinson served as Chief Operating Officer at First Mining Gold Corp., leading exploration, pre-feasibility engineering, and environmental permitting for the Springpole Gold Project in Northern Ontario, which secured Federal Environmental Assessment approval. His career also includes senior roles at Rio Tinto, Goldcorp, and Newmont, where he contributed to scaling operations at the Diavik Diamond Mine and the Pe f1asquito silver mine, one of the world's largest. He holds a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan and began his career as a geotechnical engineer with Golder Associates.

Montreal Office to Centralize Operations and Drive Quebec Lithium Project Progress

As COO, Reinson will establish Li-FT Power's operational hub in Montr e9al, aligning leadership close to its hard rock lithium portfolio in Quebec's James Bay area. This move aims to streamline decision-making and accelerate project execution. Scheduled for later in 2026, the relocation will enable Reinson to build the institutional capacity needed to advance the company's Quebec lithium assets through development stages.

This strategic shift supports Li-FT Power's transition from exploration to development, focusing on projects like the Adina Lithium Project. The Montreal base will facilitate direct engagement with Quebec regulators, Indigenous communities, and technical teams working on engineering and feasibility studies, reflecting increasing operational complexity as the company moves toward pre-construction milestones.

April Hayward Leads Strategic Partnerships and Non-Dilutive Funding Initiatives

April Hayward has moved from Chief Sustainability Officer to Executive Vice President of External Affairs & Strategic Partnerships. In this expanded role, she will spearhead Li-FT Power's efforts in commercial opportunities, Indigenous relations, government engagement, and industry partnerships. Her responsibilities include securing non-dilutive funding, strengthening relationships with Indigenous and public sector stakeholders, and developing strategic collaborations that support project timelines and enhance shareholder value.

With over 25 years of experience across academia, public, and private sectors, Hayward combines operational, project development, and corporate finance expertise. Her background includes leadership roles at Mountain Province Diamonds Inc. and Dominion Diamond Mines, and she currently serves on the Northwest Territories and Nunavut Chamber of Mines board. She holds a Ph.D. in Ecology from McMaster University and an MBA in Finance from the University of Calgary.

Strategic Leadership Shift from Exploration to Development Stage

The appointments underscore Li-FT Power's deliberate move from exploration to development, requiring enhanced operational and organizational capabilities. President & CEO Francis MacDonald described the changes as reflecting "the evolution of LIFT from explorer to developer, and the calibre of leadership required for our next phase of growth." The restructuring emphasizes operational discipline, capital efficiency, and stakeholder management essential for development-stage mining.

Reinson's operational expertise addresses the complexities of advancing hard rock lithium projects toward construction and production. Concurrently, Hayward's focus on strategic partnerships and alternative funding channels supports capital efficiency and shareholder value preservation during this capital-intensive phase.

Industry Context: Rising Demand for Critical Minerals and Lithium Project Advancement

These leadership changes come amid accelerating global demand for lithium and critical minerals vital to electrification and battery manufacturing. Reinson highlighted the importance of securing critical minerals as the electrification movement intensifies. This environment creates opportunities and urgency for lithium projects capable of timely production.

Li-FT Power's Canadian hard rock lithium projects in Quebec and the Northwest Territories benefit from proximity to North American battery manufacturing and mining infrastructure. The company's positioning enables participation in supply chains supporting electric vehicles, energy storage, and renewable energy expansion. Appointing executives with operational expertise and stakeholder relationship skills strengthens competitive positioning to expedite project timelines and secure strategic partnerships.

Equity Incentive Awards Align Executive Compensation with Long-Term Growth

Alongside these appointments, Li-FT Power granted equity incentives under its Omnibus Share Incentive Plan approved on May 15, 2026. The company issued 75,000 stock options exercisable at C$3.36 per share, vesting quarterly over two years, expiring five years from grant, and 10,000 restricted share units vesting annually over three years, settled at C$3.36 per share upon vesting.

This compensation structure aligns executive retention with multi-year development cycles, encouraging sustained focus on long-term value creation through environmental permitting, engineering studies, and project milestones, rather than short-term market fluctuations.

Diversified Hard Rock Lithium Portfolio Across Quebec and Northwest Territories

Li-FT Power's portfolio spans Quebec and the Northwest Territories, with core assets including the Adina Lithium Project in Quebec's Eeyou Istchee region. Geographic diversification offers exposure to varied regulatory frameworks, Indigenous engagement models, and market access. Quebec's established mining infrastructure and hydroelectric resources provide economic advantages for lithium development.

The Northwest Territories holdings expand resource diversity and mitigate political and regulatory risks, featuring distinct permitting and consultation processes. This diversified approach aligns with industry practices among junior and mid-tier developers. Reinson's operational leadership and Hayward's partnership focus position the company to advance projects across jurisdictions while managing unique stakeholder requirements.

Leadership Team Evolution Supports Company Growth and Development Goals

The executive changes directly support Li-FT Power's priorities to accelerate project progress and secure commercial partnerships. Reinson brings operational excellence, safety focus, and engineering rigor from his diamond and gold mining background, aligning with the company's transition from explorer to developer.

Hayward's promotion highlights the importance of stakeholder engagement, Indigenous relations, and innovative funding strategies to drive capital efficiency and shareholder value. Together, these appointments demonstrate organizational maturity and readiness to compete in the hard rock lithium development sector.

Investor Outlook and Upcoming Operational Developments

Investors should watch for key milestones following these appointments, including the establishment of the Montr e9al office and expansion of Quebec operational capacity under Reinson's leadership. Hayward's progress in forming strategic partnerships and securing non-dilutive funding will indicate access to alternative capital and stakeholder alignment. Regulatory advances on the Adina Lithium Project and other assets will reflect execution capability under the new leadership team.

Set against growing global electrification demand and supportive critical minerals policies, these developments create favorable conditions for accelerated project timelines and strategic collaborations. Stakeholders should monitor Indigenous engagement results, government relations, and partnership announcements within Hayward's remit, alongside operational updates and engineering study completions led by Reinson to track Li-FT Power's advancement toward development milestones.