Edmonton Region Hydrogen HUB

Mark Lea-Wilson is a mechanical engineer with an MBA that focused on economics, finance, and technology commercialization. He has 19 years of experience in the energy industry working in innovation, product development, manufacturing, and business management. His passion for energy and energy systems led him to recently earn a Certified Energy Manager certificate as well. He likes to connect information at system and sub-system levels, and understand how the small details affect the overall ecosystem, and vice versa. This helps formulate effective strategies and business systems.

The engineering and product design background of his early career also helped him understand physical systems at macro and microlevels. He values curiosity, discovery, collaboration, science, respect and integrity. His last role as Innovation Director and shareholder of a private manufacturing company involved blending the latest academic and business principles to identify and execute innovative business plans. It was a combination of formal training, project work, and networking that culminated in new product lines, partnerships, and an industry collaboration project aimed at commercializing innovations. It helped him understand the nuanced path that needs to be navigated to bring new ideas to light. Prior to that he was VP of Operations, overseeing manufacturing, engineering, supply chain, and assembly activities. Rooted in Lean manufacturing and process-thinking, the role taught him how a successful team needs to rely on each member.

David Layzell, PhD, FRSC is a professor and director of the Canadian Energy Systems Analysis Research (CESAR) initiative at the University of Calgary. He began his academic career as a professor of biology (cross-appointments in the Schools of Environmental Studies and Public Policy) at Queen’s University (Kingston), generated an international reputation and was elected as a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (FRSC). Over the past 20+ years his interdisciplinary research efforts have focused on exploring and defining transition pathways capable of moving Canada to a more sustainable future. His work has led directly to the activities of The Transition Accelerator.