Leadership

Dr. Michael Mahon, Chief Executive Officer 

With over 35 years of experience in Alberta and Manitoba’s post-secondary sectors, Dr. Michael (Mike) Mahon brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of research and innovation leadership to Alberta Innovates as the CEO.

President of the University of Lethbridge for 13 years, Dr. Mahon spearheaded the University’s largest capital campaign, during his tenure, for construction of the Science Commons, a major science and innovation facility.

Before his appointment in Lethbridge, Dr. Mahon served as a Dean at the University of Alberta for 10 years during which time he also served in a dual role of Chair of the Health Sciences Council. Prior to that Dr. Mahon led a Health and Sport Performance Research Institute at the University of Manitoba and served as an Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies. Dr. Mahon has contributed leadership provincially and nationally including as Chair of Universities Canada. His own research is focused in Disability Studies and Health and has been funded by federal and provincial granting agencies along with foundations and federal and provincial governments.

In 2012, the Kainai Nation honored him with a Blackfoot name, iipisowaahsiiyi, for his work with Indigenous communities. He received the Queen’s Diamond and Platinum Jubilee medals. Dr. Mahon holds a Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, an M.Sc. from the University of Alberta, and a B.P.E. from the University of Manitoba.

Bryan Helfenbaum, Vice President, Clean Energy

Bryan Helfenbaum is a leader who has made a career challenging the status quo and empowering high-performance teams.  Having spent more than 25 years in the energy industry, he brings a wide breadth of technical, economic, and strategy acumen to the Clean Energy division.  With a passion for technology and the environment, Bryan uncovers creative solutions through collaboration, courage, and fun.

His leadership of Clean Energy initiatives encompasses a broad range of meaningful opportunities for Alberta and Canada, including cleaner oil & gas, hydrogen, carbon capture utilization & sequestration, digital energy, energy storage, grid modernization, critical minerals, geothermal & renewables, small modular nuclear reactors, and bitumen beyond combustion.  Bryan provides strategic and tactical leadership to advance technologies for future economic, environmental, and social benefits in the province and beyond.

Prior to joining Alberta Innovates in 2017, Bryan spent nearly two decades in the private sector in a variety of technical, business, and innovation roles with increasing responsibility.  His diverse background includes reservoir engineering, mergers & acquisitions, corporate planning, and technology development.  He has been a people leader for more than 15 years, with his final industry role leading the Technology Innovation team at Devon Energy.

Bryan has won numerous industry awards and is a sought-after speaker.  He was a Strategic Advisor at C-FER Technologies, a theme lead for the Clean Resources Innovation Network, and an Ambassador with the Energy Futures Lab.  His passion for innovation also extends outside the office, where he has taught courses on innovation at the University of Calgary and worked on innovative community residential development projects.

Bryan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Waterloo and a Master’s in Business Administration, with a specialization in Global Energy Management & Sustainability, from the University of Calgary.

Find Bryan on Linkedin.

Bonnie Drozdowski, Vice President, InnoTech Alberta 

Bio coming soon.

Barry McNabb, Vice President, Finance 

Barry is a dedicated financial leader with a proven track record in complex work environments, developing strong and collaborative teams, and making measured decisions that blend strategic, operational, financial, and related considerations. 

He brings extensive public and private sector experience in corporate strategy and business planning, enterprise risk management, performance measurement, financial reporting and management systems. 

Prior to joining Alberta Innovates, Barry held senior financial roles within the City of Edmonton with insight to more than 70 lines of business and a $3-billion annual operating budget. Barry directed multi-year capital and operating budgets approved by City Council and provided financial and regulatory expertise regarding the operation of municipally owned energy utilities. He was instrumental in the development of the Blatchford Renewable Energy Utility and the Downtown District Energy System in Edmonton. 

During his 20-year career with ATCO Electric he held increasingly senior positions, including Vice President, Regulatory & Controller. He led teams in finance, planning and strategy, accounting, performance measurement and regulatory affairs through a period of electricity deregulation and business restructuring. In his executive role, he: 

• oversaw financial and regulatory requirements of the ATCO Electrical Distribution Division and provided strategic direction to 3,000 employees; 
• directed implementation of a new financial management system, payroll centralization, and adoption of international financial reporting standards; 
• led the overall business plan cycle, including the development of corporate strategies and financial targets. 

Barry began his career in the audit practice of Ernst & Young in 1989. He is active on several community boards including the Edmonton Food Bank and Wheelchair Sports Alberta. 

He has a B.Comm. from the University of Alberta and completed the Ivey School of Business Executive Program in 2012. Barry is also a Chartered Accountant. 

Find Barry on  LinkedIn. 

Mark Summers, Vice President, Agriculture and Environment, Investments

Mark Summers is the Vice President of Agriculture and Environment and Interim Vice President of Investments at Alberta Innovates. Mark leads the strategic development and oversight of funding initiatives for Alberta Innovates in agriculture and food innovation, sustainable materials, and environmental sustainability. He was Chief Innovation Officer and Chief Strategy Officer at Emissions Reduction Alberta prior to his current role.

Mark serves in various volunteer capacities professionally, including as Chair of the Faculty Advisory Committee for the Faculty of Business, Environment, and Technology (FBET) at NorQuest College, as a member of the Future Energy Systems Strategic Leadership Advisory Board (FES SLAB) for the University of Alberta, and as a representative on the Energy Futures Lab Partners Council.

Mark is passionate about technology, innovation, collaboration, and perpetual betterment across all facets of professional and personal endeavor. Mark is a Professional Engineer who holds a BSc in Engineering Physics and a PhD in Nanostructured Engineering from the University of Alberta.

Find Mark on LinkedIn.