Steven W. Williams is a well-known Canadian businessman, who has held several senior executive positions in several corporations. He served as the CEO of Suncor Energy from 2012 to 2019, and prior to that, he held the position of COO from 2007 to 2011.
Before joining Suncor, Williams worked as an executive at Innospec and Esso. In 2018, he was ranked as the third highest earner in Calgary with a total compensation of $14,789,407, according to a survey conducted by Global Governance Advisors and published by The Calgary Herald.
Not much is publicly known about Steven Williams’ birth, family, and early life. However, his age is public information, reporting that he is 65 years old.
Steve Williams holds a Bachelor of Science with Honors in chemical engineering from Exeter University and is a Fellow of the Institution of Chemical Engineers. Additionally, he has completed both the business economics program at Oxford University and the advanced management program at Harvard Business School.
After graduation, he entered the work field immediately in the energy sector, where he would work his way up to C-suite leadership positions in some well-known companies in Canada.
Steven Williams served as Chief Executive Officer of Suncor Energy from 2012 to May 2019, and as President from 2011 to November 2018. He was a director of Suncor Energy from December 2011 to May 2019.
His career with Suncor Energy began in 2002 when he was appointed Executive Vice President, Corporate Development and Chief Financial Officer. He also served at Suncor Energy as Executive Vice President, Oil Sands, from 2003 to 2007 and as Chief Operating Officer, from 2007 to 2011. Mr. Williams has more than 40 years of international energy industry experience, including 18 years at Esso/Exxon.
Mr. Williams boasts over 40 years of experience in the international energy sector. He held the position of CEO at Suncor Energy from 2012 to 2019 and was the company’s President from 2011 to 2018. Prior to that, he held various high-level positions within Suncor and worked at Esso/Exxon for 18 years. He is also one of the twelve founding CEOs of Canada’s Oil Sands Innovation Alliance. In 2015, Williams participated in the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris, France, as part of the Canadian government delegation.
Williams sits on the Board of Directors of Alcoa Corporation and is a member of the Board of the Business Council of Canada. He is affiliated with the Institute of Corporate Directors and the National Association of Corporate Directors. He has been a strong advocate for sustainable development in the energy industry and is well-known for his role in promoting the connection between the environment and the economy.
He was a speaker at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in 2016. He has also spoken before on topics related to climate change and how it impacts the energy sector. He has worked hard to get intelligent, practical conversations started within the industry, in order to move Canada forward within the energy sector, for what is best for public interest.
Williams states that there are three characteristics that should define our efforts as we go forward: First, is the pressing need to stop talking and start taking action – according to David Keith, we need to embrace an “ecomodernist manifesto” – we need to be deliberate in the actions that we take, and embrace technology to get to a better future.
Next, is the need for energy companies to be bold and innovative. It is important to consider the fact that 80% of CO2 production occurs during the combustion or usage of oil, gas, or coal when making policy decisions, and to approach these decisions with innovation and boldness.
And finally, he has said that we need to exhibit a bold and innovative approach when it comes to policy making, taking into consideration the fact that 80% of carbon dioxide emissions are generated during the consumption of oil, gas, or coal. Only through a forward-thinking mindset and policies that keep public interest in mind can an energy company continue to succeed in today’s market.
Williams has faced these potential challenges head-on, positioning that it is important for energy companies to assist in creating a sustainable future. This innovative thinking has helped him be successful in his work, and bring the companies he leads to their great success as well.
Suncor Energy is a Canadian energy company specializing in the production of crude oil and natural gas. It was founded in 1919 and is headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The company operates in various regions of Canada, including the Athabasca oil sands, as well as offshore oil production in the East Coast of Canada and the North Sea.
Suncor Energy is one of the largest energy companies in Canada and a major player in the country’s oil and gas industry. It has a strong focus on sustainability and has invested in various renewable energy projects, including wind and solar power. The company’s operations also include refining and marketing of petroleum products, such as gasoline, diesel, and aviation fuel, through a network of retail and wholesale outlets.
The exact net worth of Steven Williams is not publicly known. In 2018, according to a survey conducted by Global Governance Advisors and reported by The Calgary Herald, Williams, as CEO, ranked third among the top 100 highest earners in Calgary, with a total compensation of $14,789,407.
Steven Williams has led a successful 40+ year career in the energy sector.
Committee Memberships
Other Public Board Memberships
Steve was named to the National Roundtable on the Environment and the Economy by the Prime Minister in 2005. He has served as a member of the advisory board of Canada’s Ecofiscal Commission since its establishment. He was one of the 12 original CEOs of the Canada’s Oil Sands Innovation Alliance (COSIA) and represented the Government of Canada as an official delegate at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris.
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