The Empire Club of Canada
Thursday, May 16, 2024
Ontario’s energy sector is undergoing a profound and rapid transformation, which Hydro One is uniquely positioned to enable. Getting it right is critical given the significant current and planned economic development in the province. Join us as Hydro One’s President and CEO David Lebeter, in his inaugural address to the Empire Club, shares how Hydro One is thinking and acting differently to meet evolving customer expectations and how its industry-leading 50-50 equity partnerships with First Nations are reshaping the future.
David Lebeter was appointed President and CEO of Hydro One Limited in January 2023. Mr. Lebeter is a highly regarded leader with over 40 years’ experience in the utility and forestry sectors and a reputation for driving improved safety, employee engagement, productivity, customer centricity and successfully delivering capital investments.
Mr. Lebeter has 18 years of experience in all facets of the electricity sector and was most recently the Chief Operating Officer of Hydro One Networks Inc., a role he assumed in January 2020, with responsibility for transmission and distribution, including construction, maintenance, vegetation management as well as system operations, asset planning and engineering. Under Mr. Lebeter’s leadership, the company has improved safety, productivity, reliability and customer experience.
Before joining Hydro One, he held progressively senior positions in operations and safety at BC Hydro from 2005 to 2019, including leadership roles in generation, transmission, distribution and safety. During his tenure, he was responsible for improving safety, reliability, employee engagement and customer service, lowering costs and building trust with union leaders and Indigenous communities.
Mr. Lebeter spent 23 years in the forest industry prior to joining the utility sector, working in leadership positions responsible for operations.
He has previously served as an Executive Board Member for Smart Grid Northwest, as an Operations Board Member for Western Energy Institute, and as the Chairman of the Distribution Council with the Canadian Electricity Association. He holds his ICD.D from the Institute of Corporate Directors.
Mr. Lebeter holds a Bachelor’s degree in Forestry from the University of British Columbia, and is a registered professional forester. In addition, Mr. Lebeter holds an Executive Master of Business Administration from Simon Fraser University.
Michael is the President/CEO of Indigenous Community Engagement (ICE) – one of Canada’s leading national Indigenous firms specializing in community consultation, facilitation/negotiations, capacity building, & enterprise development. He brings a wealth of experience in structuring projects and financing for both industry and Indigenous clients. He obtained an honours degree in Political Science with a focus on Aboriginal Law & Resource Development and has an MBA with a specialization in Social Enterprise. He’s a believer in higher education and has taught university courses to share his professional experiences with the next generation of Indigenous business leaders. He’s originally from Weenusk First Nation and has twin sons and a daughter.