Alberta Innovates appoints Dr. Mike Mahon as permanent CEO ahead of Inventures 2025, unveiling a bold new vision for Alberta’s innovation ecosystem.
Alberta Innovates has officially named Dr. Mike Mahon as its permanent Chief Executive Officer, following unanimous approval from its board of directors. The announcement comes just days before the organization reveals its strategic vision at Inventures 2025, Alberta’s premier tech and innovation conference.
Dr. Mahon, who stepped in as interim CEO last July, originally joined the agency to guide it through a significant transition period. His appointment follows a comprehensive review and the development of a long-term roadmap for Alberta’s innovation future.
From Interim to Architect of Innovation
Dr. Mahon’s leadership journey began amid a pivotal shift at Alberta Innovates. Tasked with evaluating the agency’s programs and redefining its mission, he led a strategic review aimed at recalibrating its role in Alberta’s growing tech landscape.
With over two decades of academic leadership—including 13 years as president of the University of Lethbridge and a decade as dean at the University of Alberta—Dr. Mahon brought the institutional expertise needed to reimagine the agency’s impact.
A Shift in Mission: Supporting What’s Built
Board Chair Tony Williams highlighted a key evolution in Alberta Innovates’ role—from building an innovation ecosystem to enabling the one now thriving.
“The ecosystem is operational,” Williams noted. “What we need now is a leader who understands how to accelerate it, connect it, and take it to the global stage.”
Under the go-forward plan, the agency will prioritize supporting existing organizations, expanding national and international collaborations, and connecting innovators across sectors.
Fueling Alberta’s Talent and Global Reach
Dr. Mahon emphasized the importance of growing Alberta’s tech talent and attracting innovation-focused enterprises to the province.
“Our goal has always been to bring bright minds to Alberta,” Mahon said. “This new chapter allows us to build on that vision with purpose and alignment.”
The announcement aligns with a broader surge in Alberta’s tech sector. The province placed third nationally for venture capital investment in Q1 2025 and contributed $13 billion to GDP through its tech industry in 2023.
Inventures 2025: A Platform for the Future
Both Mahon and Williams are set to take the stage at Inventures 2025 in Calgary this Friday to present Alberta Innovates’ forward-looking strategy. The agency is also expected to finalize its business plan with the provincial government and other partners in the coming weeks.
In an increasingly competitive and uncertain economic landscape, Alberta Innovates is positioning itself as a national and global force in research, entrepreneurship, and emerging technologies.
Stay tuned to Maple News Wire for continued coverage of Alberta’s innovation momentum.
