Edmonton Global is excited to welcome Jeff Bell as its new Director of Research and Business Intelligence.
Jeff has more than 15 years of experience working with a diverse set of sectors in academia, industry, non-profits, and government. Armed with an undergrad in environmental science from the University of Alberta, and a master’s degree in environmental studies from Dalhousie University in Halifax, his career has taken him around the world. He lived in Mexico, Japan, and the UK before returning to the Edmonton Metropolitan Region in 2007. Over the course of his career, Jeff’s work has focussed on the adoption of technology innovations with a broad range of businesses and organizations. Jeff’s published work around the future of the energy economy in Alberta continues to attract attention.
“Jeff brings a really well-rounded set of skills to our team,” says Edmonton Global CEO, Malcolm Bruce. “And his experience aligns very well with the purpose of Edmonton Global – to radically transform and grow the economy of the Edmonton Metropolitan Region. His passion for implementing technology adoption and innovation, and the work he’s done with industry in our key sectors like energy, technology, and agriculture, make him a real asset.”
Jeff strengths lie in his ability to synthesize data, identify connections, and build collaborative relationships. Jeff is a bridge builder, connecting people and organizations from diverse sectors and industries. He refers to himself as a generalist, a skill that he says gives him a distinct advantage.
“Having a general knowledge on a diversity of industries means I can go from problem to solution faster across a wide range of projects,” says Jeff. “It means my knowledge is a mile wide and an inch deep and when a question arises – I enjoy digging deep into the data to provide solid defensible research that can inform strategy. My network includes a broad range of experts, so if I don’t have the answer, I know where to get it.”
Jeff is looking forward to using his skills and expertise to promote the Edmonton Metropolitan Region.
“The Edmonton Region holds a ton of potential – there’s a real diversity of capabilities here,” says Jeff. “Throughout my career I’ve had the opportunity to meet with some incredibly innovative industry leaders in the greater Edmonton area. From software to biotech, to robotics and drones, to clean energy initiatives – there are so many exciting things happening here.”
