Sam Hayes, based in Calgary, is a member of Egon Zehnder's Industrial Practice in Canada and co-founder of the Calgary office. He advises boards and senior leaders across energy, mining, utilities, and other asset-intensive sectors on executive search, succession, leadership development, and transformation. Drawing on experience as both an operator and advisor, Sam brings experience at the intersection of leadership, technology, and operational performance.
I believe great leadership begins with trust, is grounded in humility, and its impact is measured by the people developed, the succession enabled, and the organization left stronger for those who follow.
Prior to joining Egon Zehnder, Sam was a Managing Director at Accenture, where he led the firm's Asset Operations and Engineering business for Resources in Canada. Previously, at Suncor Energy, he held a series of senior leadership roles spanning enterprise analytics, digital transformation, information management, business intelligence, and technology portfolio delivery. Earlier in his career, Sam spent a decade with Accenture's global energy practice in London and Calgary.
Sam earned a degree in Management Science from Swansea University and completed executive programs in leadership and analytics at Harvard Business School. He has served in board leadership roles with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Vibrant Communities Calgary, and the Brenda Strafford Society for the Prevention of Domestic Violence. Born in the United Kingdom and raised in the Netherlands, Sam moved to Calgary in 2011, where he lives with his wife and two daughters.
