The Oil Sands Leadership Initiative 

Creating shared value (CSV) is a business concept developed by Michael E. Porter, at Harvard.

It is defined as “the policies and practices that enhance the competitiveness of a company while simultaneously advancing social and economic conditions in the communities in which it operates”

The presenter took an active and leading role in creating shared value to develop some of the world’s largest natural resources in a collaborative effort speared by six of the world’s largest energy companies operating in Canada.

An independent structure, supported by the original partners and the Alberta Provincial government, very rapidly grew to develop projects that would enhance technology, environmental and societal impact.

This remarkable endeavor:

• started from scratch in 2010,
• was operated for three years on the basis of a handshake and a three-page charter document,
• and created more than fifty innovative projects, some still active in 2026.

The model was extended to all operators in Alberta, was praised by Dr. Porter and flipped the mindset of some famous individuals.

The study will analyze:

• why this endeavor was successful,
• how it reached out to all stakeholders,
• how it operated in an emotional environment,
• how to successfully engage with society and within your company to develop this model.

We will develop also the notion of critical allies, who they are and how they drive performance.