Rob Dutton (BE'93)

Rob Dutton is a professional engineer and executive leader with more than 30 years of experience spanning the energy, power generation and industrial sectors. He is currently an Advisor with Augur Venture Capital, an emerging firm focused on the intersection of artificial intelligence and energy innovation, where he provides strategic and operational guidance to support the growth of next-generation energy technology ventures.

From 2019 to 2024, Rob served as Chief Executive Officer and Board Member of Heartland Generation Ltd., One of Alberta’s largest independent power producers. During his tenure, Heartland operated more than 2,600 megawatts of generation capacity across Alberta and parts of British Columbia, supplying safe, reliable and affordable electricity to millions of customers. Under his leadership, the company advanced initiatives that improved operational performance, strengthened safety culture and supported the transition toward cleaner, more sustainable energy sources.

Before leading Heartland, Rob spent more than a decade with Devon Canada Corporation, where he held a range of senior roles culminating in his appointment as President of Devon Canada in 2014. In that position, he led all facets of a 130,000-barrel-per-day upstream oil and gas enterprise staffed with over 3000 employees. He previously served as Vice President of Facilities, where he managed large-scale capital programs for Devon’s thermal and conventional operations and was instrumental in building some of the most advanced steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) facilities in Canada. Rob also served as Chair of the Board of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) from 2017 to 2018, representing industry perspectives on national energy policy and innovation.

Earlier in his career, Rob held engineering and leadership roles with ConocoPhillips Canada, Anadarko Canada, and Archer Daniels Midland Corporation, working in both operations and major project delivery. His experience ranges from managing oilsands and natural-gas infrastructure in Western Canada to contributing to one of the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility developments ever permitted in Nova Scotia.

A graduate of the University of Saskatchewan with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, Rob has maintained a lifelong connection to his alma mater and to the engineering profession. He is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA).

Beyond his corporate leadership, Rob has dedicated over two decades to coaching youth and high-school football, mentoring young athletes and emphasizing teamwork, accountability and perseverance - the same qualities that define effective engineering and leadership.

Rob’s lecture will explore lessons learned from more than three decades in Canada’s evolving energy industry, highlighting the critical role engineers play in driving innovation, sustainability and responsible growth in a rapidly changing world.

Nominate an alum

Do you know a USask Engineering alumnus who has achieved prominence within their profession? Help us recognize their excellence by submitting a nomination for them to be recognized as a C.J. Mackenzie Distinguished Lecturer.

Nominate an alumnus who:

• Graduated from the University of Saskatchewan’s undergraduate and/or graduate engineering program(s).
• Has had a distinguished and impactful career.
• Has achieved prominence within their field and/or the engineering profession.
• Would deliver an engaging and thought-provoking keynote address.

The nomination process

Nominations are accepted year-round and remain on file for future consideration. While the C.J. Mackenzie Gala highlights a graduate from a specific host department each year, we welcome nominations from all disciplines within the College of Engineering.

The 2026 C.J. Mackenzie Gala will be hosted by the Department of Chemical Engineering, and the selected Distinguished Lecturer will be a USask Chemical Engineering graduate. Nominations for alumni from other disciplines will be thoughtfully retained for consideration in future years.

• Nominate an alum

Each year, a discipline within USask Engineering hosts the C.J. Mackenzie Gala to recognize the accomplishments of an alumnus who has achieved prominence in their profession. They are honoured as the evening’s Distinguished Lecturer and are inducted to the USask College of Engineering Alumni Wall of Distinction.

The host department and a panel committee choose a graduate from their program. In 2026, the host department is Chemical Engineering, which celebrated the achievements of Rob Dutton (BE'93).

The 2027 host department is Electrical and Computer Engineering.