Gerald Butts: Power, Geopolitics and the Energy Transition
As geopolitical tensions reshape global energy markets, countries are competing for energy security, critical minerals, technology, and industrial advantage, while AI’s growing demand for power raises the stakes. Gerald Butts, Chairman of Eurasia Group, joins Converge for a candid conversation on how the world’s major economies are positioning themselves and where that leaves Canada. Drawing on two decades advising G7 leaders, he’ll look at what it will take for Canadian innovators and industry to compete and prosper in a rapidly changing world.
Gerald Butts, Chairman and Senior Advisory, Eurasia Group
Gerald Butts Biography:
As Chairman of Eurasia Group, Gerald works closely with CEO Maziar Minovi and President Ian Bremmer on strategic initiatives across all areas of the firm. With experience on a multitude of public policy and geopolitical issues, he has developed deep expertise on trade, national security, energy transition, sustainable finance, and artificial intelligence. He advises Eurasia Group clients across these areas.
Gerald has successfully led Canadian and global organizations in the public and private sectors for 20 years. He has been the senior strategic advisor to two G7 Prime Ministers (including current Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney) and the Premier of Canada’s largest province. From 2015-19, Gerald was responsible for providing executive direction on the development, implementation, and communication of the Canadian government’s agenda. This work included overseeing economic policy, the negotiation of the Paris climate accord, and the creation of Canada’s first national Artificial Intelligence plan. Gerald played a major role in managing relations with the US administrations of Barack Obama and Donald Trump, as well as in the negotiation of the USMCA.
Prior to his work with the prime minister, Gerald was also the CEO of WWF-Canada, where he was responsible for international engagement and global projects to decarbonize the supply chains of multinational companies. He currently sits on the Board of WWF-US.