“Trust your gut.”
Steven L. Koles is an accomplished chief executive and accredited corporate director whose career spans more than three decades of leadership across technology, energy, telecommunications, and industrial innovation. Known for his strategic mindset and operational depth, Steven has built a reputation as a transformational leader capable of guiding organizations through growth, disruption, and global expansion. His professional journey reflects a rare blend of entrepreneurial agility, financial acumen, and governance expertise—qualities that make him a highly valued advisor and board contributor for companies navigating complex and evolving markets.
Currently serving as President and Chief Executive Officer of Hifi Engineering, Steven leads a pioneering fiber optic sensing technology company focused on preventative pipeline leak detection and advanced monitoring systems. Hifi Engineering’s technology integrates sophisticated fiber optics with artificial intelligence and machine learning to detect and prevent environmental hazards across energy infrastructure. Under Steven’s leadership, the company has strengthened its global reputation for innovation and technological excellence while building a substantial intellectual property portfolio of more than 100 patents. Hifi is backed by major industry stakeholders including Enbridge, Cenovus, and the Business Development Bank of Canada, reflecting the strategic importance of its solutions within the energy ecosystem.
Steven’s leadership style reflects both operational discipline and visionary thinking. Over the course of his career, he has managed organizations with more than 300 employees while guiding businesses through periods of rapid revenue growth, organizational restructuring, and technological transformation. His experience spans the full spectrum of enterprise leadership—from research and development to product marketing, global sales, manufacturing operations, and customer service management. This broad perspective allows him to evaluate complex business challenges holistically while designing strategies that align operational execution with long-term value creation.
Prior to joining Hifi Engineering, Steven served as President and CEO of Hemisphere GPS, a publicly traded company specializing in GPS-based machine automation and precision positioning technologies. During his tenure, he oversaw significant product innovation, international channel expansion, and strategic market development across agriculture, construction, and industrial sectors. His leadership helped establish Hemisphere GPS as a recognized global provider of advanced positioning technology solutions, strengthening the company’s competitive presence across multiple international markets.
Earlier in his career, Steven held senior executive roles within several major technology and telecommunications organizations. As Vice President and General Manager at AOL Canada, part of Time Warner, he directed the service business operations for the Canadian market and managed the company’s consumer internet services. His leadership there focused on strengthening digital services, expanding customer engagement, and positioning the company within a rapidly evolving internet economy. Before AOL, Steven held executive leadership positions at Group Telecom and TELUS Corporation, where he led strategic initiatives in internet services, corporate development, and telecommunications infrastructure.
Steven’s background in corporate finance and capital markets has also played a defining role throughout his career. He has been directly involved in raising more than $2 billion in structured debt and equity through a combination of venture capital investments, private equity placements, and public market transactions. His experience includes working with major financial exchanges such as the TSX and NASDAQ, leading investor relations for publicly traded organizations, and managing complex mergers, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships. In total, he has contributed to more than 35 corporate M&A transactions, providing him with deep expertise in growth strategy, corporate development, and governance oversight.
Beyond executive leadership, Steven has developed a strong reputation as a governance professional and board advisor. He holds the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors, a credential that reflects advanced training in corporate governance and board effectiveness. Over the years, he has served on numerous boards and advisory organizations across both the private and non-profit sectors, including Energy Connections Canada (formerly the Canadian Energy Pipeline Association Foundation), the Fiber Optic Sensing Association, Village Brewery, VentMeter Technologies, Hemisphere GPS, and Route1. In these roles, he has contributed to audit and compensation committees while helping guide organizations through strategic planning, innovation initiatives, and industry partnerships.
Steven’s influence also extends across the broader energy and technology ecosystems through industry engagement and thought leadership. He has been invited to speak at major international conferences and investor forums, including the Global Energy Show, the Pipeline Technology Conference in Berlin, the Gastech Hydrogen Conference in Milan, and various investor events hosted in North America and Europe. His insights on technology innovation, infrastructure monitoring, artificial intelligence, and the future of energy systems have positioned him as a respected voice within the global energy and technology communities.
His international business experience further strengthens his strategic perspective. Throughout his career, Steven has worked extensively across Europe, Asia, and South America, developing global sales channels and partnerships in more than 50 countries. Fluent in both French and German in addition to English, he brings cultural awareness and communication versatility that enhances his effectiveness in multinational environments and international boardrooms.
Steven’s professional accomplishments have been widely recognized, including receiving Canada’s prestigious Top 40 Under 40 honor as well as Calgary’s Top 40 Under 40 recognition. These accolades highlight his impact as both an innovator and a leader within Canada’s technology and business sectors. He has also been involved in numerous community and non-profit initiatives, including leadership roles within the Fernie Alpine Ski Team organization and service on selection committees supporting leadership development programs.
Outside of his professional life, Steven maintains an active lifestyle rooted in competition, discipline, and personal growth. A former member of the Alberta and University of Alberta alpine ski teams, he continues to enjoy skiing, mountain biking, tennis, and golf. He also appreciates music, travel, and reading—interests that reflect his curiosity and passion for exploring new ideas and cultures.
Today, Steven is focused on leveraging his decades of executive experience to support organizations at the strategic level through board service. Rather than seeking another full-time operational leadership role, he is dedicated to advising growth-stage and mid-market companies that are scaling their operations, navigating technological disruption, or pursuing global expansion. His combination of governance expertise, financial leadership, and technology insight makes him an invaluable resource for organizations seeking strategic direction and disciplined growth.
Steven Koles brings together the perspective of a seasoned executive, the analytical discipline of a finance professional, and the strategic mindset of a corporate director. His career demonstrates a consistent commitment to innovation, responsible governance, and building organizations that deliver long-term value for shareholders, employees, and the broader communities they serve.
Character:
Steven demonstrates integrity and reliability through decades of responsible executive leadership and board governance. His guiding principle, “Trust your gut,” reflects both confidence and disciplined judgment developed through extensive experience. Colleagues consistently recognize his commitment to ethical leadership and thoughtful decision-making in high-stakes environments.
Knowledge:
He possesses deep expertise across technology, telecommunications, energy infrastructure, corporate finance, and emerging artificial intelligence applications. His experience launching dozens of products, managing complex operations, and raising significant capital gives him a comprehensive understanding of business growth. He continually applies this knowledge to help organizations innovate, scale responsibly, and compete in dynamic global markets.
Strategic:
Steven’s career reflects a consistent ability to guide organizations through transformation and expansion. He has led strategic planning initiatives, mergers and acquisitions, and international market development that created measurable enterprise value. His board-level perspective allows him to align long-term strategy with operational execution and financial discipline.
Communication:
A confident communicator who has represented organizations at global conferences, investor forums, and major industry events. His ability to translate complex technological concepts into clear strategic insights makes him an effective advisor and public spokesperson. Whether addressing executive teams, investors, or industry leaders, he brings clarity, credibility, and thoughtful perspective to every discussion.
