Ryan Hopf, MBA, ICD.D
Two decades leading operations, turnarounds, and P&Ls up to $400M and roughly 1,500 people — from oil sands and pipelines to national infrastructure — now founder & CEO of an AI-powered digital transformation company.
An operator who has owned the P&L, sat in the boardroom, and now builds the technology.
Ryan Hopf is an executive operator, entrepreneur, and corporate director with experience spanning finance, operations, sales, infrastructure, technology, business transformation, and governance.
He has led organizations with up to $400 million in revenue and roughly 1,500 employees — national and international operations, direct P&L ownership, a $700 million asset portfolio, ~$200 million in major-project controls, and annual capital planning of $150–$400 million.
Today he is founder, President & CEO, sole director, and controlling shareholder of Bison & Bird, an AI-powered digital transformation company focused on process knowledge, system integration, automation, custom software, and AI agents.
By the numbers.
Twenty years of operating leadership.
Select any role to expand its scope and results.
Present
2021
2018
2015
2011
2009
2006
Where the work happened.
Sixty-one capital and technology projects across the oil sands, mining, infrastructure, and digital transformation — every pin is a single project at its location. Filter by company, and hover any pin or list row to see the project and its value.
Values
Six personal values, each with its own emblem. Select one to read what it means in practice.
"Time should be considered in every decision."
The value of time is higher than most people recognize — and different from a person's value in time. It shows up in Ryan's focus on priorities, automation, execution speed, and eliminating unnecessary work.
"Find your true authentic self, and you will never miss another opportunity in your life."
Authenticity supports trust, self-awareness, and the ability to recognize opportunity when it appears.
Humour provides perspective. The ability to laugh at oneself reduces ego, and creates an environment where people are more comfortable contributing honestly.
Courage includes vulnerability, inclusion, action, accountability, and follow-through. Courageous leadership means being honest, moving beyond the comfort zone, taking action — and knowing when to change course.
Ryan describes himself as a "feel" leader — weighing human, contextual, financial, and operating variables together. Intuition is used alongside data and analysis, not instead of them.
A commitment to lifelong learning and a willingness to ask questions — with an active interest in business, economics, technology, and human behaviour, and openness to revising assumptions. Current explorations: AI, automation, digital twins, work, trust, and social capital.
I specialize in guiding teams to the edge of their comfort zone; because that's where truth lives. It's in that raw space where I uncover what's broken, what's possible, and what needs rebuilding.
Board & fiduciary record.
Capital & private equity.
Direct board & PE-ownership reporting, AFE approval criteria, and participation in a ~$145M debt & bond restructuring — working alongside private equity, institutional capital, and Canada's development-capital and innovation programs.
In others' words.
"Ryan possesses a rare combination of brilliance, drive, compassion, perseverance, diplomacy and persuasion. I have watched him complete difficult engagements and turnarounds when others were unable."
"Extremely analytical, visionary, and one of the best when it comes to driving results."
"They learned with us, pivoted with us, and took the lead when they needed to."
"Ryan is a strategic thinker with big ideas and the ability to rally teams behind them. He has a passion for understanding the customer's business and needs."
"Ryan is a highly regarded senior executive and a consummate professional. I can recommend Ryan without reservation."
"Ryan is not your typical executive leader. He is an open-minded, creative leader and forward-thinking in every aspect."
"Ryan leaves his ego at the door. Unlike many leaders who share his tenure, he is determined to learn and is never afraid to ask questions."
"Bison & Bird's company culture and innovative strategies and suggestions were impressive and appealing to us."
"Ryan is able to assess a company's strengths and weaknesses, create synergies between departments, and lead transformation to provide return to both employees and stakeholders."
"The team assigned to the Supreme International Dealer Portal was very professional and easy to work with."
"People that work with or for Ryan know that he would go to bat for any one of them — so long as they perform, treat others with respect, and try their hardest."
"His excellent communication skills allow him to connect with all kinds of people."
