Sheikh Nahyaan
Executive; Chief Operating Officer
Toronto,ON
Summary
Visionary, high-performing leader with a track record of leading large teams through complex transformation and critical challenges. Brings strategic clarity, decisive execution, and people-first leadership to deliver meaningful organizational change.
Knowledgeable COO with proven track record in operational leadership and strategic planning. Successfully implemented process improvements, leading to enhanced organizational efficiency and growth. Demonstrated expertise in team management and resource allocation.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
3
3
Languages
Work History
Chief Operating Officer, Executive Vice President
Toronto Hydro
05.2023 - 12.2025
- Overseeing all aspects of Engineering, Operations and Construction functions including about 1050 professionals internal and 2000 external resources.
- Functions include planning and asset strategy, control operations, grid response, station, construction, maintenance, customer connections, metering and transit projects.
- Responsible for delivering over $1B capital and maintenance work annually; Divisional P&L - 200 million.
- Developing strategy and delivery priorities for division including safety, productivity, agility and partnerships.
- Managing key relationships with key stakeholder groups like City of Toronto, Metrolinx, MTO etc. in coordination of work.
- Governance and oversight reporting to the TH electric utility board and reporting up to corporation board.
- Engaging and collaborating with industry stakeholders to influence regulatory and policy frameworks.
Executive Vice President, Customer and Technology
Toronto Hydro
12.2020 - 04.2023
- Overseeing all aspects of meter to cash and information and operational technology and cyber security functions.
- Established strategy and vision for customer experience and technology functions and developed 5 year roadmaps.
- Leading several multi-year customer and operational technology projects over $400 million, i.e. Customer Information System (CIS), Advanced metering infrastructure (AMI 2.0), Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Asset investment planning (AIP), new control room, etc. including project oversight, delivery plan, resource management and controls.
General Manager, Grid Operations & Emergency Mgmt.
Toronto Hydro
01.2017 - 11.2020
- Leading a team of 150 technical professionals and managing a P&L of 30 million dollars.
- Oversight and centralized permitting for over $350 million construction projects.
- Mapped out a comprehensive Operational Technology (OT) roadmap for presentment to the Executive Team.
- Improved service delivery measures by 15% in switching and 40% in hold off processing to aid the delivery of 440 million in capital and maintenance programs in Toronto Hydro.
- Developed a vision for grid and performance technology and analytics frameworks within the operations functions.
- Improved reliability and serviceability of grid and customers including achieving a fully digitized control center operations.
Manager, Control Center
Toronto Hydro
05.2015 - 12.2016
- Developed multi-year resource plan for the department in terms of outage management, analytics and staffing.
- Leading multiple strategic projects for improved service delivery and systems enhancements to drive productivity.
- Demonstrating strong change leadership to drive cultural shift in a strong unionized environment through staff development, process improvements and operational measures.
- Leading multiple operational technology solutions implementation projects as the Business Unit Leader.
Manager, Standards, Policy and Quality Control
Toronto Hydro
02.2013 - 04.2015
- Responsibly managed external agency/stakeholder relationships and projects as it relates to large expansion contracts.
- Driving improvements to Conditions of Service, Memorandum of Understanding and Offer to Connect Contracts for accuracy and completeness based on all Acts, Regulations and OEB directives.
- Successfully reviewed and updated 2400 Standards ensuring standard compliance and safety by design principles.
Supervisor, Planning & Standards, Asset Management
Toronto Hydro
07.2010 - 01.2013
- Prepared business cases and defense of interrogatories to justify Strategic Plan investments to Regulator.
- Providing value-added advice to Executive Team through strategies developed using my strength in critical analysis and interpretation of government’s policies and their impacts.
- Successfully completed Environmental Impact Assessment with Ministry of Environment and City of Toronto.
Supervisor, Capital Projects
Alectra Corporation
01.2009 - 06.2010
- Effectively lead the project management all the Distribution System Capital expenditure of $30 million dollars.
- Implemented and delivered advanced Project Management methodologies while managing resources, expected project times and interdependencies.
- Engaged and managed expectations of all stakeholders of the projects e.g. City of Hamilton, Provincial Government, Customer etc.
Engineer, Planning and Design
General Motors / EDS, Hydro One & Alectra
01.2005 - 12.2008
Education
Master of Business Administration (MBA) - Strategic Management, International Business
Schulich School of Business, York University
Toronto01.2013
Continuing Education Certificate Courses - Customer-Centric Operations
Wharton School of Business
01.2018
Continuing Education Certificate Courses - Leading Strategic Growth
Columbia School of Business
01.2017
Leadership Training Certificate - undefined
York University
Toronto01.2009
Master of Engineering Design & Proj Mgmt. -
McMaster University
Hamilton, Canada01.2009
Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) - Minor in Business
McMaster University
Hamilton01.2007
Skills
Executive leadership
Strategic planning
Budget administration
Organizational development
Cross-functional teamwork
Change management
Performance management
Operations oversight
Extra-Curricular Activities
Play tennis and cricket competitively in local club level Reading business and fiction books Travel and adventure
Timeline
Chief Operating Officer, Executive Vice President
Toronto Hydro
05.2023 - 12.2025
Executive Vice President, Customer and Technology
Toronto Hydro
12.2020 - 04.2023
General Manager, Grid Operations & Emergency Mgmt.
Toronto Hydro
01.2017 - 11.2020
Manager, Control Center
Toronto Hydro
05.2015 - 12.2016
Manager, Standards, Policy and Quality Control
Toronto Hydro
02.2013 - 04.2015
Supervisor, Planning & Standards, Asset Management
Toronto Hydro
07.2010 - 01.2013
Supervisor, Capital Projects
Alectra Corporation
01.2009 - 06.2010
Engineer, Planning and Design
General Motors / EDS, Hydro One & Alectra
01.2005 - 12.2008
Continuing Education Certificate Courses - Leading Strategic Growth
Columbia School of Business
Leadership Training Certificate - undefined
York University
Master of Business Administration (MBA) - Strategic Management, International Business
Schulich School of Business, York University
Continuing Education Certificate Courses - Customer-Centric Operations
Wharton School of Business
Master of Engineering Design & Proj Mgmt. -
McMaster University
Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) - Minor in Business
McMaster University
Other Achievements
- Board of Directors (Volunteer), Canadian Cyber Threat Exchange, 2020-12-01, current
- New Business Mentorship Committee (Volunteer), Ryerson University CUE, 2016-07-01, 2019-12-31
- Instructor (Part-time), Ryerson University, Energy Innovation Certificate Program, 2012-10-01, 2013-12-31
- Professional Engineer (P.Eng.), Province of Ontario, 2010-09-01, current