Leading with Purpose: How Connor Scheu is Shaping the Future of Fuels from Within  

For Connor Scheu, the future of fuels is not just about advancing technology, but about building solutions that work for people, communities and the next generation. 

Over the past nine years at Suncor, the Rising Star Award recipient has built a career focused on leveraging his engineering background to advance lower-carbon intensity fuels while championing Indigenous inclusion, mentorship and values-based leadership across the energy sector. Long before working in biofuels, Connor’s motivation was rooted in creating meaningful community impact. 

Raised in an environment closely connected to nature and community, Connor originally saw engineering as a way to support remote populations. Early international development work across multiple regions, including the Arctic, reshaped how he understood the relationship between energy systems, climate and community resilience. 

“I’m looking to continue to strengthen my competencies to help industry and Canada continue to develop lower-carbon intensity fuels and support a vibrant economy for everyone.”

Today, Connor works as a Senior Market Analyst, Environmental Commodities within Suncor’s biofuels business, supporting compliance efforts while helping to optimize fuel blending logistics and operational efficiency. In addition to producing jet fuel, diesel, gasoline and other high-quality refined products consumers need, Suncor’s Downstream business offers lower carbon energy alternatives, including ethanol blending in gasoline, fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) biodiesel, hydrotreated renewable diesel (HRD) and electric vehicle fast charging stations at Petro-Canada. In a rapidly changing market and policy environment, he sees opportunity for practical solutions that reduce the carbon intensity of fuels while keeping energy affordable and reliable for Canadians. 

One experience from his earlier work in renewable power continues to shape that perspective. While supporting wind and solar development projects, Connor spent significant time engaging directly with landowners and community members. One conversation in particular stayed with him. 

After working closely with a farming family on a solar development agreement, he saw how the project strengthened their financial future and created new opportunities for the next generation. 

“To see an actual win-win between an energy project and a Canadian family is what I think our industry should be striving for.”

Alongside his technical responsibilities, Connor has become an active contributor to advancing Indigenous inclusion and reconciliation across the energy sector. As co-chair of Journeys, Suncor’s Indigenous Employee Network, he supports mentorship, awareness-building and engagements that incorporate Indigenous worldviews within the industry. 

A proud Métis engineer, Connor says his leadership approach is grounded in gratitude for the opportunities he has had and a responsibility to help create pathways for others. 

“If I succeed and rise, I want to bring others with me.”

That philosophy extends to his broader industry involvement, including contributions to Indigenous inclusion and equity initiatives through organizations such as Engineers Canada and the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists (APEGA). 

Connor is also committed to mentorship, education and community development beyond his day-to-day role, including his work as a board member and admissions lead with United World College Canada. 

To stay grounded in a fast-paced industry, he makes a point of spending time outdoors each year, disconnected from technology and immersed in nature. 

“It connects me with what’s really important,” he said. “Humans need that time for reflection.” 

For Connor, being recognized as a Rising Star is less about personal recognition and more about contributing to an industry that is evolving quickly and asking important questions about the future. 

“As Canada’s fuels sector continues to evolve, I’d like to help shape an energy future that not only offers more lower-carbon intensity energy options, but also develops even more inclusive, practical, and beneficial relationships in the communities it serves.”

For Connor, that vision reflects a consistent thread throughout his career — using technical expertise not only to advance energy development, but to help ensure it remains grounded in people and community.