Executive Leadership

Damien Steel is the Chief Technology, Data & AI Officer at HOOPP, responsible for the organization’s technology, data and artificial intelligence strategy. He leads the teams responsible for building these capabilities and putting them to work across the Plan.

Damien brings more than 20 years of experience at the intersection of institutional capital, technology and governance. Most recently, he was the founding Chief Executive Officer of Deep Sky, a climate technology venture focused on direct air carbon capture, where he led the build of the world’s first multi-technology direct air capture commercialization centre.

Prior to Deep Sky, Damien spent 12 years as Managing Partner and Head of Ventures at OMERS Ventures, which he built into one of Canada’s largest institutional venture capital platforms. As chair of its investment committee, he led investments in AI, software, fintech, cybersecurity and climate technology companies, working closely with founders as they scaled and navigated technology-driven transformation. Earlier in his career, he held investment and corporate finance roles at EdgeStone Capital Partners, KPMG and RSM Richter.

Damien earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from Wilfrid Laurier University and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.