Enbridge names Michele Harradence as next CEO; Greg Ebel to retire December 31

Enbridge announced Wednesday that Michele Harradence will become the company's next president and chief executive officer effective January 1, 2027, succeeding Greg Ebel, who is retiring at the end of this year.

Harradence, currently executive vice-president and president of gas distribution and storage, has led Enbridge's gas utilities since 2022. Before that role, she served as senior vice-president and chief operations officer for Enbridge's gas transmission and midstream business, based in Houston. Harradence joined Enbridge in 2014 and held senior executive positions at Shell Canada, including general manager of Shell's Sarnia manufacturing centre in Ontario.

Ebel, who became CEO on January 1, 2023, will continue as adviser to the board and Harradence through May 2027. He joined Enbridge in 2017 following the company's merger with Spectra Energy, where he had been president and CEO since 2009. Ebel served as Enbridge's board chair immediately after the 2017 merger before moving into the CEO role.

Board chair Steve Williams highlighted Ebel's role in securing a $41 billion backlog of growth projects, expanding Enbridge's natural gas platform through acquisitions, and strengthening the company's financial position. "Few leaders have shaped Enbridge as profoundly as Greg Ebel," Williams said in a news release.

National Bank analyst Patrick Kenny characterized the succession as a well-planned internal transition. "Overall, we view the internal transition as a well-planned leadership succession, supporting strategic continuity for shareholders," Kenny said. About two-thirds of Enbridge's $41 billion in secured growth opportunities are weighted toward gas, with another $50 billion in unsecured opportunities. Kenny expects Harradence's appointment to support continued execution of the company's growth strategy, particularly across U.S. gas transmission and utilities businesses.

Ebel said in a statement, "As I prepare to retire, I do so with tremendous confidence in Michele, the leadership team and the company's continued momentum." Harradence added, "As we look ahead, Enbridge is exceptionally well positioned, with a portfolio of world-class assets, a strong financial foundation and growth opportunities across all our businesses."