The Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) is proud to announce that UChicago Booth alumnus and global leader in the energy and chemicals space Luis Sierra (MBA’90) has joined the EPIC Advisory Group. The Advisory Group, which provides high-level strategic advice to EPIC leadership across all core areas of focus, consists of leading practitioners from diverse fields within the energy and climate sector.
Sierra has more than 30 years of global experience as an accomplished CEO and public board director in clean hydrogen, low carbon fuels, and circular plastics. In his advisory and investment roles, he has worked toward advancing cutting-edge and sustainable solutions. This includes at Steel Dynamics, a Fortune 200 company that is a leader in recycled and low-carbon steel products and recycled metals; Clean Hydrogen Works, which is focused on using zero-carbon ammonia as a fuel; and Juniper Fuels, a biomass-to-clean-fuels start-up. Most recently, he was President & CEO of NOVA Chemicals, a $14 billion leader in plastic solutions.
“The University of Chicago holds a special place in the world given how powerful and impactful its ideas and innovations have been,” says Sierra. “EPIC in particular has played a leading role in bringing fact-based climate and energy research to the forefront, influencing decision-making. I am excited to join this exceptional group of like-minded leaders and practitioners in improving the Earth’s complex energy systems in service of mankind.”
Sierra enjoyed a distinguished 30-year career at BP, spanning its Chemicals, Refining, Commodities Trading, and M&A units, and progressing through specialist, broad cross-functional, general management, and senior executive roles. He served as CFO of BP’s $12 billion Whiting, Indiana, mega-refinery, CEO of BP’s aromatics chemicals business unit, and as President of BP Amoco Chemical Company for the Americas and Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
“Luis has repeatedly shown his commitment and smart leadership in advancing promising low-carbon innovations and advising organizations toward cleaner, more sustainable strategies,” says Jeff Currie (PhD ’96), Chair of the Advisory Group and Chief Strategy Officer of Energy Pathways at Carlyle. “I look forward to working with him to strengthen EPIC’s impact by connecting its research with the practical insights organizations need to navigate the energy transition and build more sustainable operations.”
Sierra is listed in the 2022 Independent Commodity Intelligence Services Top 40 CEOs Power Players. He received his MBA with distinction from the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business, as well as master’s and bachelor’s degrees in mechanical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and University of Florida, respectively.