With a motto of “Imagine. Innovate. Build.” he has formed and lead strategy initiatives and operations for start-ups, established multinationals, and governments around the world. He is recognized for his ability to unlock innovation through compassion and for his ability to safely navigate and operate in chaotic environments and through disruptive change. He is a trusted advisor to individuals, companies, and governments faced with uncertainty He researches networks and social impact measurement and has a passion for social justice and economic empowerment. He is currently looking at the impacts of decentralization and the rise of municipalities in setting the global agenda and addressing the biggest challenge of the 21st century.

He is known to his friends, clients, and colleagues as being creative, solution oriented, and capable of solving complex problems. Possessing exceptional management and leadership capabilities with a humble subservience to purpose; his approach to solving complex problems is entrepreneurial, highly adaptive and described as a “realistic optimist”. A native Texan and a global nomad, when he is not home in Ontario, you can find him on different parts of the globe seeking out innovative ideas and having conversations with interesting people. He can easily be found within a large group of people by following the loudest laugh. While he continues to work with governments and large corporations, Grayson believes that the best minds need to be focused on Climate Adaptation and Food Security. He is the the founding Lab Manager of the Smart Waterloo Region Innovation Lab; and teaches Applied Innovation at various colleges and universities.