Commercial Partnerships Manager
Shell GameChanger

Areas of Expertise
Business Development, Commercial Partnerships, Energy and Climate, Pitches, Venture Capital​

David has over 12 years of experience in the energy industry, having served in a variety of technical, business, and commercial roles. David received the Astronaut Scholarship in 2009 while studying Physics at Texas A&M University, after which he obtained his MS Physics from the University of Colorado at Boulder. After graduation, he joined Shell as a Petrophysicist and spent the next nine years supporting Exploration throughout the Americas, first as a Petrophysicist and later as Chief of Staff and Portfolio Advisor for South America. In these roles, David gained key operational, portfolio, and strategy experience. He also advised senior leadership on regional growth, business operations, and risk management. David then spent two years embedded in Think Onward (an energy tech innovation studio owned by Shell) where he developed and executed business development strategy for Think Onward business lines and served as an advisor and pitch panel member for Think Onward’s accelerator. 

Since 2023, David has been Commercial Partnerships Manager for Shell GameChanger and Ventures X, where he identifies, explores, and advances new opportunities for investment across diverse energy technology themes. David develops investment theses for select categories and evaluates early-stage startups for potential investment. He also has experience determining economic potential and commercial risks for R&D projects and novel technologies. He regularly engages and evaluates startups, including during pitch competitions and industry events. 

David lives in Houston and is a proud father of two young children, who keep him on his toes and embody his love of learning. He enjoys spending as much time as possible with his family, hiking, reading, and doing just about anything in the kitchen.