2025
Emerging Leaders
Brandy Kinkead, PhD headshot
Clean50 Emerging Leader Award Logo

Brandy Kinkead, PhD

Chief Technology Officer & Co-founder, Ayrton Energy

A versatile scientist and innovator, Brandy has left a lasting impact in academia, industry, and cleantech, fueling progress at every turn. With a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Simon Fraser University, her work spans fuel cell electrocatalysis, quantum dot displays, and hydrogen storage technology. Brandy’s research has resulted in more than 25 publications with over 1,000 citations, multiple patents, and a reputation for groundbreaking innovation. As Co-Founder and CTO of Ayrton Energy, she’s been a catalyst for change, spearheading the development of liquid organic hydrogen storage, securing over $3M in funding, and building a team of 10 researchers. Her passion for mentorship and community involvement continues to energize the next generation of scientists.