July 10, 2025 – Toronto, ON – The Critical Minerals Institute (CMI), a global organization committed to addressing the challenges and opportunities within the critical minerals sector, is pleased to announce the appointment of Brendon Grunewald to its Board of Directors. Brendon brings more than 25 years of cross-border experience in corporate finance, venture capital, advanced materials, and business transformation—expertise that will help CMI accelerate sustainable critical-minerals initiatives worldwide.
Brendon’s career spans both operating and investment leadership roles. He managed the Advanced Materials Fund, Element Six Ventures, directing investments into next-generation advanced materials applications, the US$100 million corporate venture arm of Element Six (a De Beers Group company).
Additional mandates include Managing Partner at Scheinrock Advisory Group, where he executed more than 80 M&A and capital-raising, M&A transactions and interim Turnaround Executive rolls. As an advisor to Azteq NV, he secured term sheets exceeding €180 million for solar-thermal projects and oversaw the strategic acquisition of SolarLite GmbH.
A former Antarctic research scientist and founder of the Polar Conservation Organisation, Brendon holds an MBA from The Open University Business School (UK), a B.Sc. (Hons) in Physics & Electronics from Rhodes University (South Africa), and executive credentials in Private Equity & Venture Capital from Harvard Business School. His blend of scientific rigourous analytical thinking and capital-markets acumen will provide CMI with fresh perspective on financing and scaling supply-chain solutions for the energy transition.
“CMI is committed to building the bridge between critical minerals and the technologies that depend on them,” said Tracy Hughes, Executive Director of CMI. “Brendon’s deep expertise in corporate finance, venture capital markets, and critical minerals aligns perfectly with our mission to secure sustainable supply chains and unlock the capital required for next-generation industries.”
“I am honoured to join CMI at a pivotal moment for the critical minerals sector,” added Brendon Grunewald. “By combining disciplined corporate-finance frameworks with cutting-edge technology and ESG stewardship, we can unlock the full potential of critical mineral projects and strengthen supply-chain resilience. I look forward to working with the Board to advance CMI’s mission.”
Tracy Hughes continued: “Brendon’s strategic insight—spanning early-stage innovation through to large-scale project finance—will be invaluable as CMI fosters sustainable, secure, and economically viable critical mineral supply chains.”
Brendon now joins the CMI’s brain trust—an esteemed Board that comprises Co-Chairs Melissa “Mel” Sanderson and Jack Lifton; Executive Directors Russell Fryer and Tracy Hughes; and Directors Alastair Neill, Christopher Berlet, Christopher Ecclestone, Christopher Gibbs, Geoff Atkins, Kevin Ernst, Kiana Kianara, Peter Clausi, Peter Cashin, Stephen Burega, Stephen Lautens, and Tuan Tran.
About the Critical Minerals Institute (CMI):
The Critical Minerals Institute (CMI) is a global organization dedicated to addressing the challenges and opportunities in the critical minerals sector. CMI’s mission is to equip businesses, governments, and stakeholders with comprehensive resources and insights into the value, sustainability, and strategic importance of critical materials essential for technological and industrial advancement. In practice, this means CMI serves as a central hub connecting companies, capital markets, and experts in the critical minerals industry. The institute emphasizes education, collaboration, and thought leadership: its offerings include exclusive Masterclasses and a weekly Technology Metals Report (TMR) that provide pivotal industry insights. CMI also facilitates robust networking opportunities such as conferences and summits, helping members drive innovation and build resilient supply chains in a rapidly evolving global marketplace. Through these activities, CMI strives to ensure its members are well-equipped to lead in cutting-edge technologies and to fuel industrial advancement worldwide.
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