History
Driving down a Texas highway on the way to Austin in late 2007 a discussion was taking place as to what name would suit our new firm. After spending a decade living and working abroad, Grayson Bass thought there was something missing in how companies operated and ran innovation projects. The goal was to serve as the bridge between strategy and execution in addressing the most serious and pressing problems.
As the conversation for a name went on, the obvious names popped up, “Bass Consulting” (sounded like vanity plates on a Gremlin), a number of “XYZ Consulting” riffs or “something…Innovation…something” were thrown around. Nothing seemed able to capture both the new vision and innovation process that the company would later pioneer. With a bit of inspiration from family history and pop-culture, the name Mayor Wilson was chosen because we “liked the sound of that”.
Mayor Wilson opened its doors in 2008. Since then, we have worked to solve complex problems around the world. The company is known for developing and teaching the Applied Innovation process and is a global leader for innovation project delivery with one of the highest success rates in the field. We have been teaching the methodology for nearly seven years in all parts of the world at Universities and Colleges, and for Governments, Corporations, and NGOs and have successfully worked on solving problems across nearly every industry and geography.
With a commitment to supporting diverse communities and improving the state of the world we now direct most of our efforts on solving some of the most complex problems related to climate adaptation, economic empowerment, social justice, and food security.
Get in touch
If you are interested in becoming a client, but do not have a referral, you can request a vetting and verification “Applied Innovation Readiness” workshop.
Book an appointment ▸
Partners
Partner Emeritus
Grayson Bass
A native Texan and a global nomad, when he is not home in Toronto, 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.
He researches networks and social economic measurement and has a passion for social justice and economic empowerment. In addition to serving as Managing Director of Mayor Wilson, Inc. where he oversees advisory to Government and Corporate clients, he teaches Applied Innovation and has started the D.I.G. Community Lab & Innovation Hub focusing on AgTech, CleanTech, DesignTech, and FinTech.
Education
GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY/ESADE
MBA, 2011
WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY
B.Sc., Business, 2004
U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY
1998
Activities & Affiliations
• Advisory Board, The Canadian Muslim Vote
• Board, Global Innovation Management Institute
• Founder, D.I.G. Community Lab & Innovation Hub
Current Disruption Focus
• Climate and Global Food Security
Consulting Partner
Bo Pelech
Bo is an advisor at the Mayor Wilson D-Institute and Mayor Wilson D-Lab which are alternative incubators as compared to the traditional investor funding centric models. On the foundation of the tents of disruptive innovation, Bo is a co-founder of the D-“series”, building an ecosystem together with early adopter industry partners and a unique academic curriculum with a focus on a broad based job creation and economic development agenda. In this capacity Bo works with a range of public sector, academic and corporate partners on a series of entrepreneurship and innovation projects and challenges.
Education
YORK UNIVERSITY
MBA, 1982
Activities & Affiliations
• Advisor, Toronto Education Workers
• Investment Banking & Private Equity
Current Disruption Focus
• Working for the 416 and 905
Consulting partner
Nisar Hasan
A member of APEC and a citizen of both Canada and Hong Kong, Ahmad Nisar is a living, breathing embodiment of the Silk Road. There are few people in the world today more fluent in the cultural expressions of East and West and everything in between.
Over four decades of constant travel have seen him master more than a dozen languages, employing them to build companies, run projects, and manage teams in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, India, and China.
A fervent optimist, he believes life is a lucid dream in which whatever we conceive, we can achieve.
With over 40-years practical experience in government and politics, real estate and international trade, construction and engineering, design and craftsmanship, Art and antiques, Nisar’s work experience is wide-ranging and always very hand’s-on. Countless networks, businesses, individuals, and projects have benefited from Nisar’s sage advice, fine-tuned negotiating skills, and tireless creativity.
Activities & Affiliations
• Member of APEC
Current Disruption Focus
• Working for Peace
Consulting partner
Patricio Lewis
A native Latin American and a Canadian permanent resident, with extensive expertise in global financial markets. Patricio has spent time between both the advisory and commercial side of financial services with a specialization in capital markets. After being awarded first place in the Global Innovation Olympics, he has focused on solving complex problems and focusing his expertise and experience on building a better world.
In addition to his work with Mayor Wilson, he is an investment advisory manager in Scotiabank’s Peru offices, his portfolio is development of private banking clients across Peru. He teaches Innovation, Strategy, and Finance courses at several universities throughout the world and focuses on innovation and strategy skills in all his undergraduate and postgraduate students.
Education
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
MBA, 2019
UNIVERSIDAD DE BARCELONA
Masters, Finance, 2014
PONTIFICA UNIVERSIDAD CATOLICA DEL PERU
Masters, Strategy 2012
UNIVERSIDAD CATOLICA SAN PABLO
B.Sc., Business
Activities & Affiliations
• Advisory Board, Universidad Católica Santa María Hult Prize Commission
• Financial Capital Markets
Current Disruption Focus
• Empowering Latin Americans to do business around the world
Consulting partner
Verónica Trillo
A native Latin American and a Canadian permanent resident, with expertise in human resource management, she has been an HR advisor to several companies. Verónica is the first woman to be promoted as a permanent faculty member in the Business School of Universidad Catolica de Santa Maria, and is focused on empowering women across Latin America.
Her research is focused on the development of women’s skills around the world and the impact of eliminating discrimination barriers to innovation. As a university professor, she teaches undergraduate and postgraduate HR Management, Marketing Strategy, and leads Mayor Wilson’s training and development across Latin American universities.
Education
UNIVERSIDAD DE BARCELONA
Masters, HR Management, 2016
PONTIFICA UNIVERSIDAD CATOLICA DEL PERU
Masters, Strategy 2014
UNIVERSIDAD CATOLICA DE SANTA MARIA
B.Sc., Business
Activities & Affiliations
• Human Resource Excellence/Empowerment
• Empowerment of Women
• Human Rights
Current Disruption Focus
• Access to Opportunities for Everyone