About Us

Dave Abeleven is a seasoned policy and regulatory strategist and change management expert with over 20 years of high-impact leadership in Suriname’s public and private sectors. With a career defined by transformative change and forward-looking vision, he has held several critical positions including:

• Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources (2015–2020), where he played a pivotal role in modernizing Suriname’s policies on energy, mining, and water governance;

• Founding Managing Director of the Energy Authority of Suriname (2020–2023), where he successfully established the authority’s internal structure, introduced Suriname’s first electricity tariff and subsidy decrees, and spearheaded integrated planning for the national energy sector.

Today, Dave continues to drive sector transformation through a portfolio of strategic leadership roles:

• Founder and Lead Consultant at Abeleven Consulting (since January 2024), where he advises on regulatory frameworks, policy development, and change management;

• Senior Advisor at Horizon Engage (www.horizonengage.com), supporting international energy companies in navigating the realities, risks, and opportunities of Suriname’s expanding energy sector;

• Member of the Board of Directors at the Caribbean Energy Chamber (www.caribbeanenergychamber.org), where he contributes to the strategic direction of the organization and helps shape regional energy priorities.

Through every position he has held, Dave has demonstrated a deep commitment to transparent governance, stakeholder engagement, sustainable resource management, and results-based implementation. His leadership approach is grounded in integrity, inclusiveness, and excellence, driving institutional transformation through clear strategy and practical execution.