Dr. Laureen Meroueh is a pioneering innovator and industry leader redefining the future of steel production. As the Founder and CEO of Hertha Metals, Inc., a venture-backed company at the forefront of industrial transformation, she is driving a new era of advanced metallurgical technologies that strengthen domestic steel production, enhance resource efficiency, and fuel economic growth. A bold visionary, Dr. Meroueh is the inventor of Hydrogen Electric Reduction Smelting (HERSTM) and Methane Electric Reduction Smelting (MERSTM), groundbreaking processes that modernize steelmaking, positioning the industry for long-term resilience and competitiveness.
Dr. Meroueh holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, with a graduate minor in business and entrepreneurship. Before founding Hertha Metals, she led a cutting-edge hydrogen startup as CEO, where she achieved a major cell scaling breakthrough and secured funding for a paid pilot program. Recognized as a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, an MIT Energy Initiative Fellow, and a Breakthrough Energy Innovator Fellow, she is widely regarded as a trailblazer in industrial innovation. Her groundbreaking work has also been featured on Netflix in Bill Gates’ series What’s Next? Funding the Future, highlighting her role in shaping the technologies that will define the future of global manufacturing.
Dr. Meroueh holds 17 patents and has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications, underscoring her significant contributions to the advancement of technology and innovation in industrial sectors.
Mark Cousin is an accomplished engineering leader with a proven track record in aerospace innovation and large-scale industrial development. Over his career, he has led complex engineering programs that drive efficiency, performance, and technological advancement. At Airbus, he played a key role in major aircraft programs, including serving as Head of the A380 team and later as Technical Director for the Beluga XL air transporter, which entered service in 2020.
Mark also served as Senior Vice President of Flight Demonstrators at Airbus, where he launched multiple high-profile technology programs. As CEO of A³, Airbus’s Silicon Valley Innovation Center, he drove cutting-edge aerospace advancements before taking on the role of CTO at Universal Hydrogen, where he led the development of a hydrogen fuel cell-powered regional aircraft that flew as a demonstrator in 2023.
Mark holds a BSc in Aeronautics and Astronautics from the University of Southampton. With deep expertise in engineering, manufacturing, and large-scale system integration, he continues to push the boundaries of industrial innovation.
Dr. Dan Bullard is a leading expert in metallurgical innovation and technology development. As Vice President of Research and Development at Hertha Metals, Inc., he leads efforts to transform steel production through cutting-edge technologies that enhance resource efficiency and industrial resilience. With over 20 years of experience in the metals industry, Dr. Bullard specializes in metallurgy, alloy development, gas-metal reactions, and surface modification of metals, bringing novel concepts to life with impactful solutions.
Prior to Hertha Metals, Dr. Bullard founded Arcanum Alloys, where he developed and patented Spatially Optimized Diffusion Alloy (SODA) technology, a breakthrough now commercialized within the integrated sheet steel industry.
Dr. Bullard holds a Ph.D. in Materials Science with a minor in planetary science from the University of Arizona, where he pioneered a method for mining oxygen from lunar soil. He also holds an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Business, combining technical expertise with strategic leadership to drive impactful change.
Mike Bailey is the Chief of Staff at Hertha Metals, Inc., bringing decades of leadership and innovation across scientific and engineering-driven industries. An accomplished executive, he has held pivotal roles in aerospace, medical technologies, and advanced manufacturing. At Hertha Metals, Mike drives strategic initiatives that support the company’s mission to revolutionize steel production with cutting-edge technologies like HERSTM and MERSTM, advancing industrial resilience and resource efficiency.
Prior to Hertha Metals, Mike served as CEO of Trajan Scientific and Medical, leading a 400-person global corporation specializing in scientific instruments and medical devices. He also held the role of Director of New Shepard at Blue Origin, overseeing the build, integration, safety, and reliability of the reusable, human-rated New Shepard rocket. Earlier in his career, Mike was Vice President of R&D and Sales at Upchurch Scientific, a Danaher company, where he drove significant innovation and commercialization growth.
With seven patents and extensive experience in board and advisory roles, Mike is known for his ability to build high-performing teams and deliver transformative results. A Mechanical Engineering graduate, he combines technical expertise with strategic vision to drive Hertha Metals’ pioneering work in reshaping the steel industry.
Hertha Metals collaborates with visionary organizations committed to innovation and industrial advancement. With support from industry leaders like Khosla Ventures, Breakthrough Energy, Pear and Clean Energy Ventures, we are transforming steel production into a more efficient and economically viable process. Our partners share our mission to revolutionize heavy industry and create a resilient, self-sustaining future for generations to come.
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