Canadian Natural Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

Canadian Natural has 5 executives leading key functions including financial strategy, oil sands operations, and exploration production management.

Focused on sustainable energy development, Canadian Natural maintains a commitment to efficient resource extraction and long-term value creation across diverse oil and gas portfolios.

Leadership Roles at Canadian Natural

  • Chief Financial Officer - Victor Darel
  • Chief Financial Officer & Senior VP, Finance - Mark Stainthorpe
  • Senior VP, Finance & Chief Financial Officer - Douglas Proll
  • Chief Operating Officer, Oil Sands - Jay Froc
  • Chief Operating Officer, Exploration & Production - Robin Zabek
  • Victor Darel - Chief Financial Officer

    Victor Darel, the Chief Financial Officer at Canadian Natural, manages the overarching capital allocation strategy for the organization. Overseeing fiscal reporting and investor relations, the Chief Financial Officer ensures alignment with the complex requirements of the energy sector. This leadership role involves rigorous oversight of balance sheet health while supporting the development of light and heavy oil assets. By optimizing financial structures, Victor Darel directly impacts the ability of the company to fund large-scale production projects. Darel maintains strict adherence to regulatory standards across North American markets, ensuring transparency for all stakeholders. Through careful analysis of market volatility, the Chief Financial Officer mitigates risks associated with commodity price fluctuations. Ultimately, Darel secures the necessary liquidity to sustain long-term growth initiatives, providing the foundation for operational success within the competitive landscape of oil and gas development.

    Mark Stainthorpe - Chief Financial Officer & Senior VP, Finance

    Mark Stainthorpe, the Chief Financial Officer & Senior VP, Finance at Canadian Natural, directs the internal audit and corporate treasury functions. Overseeing the integration of financial data from various production sites, the Chief Financial Officer & Senior VP, Finance ensures accurate forecasting for oil sands mining and upgrading facilities. This leadership role involves coordinating with the Board to refine capital expenditure plans for natural gas projects. By streamlining accounting processes, Mark Stainthorpe directly impacts the operational efficiency of the entire enterprise. Stainthorpe manages the fiscal health of the company by implementing robust cost-control measures across all regional operations. Through strategic planning, the Chief Financial Officer & Senior VP, Finance supports the expansion of in situ oil sands production. Ultimately, Stainthorpe drives the financial discipline required to maintain a strong market position while navigating the cyclical nature of the global energy industry.
    Mark Stainthorpe

    Douglas Proll - Senior VP, Finance & Chief Financial Officer

    Douglas Proll, the Senior VP, Finance & Chief Financial Officer at Canadian Natural, manages the strategic financial planning and tax compliance functions. Overseeing the long-term financial modeling for the company, the Senior VP, Finance & Chief Financial Officer ensures that investment decisions support the core mission of oil and gas development. This leadership role involves analyzing the economic feasibility of new production facilities and upgrading projects. By managing the corporate tax strategy, Douglas Proll directly impacts the net profitability of the organization. Proll works closely with other executive leaders to ensure that financial resources are allocated to the most productive assets. Through the oversight of financial reporting systems, the Senior VP, Finance & Chief Financial Officer maintains the integrity of the company's fiscal disclosures. Ultimately, Proll secures the financial stability of the company, enabling sustained investment in energy production and infrastructure development.

    Jay Froc - Chief Operating Officer, Oil Sands

    Jay Froc, the Chief Operating Officer, Oil Sands at Canadian Natural, manages the technical execution of mining and upgrading operations. Overseeing the daily output of oil sands assets, the Chief Operating Officer, Oil Sands ensures that production targets align with safety and environmental standards. This leadership role involves optimizing the performance of complex upgrading facilities to maximize yield from heavy oil resources. By implementing advanced extraction technologies, Jay Froc directly impacts the operational output of the company. Froc coordinates with engineering teams to improve the reliability of infrastructure across the primary production sites. Through the application of innovative recovery methods, the Chief Operating Officer, Oil Sands enhances the efficiency of in situ projects. Ultimately, Froc maintains the operational integrity of the oil sands division, ensuring that the company meets its production goals while adhering to strict industry regulations.

    Robin Zabek - Chief Operating Officer, Exploration & Production

    Robin Zabek, the Chief Operating Officer, Exploration & Production at Canadian Natural, directs the development of light oil and natural gas assets. Overseeing the exploration lifecycle, the Chief Operating Officer, Exploration & Production ensures that drilling programs meet corporate growth objectives. This leadership role involves managing the technical teams responsible for identifying and developing new reserves across diverse geographic regions. By optimizing the extraction process for natural gas, Robin Zabek directly impacts the revenue generation of the company. Zabek coordinates with field operations to ensure that production facilities operate at peak capacity. Through the strategic deployment of capital into exploration projects, the Chief Operating Officer, Exploration & Production sustains the long-term viability of the resource portfolio. Ultimately, Zabek drives the operational success of the exploration division, ensuring that the company remains a leader in the energy sector through consistent and efficient production.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Canadian Natural Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Canadian Natural?
    Canadian Natural is led by Victor Darel (Chief Financial Officer), along with executives such as Mark Stainthorpe (Chief Financial Officer & Senior VP, Finance) and Douglas Proll (Senior VP, Finance & Chief Financial Officer).
    Who is part of Canadian Natural’s executive team?
    The executive team of Canadian Natural includes leaders such as Victor Darel (Chief Financial Officer), Mark Stainthorpe (Chief Financial Officer & Senior VP, Finance), Douglas Proll (Senior VP, Finance & Chief Financial Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Canadian Natural have?
    Canadian Natural has 5 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Canadian Natural’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Canadian Natural includes roles such as Chief Financial Officer, Chief Financial Officer & Senior VP, Finance, Senior VP, Finance & Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Oil Sands, Chief Operating Officer, Exploration & Production.