In this episode of Pioneers of Possibility, host Kareem Afzal sits down with Carson Sleiman, Chief Technology Officer at First Element Fuel. Carson shares the powerful story of his family’s displacement in the late 1940s, his father’s extraordinary resilience, and the winding path that eventually took Carson from Kuwait to Canada.
They dig into what it means to grow up between cultures, the challenges of starting over at age eleven, and how early experiences of generosity, community, and perseverance shaped his worldview.
Carson also breaks down the mission of First Element Fuel, the company’s focus on hydrogen as a fuel for clean mobility, and how they’re scaling solutions for trucks, passenger cars, and future transportation sectors. This conversation blends personal history, technological insight, and a deep sense of purpose, exploring how early adversity can plant the seeds for transformative leadership.
