William Arthur Simmons

William Simmons is the Program Director for the RDII project and is responsible for the design and execution of commercialization pathways that connect Canadian SMEs to defence procurement opportunities, supply chains, and allied market opportunities. Through NOVA, he leads the commercialization engine of the initiative, aligning company capabilities with procurement demand and supporting integration into defence supply chains.

He oversees industry engagement, opportunity development, and SME progression through structured commercialization pathways, ensuring that participating companies are positioned to secure real opportunities within domestic and allied defence markets. His role includes coordinating delivery across partners, managing performance against milestones, and supporting deal progression aligned with project outcomes.

William brings experience working across government, industry, and innovation ecosystems, with a focus on commercialization execution, governance design, and multi-stakeholder program delivery. He has engaged with federal departments, national associations, and private-sector partners on initiatives related to defence, cybersecurity, and innovation ecosystem development.

He previously served as an Infantry Officer in the Canadian Armed Forces, an experience that informs his understanding of defence operations, organizational leadership, and disciplined execution in complex environments. Within the RDII project, he ensures that commercialization activities are aligned with real market opportunities and measurable outcomes.