Against the backdrop of the reshaping global industrial competition landscape and China’s push for high-level sci-tech self-reliance, how core innovation actors lead regional industrial innovation has become a critical issue. Based on the theory of innovation ecosystems, this research constructs a dynamic “Role-Behavior-Governance” analytical framework and systematically analyzes the realization path of core innovation actors leading regional industrial innovation through an in-depth case study of the northwest institute for nonferrous metal research. The study finds that the leadership process is a progressive and systematic construction. The core innovation actor needs to establish a foundation of legitimacy through identity transformation in role positioning, drive behavioral transition through resource orchestration, and achieve rule shaping through agile governance to ensure the sustained vitality of the ecosystem. This research provides a new explanation and practical insights for understanding the generative logic of industrial innovation in less-developed regions.