Governance

Graham Carr is President and Vice-Chancellor of Concordia University in Montréal. Ranked among the world’s best young universities, Concordia is home to 49,000 students from more than 160 countries.

Graham’s previous leadership positions at Concordia include Provost and Vice-President of Academic Affairs, Vice-President of Research and Graduate Studies, and Dean of Graduate Studies.

Graham chairs the research committee of Universities Canada, which is the voice of Canada’s universities at home and abroad, and is a member of the executive committee of the Bureau de coopération interuniversitaire. In June 2026, he concluded his term as Board Chair of U SPORTS, the national brand for Canadian university athletics.

Graham previously served on the boards of the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal, Centraide (United Way) of Greater Montreal, and the Leadership Council for Digital Infrastructure. He is a former president of the Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences, former Chair of the Canada-US Fulbright selection committee, and a former member of the National Capital Commission’s Advisory Committee for Communications, Marketing and Programming.

Born in the Eastern Townships in Quebec, Graham earned his Ph.D. from the University of Maine. He is a professor in Concordia’s Department of History, where his research focuses on Cold War cultural history.

Narmin Ismail-Teja is Principal at impact@work inc. She is an accomplished board member, entrepreneur, and community-focused leader, with an inclusive and collaborative approach to governance. This approach has been refined through extensive experience in training, facilitation, and board leadership, and she has become known for her commitment, motivation and skill in creating highly effective training and consulting, both nationally and internationally. With a proven track record in driving strategic partnerships, accelerating growth, increasing market share, and leading CEO recruitment, she excels in advancing Environment, Social and Governance priorities, equity strategies, and human-capital initiatives.

In addition to serving as Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Canadian Museum of History, Narmin is Chair of the Board for the Calgary Foundation. Other recent community engagements include Board Member for the Canadian Forces Liaison Council; Senator at the University of Calgary, leading their Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity Working Group; and consultant with the University of Central Asia. She has also been a Board Member and Board Chair for YMCA Calgary, a Board Member for YMCA Canada, a Board Member for Theatre Calgary, Board Chair for Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan, and a Founding Member of Future2020.

A lifelong learner, Narmin remains deeply committed to continuous personal and professional growth.

• Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee member
• Governance and Human Resources Committee member

Manmeet has 30 years’ experience in the financial services industry. He has held prominent executive roles, including those of SVP & Head of Private Counsel of Wellington-Altus Financial, President and CEO of Fiduciary Trust Canada, Senior Vice-President at Aviso Wealth, and Chief Investment Officer for Qtrade Financial Group. He holds several designations, including Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), and Certified Financial Planner (CFP), as well as an Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD.D) designation and a CFA Sustainable Investing Certificate.

A graduate of the I.H. Asper School of Business (Bachelor of Commerce), Manmeet has a passion for leadership and strategic development. He has served on various boards, including those of Decoda Literacy Solutions, Dogs of the Ganges Society, OceanRock Investments, Fiduciary Trust Company of Canada, and FTC Investor Services Inc.

Manmeet’s dedication to innovation and excellence drives his impactful leadership and community engagement.

• Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee member

Richard Boudreault is a recognized leader within the fields of governance, sustainability, and technological innovation. He is a veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces, and holds an engineering degree from Cornell University, and an MBA in Finance and Innovation from the University of Sherbrooke. He is also the recipient of a prestigious Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship.

Richard has founded 20 companies and has served on more than 30 boards. He has led organizations as diverse as the Canadian High Arctic Research Station and Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, and has advanced Space exploration as Chief Scientist of In-Situ Resource Utilization for the Canadian Space Mining Corporation and through his work with the Space Advisory Board for the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development. He is currently outgoing Chair of the Board of Governors for the First Nations University of Canada, Vice-Chair of Aurora College, and Director of the Institut national de la recherche scientifique in Québec.

Richard’s contributions have earned him numerous awards, including Quebec’s Lionel Boulet and Lise Watier Awards, the Gold Medal of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, and the George E. Pake Award from the American Physics Society. In addition, he is a member of several prestigious academies and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, the Canadian Academy of Engineering, the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, and the World Academy of Art and Science.

• Governance and Human Resources Committee member

Kendra MacDonald is CEO of Canada’s Ocean Supercluster, which is responsible for the accelerated development and commercialization of innovation aimed at solving some of the world’s greatest ocean challenges. Kendra is leading the change in the culture of doing business in ocean from coast to coast to coast, increasing collaboration across ocean sectors, and expanding Canada’s ocean economy in digital, sustainable and inclusive ways. In recognition of her leadership in building the Ocean Supercluster from the ground up, Kendra has been named one of Atlantic Canada’s Top 50 CEOs by Atlantic Business Magazine for the past five years, and in 2022 was named one of the country’s Top Sustainability Leaders by Clean50.

Prior to leading Canada’s Ocean Supercluster, Kendra was a Partner in Deloitte’s Risk Advisory practice and was the Chief Audit Executive of Deloitte Global.

• Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee member

Nicolas Marcotte is a Royal Canadian Navy officer with extensive business experience in inclusive leadership, diversity, equity, corporate social responsibility, and change management.

Mr. Marcotte is a leader known for his team spirit, creativity, and analytical skills. He is a results-oriented manager appreciated for his ability to listen and his talent for creating a shared vision with stakeholders. He is a creator of impactful events to promote awareness and brand, a strategist, and a risk manager to anticipate challenges and opportunities.

Mr. Marcotte has served on the boards of several for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, including those in the education and performing arts sectors, where he has used his skills in engineering, accounting, information technology, finance, risk management, financing, mergers and acquisitions, strategy, and governance. He has endorsed the cause of veterans, working with organizations such as the Last Post Fund and the National Field of Honour.

A 2015 recipient of the Canadian Board Diversity Council “Diversity 50” award, Mr. Marcotte is of Nipissing Métis descent.

• Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee member 

Rodney Nelson is a professor of International Business at Carleton University, where he teaches ethics, governance, and international relations. He is also the current CEO and Principal of Governance for the Global Governance Group. His interests include board governance, economic development, education, ethics, traditional knowledge, and Indigenous relations.

Rodney is a corporate anthropologist with more than 30 years of experience working in both the public and private sectors, including with many Indigenous organizations and communities. Rodney has held board positions in the cultural, technology, pension, and non-profit sectors, most recently serving with Scouts Canada, and previously served as Chair of the Aboriginal Financial Officers Association. He was also Chair of the Pandemic Preparedness Working Group for Canadian Businesses and a member of the Deputy Minister of Health’s Private Sector Working Group on Pandemics. Rodney has presented to the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues on corporate partnership development with Indigenous Peoples and has represented Canada at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum on national pandemic planning. Rodney is an advocate for sustainable economic development projects worldwide and is passionate about cultural diplomacy and inclusion.

Rodney’s Ph.D. is in Indigenous/Canadian Studies through Carleton University and Trent University, with a concentration on economic development and traditional governance. He holds a Master’s degree in medical and corporate anthropology and two Bachelor’s degrees in psychology and anthropology. He is a certified Chartered Director from the Directors College at McMaster’s DeGroote School of Business. He is also a Professional Aboriginal Economic Developer and a Certified Aboriginal Professional Administrator.

• Governance and Human Resources Committee member

Jennifer Pereira is a lawyer at Robertson Stromberg LLP, where her legal practice focuses on insurance coverage, defence, and commercial litigation. She has been recognized by Best Lawyers in the area of Insurance Law, and by the University of Saskatchewan Alumni Association for contributions to her profession.

Jennifer was formerly President of both the Saskatchewan Trial Lawyers Association and the Saskatoon Bar Association. She served as Chair of the Professional Image Committee of the Canadian Bar Association (Saskatchewan), and as a member of the Court of King’s Bench Bar Judicial Committee. As a speaker, she has shared her knowledge of the law with many organizations, including the College of Law at the University of Saskatchewan.

Jennifer’s commitment to her profession is mirrored by her commitment to the community. She was formerly Chair of the Board of TCU Place, a performing arts and convention centre in Saskatoon, and of Persephone Theatre, a regional theatre company that operates its own venue. In addition to her work for the Canadian Museum of History and Canadian War Museum, Jennifer is currently Chair of the Remai Modern Foundation Board of Directors.

• Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee member

Mahalia Verna has more than 20 years’ experience within the creative industries, at organizations including the NFB and the CBC. She is a growth and impact strategist in the arts, tech and non-profit sectors, with expertise in business development, change management, fundraising, human resources, marketing, and communications.

In 2024, Mahalia was elected a member of the Board of Directors at Imagine Canada and was appointed its Board Liaison for interactions with the Advisory Council of the Canadian Centre for Nonprofit Digital Resilience. She is also a member of the Women’s Impact Montréal Collective Fund at the Foundation of Greater Montréal, which provides financial support to local nonprofits that help women and girls improve their life circumstances.

In 2022, Mahalia won the inaugural Chair of the Board Award at the Women’s Executive Network (WXN) Canadian Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (CEDI) Awards, for her role as Board President of Digital Moment (2018–2024). She is a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors and holds an ICD.D designation.

• Governance and Human Resources Committee Acting Chair

Bill Young is a former parliamentary officer and academic. In December 2011, he completed a six-year term as Parliamentary Librarian of Canada, overseeing parliamentary research, information, public outreach, and education. He presided over the rehabilitation, conservation, and upgrade of the iconic Library building, and initiated and implemented a process of organizational renewal that refocused the Library’s services.

Bill is a founding Board member of the Samara Centre for Democracy and was Director of both the Canadian Association of Research Libraries and the Association of Parliamentary Librarians in Canada. In addition, he has served on the Board of ESSA (now the Canadian Association of Professional Employees [CAPE]), and on the Conservation Review Board of Ontario. In addition, he has received several academic scholarships and an award from the Council of Canadians with Disabilities, and was made an Honorary Member of the Canadian Association of Former Parliamentarians and Honorary Director of the Churchill Society.

Bill has a PhD in History from the University of British Columbia, and has taught at York, Simon Fraser and McGill universities. He is a By-Fellow of Churchill College, Cambridge, and has authored or co-authored four books, in addition to parliamentary publications, conference papers, and academic and popular articles.

• Governance and Human Resources Committee member