The Business + Higher Education Roundtable (BHER) is pleased to welcome Heather Chalmers, who recently retired as President and CEO, GE Vernova Canada and President, GE Vernova Hydro North America; Laura Jo Gunter, President and CEO of Northern Alberta Institute of Technology; and Melanie Woodin, President of the University of Toronto, to our Board of Directors.
Dave McKay, President and CEO of RBC, continues as BHER’s Board Chair, representing industry. Melanie Woodin will serve as Vice-Chair representing universities. Current Director Mary Butler will assume the roles of Vice-Chair representing colleges and polytechnics and Treasurer.
We also extend our sincere thanks to Larry Rosia, President and CEO of Saskatchewan Polytechnic, and Vivek Goel, former President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Waterloo, for their service on BHER’s Board. Larry’s longstanding commitment included serving as Treasurer and Chair of the Finance, Audit, and Risk Committee, while Vivek, who stepped off the Board earlier this year upon his retirement, served as Vice-Chair representing universities. Both have supported BHER’s work to bring business and post-secondary leaders together. We are grateful for the time and perspective they have shared and wish them continued success.
This Board renewal comes at an exciting time for BHER. We’re growing our membership and building on our convening strength through Leadership Tables in AI, energy, health and life sciences, and national security. The Board will continue to guide BHER’s expanding role as Canada’s national cross-sector convenor of business and post-secondary leaders, helping turn their combined strengths in talent, research and innovation into partnerships that drive growth in Canada’s priority sectors.
Meet BHER’s Board of Directors:
- John Baker, President and CEO of D2L
- Martin Basiri, Founder and CEO of Passage
- Mary Butler, President and CEO of New Brunswick Community College
- Heather Chalmers, President and CEO, GE Vernova Canada and President, GE Vernova Hydro North America (retired)
- Laura Jo Gunter, President and CEO of Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
- Goldy Hyder, President and CEO of the Business Council of Canada
- David McKay (Chair), President and CEO of RBC
- Lisa Philipps, Interim President and Vice-Chancellor of York University
- Melanie Woodin, President of University of Toronto
Learn more about our Board of Directors
Val Walker, CEO, alongside current members of BHER's Board of Directors and outgoing Treasurer, Larry Rosia (not pictured: Lisa Philipps).