Martha Hall Findlay to lead UCalgary School of Public Policy

Calgary, AB – Following an international search, Martha Hall Findlay has been selected as the new Director of the School of Public Policy. She will begin her five-year term starting January 8, 2024.

Throughout her career, Martha Hall Findlay has been dedicated to shaping public policy for Canadians. Having been a lawyer, senior business executive and former Member of Parliament, she brings a diverse set of skills and experience to the helm of Canada’s leading policy school.

Most recently she served as Chief Sustainability Officer and Chief Climate Officer for Suncor Energy, and before that was president and CEO of the Canada West Foundation, where she developed a reputation for being non-partisan, objective, and pragmatic by advocating for public policy solutions based on thorough research. She was also an executive fellow at the School of Public Policy in its early years.

“Ms. Hall Findlay is an experienced leader poised to help SPP researchers address some of Canada’s biggest challenges.”

Penny Werthner, Provost and Vice-President (Academic) of the University of Calgary 

As MP for Willowdale from 2008 to 2011, she was a member of the Official Opposition shadow cabinet and served on several House of Commons committees as the critic for International Trade, Finance, Government Works and Public Services, and Transportation, Infrastructure and Communities.

As a corporate lawyer and executive, she developed extensive experience in energy, telecommunications, sustainability, trade (international and internal) and global markets.

Ms. Hall Findlay holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from the University of Toronto, a Bachelor of Laws from Osgoode Hall Law School at York University and completed the Directors Education Program at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management.

“The School of Public Policy is dedicated to developing Canada’s future policy leaders through practical and focused policy research, insightful educational opportunities in public policy and sustainable energy development and meaningful debate. Ms. Hall Findlay is an experienced leader poised to help SPP researchers address some of Canada’s biggest challenges,” said Penny Werthner, Provost and Vice-President (Academic) of the University of Calgary.

"Martha Hall Findlay is an exceptional leader who will undoubtedly inspire students, faculty, staff and researchers to reach for the top. I take great pride in the School of Public Policy's ability to attract the very best to Calgary and Martha is one of them,” said Jack Mintz, founding director of School of Public Policy and current President’s Fellow at the School.

“Martha Hall Findlay is an exceptional leader who will undoubtedly inspire students, faculty, staff and researchers to reach for the top.”

Jack Mintz, founding director of School of Public Policy and current President’s Fellow at the School

“We are very pleased that the School of Public Policy at the University of Calgary has a new Director. We very much looking forward, as long-time supporters of SPP and members of the Advisory Council, to working with the new Director, Martha Hall Findlay,” said Sarah Palmer and Valerie Seaman, members of the School of Public Policy Advisory Council, and The Palmer Family Foundation representatives.

There was strong interest from qualified candidates in becoming the next leader of the School of Public Policy, given its impact through high quality research and commentary.

An international search led by Janet Soles and Associates was conducted, and an advisory committee with research and community representation was formed, to find the best possible candidate to serve as the next director of the School of Public Policy.

“This has been a thorough process with a number of excellent candidates and I’m very happy with the final recommendation made by the committee in support of Martha Hall Findlay’s appointment” said Darrell Beaulieu, CEO of Denendeh Investments and member of both the Advisory Selection Committee and the School of Public Policy Advisory Council.
 

Media inquiries

Michael Platt
Senior Communications Specialist, Media, Issues and Outreach
403.830.2452
michae.platt@ucalgary.ca

Dean Parthenis
Director, Media, Issues and Outreach
403.629.5806
dparthen@ucalgary.ca

 

About the University of Calgary
UCalgary is Canada’s entrepreneurial university, located in Canada’s most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 35,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada’s leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary.

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