Dr. Indira V. Samarasekera

Dr. Samarasekera, age 71, brings to the Board a proven record of technical expertise, demonstrated leadership, tangible success in building international relationships and a long-standing commitment to R&D/innovation. She was CGCNC Chair from May 2020 to August 2022 and has served as TOCC Chair since August 2022.

Dr. Samarasekera is a corporate director and Senior Advisor at Bennett Jones, LLP. Dr. Samarasekera served as the President and Vice Chancellor of the University of Alberta (2005-2015). She is internationally recognized as a leading metallurgical engineer, including for her work on steel process engineering for which she was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada. Among other things, Dr. Samarasekera was previously a member of Canada’s Science, Technology and Innovation Council as well as Canada’s Global Commerce Strategy. She possesses an M.Sc. in mechanical engineering (California), as well as a PhD in metallurgical engineering (British Columbia). Dr. Samarasekera has also been elected as a Foreign Associate of the National Academy of Engineering in the U.S. She currently serves on the board of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research. Dr. Samarasekera was also a committee member of the TMX Group/Institute of Corporate Directors Committee to Chart the Future of Corporate Governance in Canada.