Leadership

CIGI’s Board of Directors provides oversight and governance of the organization’s financial stability, executive leadership and overall strategy. It includes global policy experts who provide intellectual guidance to CIGI on the broad scope of its research activities. The board consists of a chair, a treasurer and other directors, two of whom are designated by the Government of Canada, through the Department of Finance and Global Affairs Canada, respectively.

CIGI’s senior management implements the organization’s strategic plan and directs all aspects of its research program and operational activities.

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  • Jim Balsillie
    CIGI Founder and Chair of the CIGI Board of Directors

    In addition to his commitment to CIGI, Jim Balsillie is the founder of the Balsillie School of International Affairs, the Centre for Digital Rights and the Arctic Research Foundation, and co-founder of the Council of Canadian Innovators.

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    Scott Burk
    Co-Founder and Former President of Wealhouse Partners, and Treasurer of the CIGI Board of Directors

    Scott Burk is a chartered financial analyst and the co-founder and former president of Wealhouse Capital Management, a Toronto-based investment management firm. He has been a member of CIGI’s Board of Directors since 2007 and serves as the treasurer.

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    Alison Gillwald
    Executive Director of Research ICT Africa (RIA)

    Alison Gillwald (PhD) is the Executive Director of Research ICT Africa (RIA) an African digital policy, regulatory and governance think-tank that works across 20 African countries.

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    Elissa Golberg
    Embassy of Canada to the Republic of Italy

    Elissa Golberg is a member of CIGI’s Board of Directors and the Ambassador of Canada to Italy, Albania, Malta, San Marino, and Permanent Representative of Canada to the UN Agencies in Rome (IFAD, FAO, WFP). Prior to this, she was Assistant Deputy Minister for Strategic Policy at Global Affairs Canada (2017-2021), the department’s Champion for Innovation and Experimentation, and Head of Performance Management and Results. 

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    Melissa Hathaway
    President, Hathaway Global Strategies LLC

    Melissa Hathaway is president of Hathaway Global Strategies LLC and a member of CIGI’s Board of Directors.

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    Alison Loat
    Managing Director, Sustainable Investing and Innovation, OPTrust

    Alison Loat is a member of CIGI’s Board of Directors and is the managing director, sustainable investing and innovation, at OPTrust, a Canadian public pension plan.

  • Maureen O’Neil
    Former President, Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement

    Maureen O’Neil is the former president of the Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement. 

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    Roopa Purushothaman
    Chief Economist and Head of Policy Advocacy, Tata Group

    Roopa Purushothaman is the chief economist and head of policy advocacy at the Tata Group. She is the co-author of the book Bridgital Nation: Solving Technology's People Problem. She has also contributed to a number of publications on globalization and development.

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    Kevin Rudd
    Former Prime Minister of Australia

    The Honourable Kevin Rudd AC joined CIGI’s Board of Directors in 2020. He served as Australia’s twenty-sixth prime minister (2007–2010, 2013) and as foreign minister (2010–2012).

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    Paul Samson
    President of CIGI

    Paul Samson is president of CIGI. He has 30 years of experience across a range of policy issues with partners from around the world. He is a former senior government official and also served for many years as co-chair of the principal G20 working group on the global economy.

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    Shelley Boettger
    Chief Financial Officer and Director of Operations

    As CIGI’s chief financial officer and director of operations, Shelley Boettger provides corporate leadership and strategic guidance on all financial aspects of the organization. Shelley is responsible for the management of CIGI’s financial systems and investment portfolios, as well as for managing operations and providing financial advice to senior leadership.

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    Robert Fay
    Managing Director of Digital Economy

    Robert (Bob) Fay is the managing director of digital economy at CIGI. The research under his direction assesses and provides policy recommendations for the complex global governance issues arising from digital technologies.

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    Laura Kacur
    Director of Human Resources

    Laura Kacur is the director of Human Resources and is responsible for all aspects of people and culture at CIGI, including talent acquisition and development, employee engagement, total compensation and organizational effectiveness. Prior to joining CIGI, Laura held HR leadership positions in Canada and the United States, primarily in the high-tech sector.

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    Aaron Shull
    Managing Director and General Counsel

    Aaron Shull is the managing director and general counsel at CIGI. He is a senior legal executive and is recognized as a leading expert on complex issues at the intersection of public policy, emerging technology, cybersecurity, privacy and data protection.

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    Spencer Tripp
    Director of Public Affairs

    Spencer Tripp leads the development of CIGI’s digital media and communications strategy and presence. A journalist by training and bilingual in English and French, Spencer brings to the role a wealth of strategic, creative and operational leadership experience in intergovernmental, governmental and international non-profit organizations, including NAFTA’s Commission for Environmental Cooperation, Greenpeace Canada and Greenpeace International.