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Home > About > Governance
Alberta Innovates is governed by a board of directors appointed by the provincial government. It steers the innovation system according to provincial priorities and its business goals.
Alberta Innovates steers the innovation system to bring benefits to Albertans, within our mandate set by the Government of Alberta and in alignment with priorities of the Alberta Technology and Innovation Strategy (ATIS) as well as the province’s Investment and Growth Strategy.
Our Board of Directors is accountable to the minister, and responsible for governance of the corporation and overseeing the management of the corporation’s business affairs.
This includes oversight of the CEO, the corporation’s strategies, budget, expenditure authority, and human resources policies.
Tony Williams, Chair
Tony Williams is an accomplished higher education leader with over 20 years of experience driving transformative change at universities across Canada.
Previously, Tony served as Vice President of Marketing and Recruitment with Navitas North America, where he managed a global marketing and recruitment team. He also served as Vice Provost International at Lakehead University and held leadership positions in international student recruitment at the University of Alberta and University of Winnipeg.
Tony’s expertise in strategic planning extends to several institutions, in Canada and internationally, including the University of Regina, Kings University College, Nipissing University, Charles Sturt University (Australia), and Linkoping University (Sweden). Additionally, he founded Zept, an international education marketing app and data company, and was a Special Advisor to the CEO of the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (amii).
Tony earned a BA in Geography from the University of Alberta, and he studied Peace and Conflict Studies and International Relations at Uppsala University in Sweden. While living in Sweden he was the Managing Director of the Canadian Swedish Business Association.
He continues to make an impact in higher education and beyond, leveraging his leadership and expertise to drive change and innovation.
Board committees: Executive Committee (Chairperson), ex officio on Audit Committee, Business Planning, Reporting & Engagement Committee, Governance & Human Resources Committee
Dr. Jodi Abbott, Vice Chair
Dr. Jodi L. Abbott is President and CEO of the University Hospital Foundation where she is bringing together people from industry, academia, government, healthcare, and philanthropy to tackle some of the world’s biggest health and healthcare challenges.
Prior to her current role, she led NorQuest College through significant transformation doubling its student population through expanded programs, and government, corporate and philanthropic partnerships. Earlier, Dr. Abbott was Senior Vice President, Quality Performance Improvement with Alberta Health Services creating a provincial portfolio encompassing patient safety, infection prevention and control, patient relations, and clinical data.
With extensive understanding of government relations and policy development, Dr. Abbott is deeply committed to community development. This was demonstrated in her role as former Chair of the Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board where she spearheaded progress on the Growth Plan alongside 13 Regional Mayors. And, as inaugural Chair of Edmonton’s Health City, she led creation of a 10-year economic strategy for the health ecosystem.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Dr. Abbott volunteers as a World and Olympic figure skating judge and is an Honorary Colonel Designate for the 41St Service Battalion for the Canadian Armed Forces. Dr. Abbott recently received the Order of Canada for leadership in Alberta’s healthcare and college systems, and for mentoring young figure skating athletes.
Robert Fernandez
Robert Fernandez has more than three decades of strategic leadership experience in the private and public sectors in Europe and Canada. As the President of Mansbach Advisory Group since 2014, he has guided business leaders, government officials and entrepreneurs in achieving growth and clarity in their strategic endeavors.
Robert recently served as Director of Economic Diversification for Parkland County, Alberta, where he spearheaded a major multi-decade investment plan and facilitated the establishment of Amazon’s first robotics fulfillment center in the province.
Previously, Robert served as Vice President of Business Development and Marketing for Stuart Olson Inc., where he defined national business structures and secured major joint venture projects. He began his career with Siemens AG in Europe prior to joining the Government of Alberta in senior roles with the Alberta Economic Development Authority (AEDA) and the Oil Sands Secretariat, with the Alberta Treasury Board.
Robert holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and executive education credentials from Duke University and the University of Alberta. He is fluent in English, German, and Spanish, and has extensive experience as a board member of various community and business organizations including Alberta Foundation of the Arts and Invest Alberta Corporation.
Brad Severin
Biography coming soon.
Richard Wong