MaRS Discovery District (MaRS) is North America’s largest urban innovation hub, occupying 1.5 million square feet in downtown Toronto. Its mission: helping innovators create a better world, is anchored in a distinctly Canadian challenge: the country produces world-class research, but has historically struggled to translate that science into globally competitive businesses. MaRS exists to close that gap. As a registered charity, with a unique public-private structure MaRS supports Canada’s most promising startups and scaleups, helping them grow, create jobs, and solve society’s greatest challenges. 

 

MaRS is in an important moment. Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the organization was founded by Dr. John Evans and a group of academic, community and business leaders, who believed in the power of place and bringing leading thinkers together to grow Canadian companies. Today, the organization supports over 1,200 companies with a focus in cleantech, health and emerging technology sectors. MaRS has three strategic pillars that support its central goal of commercializing Canadian science and technologies, these are: convening communities, enabling ventures and advancing ecosystems. MaRS is governed by a reputable Board of Directors, composed of a mix of private and public sector leaders, including founders of Canadian science and technology startups. 

 

The Board Chair provides strategic leadership to the Board of Directors and ensures the Board fulfils its governance and strategic responsibilities in support of the MaRS Discovery District’s mission: helping innovators create a better world. The Chair works collaboratively with the CEO, acts as an ambassador for the organization at the most senior levels in Canada’s innovation economy and is a steward for ensuring the organization’s long term sustainability and impact. 

 

The ideal Board Chair is a visionary leader who brings a sophisticated, well‑informed perspective on strengthening Canada’s competitiveness and inclusive economic growth through innovation. Drawing on deep experience across the capital, talent, corporate, policy, and science ecosystems, they will effectively guide the Board of Directors and set a forward-looking strategic agenda. As a credible and compelling ambassador for the organization, the Chair will engage confidently with senior policymakers, funders, partners, and media to advance initiatives that drive measurable impact in Canada’s innovation economy. With a proven track record in large complex organization leadership and governance, the Chair will uphold robust Board structures, policies, and mandates, cultivating a highly engaged, high-performing Board. They will foster constructive, future oriented dialogue at the Board table, ensuring meetings deliver strategic value and integrate leading external insights into decision-making. 

 

This is a publicly advertised job posting for an existing vacancy. The position is voluntary in nature.

 

Odgers does not use artificial intelligence (AI) to screen, assess, or select applicants for a position.   

 

  

To Apply

 

To fill this position, MaRS have partnered with leadership advisory firm Odgers. Applications are encouraged immediately.

 

We would like to thank all applicants but regret that we are only able to personally contact those individuals whose backgrounds best match the requirements for the role.

 

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

 

Odgers is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with the Accessible Canada Act, 2019 and all applicable provincial accessibility standards, upon request, accommodation will be provided by Odgers throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities. 

 

Odgers is deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all the work that we do. As part of our efforts to better understand our ability to reach as broad a pool of candidates as possible for our searches, our DEI team would like to encourage you to take a moment and access our Self-Declaration Form.