Chair of the Board of Directors

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 fulfills 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 organizational 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. 

To fill this position, MaRS has partnered with leadership advisory firm Odgers. Applications are encouraged  immediately and should be submitted online at https://en-careers.odgers.com/en-ca/job/31063/ 

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. 

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