Main Content

Alliance Announces Extended CEO Term and New Board Chair and Vice-Chair

The Digital Research Alliance of Canada’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce that George Ross’s appointment as Chief Executive Officer of the Alliance has been extended by two years, until early 2025.

“George’s continued leadership at such an important time for the Alliance, our partners, the broader DRI ecosystem and research community will position us well for the future,” said Martha Whitehead, newly appointed Board Chair. 

Mr. Ross was appointed CEO in July 2022, and he was instrumental in the early days of the Alliance as interim Executive Director in 2019-20.

“I am both honoured and energized to have the privilege to continue leading the Alliance at such a critical time,” said Mr. Ross. “We have a number of important service delivery and funding initiatives to advance over the next two years. I look forward to engaging with our team and the broader community to further establish a foundation for success, to the benefit of Canada’s researchers.”

New Board Chair and Vice-Chair

The Board is also pleased to announce the appointment of Martha Whitehead to the role of Chair and Gail Murphy to the role of Vice-Chair.

Ms. Whitehead succeeds David Barnard as Chair, who recently stepped down from the Board for personal reasons.

“On behalf of the Alliance, our partners and Canada’s research community, I would like to thank David for his many contributions to the Alliance since joining the inaugural Board in March 2020,” said Ms. Whitehead. “As a highly respected university leader, he was also influential in the years leading up to the organization’s inception. It has been an honour to serve with him.”

Ms. Whitehead, who moves into the Chair role from the role of Vice-Chair, has been on the Alliance Board since March 2020. Dr. Murphy, who assumes the role of Vice-Chair, has also been on the Board since March 2020.  

“Martha and Gail have a deep understanding of the Alliance, its mandate and priorities; they are experienced leaders and Board Directors; and they bring deep knowledge of user needs and perspectives to their roles,” said Chris Lumb, Chair of the Governance & Nominating Committee of the Board.

The terms for both Ms. Whitehead and Dr. Murphy in these roles extend to the Board meeting following the 2023 Annual General Meeting.