Queen’s has announced the appointment of Donald M. Raymond, an internationally respected investment executive and Queen’s alumnus, as the next chair of the university's Board of Trustees.

Dr. Raymond will begin a four-year term as chair on June 1, 2016, succeeding Barbara Palk, who has served as chair since 2012. His nomination as chair was recommended to the Board by its Governance and Nominating Committee, following a thorough review and selection process led by Chancellor Jim Leech.

“Don has been a highly engaged member of the Board of Trustees and he will bring a tremendous amount of expertise to the role of chair,” says Chancellor Jim Leech, who serves as a member of the Board’s Governance and Nominating Committee and chaired the Advisory Subcommittee that recommended Dr. Raymond. “Queen’s is fortunate to have a wealth of experience among its trustees and both the Board and the university will benefit greatly from Don’s leadership in this role.”

Dr. Raymond is managing partner and chief investment officer at Alignvest Management Corporation. He previously served as chief investment strategist for the $220-billion Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB), where he spent 12 years helping to build the CPPIB into a leading global investment organization. He was instrumental in the development of the United Nations’ Principles of Responsible Investing, and in their adoption by CPPIB in 2005.

“As we prepare to celebrate the 175th anniversary of Queen’s Royal Charter, I am mindful of the selfless dedication of generations of leaders who conceived a humble, regional college and built a university with global impact,” says Dr. Raymond. “I look forward to working closely with my Board colleagues and the entire university community to enhance Queen’s strategic position as the quintessential balanced academy, ready to take on the next 175 years.”

Dr. Raymond earned both a BSc and PhD from Queen’s in electrical engineering. He has been a member of Queen’s University’s Board of Trustees since 2008 and currently serves as one of its vice-chairs. He also serves as chair of the Board’s Investment Committee, vice-chair of its Pension Committee, and as a member of both its Human Resources and Capital Assets and Finance committees.

“I look forward to working closely with my Board colleagues and the entire university community to enhance Queen’s strategic position as the quintessential balanced academy, ready to take on the next 175 years.”

- Don Raymond, incoming chair of the Board of Trustees

“Dr. Raymond will take up the role of chair at an important time for Queen’s, as the university celebrates its 175th anniversary and continues to advance its position as a leading research-intensive university that delivers a transformative student learning experience,” says Daniel Woolf, Principal and Vice-Chancellor. “The Board has an important role to play in the governance of the university, including overseeing the goals of its strategic framework, and I look forward to working closely with Don over the coming years in his role as chair.”

Barbara Palk has served on the Board of Trustees for 14 years and as its chair since 2012. During her tenure as chair, Ms. Palk presided over a number of important initiatives, including the completion of the Board’s governance reform process, the development of the strategic framework and the implementation of the new budget model

The Board of Trustees is one of the university's governing bodies, along with Senate and University Council. While the Senate is responsible for academic matters, the Board is responsible for the overall operation of the university, including overseeing financial matters, property, and making senior appointments. Queen's is one of the country’s oldest degree-granting institutions and will celebrate its 175th anniversary in 2016-2017.