[Ottawa, ON]
CANARIE today announced the retirement of its President and CEO, Kathryn Anthonisen, after an outstanding 15 years of service to the organization—encompassing nearly half of its history. In January, Kathryn announced her intention to retire in the coming year to the CANARIE Board of Directors. In March, Kathryn undertook a temporary leave of absence, during which she decided to accelerate the timing of her retirement. Kathryn will begin her retirement today. CANARIE’s Board has appointed Mark Wolff, CANARIE’s Chief Technology Officer, to serve as Interim President and CEO until a successor has been named.
During 13 years of dedicated service in senior executive roles and the last two as President and CEO, Kathryn played an instrumental role in CANARIE’s evolution into a critical pillar of Canada’s digital infrastructure, poised for continued success in its new mandate.
Kathryn joined CANARIE in 2010 as Director of Communications, quickly establishing a track record of innovation and collaboration in marketing, communications, community engagement, and international relations. In 2012, she was promoted to Vice President, External Relations, where she reshaped perceptions of CANARIE to a forward-thinking provider of impactful digital infrastructure tools and services. Among these was spearheading the development of the annual CANARIE Summit where, for over a decade, she introduced inspired attendees to the world’s leading researchers and innovators. Kathryn’s efforts to champion the role of digital research infrastructure in advancing Canada’s innovation capacity also strengthened partnerships within Canada’s National Research and Education Network, elevating the visibility and importance of CANARIE’s programs and services.
Appointed President and CEO in July 2023, Kathryn continued to build on her earlier successes, leading the organization to secure a fifth-year extension to its previous four-year mandate with the Government of Canada, and achieving the highest level of funding to date for a new five-year term. Under her collaborative leadership, CANARIE remained true to its core values while evolving its priorities in networking and cybersecurity. Kathryn’s tenure has exemplified the spirit of service to all those who call Canada home, as she dedicated her work to enabling innovation and scientific discoveries to build a brighter collective future.
“Kathryn’s unwavering dedication and leadership have ensured CANARIE remains strong, stable, and ready to embrace the opportunities of our next mandate,” said Dr. Larry Rosia, Chair of CANARIE’s Board of Directors. “We are immensely grateful for her many contributions to CANARIE over the past 15 years—particularly as President and CEO for the last two. While we will miss her presence, we support her decision to enjoy more time with her family and pursue new interests, and I look forward to seeing her thrive in her next chapter.”
“I am incredibly proud of what the CANARIE team has accomplished,” said Kathryn Anthonisen. “It has been an honour to lead such a passionate and committed team, and I look forward to watching CANARIE’s continued growth and impact. I will forever cherish the friendships I have built here, and our staff and partners’ collective drive toward building a more secure and innovative Canada.”
Upon Kathryn’s retirement announcement in January, the Board of Directors initiated an external selection process to identify CANARIE’s next President and CEO. The incoming leader will reflect CANARIE’s core values, continue the organization’s evolution, and work closely with the community to advance key priorities in networking and cybersecurity. Applications are now being accepted and potential applicants are invited to contact Susan Lewis from Business Sherpa Group at slewis@businesssherpagroup.com for more information.
For more information, please contact:
Lesley McElroy
Director, Communications
CANARIE
lesley.mcelroy@canarie.ca