Gail Cook-Bennett , BAHons / 62

Gail Cook-Bennett assumed her role as chair in 2008 after having served 10 years as chair of the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board. Over the last 30 years she has served as a director of a number of major corporations; chaired audit, pension, investment and corporate governance committees; and been a member of executive, finance, management resources and compensation, and independent committees. Currently she is a member of, among others, the Advisory Committee on Financing, which provides advice to the federal Minister of Finance; a director of the Institute of Corporate Directors; the Chairman’s Forum, a group of non-executive chairs of corporate boards; the President’s Advisory Council and the leadership council of the School of Public Policy and Administration at Carleton; and the Campaign Advisory Board of Bridgepoint Health Foundation. She also acts as a mentor for Women on Board.

She has held academic positions at the University of Toronto and has served as executive vice-president of the C.D. Howe Institute in Montreal and vice-chair of management consultants Bennecon Ltd.

In 2008, she was made a member of the Order of Canada. She holds an honorary doctor of laws degree from both Carleton University and York University, and is a Fellow of the Institute of Corporate Directors.

She has a MA and PhD in economics from the University of Michigan.