Descartes (Nasdaq:DSGX) (TSX:DSG) is the global leader in providing on-demand, software-as-a-service solutions focused on improving the productivity, performance and security of logistics-intensive businesses. 

Software

Descartes Systems Group

As SVP, Legal and General Counsel, Peter Nguyen is the principal officer in charge of all Descartes legal matters. His role includes oversight of Descartes’ Legal Team in contracts with customers and suppliers, protection of intellectual property, management of disputes and advice on merger & acquisition activities. Also, as Corporate Secretary, Peter works closely with the Board of Directors on corporate governance and public company compliance.

Before joining Descartes in 2020, Peter was General Counsel to two high growth software companies and served as in-house counsel to several other technology companies. He has been recognized by the Legal 500 (GC Powerlist: Canada - 2020, 2019, 2016), Precedent magazine (Innovation Award - 2020), Canadian Lawyer (Top 25 Most Influential – 2019), the International Law Office/Association of Corporate Counsel (Global Counsel Awards – 2019, 2016), LEXPERT® (Zenith Award – Change Agent in Law – 2019), National Post/ZSA (Canadian General Counsel Awards (Finalist) – 2019, 2018) and the Financial Times (Innovative Lawyers North America Awards –  2018). He is a frequent speaker and contributor on legal technology, legal operations, and law practice in the in-house environment. Peter graduated from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law and was admitted to practice law in Ontario and New York.



Peter Nguyen

Mr. Walker joined Descartes’ Board of Directors in 2011. Mr. Walker is Chair of the Audit Committee and a member of the Corporate Governance Committee.

Mr. Walker is a Certified Public Accountant and a Chartered Global Management Accountant. Mr. Walker has 37 years overall financial and executive management experience including 21 years of experience as a Chief Financial Officer with both public and private companies. Mr. Walker served as Chief Financial Officer, and Senior Vice President of Bowne & Company, a New York Stock Exchange-listed provider of services to help companies produce and manage their shareholder, investor and marketing & business communications, from 2006 until its acquisition by R.R. Donnelley & Sons in 2010. Prior to Bowne & Company, from 1988 to 2006, Mr. Walker was an executive with Loews Cineplex Entertainment Corporation a motion picture theatre exhibition chain, including sixteen years as Chief Financial Officer. Prior thereto, Mr. Walker served for six years as Controller and Principal Accounting Officer of Corporate Property Investors, then one of the largest real estate investment trusts in the United States. Mr. Walker also served for six years as Treasurer and Assistant Corporate Controller of Princess Hotels International a company involved in the ownership and operation of luxury resort hotels, real estate and timesharing developments. Since October 2021, Mr. Walker has been a member of the board of Schultze Special Purpose Acquisition Corp. II (Nasdaq:SAMUA, SAMA, SAMAW) where he is the Chair of the Audit Committee and also serves on the Nominating and Compensation Committees. Mr. Walker started his career in the New York office of then-Price Waterhouse. Mr. Walker is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the New York State Society of CPAs.



John J. Walker

Mr. Maple joined Descartes’ Board of Directors in 2017. Mr. Maple is Chair of the Nominating Committee and a member of the Compensation Committee

Mr. Maple is currently President and CEO of Goddard Systems, Inc., which oversees the operation of more than 500 premium early childhood education schools across the United States. Between January 2014 and August 2019, Mr. Maple was the President of First Student, Inc., a subsidiary of United Kingdom based publicly-traded First Group plc. First Group plc is the leading transport operator in the United Kingdom and North America, providing solutions encompassing student bus transportation and public rail. Prior to serving as President of First Group, from 2006 to January 2014, Mr. Maple was President of Aramark Education where he had responsibility for more than 15,000 employees serving more than 4,500 U.S schools with food preparation, facilities management and related services. Prior to his role as President of Aramark Education, from 2003 to 2006, Mr. Maple held senior executive management positions at Aramark. Prior to serving in an executive role at Aramark, from 1994 to 2003, Mr. Maple served as an Area Vice President at Coors Brewing and in several other management roles. 

Prior to 1994, Mr. Maple held roles at Kraft-General Foods, PepsiCola and The Quaker Oats Company. Mr. Maple has a Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, Accounting from the University of Tennessee. Mr. Maple has served on numerous charitable and community-based boards and has been an active participant in organizations supporting primary and secondary schools and communities across North America.



Dennis Maple

Mr. Demirian has served as non-executive Chair of the Board of the Corporation since May 2014 and was previously Chair of the Corporation’s audit committee. Mr. Demirian first joined the Board of Directors of Descartes in 2011. Mr. Demirian is also a member of Descartes’ Audit Committee and Corporate Governance Committee.

Mr. Demirian is a Chartered Professional Accountant, Certified General Accountant and a Chartered Accountant. Since 2003, Mr. Demirian has served as president of Parklea Capital, Inc., a boutique financial and strategy advisory firm providing services to small- and mid-market public and private companies, and President of Demicap Inc., a private investment firm. Prior to Mr. Demirian’s position at Parklea, he held the position of Executive Vice President of Group Telecom, Inc. from 2000 to 2003. From 1983 to 2000, Mr. Demirian was with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP where he was a partner and head of the Information and Communications Practice. Mr. Demirian serves on the boards of Enghouse Systems Ltd. (TSX:ENGH) and Imax Corporation (NYSE:IMAX). Mr. Demirian holds a Bachelor of Business Management degree from Ryerson University.

Eric Demirian

As SVP, Human Resources, Maija Michell is responsible for Human Resources operations for Descartes globally.

Prior to joining Descartes in 2017, she has led international HR departments in her career spanning 20+ years for technology organizations such as Psion PLC, Motorola Solutions and Unitron Hearing. Maija holds a BA in Psychology and Communications from Brock University, a Diploma in HR Management from Humber College, as well as the CHRL designation.

Maija Michell

Ms. Hanington joined Descartes’ Board of Directors in 2022.

Ms. Hanington most recently served as the President & Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Canadian Mint, a $1.4 billion global manufacturing and marketing business. Prior to that, Ms. Hanington served in a number of progressively senior roles in the financial services industry in Canada and the U.S., culminating as Executive Vice-President and member of the Management Committee of BMO Financial Group. Ms. Hanington currently serves as a director for Extendicare Inc. (TSX:EXE), which provides care to seniors across Canada in long-term care homes, retirement homes or through quality home care; as a director of Aimia Inc. (TSX:AIM), an investment holding company; and is a member of the Governing Council of the University of Toronto. Ms. Hanington previously served on the boards of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and Symcor, Inc.



Sandra Hanington

Ms. Close joined Descartes’ Board of Directors in 2015. Ms. Close is Chair of the Compensation Committee and a member of the Nominating Committee.

Ms. Close held the position of President of the Production Services division of Tervita Corporation from 2010 until 2016. Tervita Production Services (now High Artic Energy Services Inc., TSX:HWO) delivers engineering and field-based services to the oil and gas industry. From 2002 to 2010, Ms. Close was the Executive Vice President of DO2 Technologies (now Transzap, Inc.), a software company providing electronic invoicing to the oil and gas industry. During Ms. Close’s tenure, DO2 grew from a start-up to the leading provider of e-invoicing to oil and gas companies and their suppliers. Prior to DO2, Ms. Close served in a number of Regional Vice President roles in Halliburton Corporation’s software division, Landmark Graphics. She held executive roles in several of Landmark’s largest regions, including VP of Strategic Accounts, Regional VP of North America and Regional VP of Europe and the Former Soviet Union. During Ms. Close’s 12 years at Halliburton, she worked in Canada, the U.S and Europe. Ms. Close also currently serves on the board of directors of a private oil and gas company. Ms. Close holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Calgary and the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors and Rotman School of Management.



Deborah Close

Ms. Irwin currently serves as the Chief Information Officer of the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) for the Province of Ontario. Prior to her role with the ESA, Ms. Irwin has led several global technology teams, holding executive information technology roles at Sun Life Financial, TD Bank, Economical Insurance and Sonnet Insurance. Ms. Irwin is a cyber advocate and is active in public forums on cyber security. Ms. Irwin currently serves as a director on the board of Pro-Demnity, a professional liability insurer to architectural practices in the Province of Ontario.



Kelley Irwin

Jane O’Hagan

Chris Muntwyler

Edward J. Ryan

J. Scott Pagan

Allan Brett

Raimond Diederik is currently the EVP of Information Services at [Descartes Systems Group](/org/descartes-systems-group). 

Prior to their current position, Mr. Diederik served as the Director of Technology at Descartes Systems Europe BV from June 1998 to January 2003. 

Before that, they were the Manager of Engineering Services at Encompass Europe from July 1993 to June 1998. 

Mr. Diederik began their professional career as a Reserve Officer at the Royal Netherlands Naval College from March 1990 to June 1991. Raimond then worked as a Consultant for R&D at P&O Nedlloyd from July 1991 to July 1993. 

Raimond returned to P&O Nedlloyd in January 1989 and held the position of Consultant for R&D until March 1990.

Raimond Diederik studied computer science at [Delft University of Technology](/org/delft-university-of-technology), where they earned their MSC.

Raimond Diederik reports to Edward J. Ryan, CEO. Some of their coworkers include Ed Gardner - EVP, Corporate Development, Chris Jones - EVP, Marketing & Services, and J. Scott Pagan - President & COO.

Descartes Systems Group

Org chart

Teams

CEO and Executive Team

Leadership Team

Board of Directors

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