J. Ian Giffen

J. Ian Giffen serves as a Corporate Director and as an Advisor to global technology companies and investment funds. Ian is currently Chairman of Kinaxis Inc. (KSX.TSX), the leading global provider of cloud-based, software-as-a-service solutions for supply chain planning, and Lead Director of D2L Inc., ( DTOL.TSX) a global developer of cloud-based software used by schools, higher education, and businesses for online and blended classroom learning. He is also a Director of the CSA Group, a global standards organization dedicated to safety, social good and sustainability. Ian has previously served on the boards of more than 25 public and private companies. With extensive governance and audit committee chair experience, he is known for his business acumen and principle-based leadership, broad financial perspective and unyielding commitment to balancing stakeholder interests. A Chartered Accountant with a Designation in Corporate Finance, he is recognized as a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, where he began his career with KPMG. In addition to his appointment to the Board of Governors of the Stratford Festival, Ian serves on the board of the Canadian Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and has served with a number of charitable organizations including the Toronto Daily Bread Food Bank, the Out of the Cold Program and the University of Toronto's Transitions Year Program. A proud recipient of the University's Arbor Award for volunteer service, Ian believes in supporting organizations that enable people to overcome disadvantages to achieve independence, financial stability and strong mental health. For him, the arts play a critical role in inspiring creative endeavour and in sustaining a healthy and productive society. Ian joined the Festival's Board of Governors in March 2020 and will chair the Finance and Audit Committee in 2022. He has chaired the Nominating Committee and also serves on the Governance committee.