CGI adds new board directors Stephen Poloz and Mary Powell
Management and technology consultancy CGI has welcomed Stephen Poloz, the former Governor of the Bank of Canada, and Mary Powell, an American energy sector executive, as the newest members of its board of directors.
Poloz brings nearly 40 years of experience in economic policy, forecasting, and financial markets. He recently finished his seven-year term as Governor of the Bank of Canada. Before that, he spent 14 years at Canada’s export credit agency Export Development Canada, serving as its CEO between 2010 and 2013.
Before joining EDC in 1999, he spent five years as managing editor at BCA Research, a Montreal-based provider of global investment research and strategy. Poloz spent the first fourteen years of his career at the Bank of Canada, serving as chief of the research department by the end of his initial stint at the central bank.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Queen’s University and a master’s degree and PhD in economics from the University of Western Ontario.
Mary Powell spent the last 11 years as the president and CEO of Green Mountain Power, a utility company in Vermont. During her time leading the company – which serves 265,000 customers – she drove an ambitious transformation program to provide low carbon, low cost electricity.
Before joining GMP more than 20 years ago, Powell founded and ran a human resources consulting firm, advising banks and prominent Vermont firms such as Bruegger’s and April Cornell. Before that, she worked in the HR function at Key Bank, and was a human resources director at Vermont’s Department of Personnel.
"We are pleased to welcome our new members to the Board. Mary and Stephen will provide valuable perspective and insights as we continue to expand our business globally for the benefit of our clients, consultants and shareholders," said founder and executive chairman Serge Godin.
"Stephen Poloz's deep knowledge of financial markets, the global economy and international trade will be an invaluable asset to CGI as we continue to help worldwide organizations grow their businesses. Mary Powell's utilities expertise will significantly benefit our presence in that space, and she also has a strong commitment to social responsibility that is very much aligned with CGI's objectives."
Sophie Brochu will leave CGI’s board after serving for one year as a director. Brochu was formerly the CEO of Quebec-based energy firm Énergir, which is the parent company of GMP. She was appointed president and CEO of Hydro-Quebec in April, also joining the prominent energy company’s board of directors.
