ICD Names Rahul Bhardwaj President and CEO

TORONTO, March 24, 2016 /CNW/ - The Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD), Canada's national association for boards and directors, today announced the appointment of Rahul Bhardwaj, LL.B, ICD.D as President and Chief Executive Officer.

Mr. Bhardwaj is an accomplished executive and director with a long and successful track record in the business, community and not-for-profit sectors. Most recently, he has served since 2007 as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Toronto Foundation.

"We are very pleased Rahul Bhardwaj will be leading the next phase of ICD's growth and development," said ICD Board Chair Gail Cook-Bennett. "Rahul brings strong leadership qualities, excellent communication skills and experience from across the corporate and not-for-profit sectors, as well as a passion for excellence, that we believe will be a superb fit with ICD's mission."

Mr. Bhardwaj was selected following an extensive executive search process led by an Independent Board Committee. He will be introduced at the ICD's National Conference and Fellowship Awards Gala in Calgary on June 2, 2016, and will formally assume the CEO post on July 4, 2016.

"The ICD has established a unique position in Canada as the country's leading organization for directors and boards," Mr. Bhardwaj said. "I was attracted to this position because I believe that through better governance and better business leadership we can deliver better enterprises, better outcomes and ultimately a better Canada. I believe firmly in the ICD's mission and am proud to serve as its next CEO."

The Board wishes to thank outgoing Chief Executive Officer Stan Magidson for his six years of service to the ICD. "The ICD made important strides under Stan's leadership to build its membership and expand its signature ICD-Rotman Directors Education Program," said Ms. Cook-Bennett. "Stan also led ICD's efforts to become a strong voice for the director community in Canada and internationally, including by taking thoughtful positions on a number of important topics, including board diversity, board renewal and director-shareholder engagement." 

"I'm very proud of what we accomplished over the past six years and look forward to working with Rahul as we transition the leadership of this outstanding organization," said Mr. Magidson. Mr. Magidson will continue to serve as Chair of the Global Network of Director Institutes (GNDI) until June 2016.

About Rahul Bhardwaj

Mr. Bhardwaj began his career as a corporate lawyer at Meighen, Demers, Barristers & Solicitors, now part of Norton Rose Fulbright and subsequently served as a Vice-President for Toronto's 2008 Olympic Bid and President & CEO of the Toronto Foundation. He currently serves as a Director of Metrolinx, Rideau Hall Foundation and Community Foundations of Canada (Past Chair).

He has also previously served as Chair of the 2012 Ontario Games, Co-Chair of TO2015 IGNITE (Toronto 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games), a Director of George Brown College (Vice Chair), and Chair of the Toronto Downtown Jazz Festival, among others.

Mr. Bhardwaj holds a B.A. (Honours) from the University of Toronto, and a law degree from the University of Windsor. He has completed the Ivey Executive Program at the Richard Ivey School of Business at Western University and the Directors Education Program, jointly developed by the ICD and the Joseph L. Rotman School of Management.

SOURCE Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD)

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