BOARD DIRECTORS – CANADIAN MOUNTAIN NETWORK

 

ABOUT CANADIAN MOUNTAIN NETWORK

The Canadian Mountain Network (CMN) began as the country’s first formal research organization dedicated to advancing our understanding of mountain systems through the braiding of Indigenous and Western ways of knowing. CMN is focused on building partnerships between Indigenous organizations and communities, universities, governments, businesses, and the not-for-profit sector, who are all committed to working together to advance knowledge that is inclusive. This work has developed a forward-thinking, ethical, and equitable way of conducting natural science that respects Indigenous Peoples leading to better scientific and community outcomes. Braiding knowledges advances the opportunity for co-existence and co-production of stronger science that leads to more equitable, relevant, and effective public policy and decision-making.

CMN is a national not-for-profit organization, established in January 2019 thanks to generous support from Canada’s research granting agencies through a five-year, $18.3 million grant from the Networks of Centres of Excellence program. Combined with contributions from diverse partner organizations, this funding represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to position Canada as a global leader in research at a time when our ecosystems are undergoing rapid and uncertain change. CMN has invested in research and partnerships from coast to coast to coast that combine natural, health, and social sciences with humanities and place-based knowledge to address knowledge gaps including Indigenous protected and conserved areas, stewardship of critical species (e.g., salmon, bison, caribou), environmental monitoring, reassertion of Indigenous place names, translation of Indigenous law into natural science management practice, and community-based monitoring of climate and health.

CMN is also more than just a research network, it is a training network focused on relationships and trust, and application of knowledge to local, regional, national, and international priorities. CMN contributes to reconciliation through research and demonstrates that braiding of knowledges results in research that is relevant, respectful and generates tangible outcomes that can assist communities in growing and moving forward.

To learn more about CMN, please visit: www.canadianmountainnetwork.ca

THE ROLE

The Canadian Mountain Network is seeking new Directors to join their Board to provide governance oversight to CMN supporting the Executive Director, two Co-Research Directors, as well as managing and supervising the activities and affairs of the corporation. Members of CMN’s Board are ambassadors for CMN and must have a passion and commitment to CMN’s mission, vision and goals, and strategic direction. As CMN continues to grow and expand our impact from mountains to beyond, we are looking for exceptional leaders to join our Board.

The Board of Directors is currently composed of 13 members from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences, from community and government leaders, Indigenous organizations, public service, not-for-profit, post-secondary, and business leaders and founders.

CMN’s Board of Directors is responsible for the overall governance of the Network. Committees of the Board include the Governance Committee; Finance, Audit and Risk Committee; Research Management Committee; and Indigenous Circle of Advisors.

Learn more about CMN’s organizational structure at: https://www.canadianmountainnetwork.ca/about/organizational-structure

As a result of this recruitment process, CMN anticipates appointment of five or six new Directors to the Board. All new board directors are expected to commit for a 2-year term (to March 2024).

KEY PRINCIPALS AND VALUES

The Board of Director recruitment process will be guided by the following principles and values, as per CMN’s current Strategic Plan, relevant organizational performance measures, the requirements of the NCE Program, and recruitment best practices:

Equity, diversity, inclusion and justice – Appointees have a range of perspectives, backgrounds, abilities and lived experiences. This includes an effort to appoint individuals from a diversity of world-views, including Indigenous world-views. The objective is not just representation, but the pursuit of justice through the genuine engagement and leadership of diverse Directors and Committee Members.

Gender balance and inclusivity – Inclusivity of men, women, and non-binary individuals.

Geographic representation – Appointees from across Canada, with a particular emphasis on regions currently underrepresented on our Board.

Skills and experience – Appointees with a broad range of skills, experience and knowledge that will broaden and deepen the expertise and capacity of the Board of Directors. This focus on skills, lived experience, and knowledge will include Indigenous and Western ways of knowing, doing and being.

THE CANDIDATES

The following skills, experience and competencies are of interest:

• Knowledge of, or experience working with, Indigenous knowledge holders, Elders, youth, or Indigenous organizations.
• Awareness of and sensitivity to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Canada’s commitments to Reconciliation.
• Experience working in environmental science and knowledge arenas.
• Experience with grant funding, strategic partnerships and community engagement.
• Experience in a senior financial role, strong financial acumen, able to demonstrate knowledge or experience with accounting or financial management. A Canadian accounting designation is preferred.
• Legal expertise with contracts, environmental issues, labour/employment and/or Indigenous issues.
• Understanding and experience navigating the Canadian political, bureaucratic and governmental landscapes.
• Organizational, strategic planning and risk management experience.
• Human Resource experience and leadership including employee review and HR policy development and strong board/governance knowledge/ Preference will be given to those with understanding of Indigenous approaches to governance.
• Fluency in both English and French is considered an asset.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

Acts with Honour and Character: As a person of high character, you are consistent and act in line with clear and visible set of values and beliefs. You are open to growth, committed to collaboration and rooted in the principle of mutuality with one another and the land.

Ethical: In everything you do, you demonstrate high ethical standards and a steadfast moral compass.

Action-Oriented: You are conscious and concerned about interdisciplinary issues related to mountain systems, climate change, conservation, and reconciliation and are committed to braiding Indigenous and Western ways of knowing, doing and being.

 

We understand and appreciate our clients’ ever-increasing desire for candidates to reflect the communities in which they work and live. CMN and The Vogel Group are committed to equity, diversity, inclusion and justice as we search for outstanding leadership talent.

We encourage candidates of all ethnicities, cultural backgrounds, physical challenges, sexual orientations, and identifications to feel confident in exploring and declaring candidacy.

  

For more information or to apply, please contact:

Rick Vogel, ICD.D

Founding Principal

780.665.4965 ext. 101

rick@thevogelgroup.ca

Please submit your application by 4:00pm MT on Friday, February 11, 2022.

The Vogel Group is a leadership search firm conducting national searches for a wide range of clients. We work with like-minded organizations that value a partnership based on integrity, authenticity, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.