Dr. Eliot A. Phillipson is the fourth president and CEO
of the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI). He succeeds
the CFI's current president, Dr. David Strangway, who announced
last August that he would be stepping down on March 31,
2004.
The announcement was made Feb. 16 by Dr. John Evans, chair
of the board of directors of CFI. “Dr. Phillipson
is eminently qualified to lead the CFI,” said Dr.
Evans. “His vast experience as a world-class researcher,
his integrity, and his expertise as a highly respected administrator
make him the ideal choice.”
The board made the appointment following an extensive search
and was assisted by an independent consulting firm. Dr.
Phillipson, who currently serves as chair of the Department
of Medicine at the University of Toronto, will begin his
new responsibilities at the CFI as of July 1, 2004. The
CFI’s senior vice-president, Carmen Charette, will
serve as acting president during the interim period.
As president and CEO, Dr. Phillipson will be responsible
for managing a $3.65 billion budget and will work to strengthen
the capacity of Canadian universities, colleges, research
hospitals, and other non-profit research organizations to
carry out world-class research and technology development.
“Dr. Phillipson is an outstanding researcher and leader
who is committed to shaping the future of science in Canada,”
said Dr. Alan Bernstein, president of the Canadian Institutes
of Health Research and a CFI Board Director. “His
appointment ensures that the CFI will continue to support
research in areas of strategic importance to Canada.”
The CFI’s chair also thanked Dr. Strangway for his
six years of service as president and CEO. “David
is widely recognized for his leadership, his commitment
to excellence, and his contributions to Canadian innovation,”
said Dr. Evans. “All of us who had the good fortune
to work with him are thankful for his role in helping transform
the research landscape in this country.”
The CFI is an independent corporation created in 1997 by
the Government of Canada to fund research infrastructure.
The CFI’s mandate is to strengthen the ability of
Canadian universities, colleges, research hospitals, and
other non-profit institutions to carry out world-class research
and technology development that will benefit Canadians.
For more on CFI and Dr. Phillipson, see www.innovation.ca/index.cfm.
