Foundation Staff

Allan Northcott

President

Prior to joining Max Bell Foundation in 1998, Allan was a member of the academic staff at the University of Illinois and the University of Calgary, and was a member of the research staff at Canada West Foundation. He has served as an advisor and on the boards of a number of non-profit organizations. He has served as a member of the boards of directors of both Imagine Canada and Philanthropic Foundations Canada.

Margaret Herriman

Program Officer

Before joining Max Bell Foundation in 2016, Margaret worked in communications, fund development, and program delivery at several of Calgary’s non-profits, including YMCA Calgary, the University of Calgary, and Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation. She earned a Bachelor of Journalism from the University of King’s College and a Master of Arts in history from the University of Calgary.

Sibelle El Labban

Program Officer

Prior to joining Max Bell Foundation in August 2021, Sibelle held several research-related roles in the academic sector focused on public health nutrition, food security, sustainable food consumption, and the water-energy-food-health nexus. As a researcher and strong advocate for healthy and sustainable food systems, she has considerable international experience with food and nutrition policy. Sibelle serves on the Advisory Council of Farm to Cafeteria Canada (F2CC) and volunteers at the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS).

Arlene McCarry

Grants Coordinator/Administrator

Prior to joining Max Bell Foundation in February 2020, Arlene worked with a grants management consulting organization. Her expertise includes grants and office management, human resources, supervision, and administration. She enjoys being a part of the non-profit sector and the opportunity to contribute to making a difference in people’s lives.

Foundation Directors

Ms. Brenda Eaton, Chair  (2006 – present) Victoria, BC Corporate Director Mr. Ken Marra, Vice-Chair  (2000 – present) Wellesley, Massachusetts Grandson of Max Bell
Dr. Paul Boothe (2016 – present) London, Ontario Managing Director, Trillium Network for Advanced Manufacturing Professor Christopher Manfredi (2015 – present) Montreal, Quebec Provost, McGill University
Ms. Margaret-Jean Mannix (2019 – present) Calgary, Alberta Chairman, Loram 99 Corporation Ms. Donna Miller (2019 – present) Winnipeg, Manitoba
Mr. Doug Moen (2018 – present) Regina, Saskatchewan Director, Executive Education, Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy

Member Emeritus

Ms. Diane D. Marra (1982 – 2002) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Daughter of Max Bell), fondly remembered

Former Directors

Mr. Robert J. Ritchie (1997 – 1999) Calgary, Alberta (President and CEO of CP Rail) Mr. W. J. Bushnell  (1976) Toronto, Ontario
Rt. Hon. Roland D. Michener  (1976 – 1986) Ottawa, Ontario (Former Governor-General of Canada) Dr. David L. Johnston  (1986 – 1994) Montreal, Quebec (Appointed by McGill University)
Dr. Charles E. Michener  (1986 – 1996) Toronto, Ontario (Brother-in-Law of Max Bell) Mr. David Kerr  (1994 – 1997) Toronto, Ontario (Appointed by McGill University)
Dr. Michael Walker (1996 – 2003) Vancouver, British Columbia (founding Executive Director, Fraser Institute) Mr. Ronald N. Mannix  (1985 – 2005) Calgary, Alberta (Family friend)
Mr. Allan Taylor (1996 – 2005) Toronto, Ontario (Former Chairman & CEO, Royal Bank) Mr. Larry Bell  (2004 – 2006) Vancouver, BC (Chair, BC Hydro)
Dr. Bernard Shapiro  (1999 – 2003) Montreal, Quebec (Principal, McGill University) Dr. Heather Munroe-Blum  (2003 – 2007) Montreal, Quebec (Principal, McGill University)
Mr. Tom d’Aquino (2005 – 2010) Toronto, Ontario (President, Canadian Council of Chief Executives) Dr. Morton Mendelson (2008 – 2010) Montreal, Quebec (Deputy Provost (Student Life & Learning), McGill University)
Professor Tony Masi (2009 – 2015) Montreal, Quebec Provost, McGill University  Mr. Michael Wilson (2010 – 2015) Toronto, Ontario Canadian diplomat, politician and business leader
Ms. Carol Hill  (1996 – 2017) Regina, Saskatchewan McCallum Hill Companies Ms. Carolyn Hursh (1998 – 2019) Calgary, Alberta Chair, James Richardson & Sons, Limited
Mr. Jim Gray (2005 – 2019) Calgary, Alberta Community Leader

First Directors

Dr. John J. Deutsch  (1972 – 1976) Kingston, Ontario (Long-time friend of Max Bell) Mr. George R. Gardiner  (1972 – 1996) Toronto, Ontario (Business partner of Max Bell)
Mr. Richard S. Malone  (1972 – 1985) Toronto, Ontario (Business associate of Max Bell) Hon. James Richardson  (1972 – 1997) Winnipeg, Manitoba (Friend of Max Bell)
Mr. George N.M. Currie (1972 – 1985) Montreal, Quebec (Appointed by McGill University)

Chairs of the Board

  • Mr. George R. GardinerPresident (1974 – 1989)
  • Hon. James RichardsonChairman (1989 – 1996)
  • Mr. Ronald N. MannixChairman (1996 – 2004)
  • Ms. Carolyn HurshChair (2004 – 2019)
  • Ms. Brenda EatonChair (2019 – present)

Foundation Presidents

  • Mr. George R. GardinerPresident (1974 – 1989)
  • Mr. Donald S. RickerdPresident (1989 – 1997)
  • Dr. David K. EltonPresident (1997 – 2016)
  • Mr. Allan NorthcottPresident (2017 – present)