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 currently serves as a member of the boards of directors of both Imagine Canada and Philanthropic Foundations Canada.

David Elton, Ph.D.

Special Advisor

David Elton is a professor emeritus of the University of Lethbridge, where he was a faculty member for 27 years. From 1980 to 1997, he served as President of Canada West Foundation, a Calgary-based public policy think tank. From 1997-2016, he was President of Max Bell Foundation. He continues to serve on the Boards of a number of national research and public-policy oriented organizations.

Alida White

Administrator

Alida White is an Administrative Assistant with 20+ years of administrative experience. She is also a certified Land Administrator. Alida volunteers her time with Inn From The Cold and Opening Gaits. In her spare time she enjoys horseback riding, golfing in the summer, and curling in the winter. She joined Max Bell Foundation in the fall of 1999.

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.

Foundation Directors

Ms. Carolyn Hursh, Chair 
(1998 – present)
Calgary, Alberta
Chair, James Richardson & Sons, Limited		 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		 Mr. Jim Gray
(2005 – present)
Calgary, Alberta
Community Leader
Professor Christopher Manfredi
(2015 – present)
Provost, McGill University		 Ms. Brenda Eaton
(2006 – present)
Victoria, BC
Corporate Director
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

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 – 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)