---

 

 

 

Dawn Farrell

Accomplished business and community leader Dawn Farrell will become Mount Royal University’s first chancellor following unanimous approval by the board of governors.

Farrell was the president and chief executive officer of TransAlta Corporation from January 2012 until her retirement in March 2021. With 35 years in the electricity industry, she has held senior management positions at TransAlta and BC Hydro and sits on the board of directors of The Chemours Company and the Business Council of Canada.

Her community service includes contributing to United Way Calgary and Area and the Calgary Stampede, as well as being a member of the Trilateral Commission. Farrell served on Mount Royal’s board of governors and the Foundation’s board of directors.

For more information on Farrell, watch the video and learn about her perspectives in the remarks she delivered upon receiving an honorary doctor of laws in 2019.

 

Biography

Dawn L. Farrell retired as CEO and president of TransAlta Corp. March 31, 2021. TransAlta is one of the largest investor-owned generation and energy marketing companies in Canada with operations in Canada, the U.S. and Australia. As CEO of TransAlta for over nine years, Farrell led the transformation of the company to competitive power focused on low-cost, clean and reliable solutions for large commercial and industrial customers.

Farrell has over 35 years' experience in the electricity business and held a variety of positions in TransAlta and BC Hydro. She is currently the chair of the board for The Chemours Company and a member of the board of Canadian Natural Resources and Portland General Electric. She has held past board positions including the Business Council of Canada, Alberta Business Council, Calgary Stampede, Conference Board of Canada, Mount Royal College/University Board of Governors and Foundation Board of Directors, Fording Coal Income Fund, New Relationship Trust, and Vision QuestWindelectricc. Farrell has contributed to electricity and environmental policy development in Alberta, British Columbia, and federally in Canada.

Farrell is currently the chancellor for Mount Royal University and as of August 2022 she was appointed to the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of Trans Mountain Corporation.  She continues to serve as a member of the Trilateral Commission, a non-governmental, policy-oriented international forum, as well as community champion for Momentum. Farrell is the 2022 Calgary Influential Women in Business Award Lifetime Achievement recipient. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a master’s in economics from the University of Calgary and attended the advanced management program at Harvard Business School. In 2019, she received an honorary doctorate of laws from Mount Royal University.

As a large company CEO with a decade of experience, Farrell has led multiple complex mergers and acquisitions transactions, including floating TransAltaRenewabless, completing a company-wide complex cultural transformation, critically evaluating and negotiating a complex off-coal transaction with government, building a significant business presence in Australia, and executing private and public financial transactions to advance TransAlta’s strategic shift away from coal-fired generation. 

As a community leader, Farrell is known for her deep policy work in electricity, the environment and ESGG. She is a co-founder of the Alberta Business Council, has worked with the Canadian government on a roadmap for advancing renewable wind technology, and was a member of the Canada-U.S. Council for the Advancement of Women Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders. She also has extensive experience in negotiating agreements with First Nations in British Columbia.
 

 

Back to top

 

---

 

 

Role

The Chancellor is the ceremonial head of Mount Royal University and represents the public interest in the University.

As an external-facing proponent of Mount Royal, the Chancellor actively participates in University and community activities. The Chancellor represents the University in formal occasions, such as presiding over Convocation and granting degrees to all graduating students. The Chancellor also serves as an advisor and support to the President and as an ex-officio member of Mount Royal’s Board of Governors.

The Chancellor is distinguished in their field as measured by service, contributions, reputation and record of excellence. The person is keenly interested in higher education and the connection between universities and communities. The person has a strong connection to Calgary and Alberta and will promote Mount Royal University’s mission, vision and values to all.

The Chancellor has knowledge and experience with ceremonies and protocols, including feeling a high level of ease with public speaking and is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

The role is for a four-year term and by provincial legislation the Chancellor can only serve one term.

This is a non-remunerated volunteer position, with travel expenses reimbursed.

 

Back to top

 

---

 

 

Search Committee

As outlined in the Post-secondary Learning Act, the Chancellor is elected by the Board of Governors as nominated by the Chancellor Search Committee.

The members were:

Tim Rahilly, President and Vice-Chancellor; Chancellor Search Committee Chair
Jenn Magnuss, Board of Governors
Sue Riddelll Rose, Board of Governors
Michèlee Stannerss, Board of Governors
Peter Choatee, General Faculties Council
Makii Motapanyanee, General Faculties Council
Elaine Mullen, General Faculties Council
Jennifer Aubinn, Alumni Association
Carolina SerranoAndress, Alumni Association
Mark Solliss, Alumni Association
Shaylaa Breenn, Students’ Association
Kainatt Javedd, Students’ Association
Jane O’Connor, University Secretary (non-voting)
Kathy Homer, Recording Secretary

 

Back to top

 

---

 

 

Contact

Dawn Farrell
chancellor@mtroyal.ca
403.440.8752

Mandy Slater
Executive Assistant
chancellor@mtroyal.ca

403.440.6532

 

Back to top