Mark Fisher's (BSc '96) time at Brock University brought with it a depth of knowledge that has served him well as he developed his career in water conservancy.
Canada Water Agency President and Brock graduate Mark Fisher (BSc '96) took in his class photo during a recent visit to campus.
The President of Canada Water Agency, and proud Brock graduate, reflected on how the University helped to shape his path while visiting campus last month to share insight into his work and learn about Brock's ongoing sustainability efforts.
From a young age, Fisher found himself drawn to the natural world.
"I've always felt a visceral connection to the outdoors," he said. "I'm more at ease and alive when I'm in outdoor spaces."
But the path from passion to profession wasn't always clear.
Looking back, Fisher said he "never thought in a million years that my career trajectory would have gone the way it has."
And it all began in Brock's Earth Sciences program.
Fisher's Brock studies taught him to "think in the broadest sense possible," he said, pointing to the interdisciplinary approach and lab-based learning that grounded his early training.
The experience helped shape how he approaches complex problems key to his work in freshwater policy.
"It's really about bringing together diverse perspectives and interests to understand different aspects of a problem," he said. "Addressing the challenges of population growth, climate change and competing pressures on water quality and availability requires co-ordination across governments, sectors and disciplines."
The foundation he built at Brock parlayed into a career spanning federal government, international policy and the non-profit sector, culminating in his current role at Canada Water Agency a federal agency dedicated to keeping the country's water safe, clean and well-managed for future generations.
Fisher's appointment as President came in March 2025, following more than a decade as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Council of the Great Lakes Region, where he oversaw both Canadian and U.S. operations.
"All of that experience has been foundational to the work that I'm doing now," he said.
Central to that work is dispelling a myth around the abundance of freshwater in Canada.
While the country is often associated with vast freshwater resources, "only seven per cent of that is considered renewable and reusable," Fisher said, and much of it is not located where the demand is highest.
"A more challenging water future is unfolding in Canada and around the world that will impact the health of life-sustain freshwater ecosystems and our long-term well-being and prosperity if unaddressed," added Fisher. "I'm honoured to be leading the new Canada Water Agency at this important time to ensure fresh water in Canada is safe, clean and well-managed, today and for future generations."
Fisher brought his expertise back to campus on March 10, when he met with faculty in the Environmental Sustainability Research Centre as well as University leadership. He also toured the Brock-Niagara Validation, Prototyping and Manufacturing Institute and spoke to a graduate seminar class about his work and career path.
The full-circle moment was a rewarding experience for Fisher, who was proud to return to his alma mater and connect with students and faculty on such a critical topic.
"Multidisciplinary research and providing experiential learning opportunities have been strengths of Brock University since its founding, and it was great to see that the school has retained this philosophy to science and educational excellence as the school grows," said Fisher. "In a world full of complex issues, you need people entering the workforce who have the subject matter expertise, but also a problem-solving mindset that is driven by collaboration."
