Bow Valley College is pleased to announce that the Government of Alberta has appointed John Kousinioris Chair of the Board of Governors. Most recently serving as vice chair of the board, Mr. Kousinioris joined as a public board member in December 2019.
Mr. Kousinioris has been instrumental in creating Bow Valley College's new strategic plan, Launch | Advance | Evolve, which positions the college as a catalyst for change by equipping students with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in their careers. The college strategically aligns its goals, applied research, and technology with local and global economic and social needs.
"John Kousinioris is a highly respected leader with a wealth of experience in stewardship, delivering on strategic priorities, and navigating change. He has a keen understanding of how Bow Valley College graduates can contribute to the evolving world of work. As a significant asset to the Board of Governors, we look forward to continuing our journey with Mr. Kousinioris as Chair." - Dr. Misheck Mwaba, President and CEO, Bow Valley College.
A successful executive, Mr. Kousinioris is President, Chief Executive Officer, and Corporate Director of TransAlta Corporation. He previously held leadership roles at TransAlta as Chief Operating Officer, Chief Legal and Compliance Officer, and Chief Growth Officer. Before joining TransAlta, John was a partner and co-head of the corporate commercial department at Bennett Jones LLP. He has extensive experience in securities law, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate governance.
"Bow Valley College is known for thinking beyond traditional boundaries, developing innovative academic programs and reimagining workforce development training through competency-based education and micro-credentials. It is an honour to serve as Chair of the Board of Governors with an ambitious new strategic plan that sets the college on a path of offering high-quality, future-oriented education." - John Kousinioris, Chair, Bow Valley College Board of Governors.
A strong advocate of empowering women to innovate and lead, Mr. Kousinioris is a board member of Axis Connects, an organization dedicated to advancing gender diversity in the business community, where he also serves on the selection committee for the Calgary Women in Business Awards. Additionally, he recently announced the creation of the TransAlta Women Pivoting in Tech bursaries, awarding 25 Bow Valley College $10,000 each over the next five years.
He also gives back to the community by serving as a director on the Board of the Calgary Stampede Foundation, a member of the Business Council of Canada, the Business Council of Alberta, and the Net Zero Council of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Kousinioris succeeds Shannon Bowen-Smed, who has served as Chair since July 2021. Ms. Bowen-Smed is delighted to continue as a public member of the Board of Governors, creating a solid continuity of governance for the college.
Two new public members have also been appointed to the Bow Valley College Board of Governors. Ron Wallace has an extensive environmental science, mediation, and regulatory background. Mr. Wallace has held several senior executive management positions and is widely published in scientific journals and textbooks. Kara Claypool is Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Operations Officer for Travel Alberta. Ms. Claypool's previous executive experience includes Vintage Group, Jugo Juice, and Big Rock Brewery.
