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MaRS

MaRS CEO Alison Nankivell Moves to EDC Leadership

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Alison Nankivell is leaving her post as CEO of Toronto’s MaRS Discovery District to become President and CEO of Export Development Canada (EDC). Announced by Minister Mary Ng, Nankivell succeeds Mairead Lavery at the Crown corporation focused on supporting Canadian export businesses.

Nankivell’s tenure at MaRS, which began in March, included a significant restructuring effort, with staff cuts aimed at reducing public funding reliance. Previously, she held leadership roles at BDC Capital and EDC, emphasizing venture investments and global scaling.

MaRS now faces leadership uncertainty amid ongoing financial challenges.

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Toronto’s MaRS Accelerator Reduces Workforce by 30% Under New Leadership

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MaRS, Toronto’s prominent tech hub, laid off 19 staff this week as CEO Alison Nankivell continues to overhaul the organization’s strategy. The cuts, affecting mid-level and junior employees in legal, IT, and communications, are intended to streamline operations across MaRS’s divisions—real estate, venture capital, and charity.

Nankivell, who took the helm in March, has reduced the workforce by 30%, from 140 to 101 employees. This is the second round of layoffs as part of her plan to ensure long-term sustainability, reduce reliance on government funding, and cut spending. The reorganization aims to position MaRS for future success.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on The Logic.

    Emerging Tech Roles Spur Trend of Workforce Upskilling in Canada

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    Shifting sands are impacting the trajectory of Human Resources priorities. Canadian entrepreneur Caitlin MacGregor recently posited that “there’s a realization we need to invest more in employees,” citing “we’ve seen “an increase in the number of people who … use our data in talent management so that they’re better able to support employee development.”

    Jobs poised to emerge over the next decade “don’t exist in the market right now,” explains the CEO of Plum. “Companies are going to have to up-skill those roles. Do you want to up-skill complete strangers, or do you want to up-skill the people you already have?”

    Want to know more? Check out the source code on TechTalent.ca.