Bridging Policy and Practice: Julie Gelfand - Kinross Chair in Environmental Governance
The University of Guelph is proud to announce that Julie Gelfand, one of Canada's most respected environmental leaders, has been appointed the 2025 Kinross Chair in Environmental Governance. With a career spanning over 35 years across government, corporate, and non-profit sectors, Gelfand brings a rare blend of experience, insight, and passion to campus.
Julie is exactly the kind of changemaker the Kinross Chair was designed to attract. She's not just a policy expert. She's a connector, a communicator, and a catalyst for real-world impact."
– Dr. Jess Haines, the College of Social and Applied Human Sciences' Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies.
A Chair with Purpose
Established in 2010 through a $1 million gift from the Kinross Gold Corporation, the Kinross Chair is more than an academic title—it's a platform for knowledge exchange. Housed in the College of Social and Applied Human Sciences, the Chair links the university's interdisciplinary Environmental Governance program with the lived realities of environmental policy and practice.
The Kinross Chair is a short-term residency of up to 12 months, designed to bring high-profile professionals into the heart of campus life. Past holders of the Chair have included environmental consultants, NGO executives, and public servants. Gelfand's appointment continues this tradition of excellence.
"Governance isn't just about government anymore," said Gelfand. "It's about communities, Indigenous Nations, businesses, and civil society all stepping up. I'm excited to explore how we can work together to build a more sustainable future."
"I am really excited to engage with the faculty and students in the area of environmental governance. My hope for the future rests with all professions and sectors of society working together to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and our impact on the natural world."
A Legacy of Leadership
Gelfand's resume reads like a roadmap of Canada's environmental progress. As Canada's former Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, she led 25 audits on issues ranging from climate change and toxic substances to fisheries and marine mammal protection. Each audit was presented to Parliament and the national media, often sparking public debate and policy change.
Prior to that, she held senior roles at Rio Tinto's Iron Ore Company of Canada, the Mining Association of Canada, and Nature Canada, where she spent 16 years as President. Her work helped shape landmark legislation, including the Species at Risk Act and the Oceans Act, and she co-founded influential coalitions such as the Green Budget Coalition and the Strathmere Group.
"I've always believed that good policy starts with good people, from all walks of life, talking to each other and not at each other," Gelfand said. "That's what I hope to do at Guelph: spark conversations that lead to action."
Beyond her professional accolades, Gelfand is also a tap dance and saxophone learner, and an outdoor enthusiast. She lives with a disability and is a strong advocate for inclusive engagement. She currently serves as Vice Chair of the Boards of WWF-Canada and Clear Seas for Responsible Marine Shipping and is a Distinguished Senior Fellow at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. She is also the Chair of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission's Departmental Audit Committee.
What to Expect Throughout Gelfand's Appointment
As the demand for environmental leadership and sustainable solutions accelerates, students need meaningful opportunities to connect classroom learning with the real-world challenges (and possibilities) shaping the sector. During her residency, Gelfand will aim to bring these connections to life through a fourth-year capstone course where students will interview professionals who are shaping, and have shaped, the landscape of environment and sustainability work.
Guests will span corporate, government, consulting, NGO, and philanthropic sectors, and will reflect a wide range of experiences, from recent graduates taking their first steps into the field to seasoned executives reflecting on decades of impact. By amplifying diverse voices and career journeys, this will offer students an engaging, applied learning experience while creating a valuable resource for the entire department and future cohorts.
"Julie's presence will be transformative," said Robin Roth, Chair of the Department of Geography, Environment and Geomatics. "She brings not just expertise, but also energy and a deep commitment to mentoring the next generation."
As the 2025 Kinross Chair, Julie Gelfand brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to collaboration, mentorship, and meaningful change. Her appointment signals the University of Guelph's continued dedication to bridging scholarship with practice, as well as empowering the next generation of environmental leaders to think boldly, act wisely, and govern justly.