2022 Strategic Program Speakers

As Chief Sustainability Officer, Martha plays a key role in stewarding Suncor's many external relationships and strategic collaborations in support of the company's ongoing economic, environmental and social performance leadership. Martha oversees Suncor’s sustainability strategy, public policy and government relations efforts, and internal and external communications. She is responsible for the continued deepening of the company’s Indigenous, stakeholder, and community relations, as well as being accountable for Suncor’s social innovation agenda, including through her involvement on the Board of the Suncor Energy Foundation.

Prior to joining Suncor, Martha was the President and CEO of the Canada West Foundation, one of Canada’s most important public policy think tanks, where her focus was strong public policy recommendations for the economic and social prosperity of western Canada, and by extension Canada as a whole. She has written dozens of essays, articles and op eds for national publications in both official languages and has frequently appeared as a thought leader in national print and broadcast media. 

She has over 30 years of experience as a corporate lawyer, international trade expert, senior executive and successful entrepreneur, supporting major multinationals as well as start-ups – primarily in wireless telecommunications and mobile payments, in Canada and in Europe.

As a twice-elected Member of Parliament, she served in the Official Opposition shadow cabinet for International Trade; Finance; Transport, Infrastructure and Communities; and Public Works and Government Services, and she served on the House of Commons Standing Committees for all of those portfolios. She is currently a member of the Minister of International Trade’s Trade Expert Advisory Council.

Martha’s community engagement has included serving as an advisory council member, board director and executive for a variety of policy, environmental, community and cultural organizations including the Energy Futures Lab, Positive Energy (University of Ottawa), Protein Industries Canada, the Glenbow Museum, the Georgian Bay Association and CKUA Radio Network. She is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and a member of the advisory board for MaRS.

She was Canadian Championships silver medalist in alpine skiing (1976), coached several young skiers who went on to compete in the Olympics, and served six years of the Board of Alpine Canada, her last two as Chair.

Martha has a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from the University of Toronto and an LLB from Osgoode Hall Law School. She also holds the Institute of Corporate Directors ICD.D designation.