Vancouver, BC - The Terry Fox Research Institute (TFRI) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Iain MacKay, a retired Vancouver chartered accountant, to its Board of Directors commencing May 1.
"Iain has an impeccable track record and an accomplished history of service to community throughout his long and impressive career. We are extremely pleased to have him join our Board. His financial leadership and business acumen, as well as his experience within the health care sector and cancer research specifically, will bring new strengths to our Institute and its operation," said Dr. Victor Ling, President and Chair of the Board of Directors for TFRI. "TFRI will benefit substantially from Iain's wisdom and experience. We are grateful he has chosen to spend some of his retirement in service to Terry Fox."
Mr. MacKay retired in 2010 as head of the Vancouver-based firm MacKay LLP Chartered Accountants, a practice he started in 1970 and which, at the time of his retirement, included 40 partners and over 200 staff. The firm has grown to include offices in Vancouver, Whitehorse, Yellowknife, Edmonton, Kelowna, Surrey and Calgary.
Born in the UK and educated in Scotland, Mr. MacKay immigrated to Canada in 1964. After graduating as a CA, he moved to the Yukon. During his 10 years there, he was an active member of the community, serving as president of the Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce, founding president of the Yukon Institute of Chartered Accountants, MLA in the Yukon Legislative Assembly and Leader of the Opposition.
Upon returning to Vancouver, he served in several capacities: finance chair of the BC Liberal Party, council member with the BC Institute of Chartered Accountants. He also served on the boards for St. George's School (including two years as chair), the BC Cancer Agency and the BC Cancer Foundation (including four years as chair).
"It is both a privilege and an honour to be joining this young, new Institute named for Terry Fox. I am looking forward to learning more about the research undertaken in Terry's name across this great nation. My focus will be to provide strategic financial and business leadership that will help to most make the difference for the Institute as it moves forward. Cancer research has always been near and dear to my heart and I am looking forward to spending time on this exceptionally worthy cause."
Mr. MacKay has been awarded the honorary designation of "FCA" by both the Yukon and BC Institutes of Chartered Accountants, the Queen's Jubilee Medal and the BC Community Service Award. He currently sits on the boards of two local charities.
Mr. MacKay enjoys sailing, golf and travel. He is married, has six children and five grandchildren.
In addition to Dr. Ling and Mr. MacKay, Dr. Christopher Paige, vice-president research, University Health Network, and Mr. Darrell Fox, Terry's younger brother, serve on the Institute's Board.