Jim Balsillie is the retired Chairman and co-CEO of Research In Motion (BlackBerry), a technology company he scaled from an idea to $20 billion in sales globally. Mr. Balsillie’s private investment office includes positions in Canadian and global technology companies.

He is the co-founder of the Institute for New Economic Thinking in New York, the Council of Canadian Innovators based in Toronto, and the Digital Governance Council in Ottawa, as well as founder of the Centre for International Governance Innovation in Waterloo, the Centre for Digital Rights, the Balsillie School of International Affairs. He currently chairs the boards of CCI, CIGI, Innovation Asset Collective and Digital Governance Council. He is also a member of the Board of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and the Advisory Board of the Canada School of Public Service; and an Honorary Captain (Navy) of the Royal Canadian Navy.

Mr. Balsillie was the private sector representative on the UN Secretary General’s High Panel for Sustainability. During a trip to the Arctic he had the idea for a foundation that could bring Canadian infrastructure to search for the two lost Franklin expedition ships. Arctic Research Foundation was born and its vessels conducted 80 percent of the search for the HMS Erebus located in 2014, and, then in 2016 located the HMS Terror.

With over $35 million dollars to date in investments from Mr. Balsillie, ARF has expanded its mandate to catalyze and coordinate scientific, cultural and economic projects in the Arctic through partnerships with communities, governments, universities and other research organizations for the benefit of the long-term sustainability of the Arctic, its peoples and Canada.

Tim MacDonald is a businessperson and philanthropist.

After studying English and Political Science at Carleton University, Tim joined Ideal Supply in 1981, a Listowel, Ontario based wholesale distribution business owned by his family. He was appointed president in 1995, CEO in 2001, and retired from the Company in June 2021.

Under his leadership Ideal Supply grew to 31 locations, 525 employees and was recognized for 9 consecutive years as one of “Canada’s Best Managed Companies”.

Tim and his siblings sold Ideal Supply to Groupe Deschenes Inc in 2016.

Tim has served on and Chaired several Boards, including the Listowel Chamber of Commerce (President), the Electro-Federation Canada (Chair), the Stratford Festival, TigerTel Communications (Chair), the Young President’s Organization (Chair), the Stratford Perth Community Foundation (Chair), and currently the Atlantic Salmon Federation.

He has received an Honorary Doctor of Laws (2005), the Queens Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012), elected a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographic Society (2014), named a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow (2018), the Stratford Business Leader of the Year (2019), and has been appointed to the Order of Canada (2019).

In 2011 Tim and Jim Balsillie co-founded the Arctic Research Foundation which supported Parks Canada in their successful search for the lost Franklin Ships. Today ARF leads numerous projects in Canada’s north from 5 vessels enabling universities, government agencies, and northern communities to study and adapt to a changing world (ArcticFocus.org).

A lifelong supporter of local conservation projects, in 2019 Tim initiated the Middle Maitland Restoration Fund, managed by the Stratford Perth Community Foundation, to support the work of Maitland Conservation, in their work to restore the river, its banks and the streams that flow into it.

Tim has hiked in every province of Canada, fished rivers and lakes from Coast to Coast to Coast and spends any available time in the outdoors enjoying nature.

He and his wife Alexandra live in Stratford.

Tom is a former senior consultant and media pundit with expertise in running political war-rooms at every level of government, digital media, government relations, team-building and strategic development, as well as a human rights advocate, former journalist and entrepreneur.

Tom was formerly Director of News and Digital at VICE Canada and Executive Director of Canadian Journalists for Free Expression, an organization that’s been protecting the right to free expression in Canada and around the world for more than 30 years.

Originally from New Brunswick, Tom has consulted on and helped pass crucial legislation in Canada and internationally. This includes reforming Bill C-51, successfully lobbying for Canada’s first Press Shield Law, and seeing Ontario’s anti-SLAPP legislation through from conception to adoption.

As the Chief Scientist Tracy works to develop, support, and facilitate research opportunities for the Arctic Research Foundation. Tracy comes to this role with decades of professional and life experience. Among them, more than four decades as an applied field biologist, three decades of teaching at the university and college level, and two decades of living and working among Indigenous communities across Canada’s North. Tracy’s first arrival and experiences in the North in 1984 sparked her lifelong desire to learn as much as possible about the people, places, and environment.

Her experience spans all three territories (ᓄᓇᕗᑦ Nunavut, Northwest Territories, and Yukon), British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario; and internationally in Africa. She has extensive experience in multiple disciplines allowing her to collaborate on research projects in many different disciplines; including research development and implementation, teaching and curriculum development, data analysis and management, development and implementation of community-based monitoring, and community education programs. Tracy is a lifelong learner and hopes to bring her unique perspectives to expand the economic, social, and spiritual well-being of communities in the North.

As the science and logistics manager at Arctic Research Foundation Christine is constantly balancing ARF’s research teams and vessels while simultaneously staying current in the science field and managing cost-recovery initiatives. Working closely with ARF's co-CEOs, Christine is instrumental in setting ARF’s research goals alongside our partners each season.

Christine previously worked as a policy analyst alongside Manitoba’s Minister of Sustainable Development to evaluate current environmental legislation and policies. Christine also brings with her a wide range of research experience with several organizations, including the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the University of Manitoba. Her love for the Arctic, and research work, initially brought her to Arctic Research Foundation through use of the Martin Bergmann and her years of collecting data in the subarctic and Arctic. Christine also holds a Masters in Science (MSc) from the University of Manitoba which focused on Arctic oceanography and hydrologic optics.

As the Fleet Manager at ARF, Thomas oversees all aspects of the Foundation’s growing fleet of research vessels, including the maintenance, crewing and vessel operation. In the off season, he works alongside ARF’s management team to plan for the upcoming season. During the research season, he spends much his time in the field overseeing the mobilization and operations of ARF’s ships. He works closely with vessel crew, researchers and stakeholders to ensure the safe and effective operation of the Foundation’s vessels.

As the Community Engagement and Northern Specialist, Angus Cockney represents ARF in communities across the Arctic working with local governments to help determine and facilitate community-led science objectives.

As a proud Inuvialuk from Tuktoyaktuk, he brings decades of community engagement experience to the team at Arctic Research Foundation.

Angus is a residential school survivor and a strong advocate for reconciliation in Canada. He is a renowned sculptor who has traveled the world sharing Inuit arts and culture to various audiences.

His vast achievements were also recognized when he was appointed as the Inuit representative on the Board of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation from 1997 to 2006.

As the Community Relations and Logistical Support Carleigh aids in a wide range of operations at the Arctic Research Foundation. She often represents the foundation in Arctic communities to facilitate programming. Carleigh also works closely with Naurvik, a community-led plant production pod in Gjoa Haven, Nunavut.

Carleigh's background is deeply rooted in community development and respect for Indigenous cultures and traditions. Carleigh has a background in social work and was previously focused on helping individuals navigate unique challenges related to disability, employability, addictions, mental health, systems involvement, and the justice system. She is passionate about creating inclusive environments where all can thrive and access the opportunities they deserve.

Tracy Thomas is the media supervisor at ARF, overseeing the organization’s media presence and online communications. She’s responsible for guiding ARF’s digital strategy, developing media objectives and communications plans, and commissioning, publishing, and editing content for the organization’s online magazine, Arctic Focus.

With a strong background in journalism and communications, Tracy has previously worked as a journalist at CBC Calgary and The Globe and Mail’s The Decibel podcast. Before joining ARF, she also served as a communication specialist for one of Calgary’s leading real estate companies, bringing a wealth of experience in media storytelling and strategic messaging.

Miriam has more than 30 years of experience in administration and the travel industry. In 2001 she opened her own travel agency and in 2008 she started as the travel account manager for Research in Motion (Blackberry). After a short retirement, Miriam joined the Arctic Research Foundation as the office manager.

Since joining ARF in 2022, Caroline has fostered trust-based relationships with communities and partners, leading programs like youth-focused educational initiatives using ARF's Naurvik greenhouse and traditional knowledge transfer projects. Her leadership reflects a commitment to empowering communities and advancing ARF’s mission through meaningful connections and innovative people strategies.

Eddy Carmack is a Senior Research Scientist Emeritus for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans in Sidney, British Columbia. He is an Officer in the Order of Canada, a 2005 Fellow of the American Geophysical Union, the 2007 Massey medalist of the Royal Canadian Geographic Society, the 2010 Tully medalist for the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society, and the 2018 recipient of the International Mohn Prize for lifetime achievement in research related to the Arctic. His research involves systems-level relationships between oceanography, marine ecosystems and climate.

Over his 50 year career, Eddy has participated in over 90 field investigations in high-latitude rivers, lakes and seas spanning from the Antarctic to the Arctic and from the Yukon to Siberia. From this he has published over 220 peer-reviewed scientific articles with over 20,000 citations. He pioneered the use of science capable CCG icebreakers and created ongoing studies that engage Northern residents in ocean monitoring. He has served as Chief Canadian scientist for co-operative studies of the subarctic North Pacific with Russia, for the 1994 Canada/US expedition to the North Pole, and the ‘Canada’s Three Oceans’ project to establish an oceanographic baseline for the oceans encircling Canada. In retirement he actively continues field-oriented studies in the Northwest Passage, and locally ‘captains’ his 34’ troller conversion R/V Wicklow to demonstrate values of small boat oceanography.

Gerry was born and raised in Renews on the Eastern Shores of Newfoundland. He began fishing with his father at 14 on the vessel now known as the Martin Bergmann. At 19, he became a captain, making him one of the youngest captains in the offshore fishing industry at the time.

Gerry joined ARF’s team as captain in 2013 in the search for the Franklin ships, Erebus and Terror. He is a vital part of the foundation’s success in the North. He continues to lead the Marin Bergmann and its crew and researchers into unexplored places of the Kitemeot region in the North West Passage.

As Captain of the R/V Tiriarnaq, Cheri manages the West Coast operations, covering the entire west coast of Canada from the border of Washington to the border of Alaska. She also operates other small vessels throughout the Arctic for ARF.

Cheri grew up working on her family’s fishing and scuba diving charter boat in Northern BC. She has over 20 years of experience operating vessels in many facets of the marine industry. In 2017, she completed her schooling in Coastal Ecology. Working with ARF has allowed Cheri to combine her marine experience with her passion for marine mammals and ocean sciences.

Yves has been with the Arctic Research Foundation (ARF) since 2013. His journey with ARF began while serving in the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), where he supported the search for the lost Franklin ships. This historic expedition was a defining moment in his career, leading to his transition to ARF as a civilian in 2017.

With over 20 years in the Navy, primarily at the Fleet Diving Unit Atlantic, Yves gained extensive experience diving and in underwater and ocean technologies. Now serving as a vessel captain, he applies his expertise to marine research and ship operations.

As a media consultant, Kaitlyn creates content for ARF’s social media channels and Arctic Focus. She brings over a decade of journalism and television production experience to the team and has worked with national television networks and publications, including the National Post, CBC’s The Nature of Things and CTV News.