Foundation governance

The Suncor Energy Foundation (SEF) is governed by a Board of Directors that provides strategic guidance and approves donations beyond a certain financial threshold. These approvals are typically offered at meetings held four times per year (late March/early April, June, September, and November).

The SEF board also receives feedback and advice from an Indigenous Youth Advisory Council and an advisory group of diverse Suncor employees who support the SEF post-secondary donation program.

Suncor Energy Foundation Board members

Arlene Strom, President and Chair of the SEF Board of Directors.

Arlene Strom

SEF President and Chair of the SEF Board of Directors and Chief Sustainability Officer and General Counsel, Suncor

Arlene serves as Suncor’s Chief Sustainability Officer and General Counsel. In August 2009, she joined the SEF Board of Directors and became the Chair in February 2020. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Trinity Western University, a Master of Arts in Public Policy from University of British Columbia, and an LLB from University of British Columbia.

I firmly believe that meaningful relationship building with the IYAC through SEF is an example of how we can fully live our purpose, and we have much to learn from these extraordinary young people who care deeply about our collective future. Working with IYAC is just one of the many impactful experiences that being on the SEF Board has afforded me.
Arlene Strom
Mike Agnew, Director on the SEF Board of Directors.

Mike Agnew

Director, SEF Board of Directors and Member of SEF Board Finance Committee and Vice President, Fort Hills, Suncor

Since joining Suncor in 1999, Mike has held a variety of leadership roles and now serves as the Vice President, Fort Hills, a role he has held since November 2019. Mike is a professional engineer and holds a Bachelor of Science in mining engineering from Queen’s University.

He joined the SEF Board of Directors in April 2019 and is also a member of the SEF Board Finance Committee.

Being a part of the SEF Board is rewarding because it gives me the opportunity to do something completely different than my day-to-day responsibilities while giving back to community.
Mike Agnew
Paul Gardner, Director on the SEF Board of Directors.

Paul Gardner

Director, SEF Board of Directors and Chief People Officer, Suncor

As Chief People Officer, Paul oversees Suncor’s culture and ensures effective people strategies and programs are in place to enable business results. He earned a master’s degree in industrial relations from Queen’s University and holds a bachelor’s degree in public administration. Paul joined the SEF Board of Directors in November 2011 and chaired the SEF Board from March 2015 to September 2017.

SEF helps to connect Suncor business strengths with community strengths in communities where Suncor has operations and in broader society. It helps bridge community needs to the Suncor purpose. For those of us on the SEF Board, our involvement broadens our mindsets to enable creative, future-looking solutions.
Paul Gardner
Kevin MacIntosh, Director on the SEF Board of Directors.

Kevin MacIntosh

Director, SEF Board of Directors and Chair of SEF Board Finance Committee and Vice President & Controller, Suncor

Kevin came to Suncor in 2012 and now leads the Controllers organization which is responsible for a wide range of critical financial management services including planning and performance reporting, stewardship and financial reporting and all other accounting related activities. He received his Bachelor of Commerce degree from Dalhousie University, and his CPA designation in the province of New Brunswick. In 2019, Kevin joined the SEF Board and currently chairs the SEF Board Finance Committee.

Being invited to join the SEF Board has been an opportunity to wear an additional hat at Suncor. While we certainly want to see Suncor and SEF continue to be aligned, being able to think with my SEF hat allows me to think beyond the usual Suncor parameters and also consider what’s best for the foundation and community as they work together for social good.
Kevin MacIntosh
Sylvie Tran, Director on the SEF Board of Directors.

Sylvie Tran

Director, SEF Board of Directors and Member of SEF Board Finance Committee and Vice President, VP Operational Risk Management

Sylvie joined Suncor in July 2019 as the Vice-President of Engineering, Exploration, and Development and now serves as Vice President of Environment, Health and Safety. She holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from McGill University. Sylvie is passionate about community service and serves on several Boards including the National Academies of Sciences Marine Board, True School Studio and as of August 2020, the SEF Board of Directors.

Being part of the Foundation should be a great opportunity to connect employees’ expertise to community organizations – and vice versa. It’s exciting to mobilize our employees’ unique skills and experiences to make a difference.
Sylvie Tran
Patrick Ritchie, Director on the SEF Board of Directors.

Patrick Ritchie

Director, SEF Board of Directors and Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Suncor

Since joining Suncor in 1996, Patrick has held many roles in various parts of Suncor’s Downstream business including: Market Manager Eastern Canada Wholesale Operations, Director Lubricants Business Integration and most recently, General Manager, Strategy & Development. As part of his role, he also contributed to the launch of the PetroCanada CareMakers Foundation. Patrick received his Bachelor of Business Administration from Wilfrid Laurier University and joined the SEF Board of Directors in June 2021. Patrick spends a lot of time coaching his kids’ hockey and teaching them the value of volunteering in their community.

SEF is clear about what they’re trying to accomplish and how they’re going about it. The foundation has a perfect balance of progressing its strategy and evolving it alongside community and company needs. I’m looking forward to being a part of that and helping SEF maximize its impact.
Patrick Ritchie
Jacquie Moore, Director, SEF Board of Directors and Vice President, External Relations, Suncor

Jacquie Moore

Director, SEF Board of Directors and Vice President, External Relations, Suncor

Jacquie joined Suncor in 2011 and is currently the Vice President, External Relations. Prior to this, Jacquie was the Vice President for Suncor’s Corporate Legal team. She holds both a Bachelor of Commerce Degree and a Law Degree (LLB) from the University of Calgary. Jacquie is an active member in her community and serves on the Board and Governance Committee of Calgary Municipal Land Corporation, is a member of the Board and the Finance & Audit Committee for the Clean Resource Innovation Network, a Board member of the Edge School for Athletes Society, and in 2022 joined the SEF Board of Directors.

I appreciate the opportunity to learn through SEF and hear different perspectives from community partners that I don’t encounter every day. Having my own daughters, I especially appreciate the input each IYAC member offers because young people are the future and they have important things to share about it.
Jacquie Moore
Members of the Indigenous Youth Advisory Council stand in a circle holding hands, with a lake and hills in the background
Members of the Indigenous Youth Advisory Council stand in a circle holding hands, with a lake and hills in the background.

Indigenous Youth Advisory Council

Suncor created its first Indigenous Youth Engagement Strategy in 2012. The strategy focuses on addressing the inequities faced by Indigenous youth. The idea for an Indigenous Youth Advisory Council (IYAC) emerged from that strategy and subsequent discussions with several young Indigenous leaders, including attendees of SEF Gatherings and participants of the Indigenous Student Program.

A formal council was later established in 2019 with a pipe ceremony between the IYAC’s first members and SEF Board members, and other Suncor leaders.

The IYAC provides feedback on different aspects of the SEF strategy and members are invited to participate in the SEF Board meetings. The council provides an opportunity for SEF, as well as members of our Indigenous and Community Relations team and other leaders to come together to share, listen, reflect and act on issues of mutual interest that are affecting communities and the lives of Indigenous youth.