Ouranos is proud to announce the appointment of Isabelle Delisle as Chair of its Board of Directors. With her career in research and higher education, Isabelle Delisle brings her expertise and leadership to the head of the organization, whose mission is to help Quebec society adapt to climate change.
Isabelle Delisle is succeeding Kristina Öhrvall, who is warmly thanked for her valuable contributions and excellent work during her two years as Chair of the Board. Kristina Öhrvall is remaining as a director on the Board of Ouranos.
Professional background
Isabelle Delisle has a doctorate in biology and was a professor and researcher at the University of Alberta before accepting several executive positions in the Quebec college system, in particular as a dean at Vanier College (2017-2021).
She demonstrated her capacity for leadership at the Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), where she began in the role Associate Scientific Director in 2021. She rose to the position of Interim Scientific Director and was officially appointed Scientific Director in October 2024.
At the INRS, she contributed to several initiatives, including negotiating the professors’ collective agreement, creating the international office, obtaining STARS Gold Certification, and getting the strategic partnerships and innovation department up and running.
These experiences allowed Isabelle Delisle to become an expert in higher education administration, encompassing planning, governance, human resources management, program development, and innovation management. Her leadership was recognized with the INRS’ Prix d’excellence en gestion in 2023. She also actively participates in various steering committees and boards of directors.
More female representation on the Board of Directors
Four new female directors are also joining the Board of Ouranos. Their arrival enhances its expertise and its diversity of perspectives (environment, agriculture, municipal government, and applied scientific research at different spatial scales), which are essential in meeting the challenges of climate change adaptation.
