UTAM thanks President Gertler and welcomes President Woodin

As President of the University of Toronto and a Director on UTAM’s Board, Meric Gertler has worked closely with UTAM’s senior leadership over the past 12 years. His term – both at the helm of the university and on our Board – concludes on June 30. We take this opportunity to express our deep gratitude to President Gertler, to wish him well in his future endeavours, and to warmly welcome the incoming U of T President, Prof. Melanie Woodin, to the Board.

Since 2013, and throughout his tenure as U of T President, Meric has provided steady support and guidance to UTAM’s leadership, helping to advance the university’s long-term priorities. In particular, he has been a strong champion of sustainability across the university – a priority that, for UTAM, is reflected in our commitment to responsible investing, ESG integration, fossil fuel divestment, emissions reduction, and other initiatives. In UTAM’s 2024 Annual Report, he highlighted “the vital role of financial sustainability in advancing U of T’s mission. As a university that aspires to change the world for the better, we need a solid financial foundation – and UTAM is one of its cornerstones.”

As a Director on UTAM’s Board, which serves as a key pillar of governance and accountability, he has provided thoughtful oversight and direction to UTAM’s corporate operations. With the conclusion of his presidency in June 2025, President Gertler will also step down from UTAM’s Board – at which point this important governance role passes to the incoming university President.

We are pleased to welcome Prof. Melanie Woodin as the 17th President of the University of Toronto and as a new member of the UTAM Board of Directors. An internationally recognized neuroscientist, Prof. Woodin has been the Dean of U of T’s Faculty of Arts & Science since 2019. We look forward to her perspective and input as we manage the assets entrusted to us in support of the university’s current and future goals.

“UTAM’s relationship with President Gertler has been marked by thoughtful collaboration and a shared commitment to the university’s long-term priorities,” says Chuck O’Reilly, UTAM President and CIO. “We’ve worked together to support U of T’s financial resilience and long-term sustainability efforts. As Prof. Woodin begins her term, we welcome her leadership and the opportunity to sustain the strong connection between UTAM and the President.”