Leadership

Computing for Humanity — the registered Canadian charity that operates myresearchcloud.ca — is led by a diverse Board of Directors, supported by key staff and technical advisors. Together, they provide governance, strategy, and expertise to ensure our mission is delivered with integrity, sustainability, and impact.

Board of Directors

Our volunteer Board of Directors brings together expertise in research, technology, nonprofit leadership, and public service. Their role is to provide strategic direction and ensure that myresearchcloud.ca remains true to its mission of accessible, affordable, and sovereign research computing in Canada.

Staff & Technical Advisors

Our staff and advisors include professionals with decades of experience in high-performance computing, cloud infrastructure, and nonprofit operations. Their guidance helps us design, operate, and scale a platform that supports researchers, students, and citizen scientists across Canada.

Why Governance Matters

As a nonprofit, myresearchcloud.ca is accountable to its community. Our governance structure ensures transparency, sustainability, and impact — so every resource we provide directly supports Canadian research.

Roy Chartier, Founder, Computing for Humanity at the Texas Advanced Computing Center

  • Founder & Interim Executive Director

    Founder of Computing for Humanity (formerly the Supercomputer for Cancer Research), Roy Chartier has more than 30 years of experience in government, industry, and non-profits managing e-infrastructure at national and international levels. Formerly Director of Architecture at the Digital Research Alliance of Canada, he continues to advise on HPC strategy and serves on multiple advisory boards. His vision to repurpose supercomputing for the public good established the foundation for CFH’s mission. As Interim Executive Director, he oversees strategy, operations, and partnerships.

A portrait of Michael Binder

  • Board Member

    Dr. Michael Binder is the former President and CEO of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, with a distinguished career in federal public service including senior roles at Industry Canada and the Department of Communications. He has long championed access to computing resources, beginning with early national programs. At CFH, he helps advance equitable access to High Performance Computing for research communities.

Frank Béraud leaning against a wall

  • Chair of the Board

    With over 25 years in the life sciences sector, Frank Béraud brings expertise in business development, biotechnology, and industrial associations. He has held leadership roles in multinational companies, SMEs, and at Montréal InVivo, as well as consulting across the industry. Beyond his professional career, Frank has been active in health, education, and homelessness initiatives. At CFH, he ensures strong governance and sustainable strategic development.

Estelle Chen at a CBC event

  • Board Member

    Estelle Chen is Senior Manager and Special Assistant to the Chief Digital and Payments Officer at TD Bank Group. She has extensive experience in fintech, emerging business models, and strategic partnerships. Estelle is also Co-Founder and Co-President of La French Tech Toronto, connecting entrepreneurs, investors, and leaders across Canada and France. An active mentor of young leaders, she brings both professional and personal commitment—having lost loved ones to cancer—to advancing CFH’s mission.

Shiva Amiri speaking at the Women of Silicon Valley conference

  • Board Member

    Dr. Shiva Amiri is Vice President, Head of AI and Data Intelligence at Pivotal Life Sciences. She has led data science and AI initiatives at 23andMe, Zymergen, and as CEO of BioSymetrics. She holds a DPhil in Computational Biophysics from the University of Oxford. With extensive expertise at the intersection of AI, life sciences, and health, she provides CFH with guidance on harnessing technology for medical and scientific breakthroughs.

A portrait of Elisabeth Amy Sheppard

  • Board Member

    Elisabeth Sheppard is an accomplished lawyer who transitioned into the non-profit sector to align her expertise with her passion for positive social impact. As Executive Director of Computing for Humanity, she guided the organization through a critical phase of growth, strengthening partnerships, governance, and organizational capacity. Her leadership helped position CFH to deliver greater impact for researchers and communities worldwide. Today, she continues to support the mission as a valued past executive and current board member.

Shane Brauner on a balcony overlooking Manhattan

  • Board Member

    Shane Brauner is Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Schrödinger, a leader in computational chemistry. His career spans academia, startups, and Fortune 50 companies, with deep expertise in Linux and High Performance Computing. Shane is committed to using technology to bridge social and economic divides. At CFH, he champions the repurposing of computing infrastructure to advance science and global equity.

John Towns on the NCSA campus grounds

  • Technical Advisor

    John Towns is Deputy Director of the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) and Principal Investigator of the U.S. ACCESS program. With decades of leadership in cyberinfrastructure, HPC strategy, and community engagement, he provides CFH with strategic technical advice and international perspective, strengthening the organization’s role within Canada’s and North America’s advanced computing ecosystems.