Thank You, Bruce Johnson – Welcome, Joan Hertz
At Amii, strong leadership has been key to our growth and impact. As part of our ongoing governance process, we are preparing for a transition in our Board leadership.
On March 27, 2025, Bruce Johnson will complete his term as Board Chair and long-time Board member, Joan Hertz, will step into the role.
A Legacy of Impact and Innovation
Bruce Johnson has championed Amii for well over a decade, first leading the AICML/Amii advisory board at the University of Alberta and later serving as inaugural Amii Board Chair in 2017. His vision and leadership have helped shape Amii into the organization it is today.
A recognized entrepreneur and technology leader, Bruce co-founded WinTax, which was later acquired by Intuit, where he went on to serve as CEO of Intuit Canada and UK. His deep expertise in business and innovation has guided countless organizations, and he continues to share his entrepreneurial insight as Chairman and Co-CEO of Vertical City.
During Bruce’s tenure at Amii, the institute has:
Expanded industry partnerships from fewer than 10 annually to over 500 companies.
Trained more than 250,000 individuals in AI literacy and education programs.
Made groundbreaking contributions in continual learning, assistive technologies, and autonomous systems.
Tripled research capacity, now supporting 49 Amii researchers, including 37 Canada CIFAR AI Chairs.
Seen Amii alumni raise over $1 billion in venture capital funding for AI-driven startups.
Bruce’s leadership has helped establish Amii as a globally recognized institute. His impact will be felt for years to come, and we are immensely grateful for his dedication and contributions.
Leading the Next Phase of Growth
Joan Hertz has been a valued member of the Amii Board since 2021.
A distinguished corporate commercial lawyer and strategic consultant, she brings extensive leadership experience, currently serving as Chair of ATB Financial's Board of Directors. Her background includes roles as Interim President and CEO of NorQuest College and Board Chair for the Edmonton International Airport, as well as directorships with the Business Council of Alberta, Silvacom Holdings Corp., FortisAlberta, and more.
We are confident that under Joan’s leadership, Amii will continue to grow as a global leader in AI, expanding our impact in research, commercialization, and community engagement.
The Next Chapter for Amii
As Amii enters a new phase of leadership:
Our researchers and students continue to push the boundaries of AI, driving advancements in reinforcement learning, natural language processing, responsible AI and much more.
Our industry and startup collaborations are helping organizations adopt AI in practical and meaningful ways.
Our literacy and training programs are equipping more people than ever with the skills to shape the future of AI.
Looking ahead, we’re focused on expanding our reach, deepening our expertise, and creating even more opportunities for people and organizations to engage with AI. With AI for good and for all at the core of everything we do, we remain committed to making AI accessible, beneficial, and impactful for individuals, businesses, and society as a whole.
The momentum is strong, and the future is bright—stay tuned for an exciting next chapter at Amii.