WATERLOO, Ont. (Tuesday, July 24, 2012) - The University of Waterloo has appointed to its Board of Governors a respected leader with a passion for community involvement and nurturing emerging technology talent.
Jordan Banks is the managing director of Facebook Canada, and responsible for leading all of its commercial operations. Previously, he provided investment and advisory services to early stage technology companies as founder and managing partner at Thunder Road Capital as well as serving as chief executive officer of JumpTV.
Banks was part of the team that launched eBay Canada in 2000 and served as its managing director until 2007. A lawyer by profession, Banks managed the Licensing and International Business group of the National Hockey League Players’ Association and practised corporate law at Goodmans.
"Jordan Banks exemplifies Waterloo’s culture of innovation and entrepreneurship," said Feridun Hamdullahpur, president & vice-chancellor of Waterloo. "His experience and dedication to his community make him a terrific addition to the board and we welcome him to this new role."
Over the years, Banks has championed numerous efforts in support of Alzheimer’s research and care. He is a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization, the Board of Directors for Well.ca, Cogniciti, and the Baycrest Centre. Banks sits on the advisory boards of Polar Mobile, the Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, and the Art Gallery of Ontario. He was previously named one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40.
“The future of our great country lies in the hands of tomorrow’s leaders who are equipped with the skills and the vision to successfully transition Canada into a burgeoning knowledge-based economy," said Banks. "From my vantage point, many of those leaders will be educated and motivated through the University of Waterloo."
Banks is originally from Toronto. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Western Ontario, and a law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School at York University.
The Board of Governors consists of 36 members. It is responsible for the government of the university, the control of its property and revenues, the conduct of its business and affairs, unless specifically assigned to the Senate. Banks' term runs until April 30, 2015.
