Heart & Stroke announces appointment of Charlene Ripley as national board chair


Heart & Stroke is pleased to announce the appointment of Charlene Ripley as chair of its national board of directors. Ripley has served on the Heart & Stroke national board since 2019, most recently as vice chair. She also sits on both the finance and governance committees.

A seasoned legal professional and trusted advisor, Ripley brings over 25 years of dynamic leadership experience to the role. She is currently the senior vice president and general counsel of Teck Resources Limited, one of Canada’s leading mining companies. Ripley has also held executive leadership roles at SNC-Lavalin and Goldcorp in Canada, and with several energy companies in the United States.

“For more than five years, Charlene has been an invaluable member of our national board, bringing her strategic mindset to the work we do,” says Doug Roth, CEO, Heart & Stroke. “Charlene’s impressive leadership skills and legal acumen will continue to ensure strong accountability to all Heart & Stroke stakeholders and constituents as we champion our mission to beat heart disease and stroke. We are thrilled to announce her appointment as board chair.”

Ripley has long been passionate about advancing heart and brain health: in Canada as past chair and member of Heart & Stroke’s British Columbia provincial advisory board, and in the United States where she was a member of the American Heart Association (Houston) board.  

“I am truly honoured to have the opportunity to lead Heart & Stroke’s national board,” says Ripley. “This is a group of individuals dedicated to strengthening how we show up and support our people with lived experience, partners, volunteers and employees alike. Being part of the team that is constantly seeking ways to elevate not only the work we do, but also the culture at Heart & Stroke, is something I really enjoy. I look forward to the opportunity to create an even stronger framework for driving impact, well beyond my term.”

Throughout her career, Ripley has won many awards: including the Western Canada General Counsel of the Year award; the Women’s Executive Network Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 award; and the BC Business 50 Most Influential Women award. She has also received The Association of Women Attorneys 2013 Premier Women in Law award.

Ripley replaces previous board chair Maggie Fox.

About Heart & Stroke

Life. We don’t want you to miss it. That’s why Heart & Stroke has been leading the fight to beat heart disease and stroke for 70 years. We must generate the next medical breakthroughs, so Canadians don’t miss out on precious moments. Together, we are working to prevent disease, save lives and promote recovery through research, health promotion and public policy.  Heartandstroke.ca @HeartandStroke

Contact information

Averie Hunt
Averie.Hunt@heartandstroke.ca
647-426-6864