OTTAWA, Ontario — After more than 16 years of service and two terms as Executive Director of the Royal Society of Canada (RSC), Darren Gilmour will be stepping down next month. His tenure, which began in 2010, saw the organization undergo significant transformations and achievements.
Key Accomplishments Under Gilmour's Leadership
During Mr. Gilmour’s leadership, which spanned four strategic plans, the RSC achieved several major milestones. These include the launch and completion of its first capital campaign, the establishment of RSC Atlantic, the acquisition of Walter House, and the creation of the College of New Scholars. Additionally, the RSC published Royally Wronged: The Royal Society of Canada and Indigenous Peoples and organized the largest mobilization in the organization’s 140-year history to support Canada’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Recognition from RSC President
RSC President Françoise Baylis expressed gratitude for Gilmour's contributions. “On behalf of the Board and Council, I acknowledge our tremendous organizational advancements during Darren’s tenure as Executive Director,” she said. “We are grateful to Darren and his family, and we look forward to celebrating his leadership in the months to come. We wish him and his family every success in their next steps.”
Gilmour's Reflections
Reflecting on his time at the RSC, Mr. Gilmour noted, “The RSC’s Strategic Plan, Excellence and Engagement, and its Strength Through Science campaign have positioned the RSC to enhance its contribution to a better country at a critical moment in Canadian history. I am grateful to President Baylis, to the Board and Council, to the membership, to the community, and to the administrative team for what has been a singular and extraordinary opportunity. Our successes have been collective, grounded in our mission, and infused with humility and ambition.”
Transition Details
Mr. Gilmour’s last day as Executive Director of the RSC will be May 22, 2026. The organization will begin the search for a new executive director in the coming weeks.
For media inquiries, contact Paige Beveridge, Communications Manager, Royal Society of Canada, at communications@rsc-src.ca.
