Board of Directors

Invest in Canada’s Board of Directors is composed of accomplished public and private sector leaders who represent government and Canada’s most prominent industries. Passionate about showcasing Canada on the world stage, they combine their unique skills and expertise to provide advice and stewardship to our organization.

Board Chair

Karl Tabbakh is a lawyer, a business leader and a strategic advisor with over 20 years of international business experience. He is McCarthy Tétrault LLP’s regional managing partner for Québec and co-leader of the firm’s international business. Karl is an active advocate and leader in the business community. He currently serves as board chair at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and sits on the Board of Directors of the Canada Arab Business Council.

Karl spent 8 years in the Middle East and 4 years in London, UK, where he developed a solid international network. There, he gained an understanding of international business and investments, particularly with respect to Canada’s attractiveness as an investment destination.

An active community leader, Karl supports many non-profit and community service organizations, including as a member of the Centraide/United Way campaign, director of the National Circus School and co-president of the Fitspirit Father/Daughter Ball.

Born in Syria, Karl immigrated with his parents to Canada at age 10. He holds an LLB from Osgoode Hall Law School, a BCL from the Université de Montréal and a B.Comm from Université Laval in Québec City. Karl is fluent in French, English and Arabic.

Board members

Glenn Purves

Glenn Purves was appointed Deputy Minister of International Trade in March 2026.

He brings to the role his deep experience spanning international finance, economic policy, and global markets. Most recently, from 2025 to 2026, he served as global head of macro research at the BlackRock Investment Institute, where he led analysis of global economic and financial trends.

From 2023 to 2025, Mr. Purves was a board director at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, representing Canada, Morocco, Tunisia and Jordan. His work focused on economic development and investment across emerging and transitioning economies.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Purves held several senior leadership roles within the Government of Canada. From 2021 to 2023, he served as assistant deputy minister for economic development at the Department of Finance Canada, following three years as assistant secretary in the Expenditure Management Sector at the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat.

Between 2011 and 2018, Mr. Purves held a series of senior policy positions at the Department of Finance Canada, including associate assistant deputy minister in the Federal-Provincial Relations and Social Policy Branch. He also served as director general of fiscal policy, senior director of international economic and financial policy and director in the Economic and Fiscal Policy Branch, working on core fiscal, social, and international economic issues.

Internationally, from 2009 to 2011, Mr. Purves represented Canada at the International Monetary Fund as senior advisor and acting executive director. Earlier, from 2006 to 2009, he was a finance counsellor in London, United Kingdom, representing both the Department of Finance Canada and the Bank of Canada during the global financial crisis.

Mr. Purves holds a Master of Public Administration and a Master of Science in Economics from Dalhousie University.

**Glenn Purves**
Deputy Minister of International Trade

Brad Ferguson

Mr. Ferguson is a Senior Vice President and Practice Leader at Optimus SBR. He has advised on numerous government economic policies and programs, established Indigenous partnerships, and created lasting impacts on the financial, cultural and environmental bottom lines of many organizations.

As president and CEO of the Edmonton Economic Development Corporation (EEDC) between 2012 and 2018, Mr. Ferguson was responsible for promoting and building the city’s reputation, driving the growth of the city, and attracting visitors and investment to Edmonton. He also served as Assistant Deputy Minister of the ESG Secretariat for the Government of Alberta between 2021 and 2022.

Mr. Ferguson holds two degrees from the University of Alberta: a B.A. in Economics and a BCom in Finance. He also holds the GCB.D designation from Competent Boards' ESG program.

Rory McAlpine

Mr. McAlpine recently retired as Senior Vice President, Government and Industry Relations with Maple Leaf Foods Inc.

Current agri-food sector directorships include the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute, the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (University of Saskatchewan) and the Food From Thought Advisory Committee (University of Guelph).

For 15 years at Maple Leaf Foods, Mr. McAlpine led the company’s engagement with government and industry partners on matters of public policy, programs in support of innovation and corporate investment, regulatory affairs and international trade.

Mr. McAlpine served as Deputy Minister of the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries from 2002 to 2005. Prior to that he obtained significant experience with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada as Director General of the International Trade Policy Directorate; Executive Director of the National Farm Products Council; Director of the Grains and Oilseeds Division; and Deputy Director of Multilateral Trade.

Mr. McAlpine received an M.A. (Hons) degree in Economics from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland and has also studied at the University of Geneva in Switzerland.