Biography

Acadia University President Emeritus Ray Ivany has shown a steadfast commitment to higher education and public service in Nova Scotia throughout his career. He led Acadia as President and Vice-Chancellor from 2009 until 2017, the year he also received the Order of Nova Scotia. In 2020, he was named to the Order of Canada.

Mr. Ivany came to Acadia with more than 25 years of post-secondary leadership experience. He began his career as a faculty member at the University College of Cape Breton, where he later served as Dean and then Executive Vice-President. He also served as President and CEO of Nova Scotia Community College from 1998 to 2005.

In 2012, he chaired the Nova Scotia Commission on Building our New Economy. This work led to the release of the report Now or Never: An Urgent Call to Action for Nova Scotians, often referred to as the Ivany Report. His accomplishments in education and public sector leadership have been celebrated by organizations including Acadia (Arthur L. Irving Medal of Commitment, Honorary Alumnus, President Emeritus), the Halifax Chamber of Commerce, Canada’s Public Policy Forum and Maclean’s Honour Roll of Ten Canadians Who Made a Difference.

Born in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Mr. Ivany graduated with a BA and a Diploma in Engineering Technology from the College of Cape Breton and an MSc in Environmental Health from East Tennessee State University. He was also a Research Fellow at Harvard University’s Department of Environmental Science and Physiology at its School of Public Health.

He was inducted into Atlantic Business Magazine’s Top 50 CEO Hall of Fame in 2011 and was named one of Canada’s Most Admired CEOs in 2016.

Mr. Ivany is currently a Director of Nova Scotia Power Inc. and the Bank of Canada.