Vice-President Administration and Chief Financial Officer

Nazim Merali

I am very happy to be joining the NAIT team on a permanent basis. Ensuring the financial sustainability of the polytechnic—now and in the future—is a top priority, and I am looking forward to continuing my work with a dedicated team of professionals to achieve this.

About Nazim Merali

Nazim Merali joined NAIT as vice-president administration and chief financial officer on December 19, 2022, after serving in the role on an interim basis since September 26, 2022.

Nazim has more than 30 years of experience in strategic financial leadership across the post-secondary, healthcare and manufacturing industries. He brings to NAIT a wealth of knowledge in finance operations, change management, governance and business growth.

In 2007, Nazim started his own consulting firm, providing business expertise to companies as they navigate new challenges and changing customer expectations. He is also an entrepreneur in the IT industry, founding uDIGIT Systems in 2004 – a company that provides cost-effective shared systems services to post-secondary institutes in Canada.

Nazim has a strong track record of leading organizations through complex financial and operational transformations.

Most recently, he served as the interim Vice-President Finance and Administration and Senior Advisor to the President at Northwestern Polytechnic. Nazim was the Vice-President Transformation at the Walters Group, the largest steel fabricator in Ontario, and oversaw the strategic realignment of its business operations. He also served as CFO for the Edmonton-based steel company, Waiward Steel, where he provided fiscal and operational leadership.

Prior to starting his own businesses, Nazim spent seven years as the CFO and Associate Vice-President at the University of Alberta and another eight years as the CFO at Caritas Health Group. He began his career as an auditor, first at the Government of Alberta and later at the Misericordia Community Hospital.

Nazim has also volunteered his time in the community, serving in various capacities for groups such as Goodwill and the United Way.

At NAIT, Nazim is the key steward of financial performance providing strategic leadership to the Finance and Corporate Services portfolio.

Nazim is a Chartered Professional Accountant, and he earned a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Alberta.


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President and CEO

Laura Jo Gunter became NAIT’s seventh President and CEO on August 24, 2020. An innovative leader, she brings extensive post-secondary knowledge and an entrepreneurial spirit to her role.

Vice-President External Relations

Melanie Rogers joined NAIT as Vice-President External Relations in August 2021.

Vice-President Academic

Peter Leclaire joined NAIT as Vice-President Academic in March 2022.

Vice-President Students and Campus Life

Gerard Hayes joined NAIT as Vice-President Students and Campus Life in May 2022.

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