Declan Ramsaran

Graduate Student

Question 1: I believe that I would be an excellent candidate to be considered as a Student Governor because:

I am a graduate student in the Sprott School of Business MBA program and bring to this role the perspective of a mature student, with deep professional experience who has served as an Ontario university endowment foundation board member. I also represent a demographic segment within the graduate studies cohort that may be underrepresented around the Board of Governors table.

As a Student Governor candidate, I understand the role is one of fiduciary responsibility. My readiness to serve the Carleton community in this role has been shaped over decades working in highly regulated environments where leadership decisions carry consequences that have financial, reputational and long-term institutional impact. In preparation for the role, I have thoughtfully examined incumbent responsibilities and understand the confidentiality requirements and standards of conduct associated with Board service.

I have consulted with senior Carleton governance staff to assess role fit and believe that my ability to exercise independent judgement, engage constructively in challenging perspectives when appropriate and acting in the best interest of the institution, align closely with the duties of a Governor. Importantly, I have allocated time in my personal and professional schedule to meet the demands of the role. I have also discussed the commitment with my life partner and have her support to undertake this responsibility.

I believe Carleton University is in a privileged position to shape the minds of leaders who will transform our world for the better. I would consider it an honour to support that bright future by contributing to the Board’s work on governance, financial stewardship and long-term sustainability.

Question 2: I have the following skills and experiences which would be beneficial in my role as Student Governor:

Serving as a university endowment foundation board member for more than six years, complemented by more than ten years contributing on for-profit and non-profit boards, positions me well for the responsibilities of a Student Governor in the areas of governance and financial oversight. These roles have given me direct experience with fiduciary duty, committee work, strategic oversight and collaborative decision-making in board settings.

In my role as Student Governor, I bring more than 25 years of experience in Canada’s financial sector, including over 15 years in executive leadership which has strengthened my strategic decision-making ability. I am comfortable working with complex financial information including financial statements, investment policy statements, prospectuses and risk assessments. Furthermore, I enjoy contributing to discussions that balance near-term constraints with long-term institutional objectives.

My academic background which includes a Masters of Arts in Leadership, a graduate certificate in investment management from Yale School of Management, a Fellowship with the Canadian Securities Institute, as well as other certificates and accreditations, all support my ability to approach governance issues with analytical rigour, ethical awareness and respect for the institutional process.

I believe this combination of governance experience, financial literacy and academic preparation would allow me to contribute constructively and responsibly as a Student Governor.

Question 3: If elected to the Board, what would you like to gain from the experience and/or what skills would you like to further develop?

If elected to the Board, I would like to deepen my understanding of the strategic challenges facing Canadian universities over the coming decades, particularly in a period shaped by rapid AI adoption and integration in higher education, intensifying economic constraints, evolving demographic demands and geopolitical uncertainty.

I am interested in learning how this Board balances academic priorities, financial sustainability, public accountability and long-term institutional reputation. I would value greater insight into how Carleton University identifies areas of academic and research strength and how governance decisions today shape the University’s distinct value proposition and impact over the next decade.

From a personal development perspective, I would like to further strengthen my skills in public-sector governance, institutional strategy, and collaborative decision-making within a diverse Board environment. I view this role is an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the Carleton community while continuing to grow as a thoughtful steward of legacy institutions.