Rajat Sharma, Former COO and CFO, Mitacs

Rajat is a dynamic and innovative senior leader with over 20 years of progressive experience across not-for-profit, public, and private sectors. As the former COO and CFO of Mitacs, he was instrumental in shaping the organization’s financial strategy, risk management, and operational excellence. His leadership was key in advancing Canada’s innovation ecosystem through strategic partnerships with government, academia, and industry to drive national growth in the knowledge-based economy.

Rajat’s expertise encompasses board governance, risk management, finance, and strategic operations, with a focus on innovation and transformation. He has held senior leadership roles at the City of Abbotsford and the Capital Regional District in Victoria, where he provided strategic counsel to elected officials and senior stakeholders. His leadership ensured the successful alignment of financial strategies with long-term organizational goals, optimizing resource allocation and driving sustainable development.

A seasoned board member, Rajat serves on the Business Council of British Columbia Board and has previously been a Director for the United Way of Greater Victoria. His board contributions include deep expertise in finance, public policy, risk management, technology, infrastructure planning, and governance.

Rajat holds a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Mumbai, an MBA from the University of San Francisco, and is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) in Canada. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family, playing squash, and volunteering with community organizations that promote South Asian culture.