Wednesday, December 14, 2011 – Irene Lewis, President and CEO of SAIT Polytechnic, today announced her intention to retire on December 31, 2012.

“It has been my honour to lead SAIT through a tremendously exciting period, but time is marching on,” says Lewis. “There is no avoiding it for any of us. The time (for retirement) is right for me – and I believe it is right for SAIT.”

In a video statement issued this morning to all SAIT employees, Lewis thanked them, her executive team, students, alumni, industry supporters, and all levels of government. “We’ve accomplished a great deal together,” she noted. "I’m very proud of that – and I hope you are, too. I think we’ve done far more than construct world-class facilities, improve academic choices and access, build SAIT’s reputation and increase employee engagement. I prefer to think – and hope – we’ve enriched people’s lives. And that is an extraordinary gift.”

SAIT facilities have been remarkably transformed under Lewis. In 2001, a major revitalization saw construction of the Heart Building and restoration of Heritage Hall. Two new residences were also constructed – the East Hall in 2001 and the Tower Residence in 2008. The Clayton Carroll Automotive Centre was completed in 2001, followed in 2004 by the opening of the Art Smith Aero Centre at Calgary International Airport. The Brawn Fieldhouse recreational facilities were completed in 2006 and – three years later – were complemented by the installation of an artificial turf playing surface atop a new underground parking garage.

The Trades and Technology Complex – the largest and perhaps most spectacular of SAIT’s facility enhancements – will open in the fall of 2012. It will feature more than 740,000 square feet of new world-class training spaces that will accommodate up to 8,100 more apprenticeship and full-time students in the areas of energy, construction, manufacturing, automation and applied research.

“Irene’s passionate and dedicated leadership has transformed SAIT – and will leave the institution exceptionally well positioned for the future,” says Bill Lingard, the Chair of SAIT’s Board of Governors. “Irene is a builder. She has not only made impressive changes to the campus, she has improved Calgary’s educational landscape. For that we are extremely grateful.”

Lingard will lead the search for Lewis’ successor – a process that will include consultation with many key stakeholders, including industry, SAIT supporters, government and current SAIT leadership.

Prior to joining SAIT, Lewis was president of a college in Edmonton and led its transition to an independent board-governed institution. She also worked in Singapore for more than five years, where she held a central role in shaping that country's vision for workforce development. Lewis has written textbooks, hosted an educational television series and taught in the primary, secondary and post-secondary systems.

In May, Lewis was presented the Distinguished Workplace Leader Award by Alberta Congress Board. In 2010, she was named one of Canada’s 100 Most Powerful Women and received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Calgary – its highest honour. She has received the Chair Academy’s International Exemplary Leader Award (2009), the Distinguished Leadership Award (2008) from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, the Premier’s Gold Award of Excellence (2008) and a Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal (2008). She was also named Woman of the Year (2009) by Consumers’ Choice, a Woman of Vision by Global Calgary, one of Alberta’s Most Respected Corporate Leaders (2007) and one of Alberta’s Most Influential Citizens (2005).

SAIT Polytechnic is one of Canada’s most exciting destinations for post-secondary education, offering more than 100 career programs that position people for success in technology, trades and business. A leader in innovation, SAIT also collaborates with industry on applied research and delivers corporate training worldwide. SAIT is a member of Polytechnics Canada and one of Alberta’s Top 50 Employers for 2011.

Please note facts and information may change in older archived materials.

If you require assistance with this or any other press release contact SAIT Corporate Communications.