Management Team
Descartes' management team is comprised of experienced logistics operators that specialize in operations, technology, marketing and sales. The team has deep domain expertise in logistics and distribution and can use first hand experiences to address the challenges our customers face. The team is committed to building and managing a world-class organization focused on serving and delivering results for our shareholders and customers.
Ed Ryan serves Descartes as Chief Executive Officer and is a member of the Board of Directors. Mr. Ryan guides the company’s long-tenured executive management team and drives its growth and M&A strategies. Prior to taking on his current role in 2013, Mr. Ryan led Descartes’ global sales and marketing operations as Chief Commercial Officer after having served as Executive Vice President of Global Field Operations. Mr. Ryan brings more than 30 years of experience in supply chain and logistics technology to the company and its customers. Prior to joining Descartes in 2000, Mr. Ryan led commercial operations at E-Transport where he helped grow the business from its early start-up days to the successful ocean network acquired by Descartes.
As President and Chief Operating Officer, Scott oversees Descartes’ operations. This includes Descartes’ research and development activities, Global Logistics Network service delivery, implementation and activation services, corporate development initiatives, corporate communication strategies, and legal and administrative functions.
Scott previously served as the company’s Chief Corporate Officer and Corporate Secretary. Prior to joining Descartes in May 2000, Scott worked in a private law practice in Southern Ontario, where he specialized in corporate and intellectual property law. He was a finalist in the Lexpert 2006 Top Lawyers and General Counsel under 40 and in the 2011 Canadian General Counsel Awards Business Achievement category.
As Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Allan Brett is responsible for Descartes' worldwide financial and administrative functions.
Allan is an experienced public company executive, who served as CFO of Aastra Technologies Limited from June 1996 through to its January 2014 sale to Mitel
Networks Corporation. In his 18 years at Aastra the company grew to over $600 million in revenues and 2,000 employees, with more than 60 consecutive quarters of profitability.
As Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Roszko oversees the Corporation’s global go-to-market activities, including sales, marketing, customer success and other commercial operations, as well as the Corporation’s solution pillar general management organization.
Prior to joining Descartes, Andrew was the founder of a software consulting firm and Cube Route, a SaaS-based route optimization and mobile tracking provider. Mr. Roszko holds a degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master of Science degree in Software Engineering from the University of Waterloo.
As Executive Vice President, Information Services, Raimond Diederik is responsible for Research and Development, Customer Support, IT Operations and Data Managementsolutions for Descartes.
Raimond has over 20 years of experience managing logistic information systems, and has played a key role at Descartes since joining the organization in 1993. Prior to Descartes, Raimond worked as an Infrastructure Consultant with the Research & Development group of P&O Nedlloyd’s Information Technology Division.
As Executive Vice President, Industry and Services, Chris Jones is primarily responsible for Descartes industry thought-leadership activities and implementation services for Descartes' solutions. With over 30 years of experience in the supply chain market, Chris has held a variety of senior management positions including: Senior Vice President at The Aberdeen Group, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Development for SynQuest, Vice President and Research Director for Enterprise Resource Planning Solutions at Gartner and Associate Director Operations and Technology Kraft Foods.
As SVP, Legal and General Counsel, Peter Nguyen is the principal officer in charge of all Descartes legal matters. His role includes oversight of Descartes’ Legal Team in contracts with customers and suppliers, protection of our intellectual property, management of disputes and advice on our merger & acquisition activities. Also, as Corporate Secretary, Peter works closely with our Board of Directors on corporate governance and public company compliance.
Before joining Descartes in 2020, Peter was General Counsel to two high growth software companies and served as in-house counsel to several other technology companies. He has been recognized by the Legal 500 (GC Powerlist: Canada - 2020, 2019, 2016), Precedent magazine (Innovation Award - 2020), Canadian Lawyer (Top 25 Most Influential – 2019), the International Law Office/Association of Corporate Counsel (Global Counsel Awards – 2019, 2016), LEXPERT® (Zenith Award – Change Agent in Law – 2019), National Post/ZSA (Canadian General Counsel Awards (Finalist) – 2019, 2018) and the Financial Times (Innovative Lawyers North America Awards – 2018). He is a frequent speaker and contributor on legal technology, legal operations, and law practice in the in-house environment. Peter graduated from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law and was admitted to practice law in Ontario and New York.
As Executive Vice President, Corporate Development, Ed Gardner is responsible for the development and execution of Descartes’ M&A strategy.
Ed joined Descartes in 2003 where he first held a number of senior roles within our corporate finance organization. His previous experience includes both practical logistics experience where he worked in a senior leadership position at a third party logistics provider, as well as deal execution and integration experience as part of Ernst & Young’s Transaction Advisory Services practice in London, England.
Bob Parker is Executive Vice President, Customer Support & Client Services at Descartes. Bob has led the growth of the company’s customer-facing organization from a small group to 400+ skilled specialists and customer care representatives throughout North America, Europe and Asia. He empowers the team to be innovative and continuously look for ways to improve service to customers. Prior to joining Descartes in 2009, Bob served in various sales, professional services and executive leadership roles in both private and public sectors where he gained invaluable experience in operations across diverse business sectors. Bob is committed to helping customers and can be reached at bparker@descartes.com.
As Executive Vice President, Product Management, Ken Wood provides leadership in defining our product strategy, developing roadmaps, and working with all aspects of product delivery.
Ken joined Descartes in 2001 in connection with our acquisition of Centricity, a cloud-based Transportation Management Systems provider. His previous experience includes leadership roles in development, consulting and product management with leading supply chain software providers such as CAPS Logistics, i2 Technologies, and Centricity.
As SVP, Human Resources, Maija Michell is responsible for Human Resources operations for Descartes globally.
Prior to joining Descartes in 2017, she has led international HR departments in her career spanning 20+ years for technology organizations such as Psion PLC, Motorola Solutions and Unitron Hearing. Maija holds a BA in Psychology and Communications from Brock University, a Diploma in HR Management from Humber College, as well as the CHRL designation.
Chad oversees technology implementation and activation services by professional services teams across the organization to Descartes’ global customer base. Prior to taking on his current role in 2023, Chad held senior management positions with the company for over 20 years, including in product management, solutions consulting and professional services. Prior to joining Descartes, Chad served at Centricity, a provider of transportation management and optimization software, acquired by Descartes in 2001. Chad draws upon over 30 years of supply chain technology experience to engage with customers from diverse industries, understand their challenges, and help them implement solutions and operational improvements across their organizations that deliver significant value.
Board of Directors
MANDATE:
The members of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) have the duty to supervise the management of the business and affairs of The Descartes Systems Group Inc. (the “Company”). The Board, directly and through its committees, the Chair of the Board and the Lead Director, as applicable, shall provide direction to senior management, generally through the Chief Executive Officer, to pursue the best interests of the Company. In fulfilling its mandate, the Board of Directors, among other matters, is responsible for:
• Reviewing, at the beginning of each fiscal year, the business plan and financial goals of the Company as well as longer term strategic plans prepared and elaborated by Management and, throughout the year, monitoring the achievement of the objectives set;
• Ensuring that it is properly informed, on a timely basis, of all important issues and developments involving the Company and its business environment;
• Ensuring the implementation of appropriate systems or plans to manage the important issues and developments involving the Company;
• Overseeing the Company’s strategic direction; and
• Appointing senior Management and monitoring key executive performance and business results.
Read the full Mandate of the Board of Directors here
If you wish to contact our Board of Directors directly, you can do so via email at BoardOfDirectors@descartes.com
Mr. Demirian has served as non-executive Chair of the Board of the Corporation since May 2014 and was previously Chair of the Corporation’s audit committee. Mr. Demirian first joined the Board of Directors of Descartes in 2011. Mr. Demirian is also a member of Descartes’ Audit Committee and Corporate Governance Committee.
Mr. Demirian is a Chartered Professional Accountant, Certified General Accountant and a Chartered Accountant Since 2003, Mr. Demirian has served as president of Parklea Capital, Inc. (“Parklea”), a boutique financial and strategy advisory firm providing services to small- and mid-market public and private companies, and President of Demicap Inc., a private investment firm. Prior to Mr. Demirian’s position at Parklea, he held the position of Executive Vice President of Group Telecom, Inc. from 2000 to 2003. From 1983 to 2000, Mr. Demirian was with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”) where he was a partner and head of the Information and Communications Practice. Mr. Demirian serves on the boards of Enghouse Systems Ltd. (TSX:ENGH) and Imax Corporation (NYSE:IMAX). Mr. Demirian is a former director and chair of the audit committees of a number of public companies. Mr. Demirian holds a Bachelor of Business Management degree from Toronto Metropolitan University.
Mr. Demirian can be contacted directly on matters related to the governance of the Company at BoardOfDirectors@descartes.com
Mr. Chopra joined Descartes’ Board of Directors in May 2020. Mr. Chopra is a member of Descartes’ Audit Committee and the Nominating Committee.
Mr. Chopra most recently served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Canada Post Corporation from February 2011 to March 2018. Mr. Chopra has more than 30 years of global experience in the financial services, technology, transportation, logistics & supply-chain industries. Prior to that, for more than 20 years, he worked for Pitney Bowes Inc., a NYSE-traded technology company known for postage meters, mail automation and location intelligence services. He served as President of Pitney Bowes Canada and Latin America from 2006 to 2010. He held a number of increasingly senior executive roles internationally, including President of its new Asia Pacific and Middle East region from 2001 to 2006 and Chief Financial Officer for Europe, Africa & Middle East (EAME) region from 1998-2001. He has previously served on the boards of Canada Post Corporation, Purolator Inc., SCI Group, the Canada Post Community Foundation, Conference Board of Canada and the Toronto Region Board of Trade. He currently sits on the board of Celestica, Inc. (TSX:CLS), The North West Company (TSX:NWC) and Sun Life Financial (TSX:SLF). Mr. Chopra is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada and has a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce (Honours) and a Master’s Degree in Business Management (PGDBM).
Ms. Close joined Descartes’ Board of Directors in 2015. Ms. Close is Chair of the Compensation Committee and a member of the Nominating Committee.
Ms. Close held the position of President of the Production Services division of Tervita Corporation from 2010 until 2016. Tervita Production Services, now High Artic Energy Services (TSX:HWO), delivers engineering and field-based services to the oil and gas industry. From 2002 to 2010, Ms. Close was the Executive Vice President of DO2 Technologies (now Enverus), a software company providing electronic invoicing to the oil and gas industry. During Ms. Close’s tenure, DO2 grew from a start-up to the leading provider of e-invoicing to oil and gas companies and their suppliers. Prior to DO2, Ms. Close served in a number of Regional Vice President roles in Halliburton Corporation’s software division, Landmark Graphics. She held executive roles in several of Landmark’s largest regions, including VP of Strategic Accounts, Regional VP of North America and Regional VP of Europe and the Former Soviet Union. During Ms. Close’s 12 years at Halliburton, she worked in Canada, the US and Europe. Ms. Close also currently serves on the board of directors of Inter Pipeline Ltd, a privately held company but a reporting issuer for certain debt securities. Ms. Close holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Calgary and the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors and Rotman School of Management.
Ms. Hanington joined Descartes’ Board of Directors in 2022.
Ms. Hanington is the former President & Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Canadian Mint, a global manufacturing and marketing business, where she led a multi-year strategic and operational turnaround. Prior to that, Ms. Hanington worked in the financial services sector and served in a number of progressively senior roles in Canada and the U.S., culminating as Executive Vice-President and member of the Management Committee of BMO Financial Group. Ms. Hanington currently serves as a director for Extendicare Inc. (TSX: EXE), a private sector owner and operator of long-term care homes and a private sector provider of publicly-funded home health care services and is a member of the Governing Council of the University of Toronto. Ms. Hanington previously served on the boards of Aimia Inc (TSX: AIM), Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and Symcor, Inc. Ms. Hanington is co-founder and has served as a director of Jack.org, a Canadian youth mental health charity since 2010 and is the recipient of the Meritorious Service Cross from the office of the Governor General for her work with the organization. Ms. Hanington was named by the Women’s Executive Network (WXN)™ as one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women three times in a row, from 2007 to 2009 and was inducted into the WXN Hall of Fame in 2010. Ms. Hanington holds a B.A.Sc. from University of Waterloo, an MBA from the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto, and the ICD.D designation.
Ms. Irwin joined Descartes’ Board of Directors in 2022.
Ms. Irwin has 35 years of international Information Technology (IT) experience in the financial services and regulatory industries. She held executive roles at Sun Life Financial, TD Bank, Economical Insurance, and its subsidiary, Sonnet Insurance, and the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA). From 2019-2023, she held the position of Chief Information Officer (CIO) at the ESA where she led a multi-year digital transformation. Ms. Irwin sits on cyber security Advisory Boards and is a frequent public speaker in forums on cyber-security. Ms. Irwin currently serves as a director on the boards of Lakefront Utility Services Inc. and Pro-Demnity Insurance Company. Ms. Irwin holds a BA in Mathematics from the University of Western Ontario, a Computer Science Diploma from Fanshawe College, Cyber-Security Certificate from the University of Washington, and has completed executive education at the Harvard Kennedy School. Ms. Irwin actively participates in local and global organizations supporting women in technology.
Mr. Maple joined Descartes’ Board of Directors in 2017. Mr. Maple is Chair of the Nominating Committee and a member of the Compensation Committee
Mr. Maple is currently Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Goddard Systems, LLC, which oversees the operation of 631 premium early childhood education schools operating in 38 states across the United States. Between January 2014 and August 2019, Mr. Maple was the President of First Student, Inc., a subsidiary of United Kingdom based publicly-traded First Group plc., a transport operator in the United Kingdom and North America, that provides transportation solutions encompassing student bus transportation and public rail and public bus operations. Prior to serving as President of First Student, from 2006 to January 2014, Mr. Maple was President of Aramark Education, the market leading provider of food and nutrition planning services, facilities management, construction project management and related services to school districts across North America. Prior to his role as President of Aramark Education, from 2003 to 2006, Mr. Maple held senior executive management positions at Aramark serving both K-12 schools and Higher Education Colleges and Universities. Prior to serving in executive roles at Aramark, from 1994 to 2003, Mr. Maple served as an Area Vice President at Coors Brewing and in several other management roles. Leading up to 1994, Mr. Maple held executive roles at Kraft-General Foods, PepsiCo and The Quaker Oats Company. Mr. Maple holds a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in accounting from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. During the past 30 years, Mr. Maple has served on numerous charitable and community-based boards, including the Urban League of Philadelphia, The Episcopal Academy, a leading college preparatory school, recognized nationally, based in the suburbs of Philadelphia, and as well, he has served on numerous other local organization boards, including Philadelphia Outward Bound, Philadelphia Academies and the Paoli Hospital Foundation. Mr. Maple has also been an active participant in organizations across North America supporting primary and secondary schools and communities. In 2021, Mr. Maple was elected to the International Franchise Association’s (IFA) Board of Directors. In 2023, Mr. Maple was awarded the Diversity in Business award from the Philadelphia Business Journal; and in 2024, Mr. Maple was named among Savoy Magazine’s Most Influential Executives. Finally, in 2024 Mr. Maple was recognized locally in the City of Philadelphia and the State of Pennsylvania as one of several Black Trailblazers for his community engagement work and support of the Philadelphia Region.
Mr. Muntwyler joined Descartes’ Board of Directors in May 2020. Mr. Muntwyler is a member of the Compensation Committee and Corporate Governance Committee.
Mr. Muntwyler has significant international experience in the transportation, logistics and technology sectors. Having previously held various senior executive positions at SwissAir and the positions of Chief Executive of DHL Express (UK) Limited and Managing Director (Switzerland, Germany and Central Europe) at DHL Express, he is now a management consultant through his business, Conlogic AG, specializing in strategic development, leadership guidance and customer orientation and process automation. Mr. Muntwyler spent 10 years in the DHL Express organization following a 27 year career with SwissAir. Mr. Muntwyler previously served as a non-executive director on the board of The Austrian Post from 2010 to April 2023, National Express Group PLC in the United Kingdom (LSE:NEX) from 2011 to 2020 and as a director of Panalpina World Transport (Holding) Ltd. from 2010 to 2018. During the period of 2007 and 2008, Mr. Muntwyler served as a member of the President’s Committee on the United Kingdom’s Confederation of British Industry. During his professional career, Mr. Muntwyler has lived and worked in Switzerland, Sweden, the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom.
Ms. O’Hagan joined Descartes’ Board of Directors in 2014. Ms. O’Hagan is Chair of the Corporate Governance Committee and a member of the Compensation Committee.
Ms. O’Hagan is a corporate director with over 20 years experience in the transportation and logistics sectors. From 2010 until 2014, Ms. O’Hagan was the Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Canadian Pacific Railway Limited. Ms. O’Hagan also held various roles at CP including Senior Vice President, Strategy and Yield, Vice President, Strategy and External Affairs and Assistant Vice President, Strategy and Research. Ms. O’Hagan was appointed to the GCT Global Containers Terminal Inc. Board of Directors in August 2023 and is chair of the Human Resources Committee. Ms. O’Hagan also serves as a director of USD Partners GP LCC, the general partner of USD Partners LP (NYSE:USDP), an acquirer, developer and operator of energy-related rail terminals and other complementary mid-stream assets, where Ms. O’Hagan is the past Chair of USD Partners GP LLC board’s conflicts committee and as a member of the audit committee. From 2018 until its acquisition in 2021, Ms. O’Hagan was a member of the board of Pinnacle Renewable Holdings (TSX:PL), a supplier of industrial wood pellets based in Richmond, BC where she also served as a member of the audit and risk committees. Ms. O’Hagan has a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) and a Bachelor of Administrative and Commercial Studies from the University of Western Ontario (London, Ontario, Canada) and has completed graduate studies in Program and Policy Studies from the University of Western Ontario. In December 2012, Ms. O’Hagan was named one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women by the Women’s Executive Network. Ms. O’Hagan is also a holder of the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors, which she achieved in June 2016 and earned the CERT Certificate in Cyber Risk Oversight issued by Carnegie Mellon University and the National Association of Corporate Directors in February 2018.
Mr Ed Ryan is Descartes’ Chief Executive Officer, having been appointed to that position in November 2013. Mr. Ryan joined Descartes in February 2000 in connection with our acquisition of E-Transport Incorporated. Mr. Ryan guides the company’s executive management team and drives its growth and M&A strategies. Prior to taking on his current role in 2013, Mr. Ryan led Descartes’ global sales and marketing operations as Chief Commercial Officer after having served as Executive Vice President of Global Field Operations. Mr. Ryan brings more than 30 years of experience in supply chain and logistics technology to the company and its customers.
Mr. Walker joined Descartes’ Board of Directors in 2011. Mr. Walker is Chair of the Audit Committee and a member of the Corporate Governance Committee.
Mr. Walker is a corporate director and a Certified Public Accountant and a Chartered Global Management Accountant with 37 years overall financial and executive management experience, including twenty-one years of experience as a Chief Financial Officer with both public and private companies. Mr. Walker served as Chief Financial Officer, and Senior Vice President of Bowne & Company, a New York Stock Exchange-listed provider of services to help companies produce and manage their shareholder, investor and marketing & business communications, from 2006 until its acquisition by R.R. Donnelley & Sons in 2010. Prior to Bowne & Company, from 1988 to 2006, Mr. Walker was an executive with Loews Cineplex Entertainment Corporation a motion picture theatre exhibition chain, including sixteen years as Chief Financial Officer. Prior thereto, Mr. Walker served for six years as Controller and Principal Accounting Officer of Corporate Property Investors, then one of the largest real estate investment trusts in the United States. Mr. Walker also served for six years as Treasurer and Assistant Corporate Controller of Princess Hotels International a company involved in the ownership and operation of luxury resort hotels, real estate and timesharing developments. From October 2021 to October 2023, Mr. Walker was a member of the Board of Schultze Special Purpose Acquisition Corp. II (Nasdaq: SAMAU, SAMA, SAMAW) where he was Chair of the Audit Committee and also served on the Nominating and Compensation Committees. Mr. Walker was a member of the Board of Schultze Special Purpose Acquisition Corp. I from June 2018 until December 2020 up to the completion of a “de-SPAC” business combination. Mr. Walker started his career in the New York office of then-Price Waterhouse. Mr. Walker is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the New York State Society of CPAs.