Our People

Dr. Ken Barker
Scientific Director

Ken Barker Ph.D., FCIPS, I.S.P., ITCP is a professor of computer science at the University of Calgary. He holds a PhD in computing science from the University of Alberta (1990) and has many years of experience working with industrial computer systems. He has interest in system integration, distributed systems, database systems, and the privacy and security of data repositories. He has served as the dean of the faculty of science and as head of computer science at the University of Calgary. He is the director of the University of Calgary’s Institute for Security, Privacy and Information Assurance and the president of the Alberta body of the Canadian Information Processing Society (CIPS Alberta). He is one of the founding directors of the National Cybersecurity Consortium (NCC). He is a Fellow of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute, a Fellow of the Canadian Information Processing Society, a Senior Member of the IEEE, and a Life-time Member of the ACM. He is the President of CIPS Alberta and is a past president of the Canadian Association of Computer Science (CACS/AIC) in addition to having served on the Computer Science Accreditation Council. As the director of research laboratories at the University of Calgary and University of Manitoba he has supervised over 70 graduate students, in addition to several post-doctorates and research assistants. Dr. Barker has published over 250 peer-reviewed publications.

Mary Henricksen
Executive Director

Ms. Henricksen has a wealth of leadership experience in not-for-profit, academic, cultural, and funding environments, including roles with Telefilm Canada, the CBC, the Canadian Academic Accounting Association, the Ontario Film Authority and Conestoga College. Ms. Henricksen holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of British Columbia, and is a Certified Association Executive.

Shezmin Rajan
Director, Finance

Introducing Shezmin Rajan is a distinguished financial strategist with a proven track record in audit, accounting, and operational leadership across diverse sectors. With expertise in treasury management, strategic planning, and fostering relationships, Shezmin has spearheaded financial transformations in not-for-profit, private, and public organizations. As Financial Controller at the Granite Club and Director of Corporate Accounting at the Ontario Centre of Innovation, she’s driven excellence through standardized processes and innovative solutions. Holding designations such as CPA and ACCA, alongside an MBA in Finance, Shezmin’s holistic proficiency is poised to elevate your financial landscape.

Vanessa Pinto
Director, Grant Administration & Membership

Vanessa has held multiple roles in academic research. She spent a number of years working research labs in multiple institutes before moving to research administration as a compliance specialist where she developed and implemented strategic initiatives to support research. In her most recent appointment, she was responsible for designing and administering funding opportunities for digital research including Advanced Research Computing, Research Data Management, and cybersecurity as well as managed and coordinated multi-million dollar proposals to federal funders.

Vanessa holds an undergraduate degree in Genetics and a Master’s degree in Biochemistry and Medical Genetics. In addition to her degrees, she has completed professional development in Business Innovation, Adult Learning, Knowledge Mobilization, Communications and Project Management.