PortsToronto Announces Sandra Pupatello as New Board Chair

Toronto (April 2, 2024) – PortsToronto today announces that Ms. Sandra Pupatello has been elected Chair of the PortsToronto Board of Directors effective April 2, 2024. Ms. Pupatello is an active member of the PortsToronto Board and has served on the Audit and Finance Committee and Communications and Outreach Committee.

Ms. Pupatello is best known as Ontario’s former Minister of Economic Development and Trade, partnering with many Toronto agencies to strengthen economic opportunities in our region. She was a member of the Ontario Legislature for 16 years, having been first elected in 1995. In 2003, she was appointed to Cabinet, where she served as a Cabinet Minister for eight years, six as the Minister of Economic Development and Trade. Ms. Pupatello retired from the public sector in 2011 to work in the private sector with her own management consulting firm.

Ms. Pupatello’s previous Board experience includes serving as the Chair of Hydro One and the Pearson Centre, as a member of the Asia Pacific Foundation and as founding Vice-Chair of Ontario Global 100, an organization founded to promote Ontario companies’ international trade opportunities. She recently co-founded Reshoring Canada, a non-profit promoting Canadian business opportunities. She is a Board Member of Martinrea International Inc., a public automotive parts company doing business on four continents. She sits on the board of St. Elizabeth Healthcare Foundation. She obtained her ICD.D certification from the Rotman School of Business.

Ms. Pupatello has been recognized for her leadership in business, politics and her ongoing commitment to community service with awards such as the Women’s Executive Network’s (WXN) 2014 Top 100 Canada’s Most Powerful Women, Businesswoman of the Year by the Italian Chamber of Commerce of Ontario Canada (ICCO), the Innovation and Global Growth Award by the Bank of Montreal, one of Canada’s largest banks, and Woman of the Year from her hometown Chamber of Commerce in Windsor, Ontario.

Ms. Pupatello succeeds Amanda Walton, who was first appointed by the City of Toronto as a Director of the Board in 2015, and became Chair of the Board in April 2021. Ms. Walton’s term expired last month in accordance with the Canada Marine Act. Ms. Walton, together with the Board of Directors, has provided leadership on a number of critical infrastructure developments, community and sustainability projects, including the construction of the Ground Run-Up Enclosure and the conversion of the Marilyn Bell ferry – the first all-electric ferry in Canada.

“I am keenly aware of the opportunities and the work ahead to serve the City of Toronto and region, enhancing economic development opportunities for such an important region of the country,” said Sandra Pupatello, Board Chair, PortsToronto. “I commend Amanda Walton for serving nine distinguished years on the Board, the last three as Chair, and for the achievements of the Board during that time. I look forward to working with our partners for the success of the Toronto region and beyond.”

PortsToronto is a self-sustaining government business enterprise, accountable to the Federal Government through Transport Canada. It is guided by a Board of Directors composed of individuals appointed by all levels of government – federal, provincial and municipal. For more information on the Board of Directors and Governance structure at PortsToronto please visit www.portstoronto.com.


Quote from Sandra Pupatello

“I am keenly aware of the opportunities and the work ahead to serve city of Toronto and region, enhancing economic development opportunities for such an important region of the country.  I commend Amanda Walton for serving nine distinguished years on the Board, the last three as Chair, and for the achievements of the Board during that time. I look forward to working with our partners for the success of the Toronto region and beyond.”


About PortsToronto
For more than 100 years PortsToronto has worked with its partners at the federal, provincial and municipal levels to enhance the economic growth of the City of Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area. PortsToronto owns and operates the award-winning Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport; the Outer Harbour Marina, one of Canada’s largest freshwater marinas; and, Marine Terminal 52, which provides transportation, distribution, storage and container services to businesses at the Port of Toronto. PortsToronto is committed to fostering strong, healthy and sustainable communities and has invested more than $14 million since 2009 in charitable initiatives and environmental programs that benefit communities along Toronto’s waterfront and beyond. PortsToronto operates in accordance with the Canada Marine Act and is guided by a nine-member board with representation from all three levels of government.

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Media Contact
Jessica Pellerin
Senior Manager, Communications, PortsToronto
Cell: (647) 298-0585
E-mail: [email protected]