Ms. Mary Preville joined CFN Consultants following a distinguished career in Canada’s public service culminating in her appointment as a Vice-President at the Canadian Space Agency. Mary has extensive experience in providing strategic and pragmatic advice to senior government and industry leaders, having spent over 30 years in the federal public service in progressively senior roles, leading advanced technology programs and strategic policy initiatives, most notably in space and energy. She was also an advisor in Ministers’ and Deputy Ministers’ offices.

Mary joined the Canadian Space Agency in 2016 where she played a key role in securing billions in new investments for the benefit of Canadian industry, researchers, students and youth. She led the development of the Canadian space and earth observation strategies and the data-sharing agreement for Canada’s flagship constellation of satellites.

Adept in international forums, Mary led the negotiation of several treaties, including the historic treaty with NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration [MP1.1] that will see Canadian astronauts fly to the lunar vicinity, the ten-year treaty renewal with the European Space Agency - ESA [MP2.1] that grants Canadian industry access to its programs, and numerous agreements with foreign space organizations. Mary has also represented Canada at organizations such as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD - OCDE), the G20, APEC - Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation and the United Nations and was part of the research and technology team at the International Energy Agency (IEA) in Paris for two years.

Since retirement from the public service, Mary consults, chairs the External Advisory Council for Western University’s Institute for Earth and Space Exploration (Western Space), and continues to mentor young professionals. Mary holds a BSc in chemistry from McGill University and an MBA from the University of Ottawa.

At CFN, Mary will support our clients in pursuing opportunities in the commercial and military space sectors, as well as introducing clients to Canada's space industry ecosystem.