September 16, 1955, marked the birth of Călin Rovinescu in Bucharest, Romania, before he emigrated to Canada at age five. He established a distinguished career as a lawyer and aviation executive, eventually serving as the president and chief executive officer of Air Canada from April 2009 until his departure in February 2021.
Legal Practice and Early Career
Rovinescu pursued legal studies, earning a CEGEP degree in 1974, a Civil Law degree from the Université de Montréal in 1978, and an LL.B. from the University of Ottawa in 1980. Prior to his aviation tenure, he spent over two decades as a managing partner at the Montreal-based law firm Stikeman Elliott LLP. During this time, he specialized in corporate finance and mergers, acting as the lead external counsel for the 1988 privatization of Air Canada. He remains a member of both the Quebec and Ontario Bar Associations.
Leadership at Air Canada
Joining Air Canada in 2000 as Executive Vice President of Corporate Development and Strategy, Rovinescu served as the Chief Restructuring Officer during the carrier's 2003–2004 financial reorganization. Between 2004 and 2009, he co-founded Genuity Capital Markets, an investment bank later absorbed into Canaccord Genuity Group. Upon returning to Air Canada in 2009, his leadership spanned over a decade, during which the company saw shares appreciate more than 4,000% by the end of 2019. He oversaw expansion to 220 destinations across six continents and secured multiple Skytrax honors as the Best Airline in North America.
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Rovinescu maintained an active presence in global aviation governance, chairing the Star Alliance chief executive board from 2012 to 2016. He held a seat on the board of governors for the International Air Transport Association, serving as its chairman between June 2014 and June 2015. His corporate governance roles include directorships at BCE Inc. and the Bank of Nova Scotia, alongside senior advisory positions at Brookfield Asset Management and Teneo. In February 2025, he assumed the role of chairman at CAE.
Philanthropy and Academic Recognition
From 2015 to 2022, Rovinescu served as the 14th Chancellor of the University of Ottawa. In October 2019, he and his wife, Elaine, announced a $2 million gift to create the Rovinescu Admission Scholarships, supporting first-generation Canadians at the University of Ottawa and the Université de Montréal. His contributions have been recognized with honorary doctorates from six institutions, including Concordia University, the University of Windsor, Pepperdine University, and Politehnica University of Bucharest. He is a member of the Order of Canada and a Companion of the Canadian Business Hall of Fame.
Fast facts
- Born: 1955, Bucharest
- Citizenship: Canada
- Education: University of Ottawa, Université de Montréal, McGill University
- Air Canada CEO Tenure: 2009–2021
- Current Role: Chairman of CAE (since 2025)
- University of Ottawa Chancellor: 2015–2022
- Awards: Member of the Order of Canada
Questions readers ask
What was Călin Rovinescu's role in the 2003-2004 Air Canada restructuring?
He served as the airline's Chief Restructuring Officer.
Did he hold any academic leadership positions?
Yes, he served as the 14th Chancellor of the University of Ottawa from 2015 until 2022.
What scholarship program did he establish?
He and his wife established the Rovinescu Admission Scholarships for new Canadians with a $2 million donation to the University of Ottawa and the Université de Montréal.
Achievements
- Member of the Order of Canada
- Educated at McGill University and University of Ottawa
