ICOMOS Canada’s board elections are now live! ICOMOS Canada is looking to fill the position of President, and received 1 qualifying applications. Members may vote to affirm the candidate, who’s profiles can be found in this post with candidate statements are linked.
All current members should have now received voting information for the current ICOMOS Canada Board of Directors nominations. As per section 41 and 49 of the Bylaws, Directors shall be elected by electronic ballot of the Members.
Results of the election will be announced and ratified at our General Meeting which will take place on May 4th, 2026 at 3:30pm EST. Elected Officers take office at the close of the meeting.
Please contact secretariat@canada.icomos.org if you are a member in good standing and you did not receive a ballot, if you require access information for the General Meeting, or if you require additional information or assistance.
Candidate Profiles and statements
Mario SANTANA QUINTERO
Prof. Mario Eduardo Santana Quintero (Ontario) is an internationally recognized heritage professional, academic, and senior leader within ICOMOS, with more than two decades of experience in cultural heritage conservation, risk preparedness, documentation, and capacity building.
He has held multiple leadership positions within ICOMOS at both national and international levels. Prof. Santana Quintero is a former member of the Board of Directors of ICOMOS Canada, where he served as Treasurer, contributing to governance, financial oversight, and organizational development. At the international level, he has served as Secretary General, Vice President, and Board Member of ICOMOS International, playing a central role in institutional leadership, strategic planning, and international policy engagement.
He currently serves as Honorary President of CIPA (ICOMOS–ISPRS) and is an expert member of ISCARSAH and ICORP, contributing his expertise to global initiatives on risk preparedness, disaster management, and resilience for cultural heritage.
In parallel with his ICOMOS activities, Prof. Santana Quintero is a highly accomplished academic and heritage practitioner, known for bridging research, professional practice, and international cooperation. His work spans diverse cultural and institutional contexts and emphasizes climate action, risk management, capacity building, and inclusive heritage governance.
Through his leadership experience, international network, and deep institutional knowledge of ICOMOS, Prof. Santana Quintero brings a strong and informed vision for the future of ICOMOS Canada.
Statement of Intent
I am seeking election as President of ICOMOS Canada, reflecting a long-standing commitment to the organization and to the advancement of cultural heritage conservation in Canada and internationally. Having served ICOMOS at multiple levels—nationally as a Board member and Treasurer of ICOMOS Canada, and internationally as Secretary General, Vice President, and Board member of ICOMOS International—I am deeply familiar with the responsibilities, opportunities, and challenges associated with leading the organization.
My vision for ICOMOS Canada is that of a strong, bilingual, outward-looking National Committee that actively serves its members while contributing meaningfully to international ICOMOS priorities. I see ICOMOS Canada playing a key role in areas such as climate change and risk preparedness, digital tools for heritage, capacity building, Indigenous and shared heritage, and evidence-based heritage policy.
Over the next three years, I believe priorities should include strengthening partnerships with other heritage organizations in Canada, Indigenous communities, academia, government, and civil society; improving member engagement across regions; and reinforcing ICOMOS Canada’s participation in Canadian issues that deal with the national commitment to the international community, such as the UNESCO’s “World Heritage Convention”, “Intangible Heritage (not yet ratified by Canada)”, “Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions”, “Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property” and “Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and its two Protocols”. Drawing on my experience in governance and financial oversight, I also aim to support diversified and sustainable funding strategies.
If elected, I confirm my full willingness and availability to serve, including dedicating 10–15 volunteer hours per week and attending all Board meetings. I am a Canadian citizen, fluent in English and French, and bring over thirty years of recognized professional experience in the heritage sector.
My objective is to support ICOMOS Canada as an inclusive, professionally relevant, and internationally connected organization—one that reflects Canada’s diversity while contributing constructively to the global ICOMOS community.