Mary Aylesworth is director of financial operations at Simon Fraser University, where she works in public-sector procurement and financial operations with a focus on ethical sourcing, clear contracting and long-term, respectful supplier relationships.

Her procurement experience spans health care, municipal government, manufacturing and higher education. Across these sectors, Aylesworth has worked to reduce unnecessary complexity in procurement processes and support fair access for suppliers, particularly small, diverse and Indigenous-owned businesses navigating public-sector systems.

She approaches procurement not only as a technical function but as a space to express values, including respect for Indigenous economic participation, community well-being and sustainable relationships.