Atul Nayyar is a strategic leader with over 15 years of experience advancing research, education and innovation across academia, government and industry. As a Senior Development Partner at Olds College of Agriculture & Technology, he leads partnership development, funding initiatives and stakeholder engagement to support institutional growth and impact. With expertise in corporate governance, government relations and project management, Atul is committed to fostering collaborations that strengthen Canada’s research and skills ecosystem.
Atul holds a PhD in Soil Microbiology and an MBA from the University of Saskatchewan, along with professional credentials in project management and small business banking. His academic and professional background enables him to bridge applied research with business development, delivering measurable outcomes across complex initiatives.
Throughout his career, Atul has led initiatives ranging from international research collaborations to agricultural innovation commercialization, consistently building connections that create tangible value for communities and stakeholders. He has also held senior advisory roles at CIBC and Scotiabank, providing financial guidance to businesses while mentoring emerging leaders.
Atul finds the most rewarding aspect of his work to be cultivating meaningful partnerships that transform innovative ideas into real-world solutions. Outside of work, he enjoys racket sports such as pickleball, long walks and spending time in nature – particularly in the mountains. He also enjoys cooking food that he enjoys with his family and friends.
Administration Team
