Chair of the Aegis Peace Fund, Merv Chia is also President and CEO of NEX Industries Corp. He has spent his 35-year career applying efforts in both business enterprise and social impact. He founded Supreme Pacific Food Group, NEX Industries Corp, and NEX Technology Capital, and has led these organizations in agri-food, in light manufacturing, and in clean technology — bringing his experience to the challenge of resiliency and sustainability in vulnerable communities. Expanding his businesses from Canada to the United Kingdom in 2010 brought him into Aegis’ orbit.

His international development work spans over a decade of direct field engagement. He served as an in-country technical advisor to Red Cross National Societies in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Côte d’Ivoire, designing social enterprises for sustainability in post- conflict settings. He was also the project advisor for an IFRC-sponsored e-learning platform across sub-Saharan Africa.

Merv has chaired community grant adjudication committees for social services, microcredit conferences, and served as a regional president of the Canadian Red Cross. A former board director of public companies and YPO member, he currently serves on the board of three private corporations. He is a trustee of the Audacia Foundation, a board member of the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame and a graduate of the London School of Economics and Political Science with a Master’s in social business and entrepreneurship.