Wilbert Arends is the Vice-President (Finance and Services) and Chief Financial Officer at the University of Calgary.
Before joining UCalgary in 2025, Wilbert served as Chief Financial Officer for LNG Canada, where he helped lead the financial strategy for a USD $30-billion megaproject — the largest private sector investment in Canadian history. He has also held senior leadership roles with Shell across Australia, Europe, and the Middle East, supporting complex global operations and major energy infrastructure initiatives.
At UCalgary, Wilbert is focused on advancing innovation, operational excellence, and long-term sustainability through strategic partnerships and forward-looking financial leadership. He is passionate about enabling collaboration between academia, industry, and community partners to help accelerate research, entrepreneurship, and real-world impact.
Wilbert holds an Executive Master of Finance and Control from Rotterdam Erasmus University and a Master of Science in Economics from the University of Groningen. He has also completed executive education programs at Harvard Business School, London Business School, and the University of Queensland.
Outside of work, Wilbert enjoys photography and spending time outdoors.