Rogers Communications on Wednesday announced Melinda Rogers-Hixon and Martha Rogers are retiring from the Rogers board of directors as part of a private settlement between members of the Rogers family.
The Rogers sisters’ decision to retire comes after years of conflict between the women and their brother, company chair Edward Rogers, who took over control of the board during a corporate dispute that became public in 2021 and also saw then-CEO Joe Natale replaced by current CEO Tony Staffieri.
The departure of Melinda Rogers-Hixon and Martha Rogers from the board also follows a legal challenge they launched last fall to obtain documents they alleged Rogers was withholding from them. They also alleged they were being excluded from certain board and committee meetings.
It would appear the matter has been settled, although the terms of a settlement were not disclosed.
“With our family differences now settled, we both believe this is the appropriate time to retire from the Rogers Communications board,” the two women said in a statement. “We remain proud and committed shareholders of the company and look forward to supporting its success in the future. In the words of our late father, the best is yet to come.”
“On behalf of the board and management of Rogers Communications, I want to thank Melinda and Martha for their numerous contributions to our company over many decades,” Edward Rogers said in a company statement. “Their dedication to Rogers Communications has been integral to the company’s growth and is reflected in the passion with which our employees serve our customers across Canada every day.”
Rogers-Hixon joined the Rogers board in 2002 and became deputy chair in 2018. Previously, she spent 15 years in management at Rogers Communications in roles that included senior vice-president of strategy and development and founder of Rogers Venture Partners in 2011.
Martha Rogers joined the board in 2008 and has served as chair of the ESG (environmental, social and governance) committee since 2021.
