Dr. David Ross joined SAIT in 2013 as its 16th President and CEO. He brings over 35 years of post-secondary experience in universities, colleges and polytechnics.
Under Dr. Ross’ leadership, SAIT has grown to be Alberta’s third largest post-secondary institution through the development of applied practiced education, solution focused research and a wide range of partnerships that represent a broad global footprint.
He has chaired or been a board member of over 20 organizations including Chair of Polytechnics Canada, the Canadian Bureau for International Education, The Global Education Network, and the Alberta Skills to Jobs Task Force (focused on the next generation of talent) and the League for Innovation.
David is a staunch internationalist and fundamentally believes that institutions greatly benefit from the sharing of ideas, resources and talent across borders. His research interests focus on the evolution of institutions as industry and society advance.
President and Vice Chancellor,
Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning
Dr. Janet Morrison was named Sheridan’s eighth President and Vice Chancellor in June 2018. She had previously held the role of Provost and Vice President, Academic at Sheridan.
Prior to her appointment, Dr. Morrison spent 17 years at York University, working in various roles focused on learning, discovery and engagement, most recently serving as Vice-Provost, Students. Before joining York, she held leadership positions in student affairs and taught at the University of Guelph, Bowling Green State University, Medical College of Ohio and George Brown College. She holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in history and education.
Having worked in the post-secondary sector for more than 20 years, Dr. Morrison remains passionate about student success and community engagement. She served as a staff representative on York’s Board of Governors and in 2010 was awarded York University’s President’s Leadership Award. An active volunteer, Dr. Morrison is the former Chair of the Board of Trustees at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital and previously chaired the Board of Directors for the Children’s Aid Society of Toronto.
Fred Meier is the President and CEO of Red River College Polytechnic, Manitoba’s largest College and only polytechnic. RRC Polytech serves more than 20,000 students annually and is one of Canada’s top five applied research institutions.
Fred is known for his work leading large organizations in senior management and executive roles, focusing on building positive and inclusive cultures that embrace employee engagement, innovation, and collaboration.
His past leadership within the Manitoba Public Service has impacted Manitoba’s economy, advanced Indigenous inclusion, and empowered organizations inside the public service to grow, innovate, and move forward to serve Manitobans better and strengthen the province’s economy.
Today, Fred uses that experience to connect with employers, industry partners, faculty, staff and students.
In September 2021, RRC Polytech created a bold new vision and strategic plan, a plan that will take big leaps to build a stronger and more resilient college. One that continues to move at the pace of industry to meet their needs and creates a workforce today that is prepared for the jobs of tomorrow.
Fred is the sixth President and CEO in the College’s 85-year history. In addition to his role as President & CEO, Fred serves as a member of the Premier’s Economic Opportunities Advisory Board.
Fred holds a Master of Science from the University of Manitoba.
With extensive experience in the public, private and non-profit sectors, David Agnew became the fifth president of Seneca in July 2009.
Under his leadership, Seneca has experienced record growth in enrolment and expanded its offerings in both undergraduate and graduate programs. One of the largest colleges in Canada, Seneca is growing its applied research, broadening international and corporate partnerships, investing in capital expansion and adopting an innovative academic direction to increase experiential, cross-disciplinary and flexible learning opportunities.
Mr. Agnew was Secretary to the Cabinet and head of the public service in the Government of Ontario, Canada from 1992 to 1995 after serving as Principal Secretary to the Premier. In 1995, he led the Public-Private Partnerships Project and was seconded to Massey College at the University of Toronto where he was a Senior Resident.
He was the President and CEO of UNICEF Canada, the first head of the organization recruited from outside the international development sector. As Principal for the consulting firm Digital 4Sight, he led the firm’s global research initiative on the impact of technology on government and democracy. In the co-operative sector, he was the Executive Vice-President and Corporate Secretary for the Credit Union Central of Ontario. Mr. Agnew was the Ombudsman for Banking Services and Investments, the national dispute resolution service for consumers and small businesses.
Mr. Agnew’s working life started in high school as a newspaper reporter in Toronto and he continued his journalism career in St. John’s, Ottawa and Edmonton. He was the gold medallist when he graduated from Memorial University of Newfoundland with a B.A. in political science. Following his studies, he was a Parliamentary Intern at the House of Commons of Canada.
Mr. Agnew is Chair of the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH). He is past chair of Colleges Ontario, Polytechnics Canada and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and former vice-chair of Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO). He also serves on numerous other boards and committees, including the Canadian Ditchley Foundation Advisory Board and Sichuan University’s International Advisory Board. He has also served as a director or member of Colleges and Institutes Canada, the Canadian government’s Science, Technology and Innovation Council, the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council, ventureLAB, former director of the Empire Club of Canada, the Council on Foreign Relations Higher Education Working Group and has served on the campaign cabinets of the United Way in Toronto and Peel.
In 2012, Mr. Agnew received a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his service to the community.
Claude Brulé is Algonquin College’s ninth President and Chief Executive Officer. Prior to taking on this leadership role in August 2019, Claude served in progressive administrative roles from Department Chair, to Dean of the Faculty of Technology and Trades, and Senior Vice President Academic, leading many significant educational innovation initiatives, as well as cross-college information technology and infrastructure-related projects during his tenure.
Prior to joining the College, Claude was an officer in the Canadian Forces, in the Air Force occupational branch of Communication and Electronics Engineering, in a career that spanned 22 years, retiring at the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in 1999. He graduated from the Royal Military College in Kingston in 1982 with a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Physics and again in 1990, earning a Master’s of Science in Mathematics.
Claude is an active member of the community and serves on several boards, including the Ontario College Application Service (OCAS), Polytechnics Canada and Invest Ottawa. He is also a member of IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) and was promoted to Senior Member in 2018 for his significant contributions to the profession.
President and Vice-Chancellor / ex-officio,
Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Dr. Alan Davis was appointed President of Kwantlen Polytechnic University on September 1, 2012. A native of Reading, England, Dr. Davis has held leadership positions at institutions in the United States and Canada, including roles at the British Columbia Open University, Athabasca University, Niagara College and Vancouver Community College. From 2008 to 2012 he served as President of Empire State University at the State University of New York.
Dr. Davis is a member of the board of the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning, and has served on various committees and commissions with the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, and the American Council for Education. He is past President of the Canadian Society for the Study of Higher Education and sat on the Board of the Collaboration for Online Higher Education Research. He currently sits on the Council of Presidents for the Association of Governing Boards; on the President’s Advisory Council for the University of Illinois; and on the Management Board of the Ontario College Quality Assurance Service.
Aside from his academic contributions through publications and presentations, Dr. Davis is also a published playwright.
Peter Devlin was appointed Fanshawe College’s fifth President effective September 2013.
Prior to joining Fanshawe, President Devlin served 35 years in the Canadian Armed Forces and retired commanding the Canadian Army at the rank of Lieutenant General. He has several UN, NATO and Coalition tours and his awards include Orders of Military Merit from the United States, Brazil and Colombia as well as the Canadian Meritorious Service Cross, France’s National Order of the Legion of Honour and Commander of the Canadian Order of Military Merit.
President Devlin serves on provincial and national college committees. These include the Ontario Colleges Library Service Board as past president and a member of the Colleges Ontario Committee of Presidents and serves on the Executive Committee. He is a Director on the Colleges and Institutes Canada’s Board (CICan), a member of CICan’s Presidents Leadership Network and Coordinating Committees, CICan’s International Advisory Committee, and a Director on the Polytechnics Canada Board. Peter also serves on the London Economic Development Corporation’s Board of Directors, the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries and is a member of the lvey Business School Leadership Council.
President Devlin received an undergraduate degree in Honours Economics from Western University, a graduate degree in Strategic Studies from the US Army War College and a certificate in Advanced Executive Management from Queen’s University. He has also studied at Command and Staff Colleges of the Canadian Defence Academy and is a graduate of the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD.D). He received an Honorary Doctorate from the Royal Military College of Canada.
Peter has been married for 37 years, and together he and his wife Judy have four children.
Dr. Gervan Fearon became President of George Brown College in August 2021. Working with colleagues across the college, he aims to support career-oriented programs to meet the needs of students and the demands of employers; advance college-led research; and enhance community engagement. With a proven track record of collaboration, transformative leadership and engaging higher learning communities in a shared mission, he leads George Brown’s efforts to provide transformative education opportunities that benefit learners, industry and the greater community.
Gervan has a strong professional background in post-secondary education. Prior to being President and Vice-Chancellor at Brock University (2017-2021) and Brandon University (2014-2017), he held numerous progressive roles in post-secondary education, including Dean of the G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education at Ryerson University; Associate Dean at York University’s Atkinson Faculty of Liberal and Professional Studies; Visiting Scholar at the University of Washington; and as an Associate Professor at York University. Dr. Fearon also has a strong teaching and research record.
His career also included serving as the Executive Assistant to the Deputy Minister at the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and a Senior Analyst at the Treasury Board, Ontario Ministry of Finance. He has also served on numerous community boards, including Ontario Trillium Foundation, Brandon Urban Aboriginal Peoples’ Council, United Way Niagara, Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce, and the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto. He was also Co-Chair of the Niagara Region’s Community Safety and Well-Being Planning Committee, Chair of the Budget and Audit Committee of Council of Ontario Universities, and President of Tropicana Community Services. Gervan is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2013), The Michaëlle Jean Foundation Influencer Award (2017), The University of the West Indies Vice-Chancellor’s Award (2020) and several other awards of recognition.
He holds a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Western Ontario and received his master’s and bachelor’s of science degrees in agricultural economics from the University of Guelph. He holds a Chartered Professional Accountant designation (CPA, CGA) and Institute of Corporate Directors designation (ICD.D).
Laura Jo Gunter became NAIT’s seventh President and CEO on August 24, 2020. An innovative leader, she brings extensive post-secondary knowledge and an entrepreneurial spirit to her role.
Prior to joining NAIT, Ms. Gunter was President and CEO of Bow Valley College in Calgary. During her tenure she led the creation of a new strategic plan, Open Doors – Open Minds. She also expanded Bow Valley College’s brand locally, nationally and internationally through significant partnerships with global companies. In addition, she initiated Pivot-Ed, a platform that re-imagines adult education to help those needing to pivot in their careers. Pivot-Ed incorporates AI-driven assessments based on workplace simulations and micro-credentialing using blockchain technology.
Before coming to Alberta, Ms. Gunter spent a number of years in Ontario. She was the Senior Vice-President Academic for George Brown College. Her portfolio included all academic divisions, the office of applied and institutional research, international, academic services and student affairs, and registration.
Prior to joining George Brown College, Ms. Gunter was Dean of the Faculty of Information Arts and Technology at Toronto’s Seneca College, where she was later Dean of the Faculty of Communication, Art and Design.
Ms. Gunter began her career in academic leadership in British Columbia where she was the Continuing Education Program Director for Applied Science at Simon Fraser University and then later the Vice-President of Programming, Special Projects and Industry Partnerships for the Vancouver Film School.
Ms. Gunter has also been an entrepreneur. She was the CEO and co-founder of Condition30 Inc., a software and game company based in Toronto and Vancouver. As well, Ms. Gunter was the Vice-President of Creative and Community for the British Columbia-based User Friendly Media.
A community builder, she has also given her time to advancing skills development and post-secondary education and to improving the communities in which she has lived in. She is a board member for Telus Spark, a member of the Minister of Advanced Education’s Skills for Jobs Task Force and a member of the Council of Post-Secondary Presidents of Alberta. She was also a supporting contributor to the Skilled by Design: A Blueprint for Alberta’s Future Workforce report by the Business Council of Alberta. Previously, Ms. Gunter chaired the Coordinating Committee of Vice-Presidents Academic for Colleges Ontario, was a member of the Interactive Ontario Board, and served as a board member of the North York General Hospital.
Ms. Gunter has a Bachelor of Journalism from Carleton University, and a Master of Business Administration from Queen’s University.
As President and CEO of Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Dr. Larry Rosia leads the province’s primary provider of technical education and skills training. Saskatchewan Polytechnic serves more than 28,000 students and offers programs that touch every sector of the economy. In his role as President, Dr. Rosia is responsible for providing strategic direction and enabling the institution to capitalize on new opportunities. His priorities include ensuring that students have access to a high-quality, innovative post-secondary education, that employers have access to a highly skilled and qualified workforce and that Saskatchewan Polytechnic offers a positive and vibrant workplace environment.
Dr. Rosia’s career in education spans more than 35 years, as an Instructor, Program Chair, Revenue Generating Coordinator, Marketing Manager and Dean. He has more than 20 years of leadership experience and has served in advisory roles to community, provincial and municipal committees. Dr. Rosia is the President of Post-Secondary International Network and serves on Boards including CANARIE, Community Colleges for International Development, Polytechnics Canada, the International Mineral Innovation Institute, Skills Canada (Saskatchewan), the Chair Academy International Leadership Board, the Saskatchewan Post-Secondary International Education Council, the Saskatchewan Labour Market Task Force, World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics and the University of Regina Senate.
Dr. Rosia is an alumnus of the University of Alberta and Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) and is a lifelong learner. He has a background in telecommunications engineering, adult education and educational policy and administration. In 2006, he completed his PhD in academic leadership at the University of Calgary. He completed the Executive Leadership Program at Harvard University and earned Institute of Corporate Directors Designation. Notable recognition includes the SAIT Board of Governors Award for Business and Industry Partnerships, the Conference Board of Canada Award for Business and Industry Partnerships, the Chair Academy International Exemplary Leadership Award, the Saskatchewan Men of Influence Award and the Paul A. Elsner Excellence in Leadership Award.
Dr. Rosia authored a book entitled “The Successful College President.”
President and CEO,
Conestoga Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning
Dr. John Tibbits has been President and Chief Executive Officer of Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning since 1987 (37 years), working as a tireless advocate and champion for polytechnic education and guiding the institution to its current role as a leader in Ontario’s college system.
Dr. Tibbits holds a Bachelor of Science degree and a Diploma in Education from McGill University, a Master of Education degree and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study from the University of Vermont as well as a Doctorate in Education from Boston University. Prior to joining Conestoga, he held senior administrative positions at Dawson College in Montreal, Touche Ross & Partners in Ottawa and Canada Post Corporation in Ottawa.
From a community viewpoint, Dr. Tibbits has served as a Board member for a variety of industry and organizations including: Canada’s Technology Triangle, Polytechnics Canada, the Chambers of Commerce in both Cambridge and the Greater K-W Area, Grand River Hospital, Cambridge North Dumfries Hydro, the March of Dimes, Skills Canada (Ontario), Thyssen Krupp Budd Canada and Communitech.
He has also received many honours and awards including: the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, Business Leader of the Year Award (Greater K-W Chamber of Commerce), Lifetime Achievement Award (Cambridge Chamber of Commerce), Paul Harris Fellowship (Rotary International), Impact Award (Communitech), induction into the Skills Canada-Ontario’s Klaus Woerner Hall of Fame and most recently was recognized as the 63rd Citizen of the Year by the Lions Club of Kitchener.
President and CEO,
Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning
Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan is the first woman to hold the position and is the fifth President and CEO in Humber’s history.
Dr. Vaughan is a highly distinguished senior executive with nearly 30 years of success in the postsecondary sector. She joins Humber from Loyalist College in Belleville, Ontario where she served as President and CEO since 2016, and successfully drove an ambitious growth plan that strengthened Loyalist’s financial positioning, and saw the College take on a new strategic direction Prior to that she was the president and CEO of the College of the North Atlantic, in Newfoundland and Labrador, from 2011-2016. In 2015, she was recognized as a Top 50 CEO in Atlantic Canada.
Driven by her passion to advance social and economic development through expanding access to education, Dr. Vaughan is helping to pioneer the sector’s micro-credential movement as co-Chair of eCampusOntario’s Board of Directors. In addition, she serves on the Board of Directors for Ontario Genomics, a non-profit organization that is focused on nurturing genomics innovation in Ontario, and applying these technologies across key sectors, such as health, agriculture, bioproducts, and environment, to advance the province’s knowledge-based economy. Dr. Vaughan’s forward-thinking approach and significant contributions to the evolution of online learning have earned numerous accolades nationally and internationally, including being selected as a participant in the 2004 Governor General Canadian Leadership Conference.
In 2018, Dr. Vaughan was appointed to serve as an Honorary Colonel in the Royal Canadian Air Force, affiliated with the 426 Training Squadron, 8 Wing, CFB Trenton. Dr. Vaughan is actively engaged in the college sector and currently also serves as Chair of the Management Board for College Employers Council.
Dr. Vaughan is proud of her early roots in student leadership which sparked her interest and career in higher education. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education from Memorial University; certificates in Public Administration and Business from Memorial University; a Master of Arts in Higher Education from the University of British Columbia, and a Masters Certificate in Project Management from York University/Memorial University. Continuing her lifelong learning journey, in 2015 Dr. Vaughan received her doctorate in higher education leadership from the University of Calgary.
Dr. Jeff Zabudsky has over 30 years of experience within post-secondary and polytechnic leadership roles, both in Canada and internationally. Throughout his career, he has championed applied education as a transformative instrument to enrich lives and contribute to thriving communities.
Prior to his appointment as President of the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), Dr. Zabudsky was Provost for the American University of Bahrain, having also served as CEO for Bahrain Polytechnic. Before his career took him to the Middle East, Dr. Zabudsky was President and Vice Chancellor for Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning. He has also served as President and CEO of Red River College Polytechnic and Vice President, Academic at Sault College of Applied Arts and Technology.
Dr. Zabudsky is an active member of the communities in which he works and lives, including having chaired municipal United Way campaigns for both Oakville and Winnipeg. He served on the Halton Healthcare regional board and Halton Food for Life foodbank, in addition to sitting on the boards for the Mississauga Board of Trade and Mississauga Healthy City Stewardship Centre.
Dr. Zabudsky has been honoured with distinguished alumni awards from Toronto Metropolitan University and Athabasca University. He has also received an award for the employment of Indigenous people from the Inter Provincial Association for Native Employment (IANE) and is a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International.
Dr. Zabudsky holds a Ph.D. in Educational Policy Studies from the University of Alberta, a Master’s degree in Distance Education from Athabasca University and a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Broadcast Journalism from Toronto Metropolitan University.