Look who is on the Board of Directors of York University

Look who is on the Board of Directors of York University

Alumni

Research

Giving to York U

Media

Careers

International

Future Students

Parents and Family

Counsellors and Teachers

Graduate Studies

Continuing Education

Search

Current Students, Faculty and Staff

• Foundation Home
• About Us
• Make a Difference
• Give to York
• In the News
• Special Events
• Our Thanks
• Contact Us

Board of Directors

Avie Bennett, C.C., O.Ont., D.U., Hon. LL.D., Hon. D.Litt; Chancellor Emeritus of York University, is currently Chair of McClelland & Stewart Ltd, The Canadian Publishers and Chairman of the Historica Foundation of Canada. In 2004 he was promoted to a Companion of the Order of Canada; in 1996 he was appointed to the Order of Ontario. The University of Ottawa has named him an Honorary Doctor of the University and he received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Toronto. In 2004 he was named a Doctor of Letters by York University. Mr. Bennett is the President of the Board of Directors of the International Readings at Harbourfront. He was the Co-Chair of the Canadian Democracy and Corporate Accountability Commission. He served with distinction as Chancellor of York between 1998-2004.

Marshall Cohen, O.C., Q.C., B.A., LL.B, LL.M, Hon. LL.D., was appointed to the Board of Governors in 1987 and was elected Chair as of July 1, 2000. He is an ex officio member of all Board committees and as Chair of the Board of Governors, he also sits on the Board of the York University Development Corporation and the University Senate. A former federal Deputy Minister in the Departments of Finance, Energy, Mines and Resources, and Industry, Trade and Commerce, Mr. Cohen has served on the boards or been Governor of the C.D. Howe Institute, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Mount Sinai Hospital and Baycrest Centre. Mr. Cohen was Chair of the Ontario Centre for International Business and of the International Trade Advisory Council, Government of Canada. He earned his law degrees from Osgoode Hall Law School and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by York University in 1986. A former Chief Executive Officer of The Molson Companies Ltd., Mr. Cohen is currently Counsel to the law firm Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP.

Judith Cohen is President of Adroit Investments Limited, Founding Chair of Invest in Kids Foundation and a member of the Dean's Advisory Board, Schulich School of Business. In the past, she has been Chair of the Children's Aid Society Foundation and the executive officer or board member of a number of other community and educational and arts organizations. From 1988 to 1991 she was President of the National Ballet of Canada. Mrs. Cohen has recently taken on a new role as Chair of York University's 50th Anniversary Committee.

Lindsay S. Duffield, President and CEO, BMW Group Canada joined the York University Foundation Board of Directors in September 2005. In addition to his volunteer involvement with York, Mr. Duffield is a Director of the Associates of International Automobile Manufacturers of Canada’s (AIAMC) and Vice-Chairman of their Executive Committee. He also sits on the Canadian Automotive Institute’s (CAI) Board of Directors and is a member of the University of Toronto President’s International Alumni Council. Prior to joining BMW Group Canada, Mr. Duffield was Vice President, Operations for BMW Financial Services, Americas Region based out of Dublin, Ohio. He held this position from 2000 to 2004, and was responsible for Credit and Contract Processing, Collections, Customer Care, Process Improvement and Commercial Lending. Mr. Duffield joined BMW Financial Services in 1996 as Vice-President, U.S. Sales and Marketing. Prior to joining BMW Group, Mr. Duffield spent three years as Director of Marketing and Communications at Mercedes-Benz Credit Corporation in Norwalk, Connecticut and fourteen years with IBM in Canada and the U.S. in various sales, marketing, operations and financial services positions. A native of Guelph, Ontario, Mr. Duffield is the first Canadian-born President of BMW Group Canada. He holds an MBA from the University of Toronto and an Honours Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario. Mr. Duffield has a wife, Ruth, and two hockey loving sons, Jordan and Christian.

Ivan Fecan, B.A., Hon. LL.D., is President and Chief Executive Officer, CTVglobemedia, and Chief Executive Officer, CTV Inc. CTV Globemedia is Canada's premier multi-media company with ownership interests in Canada's leading media properties including: CTV Inc., the number-one private broadcaster, and The Globe and Mail, the leading national daily newspaper. Mr. Fecan received a degree in Fine Arts at York University and has received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Ryerson University. He is on the Board of the Art Gallery of Ontario and Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment. Mr. Fecan was the 2003 recipient of the York University Bruce Bryden Alumni award in recognition of his contributions to York.

Aidan P. Flatley, B.A., is the President and CEO of Kenaidan Contracting Limited which he co-founded with fellow York University student, (the late) Ken Smith in 1973. Kenaidan is a general contracting company with offices across Canada, the U.S. and a recently opened office in Ireland. Over the years, Kenaidan Contracting Ltd. / Kenaidan Group Ltd. has been responsible for many construction projects at York University. For example, the company built the University’s Honour Court and Information Centre and was the structural concrete contractor for the Schulich School of Business. Mr. Flatley is former Chair of Ontario General Contractors. He is a York alumnus (B.A. Economics) and a former player on the York University Varsity Hockey team.

Barry Gales, B.A., M.B.A., a second generation Winnipegger, graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Arts degree in geography and economics in 1973, and then went on to the University of Western Ontario where he obtained his Master of Business Administration degree in 1977. Upon graduation, he moved to the United States where he worked in the real estate business. Barry returned permanently to Canada in 1992, where he is actively involved with his family in the investment and merchant banking company, the Midland Group of Companies Inc. He is also a principal of the DH Gales Family Charitable Foundation of Toronto, which provides support to the community. He currently resides in Toronto with his wife and two children who are both graduates of York University.

Alonna Goldfarb, B.A., LL.B., is currently a Principal at Goldfarb Intelligence Marketing. Ms. Goldfarb has over ten years experience in market research. A lawyer by training, and an Osgoode alumnus, Ms. Goldfarb also holds the position of General Counsel, Secretary and Director of The Goldfarb Corporation.

Maxwell Gotlieb, B.A., LL.B., LL.M., a York alumnus, and a former adjunct professor at Osgoode Hall Law School for a number of years, is a partner at Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP, a major Toronto law firm. Mr. Gotlieb is a well-known speaker and writer to professional and industry bodies. In addition to the York University Foundation, he sits on the boards of numerous public, private and charitable organizations including Mount Sinai Hospital Foundation and The Baycrest Centre Foundation. Mr. Gotlieb and his wife, Heather, are co-chairing the 2006 Brazilian Carnival Ball for York University.

Naomi Harris, B.A. (Fine Arts), has extensive volunteer experience in the not-for-profit sector and has a particular interest in issues relating to women and children. She has created her own foundation and is a major supporter of the Milton and Ethel Harris Research Initiative (MEHRI) at York University. MEHRI explores the critical role of the caregiving environment in the evolution and development of language, intelligence, social skills and reflective consciousness. Ms. Harris has a B.A. in Fine Arts from Brandeis University.

William Hatanaka is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of TD Waterhouse, the TD Bank’s Wealth Management organization in Canada and the UK. He is also the Chair of the TD Bank’s Diversity Leadership Council. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Investment Industry Association of Canada and of the York University Foundation, currently Co-Chairing York’s 50th Anniversary Fundraising Campaign. Originally from Bathurst, New Brunswick, Mr. Hatanaka graduated from York University in 1977, with an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Economics. In 1994, he successfully completed the Advanced Management Program at the Harvard Business School. Prior to being in the financial services industry, he played professional football in the Canadian Football League, and was a member of the 1976 Ottawa Rough Riders Grey Cup Championship Team. He and his wife, Jan, reside in Toronto with their four children.

Jon Hountalas, B.Com., MBA, is Executive Vice President, Commercial Banking & Regional President of HSBC Bank Canada based in Toronto. He is the bank's senior representative in Central and Eastern Canada. Jon Hountalas joined HSBC Bank Canada in 1984. He has held several positions with the bank in credit, commercial banking and branch management in Quebec and Ontario. Jon was previously Senior Vice president, Quebec and Atlantic Region. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Finance and Economics and a Masters of Business Administration from McGill University.

John Hunkin, B.A., M.B.A., a York alumnus, is former CEO of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. He is also Chair of the Dean's Advisory Board for the Schulich Business School at York University, and an Honourary member of the York University Board of Governors. He is on the Board of Trustees of the St. Michael's Hospital Foundation; The Conference Board of Canada; and the Campaign Cabinet of the Royal Ontario Museum.

Julia Koschitzky, Hon. LL.D., is the Past Chair, Advisory Committee for the Centre of Jewish Studies at York University. She also serves on the boards of the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, Canadian Council for Israel and Jewish Advocacy, the UIA Federation Canada, and the L.A. Pincus Fund for Jewish Education in the Diaspora. She is Co-Chair of the Education Department at the Jewish Agency for Israel, and sits on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Jewish News. In 1999, Ms Koschitzky was awarded Ontario’s Volunteer Service Award, presented by former Lieutenant Governor Hilary Weston. Ms Koschitzky has received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Yeshiva University.

Karim Lakhani, B.Sc. was educated primarily in The United Kingdom. He attended Eastbourne College (Eastbourne, Sussex) during his high school years and graduated from University of Surrey (Guildford, Surrey) in 1981 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics & Economics. He joined the family hospitality business after graduating. He is currently President and General Manager of Shawneeki Golf Club in Sharon, Ontario. This challenging course was purchased through the receivers in July 1995, turned a profit in 1996 and is one of the more successful golfing operations in Ontario. He is also a director of Lakhani Holdings Ltd. which owns the Golf Club. Mr. Lakhani held a directorship with Coburg Hotel in London until 1988 and was and still is involved with other family-owned hotel operations. He is a founding member of Noor Cultural Centre, devoted to the fostering of openness, diversity and intellectual development within the Muslim community. Mr. Lakhani sits on the Board of Governors for the Canadian Council of Christians and Jews.

James Barton Love, Q.C., is a lawyer and founding partner of the Toronto law firm Love & Whalen. He is also Chairman and CEO of Legacy Private Trust, which specializes in wills, estates, trusts and guardianships, and focuses its service mandate on being a fiduciary. He has practiced in the areas of income tax, commodities tax, acquisitions, mergers, corporate reorganizations, estate planning, wills and trusts with an emphasis on international tax planning. Mr. Love’s directorships include the Royal Canadian Mint and a number of Canadian corporations. He is also a director of several charitable foundations including The Bacula Foundation, The Lillian and Don Wright Foundation and The Westaway Charitable Foundation. Mr. Love was elected Vice-Chairman of the Board of the Royal Canadian Mint in November 2008. He served as Chair of the Expert Panel on Financial Security for Children with Severe Disabilities, which presented its Report to the Minster of Finance in the fall of 2006, and he was a member of the Minister of Finance’s Panel on International Taxation, which presented its Report in December 2008. Mr. Love obtained a Bachelor of Laws and a Master of Laws in Taxation Law from Osgoode Hall Law School, Toronto, Ontario. He was appointed Queen’s Counsel by Her Majesty the Queen in right of Canada in 1992.

Peter Marrone is Chairman and CEO of Yamana Gold Inc., a company founded in July 2003. He was instrumental in the creation of Yamana in 2003 and organizing it as a significant gold producer in South America. Prior to that, Peter was head of investment banking at a major Canadian investment bank and before that practiced law in Toronto with significant international experience. Peter has more than 20 years of business and capital market experience and has been on the boards of a number of public companies and advised companies with a strong South American presence. Peter has also been instrumental in the creation of other companies including Aura Gold Inc. which is an advanced exploration metals company, Vaaldiam Resources Ltd. which is a diamond company, Carpathian Gold Inc. which is an exploration stage company, and MBAC Opportunities and Financing which is a currently private fertilizer company in Brazil. Yamana Gold Inc. is an intermediate producing gold company with major properties and mines in South America. Yamana is listed on the TSX, NYSE and LSE and has seen an increase in market capitalization of more than 10 times since it was formed. Peter is also a York alumnus — LLB Osgoode ’84

Robert W. Martin, B.Sc., P. Eng., is a Corporate Director for Enbridge Inc. . Mr. Martin is on the Board of Directors for several Canadian companies including Enbridge Inc., HSBC Bank Canada, and Allied Properties Real Estate Investment Trust. Mr. Martin has also been involved as a Board Member of the Province of Ontario’s Superbuild Corporation and was a member of the Policy Committee of the C.D. Howe Institute. Mr. Martin is also active in leadership roles in the community including West Park Hospital and York University. He has been Chair in campaigns for the United Way and the Salvation Army and Chair of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Martin’s commitment to York University includes such activities as member of the Board of Governors, chairing the Investment Committee, and was a Trustee of the Pension Plan. He currently sits as an Honorary member of the Board of Governors. Mr. Martin was also a Volunteer with York’s National Campaign.

The Honourable Roy McMurtry, QC, former Ontario Chief Justice and Attorney General and Canadian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, is the twelfth Chancellor of York University. Born in Toronto, Mr. McMurtry is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School and was called to the Ontario Bar in 1958. After practicing as a trial lawyer for 17 years, he was elected to the Ontario Legislature in 1975, where he was immediately appointed Attorney General by then-Premier William Davis. As Attorney General, Mr. McMurtry argued constitutional cases in the Supreme Court of Canada and played a key role in the negotiations leading to the patriation of the Constitution with an entrenched Charter of Rights in 1982. Mr. McMurtry left office in1985 to become Canada’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. In 1996, he was appointed Chief Justice of Ontario after serving as the Chief of the Superior Court of Justice. Mr. McMurtry is the founder and President of the Osgoode Society, a body established in 1979 for the writing of Canadian legal history which to date has published 70 books. In 2007, his significant contributions to the legal profession were recognized with Osgoode Hall Law School’s Award of Excellence (The Robinette Medal) and the President of the Bar Association’s Award of Merit. He also received an honorary Degree from York University in 1991. He was invested into the Order of Ontario in January 2008.

Steve T. Mirkopoulos, B.Sc., P.Eng., is President of Cinespace Film Studios. He is also President of the Ontario Film & Television Owners Association. Mr. Mirkopoulos served as President of the Hellenic Heritage Foundation that recently completed the endowment of a $2 million Hellenic Studies Chair at York University. Mr. Mirkopoulos also serves on the Board of the Toronto East General Hospital Foundation and the Toronto Port Authority. Mr. Mirkopoulos was the 2003 recipient of the York University Bruce Bryden Alumni award in recognition of his contribution and friendship to York.

Al Monaco is Executive Vice President, Major Projects, Enbridge Inc., and leads the Major Projects Business Unit which is responsible for project execution once commercial viability for a major project has been established. Prior to assuming this Calgary-based position, Mr. Monaco was President, Enbridge Gas Distribution, based in Toronto, and responsible for Enbridge's Eastern Canadian regulated and unregulated operations. Mr. Monaco has more than 25 years experience in the energy business including the upstream oil and gas exploration, development and pipelines businesses. Since joining Enbridge in 1997, he has held positions including Senior Vice President, Corporate Planning and Development; Vice President, Financial Services and Treasurer for Enbridge's U.S.-based master limited partnership; and Director, Investor Relations. Prior to joining Enbridge, Mr. Monaco was employed with Home Oil in various senior positions within Finance, Treasury and International operations. He also assisted in developing the Business Process Reengineering Practice at PWC. Mr. Monaco earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Finance from the Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary, graduating Beta Gamma Sigma and achieving Dean’s List distinction. He holds a Certified Management Accountant designation and is a member of the Society of Management Accountants of Alberta. Born in Calgary, Mr. Monaco lives with his wife and three children. He has served on various industry and business associations along with community leadership roles related to the United Way and minor hockey.

Timothy Price, B.A., C.A., serves as Chair of the York University Foundation Board of Directors. He is Vice-Chair of York University’s Board of Governors and is a member of its Finance and Staff Resources, Executive and Investment Committees. He is currently Chair of Brookfield Funds and served previously as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Edper Group Ltd. and Hees International Bancorp Inc. Mr. Price is active on several other public corporate boards, including Astral Media Inc., Morguard Corporation, Q9 Networks Inc., and Brookfield Homes Corporation. In the community, Mr. Price serves on the boards of St. Michael's Hospital Foundation, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Foundation, The Corporation of Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall, and York University where he has also been serving on the Dean's Advisory Board at the Schulich School of Business.

Seymour Schulich, C.M., B.Sc., M.B.A., C.F.A. Mr. Schulich was appointed to the Board of Governors in 1996 and was made an Honorary Governor on June 23, 2003. He is currently serving as a member of the Investment Committee. He is currently Chair of Newmont Capital Ltd., the merchant banking division of the largest gold mining company in the world, Newmont Mining Corporation. He is also Vice-Chair Emeritus of Beutel, Goodman and Company Ltd., one of the largest pension fund management companies in Canada. Mr. Schulich is a noted philanthropist and beneficiaries have included the Schulich School of Business at York University, The Schulich Heart Centre at Sunnybrook Hospital, the Library of Science and Engineering at McGill University, the Schulich School of Medicine at The University of Western Ontario and the Schulich School of Engineering at the University of Calgary. Mr. Schulich has been named an Officer of the Order of Canada. He was awarded the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa at York's Spring 2003 Convocation and received a Bruce Bryden Alumni Recognition Award in 2000.

Honey Sherman is an active community board member and volunteer who is currently serving in leadership positions for Mount Sinai Hospital and Baycrest Centre. She was Co-Chair of the United Jewish Appeal Campaign 2006, and is currently Chair of the Board of Trustees, Jewish Foundation of Greater Toronto. Mrs. Sherman and her husband, Dr. Barry Sherman, established the Apotex Foundation in 1984 to support a wide range of causes in both Canada and the United States. In 1996, both Honey and Barry Sherman won an award from The National Society of Fund Raising Executives (Toronto Chapter) for their outstanding contribution to philanthropy.

Mamdouh Shoukri, B.Sc., M.Eng., Ph.D., became York University’s 7th President and Vice-Chancellor on July 1st, 2007. Dr. Shoukri comes to York from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario where he most recently served as Vice-President Research & International Affairs. There, he was also a Professor of Mechanical Engineering. He joined McMaster’s faculty in 1984 and was appointed Chair of the Mechanical Engineering Department in 1990 and Dean of the Faculty of Engineering in 1994. Prior to joining McMaster University, Dr. Shoukri worked in various capacities the Research Division of Ontario Hydro (1977-1984) where he had a successful industrial research career. Dr. Shoukri is a member of the Ontario Research and Innovation Council (ORIC) – a council appointed by Premier of Ontario in July 2006, to advise the government on its innovation strategy in order to keep the province’s economy strong. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Ontario Centers of Excellence (OCE) Inc. He has served on the Ontario Government Advisory Committee for the Centers of Excellence and on the on Board of Directors for two Ontario Centres -- Materials and Manufacturing Ontario and Communications and Information Technology Ontario. Dr. Shoukri is a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering and the Canadian Society of Mechanical Engineering. His professional memberships include the Association of Professional Engineers of Ontario, the Canadian Nuclear Society, and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Dr. Shoukri’s scholarly interests are in thermo-fluid sciences; particularly areas related to multi-phase heat transfer and nuclear reactor thermal-hydraulics. He is the author and co-author of over a hundred papers that appeared in refereed journals and symposia.

Howard Sokolowski is the CEO of Tribute Communities, one of the largest builders in Canada. Tribute has earned many outstanding industry awards, including the coveted "Builder of the Year" award in Ontario in the year 2000. Howard Sokolowski's responsibility to community is reflected as well in his charitable ventures, including a Board position on the Rouge Valley Health System, where he initiated a fundraising program that has raised over $1,000,000 to date. He recently served as Co-Campaign Chair 2003 for the United Jewish Appeal, and raised an unprecedented $65,000,000 for the Israel Emergency Fund. He currently sits as well on the Board of Directors of the Mount Sinai Hospital Foundation. Mr. Sokolowski became co-owner of the Toronto Argonauts Football team in November 2003. He lives in Toronto with Linda Frum, his wife, and their children.

Henry Wu, M.Sc., is currently President of Metropolitan Hotels, and a Director of the Liverton Group of Companies in Hong Kong. Before arriving in Canada, Mr. Wu worked as a researcher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he earned a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. He was also a management consultant specializing in trade and technology issues. Mr. Wu is on the board of directors and sits on the audit committee of IndeCorp Corporation, The Independent Hotel Corporation, a U.S.-based distribution company representing three brands of over 400 hotels.

Select a Priority, Faculty or Division

Faculties & DivisionsFaculty of ArtsAtkinson Fac. of Liberal & Prof. StudiesFaculty of EducationFaculty of Environmental StudiesFaculty of Fine ArtsGlendon CollegeFaculty of Graduate StudiesOsgoode Hall Law SchoolSchulich School of BusinessFaculty of HealthFaculty of Science & EngineeringLibrariesResearch and InnovationSport & RecreationStudent ServicesYork International

Faculties & DivisionsFaculty of ArtsAtkinson Fac. of Liberal & Prof. StudiesFaculty of EducationFaculty of Environmental StudiesFaculty of Fine ArtsGlendon CollegeFaculty of Graduate StudiesOsgoode Hall Law SchoolSchulich School of BusinessFaculty of HealthFaculty of Science & EngineeringLibrariesResearch and InnovationSport & RecreationStudent ServicesYork International

taken from B'NAI ELIM (Sons of the Mighty)