Undergraduate Student
Faculty of Science

Kenisha is a Science Student Council representative who is passionate about dismantling inequities. As a trustee for the Peel District School Board, she worked with the Ministry of Education to improve accessibility for students with disabilities and provide free menstrual hygiene products in washrooms. Kenisha founded The HopeSisters, a not-for-profit that supports children in foster care, and was recognized by Premier Ford for her efforts.

BA’91, Administrative & Commercial Studies
Member, Board of Governors

Susan is Managing Partner, Audit & Assurance for Deloitte Canada and serves as Chair of Western’s Audit Committee. In her role at Deloitte, she supports all audit service lines with respect to quality, innovation, and thought leadership. She is also a speaker and recognized thought leader herself on accounting for asset retirement obligations and IFRS for mining companies. Susan holds an MBA from York University.

Master’s Candidate
Schulich Medicine & Dentistry

Camyrn is a SOGS representative working toward an MSc in Microbiology and Immunology after earning her BMSc from Western. Her research investigates how Staphylococcus aureus evades immune defenses to colonize skin and cause infection. She is a member of Reach for It, an organization helping children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Camryn hopes to pursue a career in medicine with clinical research following her degree.

Professor
Faculty of Education

Jason is a psychologist whose research focuses on equity, inclusion and justice in the field of counselling education and practice. He works closely with community development and mental health agencies in the London area. Jason is interested in developing a strategic plan rooted in the fundamental respect for human dignity that takes aim at economic, political and social disparities that disproportionately and negatively affect members of underrepresented groups.

MBA’95
President, Western Alumni Association

Mark is a seasoned entrepreneur and senior marketing professional with over 30 years of experience building and leading cross-cultural teams across several industries including Digital Marketing, Website Design and Development, Telecom, Information Technology, and Manufacturing. He’s been actively engaged as a volunteer with Ivey’s and Western’s alumni associations since 2002. Mark also currently serves as a board member with Junior Achievement of London & District.

Acting Vice-Provost & Associate Vice-President Indigenous Initiatives

A Mushkego Cree woman originally from Fort Albany First Nation (Treaty 9 territory), Candace brings more than 15 years of professional experience serving Indigenous students and communities in educational settings. She played an instrumental role in developing Western’s first Indigenous Strategic Plan. Candace is a PhD candidate in Western’s Faculty of Education where her research focuses on the experience of Indigenous women administrators in Canadian universities.

Dean, Faculty of Science
Professor of Statistical & Actuarial Sciences
Chair, Senate Committee on University Planning

Matt joined Western in 1999 and has since served in numerous leadership roles, including Department Chair, Acting Chair of Applied Mathematics, Acting Associate Dean (Administration), and he was founding Director of the School of Mathematical & Statistical Science. Prior to Western, Matt was AVP, Equity Arbitrage, at Deutsche Bank Canada (1997-99), and conducted postdoctoral research in the Physiology Institute at the University of Bern (1995-97).

BA’76, Mathematics
Vice-Chair, Board of Governors

Keith is a business consultant who joined Western’s Board of Governors in 2016. Over his 35-year career, he has held senior executive roles including president & CEO of McCormick Canada, president of McCormick Asia Pacific, and vice-president with London Life. He served the selection committee that recruited Alan Shepard to Western. Keith is also Chair of the Board of Directors for the Alzheimer Society of Ontario.

Associate Professor
Faculty of Information & Media Studies

Alison’s research focuses on the intersections of digital media, self-presentation, and new forms of work. Among her many past administrative roles, she has served as Media Studies graduate program coordinator, member of Senate, member of the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on University Renewal, and president of UWOFA. Alison is the current Chair of the Academic Freedom & Tenure Committee of the Canadian Association of University Teachers.

Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry
Schulich Medicine & Dentistry

Before joining Western in 2009, Volker was Chief of Staff at the Saxonian Hospital for Psychiatry & Neurology in Grossschweidnitz, Germany. He has since started a satellite residency program at Schulich’s Windsor campus, served as LHSC’s City-Wide Site Chief for one year, and was Chair of the Royal College PER route B psychiatry assessment. Volker is a member of Senate and Psychiatry’s Finance Management Committee.

Dean
Ivey Business School

Sharon joined Western in 2019 after holding senior leadership roles with some of the world’s largest professional services firms, including IBM, PwC, and Andersen Consulting (now Accenture). Most recently, she led IBM’s multibillion-dollar consulting business for Global Artificial Intelligence, Watson™, and Advanced Analytics out of New York. Sharon also served as lead partner for enterprise-level business transformations at Nestlé, Merck, Mead Johnson, and FMC Corporation.

Special Advisor, Industry Partnerships, the Green Economy, and Sustainability
Professor of Chemical & Biochemical Engineering

Prior to his current role, Andy served as Western’s Provost & Vice-President, Academic (2018-20) and as Dean of Engineering (2009-18). Prior to Western, he was chair of Chemical Engineering at McMaster University where he also served as director of the Walter G. Booth School of Engineering Practice and McMaster Manufacturing Research Institute. Andy played leadership roles in creating Western’s Amit Chakma Engineering Building, WindEEE Dome, and the Fraunhofer Project Centre for Composites Research.

Special Advisor to the President on Anti-Racism
Research & Development Officer

Nicole was recently appointed to an interim role to help implement key recommendations emerging from a report prepared in spring 2020 by the President’s Anti-Racism Working Group. She is undertaking this important work with Bertha Garcia. Nicole holds an MSc (Kinesiology & Exercise Science) and PhD (Research Methodology & Quantiative Methods) from Western and is working toward an MA in Women’s Studies & Feminist Research.

Manager of Undergraduate Recruitment
Office of the Registrar

Dayana has 10 years of experience in postsecondary marketing and recruitment. Before joining Western in 2017, she worked in undergraduate admissions at Penn State and in annual giving at Cornell University. In addition to her recruitment work, she is also a lecturer in Western’s DAN Department of Management and Organizational Studies. Born in Venezuela, Dayana has lived in five countries since the age of 9.

Associate Professor, Departments of Surgery and Medical Biophysics
Assistant Dean, International, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry

Abdel-Rahman is an orthopaedic trauma surgeon who has been part of Western’s community for over 20 years as a student, faculty member and leader. He serves in many roles: Chief of the Orthopedic Trauma Unit, Site Chief of the Ambulatory Surgical Centre at LHSC, Chair of Graduate Program Committee for Surgery, and Regional Director (International) for the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

Associate Professor, Operations Management & Sustainability
Ivey Business School

Deishin studies innovative operational and supply chain models that use raw material resources more effectively, thus reducing waste and improving environmental sustainability. Prior to joining Ivey in 2018, she held appointments Harvard Business School, Boston College, and MIT. And prior to her PhD studies at Stanford University, Deishen worked in the telecommunications industry for seven years—experience she draws upon to keep her research grounded.

Associate Director, Residence Life
Housing & Ancillary Services

Chris has 12 years of leadership experience designing, implementing, managing, and assessing outcome-driven programs and services that support the psycho-social and socioemotional development of students in post-secondary education. Before joining Western in 2018, he served as Assistant Director of Residence Life at the University of Toronto’s Mississauga Campus. Chris currently serves the Ontario Association of College & University Housing Officers as a member at large.

Professor, Department of Geography & Environment
Faculty of Social Science

Isaac’s interdisciplinary research focuses on the broad determinants of population health and linkages between environment and health. He has collaborated with colleagues in departments across campus, including Biology, Engineering, Nursing, Women Studies, Sociology, Economics, FIMS and the Schulich Medicine & Dentistry. Isaac is a member of the College of the Royal Society of Canada and a Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences.

Professor, Department of Biology

Beth’s research explores links between animal communication, wildlife health and infectious disease. She currently serves as President of UWOFA and has served Western in other roles including UWOFA’s negotiating team, Western’s Animal Use Subcommittee, Scholars at Risk Committee, and NSERC’s Scholarships and Fellowships panel. Beth is also active in causes related to combatting systemic sexism, racism, homophobia and transphobia within science, and conservation on campus.

Dean, Faculty of Arts & Humanities
Associate Professor of Philosophy

Michael joined Western in 1994 after earning his PhD from the University of Calgary. His research area is social and political philosophy, with a focus on justice, multiculturalism, and the intersection of constitutional law, democracy and social contract theory. Now in his second term as Dean, Michael has a wealth of academic leadership experience, including vice-provostial roles and serving as chair of several Senate committees.

Undergraduate Student
Faculty of Social Science

Eunice is completing an honours specialization in Political Science and a minor in Transitional Justice. She is engaged in many extracurricular activities on campus, including AVP Advocacy Initiatives on the Social Science Student Council, President of Water Aid Western, member of the Women’s Football Team, faculty Soph, and member of the Black Students’ Association. Eunice has also worked with the United Nations supporting environmental sustainability.

Professor, School of Communication Sciences & Disorders
Faculty of Health Sciences

JB’s research and teaching focus on language and cognitive communication disorders of adults with dementia, and he currently serves as the Scientific Director of Western’s Canadian Centre for Activity and Aging. During his career at Western, he has served as School Director, Graduate Program Chair, member of Senate, member of two decanal selection committees, and chair of several provincial and national professional and research committees.

Undergraduate Student
Faculty of Health Sciences

Adam is a Kinesiology Student Council representative and Mustang varsity wrestler who is double majoring in Kinesiology and Psychology. He has gained research experience in both his undergraduate disciplines and he plans to pursue graduate and professional program studies at Western. Adam is passionate about improving Western’s national and international reputation because he believes it will help students be successful during and following their studies.

Associate Professor & Chair, Dept. of Gender, Sexuality & Women’s Studies
Faculty of Arts & Humanities

WG is a 3M National Teaching Fellow whose research focuses on how gender identity and sexual orientation are situated within cultural, social, and political ecosystems. She has served Senate sub-committees including Nominating, Research Board, Operations & Agenda, and multiple terms as a UWOFA representative on the Joint Employment Equity Committee. WG has presented on EDI issues at the Academic Summer Leadership conference, among other places.

President, university Students’ Council
Undergraduate Student
Faculty of Social Science

Matt completed his BA with Honours Specialization in Political Science and plans to pursue his interests in International Relations/Negotiations and Environmental Policy. As USC President, he’s excited to empower and advocate for students, and is working to leave Western better than he found it—academically, socially and environmentally. Matt spends his spare time rock climbing, playing tennis, and portaging/hiking— particularly in Georgian Bay.

Acting Provost & Vice-President (Academic)

Sarah joined Western in 2019 as Acting Vice-President (Research) following a 26-year career at McGill University where she was a Professor and Associate Dean of Medicine, and a 10-year career as Global Vice-President, Medical & Scientific Affairs with Baxter Healthcare. Sarah still consults and serves as a board director for several private healthcare enterprises, and is Vice-Chair of the Board at McGill University Health Center.

Vice-President, Research
Professor of Geography

Lesley is a forest ecologist and biogeographer who joined Western in 2020 from the University of Calgary where she was Dean of Science. Her prior leadership roles include VP Research & Innovation Partnerships at Northern Illinois University and Associate Dean, Research & Graduate Affairs, in NIU’s College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. At NIU, Lesley won awards for teaching and for enhancing the climate on campus for women.

Associate Professor, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering
Faculty of Engineering

Clare is a Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in Water Quality who holds leadership roles at Western’s Water Centre and Geotechnical Research Centre. She is keen to position Western as a world-class educational and research-intensive university. Clare’s research in the fields of water engineering and environmental sustainability has been recognized with Western’s Green Award and International Research Award, and the Ontario Early Career Researcher Award.

Associate Chief Librarian
Western Libraries

Jennifer has held staff positions for 20 years at Western, including three years as Director of Library & Learning Services for Huron University College. In her current role, she leads the development and delivery of user-centered library services and programs across six on-campus locations and via the library’s website. Jennifer’s most recent research details a successful collaboration between Western Libraries and the Wellness Education Centre.

Associate Professor & Chair of Music Performance Studies
Don Wright Faculty of Music

In addition to her teaching and scholarly work at Western, Sophie is the General Director of both the Canadian Operatic Arts Academy and the Accademia Europea Dell’Opera—programs that enhance students’ experiential learning in Canada and abroad. She is a member of the Music Faculty’s Strategic Planning Committee who is committed to making Western a destination of excellence where equity, diversity and inclusion are paramount.

Assistant Professor
Faculty of Law

David studies the role legal education and universities play in cultivating versatile professionals and engaged citizens. Prior to joining Western in 2018, he earned his SJD from the University of Toronto where his doctoral dissertation received the Governor General’s Academic Gold Medal. Before being called to the Bar of Ontario, David served as a law clerk to Supreme Court of Canada Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin.

President, Society of Graduate Students
PhD Candidate, Library & Information Science

kirstyn’s research examines the management of controversial materials such as pornography and erotica, focusing on how cataloguing is used as a medium to convey underlying assumptions and perceptions of sexual(ized) content, particularly online where content is often amalgamated and organized by fans and amateurs. kirstyn holds a bachelor degree in Political Science and Philosophy from the University of Ottawa and an MLIS degree from Western.

BA’07, Political Science
Visiting Professor & Member, Board of Governors

David is Senior Advisor at the Centre for the Purpose of the Corporation and a Visiting Professor in Western’s School of Advanced Studies in Arts & Humanities. Recently, he was McKesson Canada’s SVP Communications responsible for accelerating the company’s reputation and leading strategy for McKesson’s US, Canadian, and European operations. In addition to serving on Western’s Board, David is President- Elect of the Canadian Club of Toronto.

Postdoctoral Associate, BrainsCAN
The Brain & Mind Institute

Kasey earned her PhD in Psychology from the University of Chicago before arriving at Western in 2018 to examine striatal-mediated cognitive function in patients with substance use and obsessive-compulsive disorders. She is the postdoc representative for BMI’s Steering Committee and WIRB’s Space Planning Committee. Kasey also serves the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee for BrainsCAN and recently served the planning committee for Schulich’s Anti-Racism Retreat.

Professor, Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing
Graduate Co-Chair, Health Information Science Program

With cross-appointments in FIMS and Education, Nadine’s research examines responses to gender-based violence and interventions to reduce health inequities, with a focus on partnerships that enhance the use of research in policy and practice. She is a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Mobilizing Knowledge on Gender-Based Violence and a member of the College of the Royal Society of Canada.

Professor of Oncology & Vice Dean, Education Scholarship & Strategy
Schulich Medicine & Dentistry

Chris is a clinician, researcher, educator and leader whose current roles include being Director of Western’s Centre for Education Research & Innovation. His research explores how professional culture shapes educational practices. He completed his neurology residency at Western in 1995, returned as faculty in 2000, and served as Associate Dean, Postgraduate Medical Education 2010-19. In 2020, Chris received Schulich’s Excellence in Education Distinguished Leader Award.

President & Vice-Chancellor
Professor of English & Writing Studies

Alan is an accomplished academic leader and scholar of early modern England, literature, science and theatre who is passionate about the future of innovation and the future of universities. He joined Western in 2019 after serving as president at Concordia University and provost at Ryerson University. Alan has also held senior leadership roles at the University of Guelph, TCU, and the University of Virginia.