ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø

David Agnew became ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø Polytechnic’s fifth president in 2009.

Under his leadership, ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø has continued to strengthen its reputation at home and abroad, forging new partnerships in industry and higher education, developing new programs, growing enrolment and making substantial investments in technology, teaching and spaces.

Prior to joining ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø, Mr. Agnew held leadership positions in public, private and non-profit sectors, including as Secretary to the Cabinet in the Ontario Government, Principal Secretary to the Premier, President/CEO of UNICEF Canada, Principal at Digital 4Sight, Executive Vice-President and Corporate Secretary for the Credit Union Central of Ontario and Ombudsman for Banking Services and Investments. He started his career as a reporter in Toronto, St. John’s, Ottawa and Edmonton. In 1995, he was seconded to the University of Toronto’s Massey College as a Senior Resident.

Mr. Agnew is Chair of Canada’s Drug Agency (CDA-AMC). He also serves on the board of the Conference Board of Canada and ventureLAB. Previous governance roles include Chair of Polytechnics Canada, Chair of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and Colleges Ontario and Vice-Chair of the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO).

He is a recipient of the Queen’s Diamond and Platinum Jubilee medals in recognition of his community and public service.

·¡³¾²¹¾±±ô:Ìýpresident@senecapolytechnic.ca

Lily Chen is a finance and operations leader with more than 25 years of global experience in financial services and health care. She has held senior roles including divisional CFO and CAO at Berkshire Hathaway Group, CFO at BF&M and leadership positions at Aviva, ING Insurance Asia/Pacific and Marsh. Currently, Ms. Chen is the Chief Financial & Operations Officer at the Ontario Medical Association (OMA), overseeing finance, technology, operational excellence, enterprise risk management and OMA Insurance. Her leadership has been key in advancing the OMA’s mission through strategic initiatives. Ms. Chen brings expertise in finance, audit, corporate governance, risk management and compliance. She is passionate about education and its transformative power. Ms. Chen aims to positively impact students and the community. Ms. Chen joined ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø’s Board of Governors on Sept. 1, 2024.

Samantha Craig is Anishinaabe-Kwe from the Chippewas of Rama First Nation. She is from the Marten clan and is a mother, an auntie, a sister and daughter. Ms. Craig is a graduate of ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø’s Law Clerk diploma program and holds a bachelor’s degree in political sciences from York University, a law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School and is currently completing her Master of Law at Osgoode Hall Law School. She was called to the bar in November 2020 and has practised since as Associate General Counsel for her First Nation. Ms. Craig’s legal work involves guiding her community toward sound legal decisions and the reinvigoration of Anishinaabe law, governance and justice. Her practice also includes contract, employment, environmental, health, education and estates law. Ms. Craig serves as Co-Chair of ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø’s Indigenous Education Council and supports the youth in her community as a facilitator of the Indigenous Youth Justice Program. Ms. Craig joined ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø’s Board of Governors on Jan. 4, 2023.

Mandy Hadenko-Hodgkinson is the Director of Student Support. She began her career at ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø Polytechnic in 2014 as a student projects officer, and has served in progressively senior roles, including manager, academic services and manager, academic planning, projects and partnerships. Dr. Hadenko-Hodgkinson holds a doctorate in history from York University, a master’s degree in history and women’s studies and bachelor’s degrees in history and education from Lakehead University. She is also a ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø graduate, having earned a TESL certificate. Dr. Hadenko-Hodgkinson joined ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø’s Board of Governors on Sept. 1, 2024 and was elected as the administrative staff representative.

John Kucharczuk has extensive teaching experience in a variety of programs in ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø Business and the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering Technology. As member of the Beverly Glen Rate Payers Association Executive for more than 25 years, Mr. Kucharczuk has held various executive positions from President to Treasurer and is currently serving as the association’s Vice-President. Mr.ÌýKucharczuk joined ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø’s Board of Governors on Sept. 1, 2022 and was elected as the academic staff representative.

Steve Linthwaite is retired. Prior to his retirement in May 2023, he served as the Vice-President, Flight Operations at Jazz Aviation LP, the largest regional airline in Canada, operating under the Air Canada Express brand. Mr. Linthwaite has more than 35 years of aviation experience having started his career as a commercial pilot in 1985 after graduating from ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø’s Aviation and Flight Technology program with honours. He has captained the Dash 8 and CRJ aircraft types. Prior to assuming senior management roles at Jazz, Mr. Linthwaite also held leadership positions with the Air Line Pilots Association. During his tenure at Jazz, he was instrumental in founding the Jazz Aviation Pathways Program, which includes 17 educational institutions and industry organizations, ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø among them. Mr. Linthwaite previously held a board position on the National Airlines Council of Canada, is a past Chair of the ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø School of Aviation Program Advisory Committee and the President of the ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø Alumni Council. Mr.ÌýLinthwaite joined ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø’s Board of Governors on Sept. 1, 2020.

Hiten Makim is a seasoned financial leader. He has been the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) since 2020. Prior to OCI, Mr. Makim spent more than two decades as CFO at MDA, Information System Group, Canadian Operations and served as controller at Samsung Canada. With more than 25 years of experience in business management, finance and advisory roles, Mr. Makim is known for his purpose-driven leadership and expertise in managing virtual teams across various locations. His global work spans Canada, Europe and Asia, where he fosters his passion for community engagement and championing diversity, equity and inclusion in organizations. He dedicates time mentoring startups in the technology sector as they scale up. Mr. Makim holds a BA in accounting and chartered accounting from the University of Waterloo and is actively involved in multiple community organizations, including the Toronto Board of Trade, Angel Investors Ontario, JSOT Youth Business Group, Toronto Doctors Lions Club and the Southern Ontario Kidney Foundation, where he formerly served as a board member.ÌýMr. Makim joined ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø’s Board of Governors on Sept. 1, 2023 and is currently serving as Vice-Chair.

Nancy Naylor worked in the Ontario Public Service for more than 35 years. Ms. Naylor served as Deputy Minister of Education for five years and held several leadership roles in the ministries of Health, Finance and Colleges and Universities. Ms. Naylor led major projects in funding, labour relations, infrastructure, information technology and public policy. Ms. Naylor holds degrees from McMaster University and Carleton University and has served on several boards, including the Public Policy Forum.ÌýMs. Naylor joined ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø’s Board of Governors on Sept. 1, 2023 and is currently serving as Vice-Chair.

William (Bill) Pearson is an experienced corporate commercial lawyer called to the Bar in Ontario in 1989, specializing in intellectual property and information technology law. Mr. Pearson retired from Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada after a 26-year career in its legal department, with his last 10 years in the position of Vice-President and Associate General Counsel. Mr. Pearson earned an LL. B from the University of Western Ontario where he participated in the Canada-United States Law Institute Program. He also holds a B. Comm from the University of Windsor. Mr. Pearson joined ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø’s Board of Governors on Sept.Ìý1,Ìý2023.

Sahil Shailesh Somani is a second-year student in the Honours Bachelor of Commerce - Accounting & Finance degree program. Alongside his academics, Mr. Somani is also an active member of ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø’s extramural men’s cricket team. He has been a Student Ambassador at ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø since Oct. 2024. Mr. Somani is committed to active participation, open communication and professional representation on behalf of our diverse student body. Mr. Somani joined ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø Polytechnic’s Board of Governors on Sept. 1, 2025 and was acclaimed as the student representative.

Winston Stewart is the President and CEO of Wincon Security, an organization he founded in 1992 after graduating from ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø’s Law Enforcement Program. Starting with the humble beginning of one client and one employee, Wincon is now a multimillion-dollar organization, with more than 250 employees and hundreds of clients globally. Mr. Stewart serves on numerous boards and committees, including the Bridge Markham, the ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø Alumni Council, MTCC 891, YMCA of Greater Toronto, the Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA), 2010 G20 Summit Toronto and City of Markham Cycling & Pedestrian committee. He has received the City of Markham – Outstanding Contributions & Service Award, the ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø Distinguished Alumni Award, the Markham Board of Trade Business Excellent Award and the BBPA Harry Jerome Award – Young Entrepreneur Award (2006), and he is a past nominee for the Premier’s Award for College Graduates.ÌýMr. Stewart joined ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø’s Board of Governors on Sept. 1, 2020. He has served a year as chair of the Academic Planning and Student Affairs Committee and is currently serving as Chair.