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I am committed to improving access to education and helping students succeed—especially during the critical transition from high school to post-secondary life. As the founder of a leading tutoring organization in East York, I’ve spent the past five years teaching, mentoring, and supporting hundreds of students across different academic levels and backgrounds. I’ve seen firsthand how guidance, structure, and encouragement can change a student’s confidence and outcomes.

My goal is to help build stronger bridges between secondary school and university by supporting academic preparedness, mentorship, and accessible learning resources. I am passionate about student success beyond the classroom ensuring students feel supported, informed, and empowered to navigate academic and personal challenges.

I am seeking election to the Board of Governors at ³ÉÈË´óƬ to contribute my experience in leadership, project delivery, and industry collaboration in support of the university’s continued growth and impact.

Since 1999, I have built my career at EllisDon, leading diverse teams and delivering major construction projects across transportation, healthcare, institutional, cultural, and academic sectors. Early in my career, I managed projects for the Greater Toronto Airports Authority and Trillium Health Centre, and later helped deliver projects for leading academic institutions. I also contributed to landmark projects including the Stratford Festival’s Tom Patterson Theatre and the Massey Hall Revitalize project.

My work is guided by the core values of openness, accountability, respect, trust, integrity, and entrepreneurial enthusiasm. I am committed to delivering projects safely, on time, and within budget, and I am proud to be a two-time recipient of EllisDon’s Annual Safety Award. I prioritize collaboration, building strong partnerships among clients, consultants, and project teams to achieve shared success.

I am passionate about giving back to the industry and supporting the next generation of professionals. I serve as an instructor at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies, sit on ³ÉÈË´óƬ’s Civil Engineering Departmental Advisory Council, and serve on the Board of Directors of the Ontario General Contractors Association.

If elected, I will bring practical insight, strong governance values, and a collaborative approach to help advance ³ÉÈË´óƬ’s mission and future success.

Hi, I’m Jon—a seasoned C-Suite leader with experience in both Canada and the U.S leading both public and private companies in the technology, fintech; and financial services space. I’m running for a seat on the ³ÉÈË´óƬ Board of Governors for one reason: keep ³ÉÈË´óƬ laser-focused on students—and student outcomes.

My priorities are straightforward: Optimize for student outcomes. Period. Customer centricity has shaped my career—and ³ÉÈË´óƬ should apply the same lens: design decisions around one goal— create real student value and graduates who launch into the future with confidence.

I believe we get there by focusing on:

-Real outcomes for students and alumni: Keep career readiness and post-graduation success at the center of Board decisions—measured by outcomes, not intentions.

-Industry partnerships that actually convert: Invest in employer relationships that reliably become internships, co-ops, and meaningful careers for ³ÉÈË´óƬ students.

-Actively engage the alumni network to opens doors: Mobilize alumni for mentorship, hiring, funding, and real access to opportunity—while building enduring value for alumni, too.

-Funded, scalable student-led programs: Build and back student-led initiatives that scale, create tangible value, and connect students directly with industry.

I encourage you to learn more—and join my email list—at heyjon.net.

A proud MEng Computer Networks, Session 2014 graduate of ³ÉÈË´óƬ and long‑time resident of Ajax, I bring decades of experience in the IT profession, complemented by a strong background as a business entrepreneur where I have led community‑focused initiatives, managed operations, and built meaningful connections across diverse groups.

I have served as Chair and Co‑Chair on two school advisory boards and remain active as a community volunteer supporting youth, families, and local initiatives. My service also includes relief work focused on domestic and international poverty elimination, contributing to programs that support vulnerable communities at home and abroad. I am the recipient of the Don Valley West Volunteer Award, presented by the House of Commons — an honor that reflects my commitment to service and civic engagement.

I am seeking the ³ÉÈË´óƬ Board of Governors Alumni Seat to give back to the institution that shaped my professional journey. My priorities include strengthening academic excellence, enhancing student experience, building industry partnerships, supporting diversity and inclusion, and fostering stronger alumni engagement.

I am an educator, strategic leader, and community innovator committed to strengthening the relationship between universities and the communities they serve. As a proud double graduate of ³ÉÈË´óƬ, I hold an MBA with specializations in Marketing and Human Resources, as well as a Bachelor of Commerce. ³ÉÈË´óƬ shaped my academic foundation, my leadership approach, and my belief in the power of education to drive social responsibility and meaningful community impact.

My teaching and research span social innovation, communication, conflict studies, and organizational behaviour. I am dedicated to experiential learning and to helping students develop the analytical, interpersonal, and systems-thinking skills needed to navigate today’s rapidly evolving social and professional environments.

Beyond the classroom, I have led and advised initiatives addressing social isolation, intergenerational connections, and newcomer inclusion. My work has been recognized through multiple awards for community impact, including honours for advancing student and senior well‑being and newcomer outreach. I also serve on several boards and host Urgent Conversations, a podcast that brings dialogue, empathy, and evidence‑based insight to complex social issues.

My approach to governance is grounded in transparency, collaboration, and a belief that universities thrive when students, faculty, staff, and community partners work together. I am committed to strengthening student experience, supporting inclusive decision‑making, and ensuring that institutional strategies reflect both academic excellence and social responsibility.

If elected to the Board of Governors, I will bring a balanced perspective that bridges academic expertise, community engagement, and a deep commitment to environments where all members of the university community can succeed.

I am a proud ³ÉÈË´óƬ alumnus and a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) with deep experience in financial leadership, organizational governance, and strategic planning. ³ÉÈË´óƬ shaped the foundation of my career, and I am running to bring strong financial stewardship, accountability, and an unwavering commitment to student and alumni success to the Board of Governors.

As a finance professional, I have worked extensively in audit, financial reporting, and risk management, helping organizations make informed, sustainable decisions in complex environments. I believe these skills directly support the Board’s responsibility to guide ³ÉÈË´óƬ’s long term financial health and strategic direction.

My platform is focused on five commitments:

Strong Financial Oversight: Promote transparent budgeting, prudent investment, and responsible long term planning.

Stronger Alumni Engagement: Expand mentorship networks, career pathways, and opportunities for alumni to shape university priorities.

Student Success & Equity: Support initiatives that reduce barriers, enhance experiential learning, and foster inclusion across all faculties.

Innovation & Urban Impact: Champion programs that strengthen ³ÉÈË´óƬ’s leadership in entrepreneurship, applied research, and community partnerships.

Transparent, Community Driven Governance: Engage openly with students, faculty, staff, and alumni to ensure decisions reflect ³ÉÈË´óƬ’s diverse voices.

³ÉÈË´óƬ gave me the tools to succeed. Now I hope to contribute my expertise to help ³ÉÈË´óƬ continue to thrive.

Good governance requires the willingness to ask difficult questions, to listen carefully to the answers, and to use that judgment to steward the university’s long-term mission and public trust. I would bring to the Board a strong commitment to integrity, thoughtful oversight, and principled decision-making, grounded in a clear sense of public accountability. I do so with the benefit of multiple lenses: educator, public-sector leader, lifelong learner, and – above all – a proud ³ÉÈË´óƬ alum.

My work has consistently centred inclusion and the complex challenges involved in advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion, including the responsibility to confront and dismantle oppressive and colonial structures at an institutional level. I approach this work with the understanding that accountability, transparency, and trust are essential to the legitimacy of public institutions.

Ontario’s post-secondary system faces unprecedented challenges, financially, structurally, and academically. ³ÉÈË´óƬ is uniquely positioned to meet these challenges through strong governance that supports effective leadership, responsible stewardship of public resources, and long-term sustainability. Its focus on balancing theory with practical application not only prepares students for life after university; it also positions ³ÉÈË´óƬ as a key contributor to our province, our country, and our world.

I am one of the graduates ³ÉÈË´óƬ helped prepare. I credit both my career and my commitment to post-secondary education directly to my experience as a ³ÉÈË´óƬ student. I would be honoured to give back by serving in a governance role that reflects the trust placed in alumni representatives and supports ³ÉÈË´óƬ’s academic mission as a public institution.