Appointee Biographies

JOHN CARMICHAEL ICD.D

John Carmichael has been serving as Vice-Chair for the Centennial Centre of Science and Technology since May 2020. He is the Chief Executive Officer and Registrar for Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council, from which he retired in September 2022. A former Member of Parliament, Don Valley West, and a former President/owner, Dealer Principal at City Buick Pontiac Cadillac Ltd.

RUTH BRINSTON

Ruth Brinston has over 30 years of applied science-marketing experience in radioisotopes used worldwide to sterilize medical disposable products and eradicate harmful bacteria in pharmaceuticals, consumer products and food items: and proven expertise developed and implemented a series of educational seminars on the technical application and benefits of gamma radiation processing, held in North and South America, Europe, and Asia. She was the Organizing Chair for the 16th International Meeting on Radiation Processing (IMRP), Montreal 2011- Where science and business connect: attended by over 500 delegates from 39 countries. She holds a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) from the University of Guelph.

JOSHUA KRANE

Joshua Krane is a recognized leader in competition/antitrust who works closely with companies in the agricultural, consumer products, energy, entertainment, technology, and telecommunications industries to address complex business issues. Joshua holds degrees from the University of Ottawa (B.Soc.Sc), McGill University (B.C.L/LL.B.) and the University of Toronto (LL.M.).

SUMIT OBERAI

Sumit Oberai co-leads the Digital organization at RBC with responsibility for the technology teams that deliver online banking, mobile banking, loyalty & rewards, discount brokerage, and robo-advisor. Additionally, he has responsibility for RBC’s API strategy including the mid-tier and the external developers platform.rbc.com and for RBC Ventures technology team. As a member of RBC’s Technology & Operations (T&O) Operating Committee (OC), he contributes to the development of the overall strategy and direction of T&O. Additionally, he sits on the Personal & Commercial Banking (P&CB) OC. Sumit is a member of the board of directors of RBC InvestEase and RBC Direct Investing. Sumit began his career as a software developer at Nortel Networks. Prior to joining RBC in 2016, Sumit spent 10 years at Indigo Books & Music. His last role was Chief Information Officer & Executive Vice President of Loyalty. Prior to Indigo Sumit led technology teams at venture backed DocSpace and Eloqua,e ach of which exited over $500M, and worked as a consultant for McKinsey & Company. He also sat on Visa Canada’s Advisory Committee. Sumit holds an MBA from INSEAD in France, a M. Eng. in Computer Engineering from the University of Toronto, and a B.Eng. in Mathematics & Engineering from Queen’s University.

KALID AMERY

Kalid Amery is the Vice President of Global Partner Management at Telus, and a former Senior Advisor for Vodafone CZ. Kalid’s community involvement includes serving as a board member for the Canadian Cancer Society Ontario chapter.

DAVE FREDERICKSON

Dave Frederickson has over 30 of years of experience in Information Technology. He is a goal-oriented leader with a consistent track record of delivering results and focused on building tightly aligned teams that are empowered and accountable. He has always approached roles with an entrepreneurial background merged with global organizational experience. He is currently responsible for leading a multi-million dollar business and a highly dedicated team while achieving consistent growth in one of the fastest-growing North American IT Solutions organizations. He has significant experience in managing organizational change, mergers and acquisitions.

EUGENIA DUODU

Eugenia Duodu is the CEO of Visions of Science Network for Learning (www.vosnl.org), a charitable organization that empowers youth from low-income communities through meaningful engagement in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). She is an educator, speaker, community organizer and advocate who is passionate about creating equitable opportunities for youth to achieve their full potential. Eugenia Duodu holds both an honors bachelor degree in Chemistry and Biology and a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Toronto.

KIRK NYLEN

Kirk Nylen is the Vice President of Research and Analytics at the Ontario brain Institute where he leads the Institute’s research, analytics, and knowledge translation activities. Through this role he serves on numerous provincial and national committees related to data sharing, improving care, and advancing innovation. Kirk received his PhD from the University of Toronto where he holds an adjunct appointment and lectures regularly. After graduation he worked at Cancer Care Ontario as a Senior Planning officer, helping lead the organizations strategic and business planning efforts. Kirk is also the co-founder and board member of ReachUp Inc., a registered non-profit organization that runs ultimate frisbee training session to build confident, inspire health and active lifestyles, and develop transferable skills in Indigenous children and youth.

CHUKWURA (CHUKS) EZEOKAFOR

Chukwura Ezeokafor serves as a member (part-time) for the Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning Board of Governors and is an Executive Director of IT for Levitt-Safety Limited. His community involvement includes serving as a member of the Tax and Economic Affairs Committee for the Calgary Chamber of Commerce.

GILLIAN HOWARD

Gillian Howard has over 40 years experience in the field of communications with senior roles in entertainment, education and health care. Her most recent position -- Vice President -- Public Affairs & Communications at University Health Network was held for 20 years with an interim appointment during that time as President & CEO of the Toronto Rehab Foundation during the period of amalgamation with the UHN Foundation. She has served as a volunteer Director on the Boards of ABC Canada, Peter Gzowski Foundation for Literacy and Frontier College.

NICHOLAS MACOS

Nick was called to the Ontario Bar in 1985 and practices liquor licensing, municipal development, construction, and real estate law, with a focus on facilitating approvals required from government and regulatory bodies. He is a member of the Real Estate, Municipal and Construction Law Sections of the Ontario and Canadian Bar Associations. Nick completed a term on the board of Canada Land Company that manages significant real estate assets for the Government of Canada, including the CN Tower and Montreal Science Centre, and is a former Chair (Chief Barker) of Variety Club of Ontario and Variety Village.

RYAN GUPTILL

Ryan Guptill focuses on strategic communication and issue management, ensuring organizations effectively manage how they publicly share their message, engage their audiences, and interact with government. Before starting GW Group, Ryan was the Associate Director of Public Affairs for Alphabet’s Sidewalk Labs, a company focused on using forward-thinking urban design and cutting-edge technology to tackle modern urban challenges. There, he worked with stakeholders, government, and media to build support and dispel inaccuracies about a first-of-its-kind project that attracted worldwide attention. Before his time at Sidewalk, Ryan spent four years working at a national issues management and strategic communication firm. Ryan holds a B.A. in History and Political Science from the University of Toronto St. George. Ryan serves as a director on the board of Albion Neighbourhood Services, a social services organization based in Rexdale and Jamestown.

REFAT JIWANI

Refat Jiwani recently retired as Chief Financial Officer of the Aga Khan Museum. His career spans four decades having worked in Europe, North America, and Central Asia. Refat's career in Corporate Canada included positions as Chief Financial Officer of a large TSE 100 Financial Services company as well as Chief Executive Officer of a small private IT Services company. His career in the Not-For-Profit sector included Chief Financial Officer and Chief Executive Officer positions in various agencies of the Aga Khan Development Network. Refat served on the Board of Directors of Imagine Canada (2014-2022) where he was Treasurer and Chair, Risk Management, Finance and Audit Committee. He served on the Board of COSTI Immigrant Services (2016-2024) where he was Treasurer and Chair, Finance and Audit Committee, and Chair, Nominations and Governance Committee. Refat also served on the Board of Directors of the Alzheimer Society of Canada (2021-2022). Refat has also been an active volunteer in the wider community through the Aga Khan Development Network.

ASHUTOSH JHA

Ashutosh Jha is an experienced international executive and serial entrepreneur. Presently, Ashutosh is focused on investing-in, consulting-for and operating businesses that initiate or improve radical changes across diverse industries, including global public procurement, clean food and low-income real estate. Past interests and experiences have been in retail, e-commerce, software development and publishing. Prior to taking entrepreneurship full time, he worked with Accenture Canada. Since 2002, he has served as the Director of Projects for the POA Educational Foundation, and as an "Entrepreneur-In-Residence" at the Kingbridge Innovation Hub. Ashutosh holds a B.Sc. (Hon) in Computer Science from Trinity College, University of Toronto, and a certificate in business from the Rotman School of Management.

KEN MACDONALD

Ken Macdonald is a seasoned broadcast executive and co-founder of Short Street Media. Previously he was Vice- President and General Manager of Discovery Channel at Bell Media. He also served as National Vice President, News for the Global Television Network. His community involvement includes event supporter, sponsor, contributor for Big Brothers and Big Sisters Association of York Region, World Vision Canada and The United Way. He is also on the Advisory Board of the Flato Markham Theatre. He holds a B.A. Political Science from McMaster University. He is a member of the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television.

JULIAN DIBATTISTA

Julian DiBattista has a wide range of professional and community involvement. In addition to working for CIBC as a Senior Consultant, he helps train tomorrow's future leaders as a Professor of Finance at George Brown College. Julian is active in the community, sitting on the board of the Ontario Science Centre, his condominium corporation and as a volunteer member of the Program Advisory Committee for the Department of Accounting and Finance at George Brown College. Julian obtained an Honours Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Master of Finance degree from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto. He has been recognized with the Chartered Financial Analyst designation by the CFA Institute and the Chartered Insurance Professional designation by the Insurance Institute of Canada.

JANIS FIELD

Janis Peleshok is currently an Independent Director at Empower Pharm. She has formerly worked in the Office of the Chief Risk Officer at CIBC. Her community involvement includes serving as a director for Opera Atelier. She holds a B.A.Sc. (Chemical Engineering) from the University of Toronto.