Appointee Biographies

GINNY DYBENKO

Ginny Dybenko was the founding Executive Director of the University of Waterloo's new Stratford Campus, a commercialization and experiential learning institute devoted to collaboration between digital media, international business and culture and creating knowledge workers for the digital age. Prior to this role, Ms. Dybenko enjoyed a five year term as Dean of the School of Business and Economics at Wilfrid Laurier University bringing a new technology management direction to one of the most sought after business schools in Canada. All of this followed a successful corporate career in telecommunications that spanned three decades, and included a number of senior executive roles in Bell Canada and a high tech start-up. Ms. Dybenko has built a reputation for leadership and innovation within the business and academic communities in Canada, and sits on several boards, including TVO, the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario, Quarry Marketing, Social Venture Partners and the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony. She was one of the first recipients of the Governor General's Barnraiser Award, and prior to that was recognized by the Women's Executive Network as one of Canada's Top 100 Most Powerful Women. Ms. Dybenko holds degrees in Mathematics from the University of Western Ontario (BA) and the University of Waterloo (M. Mathematics), a diploma in Operational Research from the University of Toronto and an Executive Business diploma from Queen's University.

GRAHAM PARSONS

Graham Parsons is an executive with over twenty-five years in the financial services industry. He has diverse experience ranging from community banking through C-Suite levels. Mr. Parsons led the development and delivery of private banking services for high net worth clients in Canada, the U.S. and China. He served as an integral member of a fifteen-member Management Committee in one of the top five banking institutions in Canada. Mr. Parsons was accountable for management and strategic direction of the bank's trust and estate services, customized banking, investment, personal trust services, philanthropic services, business owner succession planning, lifestyle services and family wealth services delivered through professionals in over fifty offices across North America and select Asian markets.

MARDI WITZEL

is a former freelance journalist at The Kitchener Record and a former Director of Product Management & Marketing for NCR Corporation, Global Information Solutions. Mardi’s community involvement includes serving as Chair for the Kids Ability Foundation and the Centre for Child Development.

JOHN BECK

is a Civil Engineering graduate from McGill University with 50+ years of experience in the construction industry. Mr. Beck is a member of the Ontario Financing Authority, the Royal Conservatory of Music, as well as Co-Chair of the Infrastructure & Urban Development Industries at the World Economic Forum. He is a member of the Advisory Council for the School of Public Policy at the University of Calgary and a member of the Business Council of Canada. Mr. Beck was inducted as a Fellow into the Canadian Academy of Engineering.