Board Members
Rodney Wilson – Board Chair
Rodney Wilson, a former Board Chair of the Algonquin College Foundation, continues his longstanding volunteer commitment to Algonquin College as the Board of Governors Chair. Professionally, he serves as the Chief Technologist for Academic & External Research Networks at Ciena Corporation. In this capacity, he oversees Ciena’s interactions and funded research endeavours with academic institutions, leads government research and development programs, and spearheads international research network initiatives. Wilson’s primary objective at Ciena is to facilitate successful collaborations between technology innovators, research and education networkers, and researchers with Ciena’s research and development technology leaders.
Prior to his tenure at Ciena, he held diverse roles at Nortel and Bell Northern Research, including Global Marketing Director of Broadband Switching, R&D leader for Optical Ethernet Development, and senior advisor to the Chief Technology Officer. His career also encompassed the design and operation of the University of Toronto’s UTLAS international bibliographic service network and Bell Canada’s national packet data communication services operations.
Mr. Wilson commenced his electrical engineering training at Ryerson Polytechnic Institute in Toronto, Ontario. Subsequently, he graduated from the Executive Management School at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California. Mr. Wilson is a member of the Canadian Institute of Corporate Directors and a Senior Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). He completed the Ontario College Centre, Board Excellence & Leadership Advanced Good Governance program. In recognition of his contributions, Mr. Wilson received the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Award, an honorary degree from Algonquin College in 2022, and numerous professional awards through his work with the IEEE. A lifelong advocate for youth development, Mr. Wilson volunteers with Scouts Canada in both local and national capacities. He holds an Advanced Amateur Radio operators license and engages as a citizen scientist on several significant research projects.
Rodney Wilson was appointed to the Board of Governors on October 22, 2020, became Vice Chair in September 2024, and appointed Chair for the 2025–26 term. He has also served the College in various other Board capacities, including Chair of the Academic and Student Affairs Committee, member of the Audit and Risk Management Committees, and industry participant in the Strategic Planning Task Force.
Tanya Buckley – Board Vice Chair & Chair, Audit & Risk Management Committee
Tanya Buckley is a proud alumnus of Algonquin who has continued her long association with the college by joining the Board of Governors in 2023. She also holds an Executive MBA from the University of Ottawa.
Tanya brings wide-ranging skills, including entrepreneurship, strategic planning, business development and leadership, gained from working in family business early in her career through to her most recent position as Senior Vice-President Cardel Homes Ontario; one of Ottawa’s leading residential developer/builders.
Since graduating from Algonquin, Tanya has returned to the College several times to offer her perspectives, experience, and expertise. She served on The Strategic Advisory Committee, advised the Alumni & Friends Network, and the Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence (ACCE) Advisory Committee.
Tanya also serves as Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors of the Greater Ottawa Home Builders Association (GOHBA) that is the voice of the residential housing industry in Ottawa.
Tanya was appointed to the Board of Governors effective September 1, 2023, and assumed the role of Board Vice-Chair effective September 1, 2025 and Chair of the Audit and Risk Management Committee since September 1, 2024.
Tanya is an Ottawa native, recreational pilot and mother of 2 children who enjoys spending time in nature at her cottage in the Gatineau’s.
Claude Brulé – President & CEO
Claude Brulé is Algonquin College’s ninth President and Chief Executive Officer. Prior to taking on this leadership role in August 2019, Claude served as the College’s Senior Vice President Academic (2012-2019).
As Senior Vice President, Academic, Claude was responsible for the academic institutes, schools, faculties, and associated services. He has provided leadership to the advancement of digital learning through initiatives such as Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD), as well as e-text and other digital resources. He also guided the development of a new 14-week term model that launched in September 2019, as well as the College’s Learner-driven Plan – which has reimagined personalized learning at the College.
Claude has served the College at nearly every level of its leadership team. Prior to his roles on the Algonquin College Executive Team, he was the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Technology and Trades at Algonquin College (2007-2012), responsible for the School of Advanced Technology, the Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence, and the Heritage Institute, a rural campus in Perth, Ontario.
Upon joining the College in August 1999, he first served as the Academic Chair of the Information and Communications Technology Department (formerly the Computer Studies Department). Throughout his tenure at the College, Claude led several large projects and initiatives at either the Faculty or College level. His most significant achievements have been related to his involvement, as the main point of contact for the user group, on three major high-performance building infrastructure projects, including the Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence.
Prior to joining the College, Claude was an officer in the Canadian Forces, in the Air Force occupational branch of Communication and Electronics Engineering, in a career that spanned 22 years. He graduated from the Royal Military College in Kingston in 1982 with a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Physics and again in 1990, earning a Master’s of Science in Mathematics. Among his many tours of duty over the years, he was an instructor at the Canadian Forces School of Communications and Electronics (CFSCE) from 1985 to 1987, and subsequently, the Senior Staff Officer for Strategic Planning and the Chief of Staff of the same school from 1993 to 1997. Between his two tours at CFSCE, he lectured in the Mathematics and Computer Science department as an assistant professor at the Royal Military College from 1989 to 1993.
Claude is an active member of the community and serves on several boards, including Polytechnics Canada and Invest Ottawa. He also chairs the Ontario College Application Service (OCAS) board and is a member of the Executive for the Committee of Presidents for Ontario’s publicly assisted colleges. He is also a member of IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) and was promoted to Senior Member in 2018 for his significant contributions to the profession.
Gabrielle Berard – Chair, Academic and Student Affairs Committee
Gabrielle Berard is a public affairs and advocacy professional specializing in health care policy. She is passionate about helping organizations understand how government works to support the alignment of business objectives with political priorities.
Gabrielle leads federal government engagement on behalf of Novo Nordisk Canada, a global health care company based in Denmark dedicated to the development innovative treatments for patients living with serious chronic diseases. In her current role, she advocates for Novo Nordisk in Ottawa to government decision-makers and industry associations. She holds additional responsibility for the development of community partnerships to support the company’s commitment to chronic disease prevention.
Prior to joining Novo Nordisk, Gabrielle spent over a decade working in the fields of government and health policy. As a senior staffer to two federal finance ministers, she provided political advice on a range of health and social policy files to support the development of three federal budgets. Since leaving politics, Gabrielle has built a career in health policy and advocacy, advising and representing professional associations, not-for-profit organizations and private corporations to achieve their government affairs and public policy objectives.
Gabrielle holds a Masters of Public and International Affairs from the University of Ottawa, and an Honours Bachelors of Arts from McGill University. Gabrielle Berard was appointed to the Board of Governors effective September 1, 2021, and serves as Chair of the Academic and Student Affairs Committee.
Heather Simpson – Chair, Governance Committee
A proud Algonquin alumnus, Heather’s successful career in digital transformation stemmed from a lifelong interest in technology and a Post Diploma Certificate from Algonquin College. Building on that, she achieved Partnership in two global management consulting firms, winning awards for her clients, her teams and herself. She brings to the board extensive experience in digital transformation, risk management and oversight of complex programs, a passion for learning and an unwavering commitment to creating opportunities for others.
Founder of Simpson Art Advisory, Heather currently works as an art appraiser and advisor, with a focus on Canadian Art, project governance and risk management. She is a Member of the International Society of Appraisers and also serves as the President of the Board of the Ottawa School of Art. She brings her experience as a small business owner to her work on the Algonquin Board.
A continuous learner, Heather recently completed the MIT Sloan School of Management’s executive program for Artificial Intelligence, several appraisal related certifications and a Certificate in World Art History through the Smithsonian Institute. Heather has a degree in Political Science and Economics from Western University and worked on Parliament Hill for several years prior to her studies at Algonquin.
Heather Simpson was appointed to the Algonquin College Board of Governors effective September 1, 2024, and assumed the role of Chair of the Governance Committee effective September 1, 2025.
Bharat Rudra
Bharat Rudra is a serial entrepreneur, business leader, and computer engineer with over 30 years of experience in business development, management, and growth. His remarkable work and volunteer efforts have left a significant positive impact on the Ottawa community, particularly in the fields of entrepreneurship, the high-tech industry, philanthropy, and community building.
Bharat currently serves as the Managing Director for Canada at Transacta Capital. Prior to this, he held the position of Vice President at 123worx, an Ottawa-based software company. Bharat worked for high-tech firms such as Nortel Networks, Catena Networks, and Computing Devices earlier in his career. He has also worked with government-funded research and development support organizations, including Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) and International Science and Technology Partnerships Canada (ISTP Canada). At OCE, Bharat successfully managed multiple funding programs that facilitated the commercialization of academic research in Ontario. During his tenure at ISTP Canada, he led an international R&D funding program aimed at fostering collaborations between Canadian SMEs, academia, and their Indian and Brazilian counterparts for joint research initiatives and subsequent commercialization. Bharat has played a pivotal role in leading several dozen Canadian industry delegations to countries such as India, Brazil, Israel, and China. This encompasses a key organizer of the official delegation led by the Mayor of the City of Ottawa during their visit to India. Bharat has been a co-founder of three high-tech start-ups in Ottawa.
Bharat’s impact extends beyond his professional achievements. As the co-founder, former Chair, and current President of TiE Ottawa, he has significantly contributed to fostering entrepreneurship in the region. Under his guidance, TiE Ottawa has empowered numerous entrepreneurs and successfully launched programs like TiECon Canada, an internationally recognized entrepreneurship conference that facilitates connections between Ottawa’s business leaders and startups with entrepreneurs around North America.
Bharat’s commitment to the community is evident through his involvement with organizations like Dhadkan, where he co-founded the not-for-profit Indo-Canadian organization and served as its former leader. Dhadkan has raised over $10 million for the Ottawa Heart Institute. Additionally, Bharat has held the position of Vice President at the Indo Canada Community Center and has dedicated himself to supporting and empowering Indo-Canadian youth by creating and leading various programs. Bharat was a regular guest for four years on CTV Ottawa’s technology TV program, Tech Now. Bharat spearheaded a project in partnership with a local law firm to commemorate Ottawa’s entrepreneurship. This involved creating a video spotlighting 100 Ottawa entrepreneurs, which was included in the City of Ottawa’s time capsule to mark Canada’s 150th birthday.
Bharat Rudra’s exceptional contributions to the community have been recognized with numerous honours, including the prestigious 2020 Order of Ottawa and the Lifetime Achievement Award from Volunteer Ottawa in 2024, celebrating his dedication to making the community a better place for all. He was appointed to the Board of Governors on September 1, 2023, and assumed the role of Vice Chair of the Academic and Student Affairs Committee on September 1, 2025.
Jean-Charles Fahmy
Jean-Charles (JC) Fahmy is an accomplished executive with over 30 years of global leadership experience in high-growth, high-impact technology organizations spanning multinationals, startups, and not-for-profit organizations. A strategic thinker and leader, JC is skilled in shaping a compelling vision, harnessing innovation, and creating value for clients, resulting in accelerated business performance. He has a proven record of delivering exceptional results, building world-class teams, and leading organizations through transformation and growth.
A champion of Canadian innovation, JC works in collaboration with government, industry, startups, and ecosystem partners on driving the growth and global competitiveness of Canadian research and innovation toward achieving Canada’s economic, environmental and social goals. Most recently JC was President and CEO of CENGN, where he drove the delivery of the organization’s mission to enable the innovation and adoption of advanced networking technologies in Canada.
JC holds a BASc in Electrical Engineering from the University of Ottawa, and an MBA from McGill University.
He was appointed to the Board of Governors on October 28, 2025 and will be a member of the Audit and Risk Management Committee.
John James
John James
Growing up in Toronto’s Scarborough neighbourhood, John developed an interest in people and helping the community at a young age. John obtained a B.A. in Political Science from York University and then embarked on a three-month backpacking tour across Europe. This trip inspired a lifelong love of travel and connecting with people.
In 1995, John joined the RCMP. Over his career as a Mountie, he was posted in British Columbia, Nunavut, Nova Scotia and recently retired at HQ Ottawa. John has varied police experience including general duty, serious crime, crisis negotiation, human trafficking, crime prevention, tactical team, northern service and First Nations policing. John’s work for the RCMP has taken him to every province and territory with the exception of the Yukon.
John brings to the Algonquin College Board of Governors an extensive background in volunteer work. He has held a variety of roles across the country in both frontline volunteering duties and several non-profit boards of directors. Some of the organizations John has served with include the Scarborough Distress Centre, Big Brothers, Pathways to Education, Hospice Care Ottawa, youth softball organizations and several adult literacy organizations in BC, Ontario and Nova Scotia. More recently, John served as the President of the Pinecrest Queensway Community Health Centre Board and as President of the Canadian Mental Health Association Board, Ottawa Branch. John has served on the National Board of Pathways to Education Canada and served on the Board of Operation Come Home. He currently serves on the Boards of Hospice Care Ottawa and the Shepherds of Good Hope.
John has received several honours including the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers, 2016, The Commanding Officer’s Commendation, RCMP, 2015, and The Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire IODE Canada. RCMP National Community Service Award, 2014.
John’s passion is travel, and he has currently backpacked to some 70 countries. When he’s not on the road, John enjoys a quiet existence with his wife and son and their dog, Barley, in his adopted home of Ottawa.
John was appointed to the Board of Governors effective September 1, 2025.
Julia Fortey – Administrative Staff Representative
Julia Fortey has worked at Algonquin College for twelve years in a variety of positions including her current role as Associate Chair in ACCE. Julia is a proud alumna of Algonquin College’s Architectural Technology program.
A lifelong learner, Julia has a passion for learning new things and holds her M. Ed in Leadership in Learning from the University of Prince Edward Island. Prior to that, she completed a Bachelor of Arts in Art History with a minor in Architecture from Carleton University. Julia’s quest for knowledge extends beyond the traditional, encompassing certifications including, an End of Life Doula Certificate from Douglas College, Indigenous History Certificate from the University of Alberta Online, her level one in Cabinet Making apprenticeship, as well as certificates from AC Online in Emerging Educational Technologies and Teachers and Trainers of Adults.
Julia values contributing to her community and has held past Board roles with the Ottawa chapter of the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) as well as the Ottawa MG club. Julia is currently pursuing her certificate in Strength and Conditioning Training and 200-hour accredited yoga teacher training.
Julia was appointed to the Board of Governors effective February 5, 2024.
Kevin Ishimwe – Student Representative
Kevin is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Technology in Business System Development and has been recognized on the Dean’s Honour List for academic excellence. With a background in both front-end and back-end software development, as well as experience in embedded systems and telecommunications, Kevin brings both technical knowledge and student insight to his role on the Board.
Elected by acclamation, Kevin’s motivation to serve is grounded in a desire to give back to the College community that has supported his own growth. He is committed to helping students raise their voices and engage more directly with College leadership, advocating for initiatives that support academic success and student well-being. His priorities include creating more access to scholarships, exploring part-time employment opportunities on campus for high-performing students, and enhancing communication between students and administration.
Kevin believes that empowering students to speak up, contribute ideas, and shape their own academic environment leads to stronger outcomes not only for individuals, but for the College and the broader community. He approaches his role with dedication, integrity, and a deep sense of responsibility to represent and support the student body effectively.
Kevin was appointed to the Board of Governors effective September 1, 2025.
Madelaine Thurston
Madelaine Thurston is a Partner at Kelly Santini LLP, where she specializes in real estate, corporate law, and commercial transactions. Madelaine uses her financial acumen and project management skills to complete complex corporate restructurings, secured lending transactions and corporate and commercial real estate acquisitions and sales.
Prior to starting her legal career, Madelaine obtained an Honours Bachelor of Science from the University of Ottawa, Major in Chemistry and Minor in Criminology. She then obtained her J.D. Common Law from the University of Ottawa in 2014. During her time at the University of Ottawa, Madelaine worked at the Ottawa Hospital as a clerk in several different departments.
A dedicated community supporter, Madelaine is passionate about helping organizations grow and thrive. She has previously served as a director for the Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, and currently serves as a director and secretary for the Foundation of Prader-Willi Research Canada. She brings her commitment to excellence, her legal expertise, and a deep understanding of governance to her role on Algonquin College’s Board of Governors.
Madelaine enjoys spending time at her cottage with her young family, which include a 5-year-old daughter, 4-year-old son and 9-month-old baby girl. All of which keeps her on her toes.
Madelaine was appointed to the Board of Governors effective October 16, 2025, and currently is serving on the Governance Committee.
Mehdi Zahed – Academic Staff Representative
Mehdi Zahed is a licensed architect and seasoned educator whose career reflects a deep belief in the value of quality education and strong industry engagement. With extensive professional and teaching experience across Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta, he is committed to preparing the next generation of professionals to excel in a rapidly changing world.
Mehdi joined the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) in 2011, where he taught architectural programs and, in 2020, received a teaching award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to education. In 2021, he joined Algonquin College as a full-time professor in the Architectural Studies programs. In 2024, he was honoured with the Excellence in Teaching Award from the Algonquin College Students’ Association, highlighting his dedication to student success and inspiring learning environments.
With over 28 years of combined experience in architecture, construction management, leadership, applied research, and higher education in Canada and internationally, Mehdi’s expertise focuses on sustainable building practices, including building envelopes, innovative materials and systems, Building Information Modelling (BIM), Industrial Ecology (IE), and whole building life cycle assessment (WBLCA).
Beyond the classroom, Mehdi actively contributes to the profession and community. He is a member of the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA), the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (MRAIC), and the Building Envelope Council Ottawa Region (BECOR). He is a volunteer with the Carbon Leadership Forum (CLF) Ottawa Region, advancing low-carbon building design and construction practices. Mehdi has served as a reviewer for several academic and scientific journals in the fields of architecture and sustainability.
Mehdi was appointed to the Algonquin College Board of Governors on September 1, 2024.
Richard Goodyear
Richard Goodyear was appointed as the Senior Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Financial Officer at Indigenous Services Canada in October 2025. In this role he leads a national team delivering financial services, material management and procurement, IT, Real Property and Security services. Prior to this appointment he was the CFO at the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) and Canadian Coast Guard for three years.
Richard spent 32 years as a Logistics officer in the Canadian Armed Forces. Richard commanded at multiple levels throughout his career including Officer Commanding Administration Company in 2 Service Battalion in Petawawa, Base Commander, CFB Shilo in Manitoba as well as Base Commander for the National Capital Region in Ottawa. His last military role was as the Chief of Financial Management, responsible for all aspects of DND’s financial management including leadership of the Departmental comptrollership framework, financial community management and guidance, budget management and economic services and financial support to operations including Canada’s delegation to NATO. Richard had overseas deployments to Kosovo in 1999-2000 as the Contingent Finance Officer and Kandahar, Afghanistan in 2006-2007 as the Task Force Comptroller. For his efforts in promoting the authority of the Afghan National Bank, ensuring the increased foreign use of Afghan currency and enhancing governance and strengthening official financial institutions in Afghanistan, he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM).
Richard is a graduate of the Canadian Army Command and Staff College, the Canadian Armed Forces Joint Command and Staff Programme and the National Security Programme. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the Royal Military College, Master of Business Administration from the Université du Québec à Montréal and a Master of Public Administration from the Royal Military College in Kingston. Richard is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA). In 2022 he was appointed as a Fellow by the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario for having brough distinction to the profession.
Richard was appointed to the Board of Governors effective September 1, 2024 and began serving as Vice Chair of the Audit and Risk Management Committee on September 1, 2025.
Shaun Denis
Shaun Denis is the founder and CEO of Umber Realty Inc., a full-service brokerage that manages both residential and commercial real estate transactions. Since its inception in Ottawa in 2014, Umber has quickly established itself as a key player in the local market. Under Shaun’s visionary leadership, the company expanded beyond Ottawa, launching offices in Toronto and Vancouver. Umber is renowned for delivering exceptional client service and leveraging technology to enhance its real estate practices.
Coming from a family of educators, Shaun is deeply passionate about learning and sharing knowledge. He has embedded this philosophy into Umber’s culture, offering employees a comprehensive training program that equips them to excel in their roles. Beyond his commitment to fostering continuous learning within his company, Shaun has actively engaged with Algonquin College, participating as an industry representative on panels designed to prepare students for the job market. He recognizes the immense value of strengthening partnerships between post-secondary education and the business sector and has worked diligently to promote this relationship.
Shaun graduated from Queen’s University with a Bachelor of Arts in 2009 and a Bachelor of Education in 2010. He was appointed to the Board of Governors on September 29th, 2022 and currently serves on the Audit & Risk Management Committee.
Tania Dube
Tania Dube is a graduate of the Algonquin College Business Admin program, a program key in invigorating her love of finance. After holding multiple financial roles in the for profit and not-for-profit sectors, she decided to focus her time on grassroots and community in the not-for-profit sector. She is currently the Senior Manager, Finance at The First Nations Information Governance Centre.
She is dedicated to continuous learning in the finance field and holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Carleton University, in addition to an MBA from Queen’s University. While at Queen’s she was the only Indigenous person, and Indigenous woman, in her cohort which sparked her passion to recruit more Indigenous women in finance.
Tania is a Mohawk/Algonquin from the Quebec communities of Kahnawake and Kitigan Zibi. She spent most of her Professional career working in the Outaouais area before recently relocating to the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory.
Tania was appointed to the Board of Governors effective September 1, 2024.
Tony Pollard
Tony Pollard, originally from Montreal, has extensive public private sector experience. He studied at Western University and McGill University and graduated from Concordia University with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Political Science and from Carleton University with a Masters in Political Science (Canadian Government and International Politics). He has 44 years of government relations experience having served earlier in his career as Special Assistant to the federal Minister of Transport and Senior Policy Advisor to the Secretary of State. He later served as the President of the Hotel Association of Canada from 1991 to 2016.
Mr. Pollard is an award winning author having written various publications including “Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes” and “Green Key – An Overnight Success Eleven Years in the Making”. In 2011 he was the winner of the USA Today Award of Excellence for his publication “Hospitality for Chinese Guests”. He is a frequent guest lecturer at many colleges and universities as well as a speaker at national and international conferences. He has appeared as a travel industry and government relations expert on CNN, Sky News, the BBC, NBC and ABC, and in Canada on Canada AM/ Your Morning, BNN Bloomberg and CBC Newsworld.
Mr. Pollard also served as the CEO and Managing Director of Green Key Global, operators of the Green Key Eco-Rating Program, the Green Key Meetings Program and the Green Key Carbon Calculator. The Green Key Program, an environmental assessment and certification tool for hotels, was created by Tony Pollard in 1997 and was expanded under his direction into more than 30 countries.
Tony Pollard has held a variety of voluntary positions including that of Vice-President of the International Hotel and Restaurant Association (IHRA), member of the Board of Directors of the IHRA and HR Canada, Advisory Committee Member to Algonquin College, the University of Guelph, and Humber College. He was a founding member of the Government Relations Institute of Canada and was previously the volunteer President of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario. He served as an active member on many Destination Canada/Canadian Tourism Commission committees and was a member of the Editorial Board of Hotelier Magazine and Canadian Lodging News.
Mr. Pollard has been recognized nationally and internationally with awards including the Ordre du Merite Hotelier du Quebec, the Pinnacle Award, the Pistilli Environmental Award, the Confrérie Internationale des Amis de l’Hotellerie et de la Restauration, the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Award and the Canadian Tourism Hall of Fame.
Since his retirement from the Hotel Association of Canada, Mr. Pollard has served in an advisory capacity to industry, various levels of government and the non-profit sector. Tony Pollard was appointed to the Algonquin College Board of Governors effective September 1, 2022, and was appointed Vice Chair to the Governance Committee effective September 1, 2023.