Board of Governors

...the energy and construction sectors where he held executive roles in Finance, Business Development, and Operations.

Prior to that appointment, he had a successful career in the Energy and Construction sectors where he held executive roles in Finance, Business Development, and Operations.

He also held board positions at Ovarian Cancer Canada, Utility Contractors Association, and the Ontario Energy Association. Paul holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance and Human Resources from McMaster University and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Ottawa. He became a Chartered Professional Accountant in 1982.

Looking forward, I now welcome the opportunity to work with the Board of Governors on the ongoing evolution of this great school and in helping others achieve their own career ambitions.”

William (Bill) T. Chisholm Bill Chisholm is President and CEO, of Samuel, Son & Co., Limited.

Bill has spent his entire career in the steel industry. Prior to joining Samuel, Bill was with Dofasco and then ArcelorMittal. From 1980 to 2001, he served in a number of increasingly senior operations roles at Dofasco, which culminated in his appointment as President, Tubular Products Division. Soon after, he was promoted to Chief Operating Officer, ArcelorMittal Tubular Products, where he integrated the North American operations of Dofasco with the assets of Mittal Steel. He was responsible for three business units, employing more than 10,000 people and operating 26 plants in 13 countries on four continents. From 2009, until mid 2013, Bill served as Chief Executive Officer for ArcelorMittal, Mexico. He was responsible for the largest integrated steel mill in Mexico, producing four million tons of products for the global market.

Bill is a graduate of Mohawk College in Chemical Engineering Technology, and has continued his education at both McMaster University and the Ivey School of Business. 

...continuing to make a difference for the future of our students, employees and alumni through my term on the Board of Governors."

Louisa completed her Master of Science Degree in Mental Health Counselling and has dedicated her career to the field of Mental Health in both Canada and the United States. Louisa joined Mohawk College in 2012 as the Director of Student Wellness. Her commitment to promoting mental health and wellness, together with the initiatives she has led have had an enormous impact on students and colleagues at the college and in her community. Louisa has spearheaded programs and initiatives that are making a difference in other areas as well, including more awareness and education around sexualized violence and harm reduction, and partnering with local community providers to support students.

Louisa has served on many boards and has co-created an organization committed to helping individuals find wellness through movement. In 2019, she was a recipient of the YWCA Women of Distinction in the Health category and also received Mohawk College's Award of Excellence.

Louisa enjoys being active outdoors with her husband Jeff and their dog Rachel. She continues to mentor their two children currently completing their post-secondary education.

...Finance, Records Management, Fleet, Facilities, and Crime Analytics. 

"Having partnered with Mohawk College for various initiatives over the years, I look forward to working directly with the Board and the College's leadership team to further advance the priorities of the College, and to support its continued positive contributions to the community".

A York University graduate, Anna holds an Honours BA in Linguistics and French, a post-graduate Diploma in Human Resources Management, and a Masters of Business Administration.
Prior to joining the HPS, Anna served as a senior Human Resources Director with the City of Hamilton. She also sits on the Board of Directors for the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce and the Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice.

Lisa is an Educational Counsellor at Barclay Educational Services, a private guidance counselling firm for high school and postgraduate students located in Hamilton, Ontario. 

Prior to joining Barclay, Lisa spent nearly 20 years teaching journalism at both the undergraduate and postgraduate level at Mohawk College and at Sheridan College in Oakville. Before beginning her teaching career, Lisa worked as a TV news reporter at various stations across the province including CHCH TV in Hamilton, and as a National News Writer for CTV. 

Born and raised in Hamilton, Lisa holds a Masters in Mass Communication from the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom. She also studied Political Science and English at McMaster University, before studying journalism at Ryerson University in Toronto. 

... can never truly teach unless he is still learning himself. A lamp can never light another lamp unless it continues to burn its own flame'"

Kamala is a professor at Mohawk College in the School of Engineering Technology. She also serves as a facilitator for the College Educator Development Program, training new full-time college faculty in southwestern Ontario. She is elected by the faculty to serve as an internal governor for 2018-2021.

In addition to her faculty perspective, Kamala brings a scientific mindset and culturally diverse background to the Board. She has both a Bachelors and a Masters in Chemistry from the University of California. She joined Mohawk College in 2005 after a career in the pharmaceutical industry, including at biotech pioneer and leader Genentech and Toronto biotech start-up Affinium Pharmaceuticals. She grew up in India, speaks several languages, and has lived in diverse environments ranging from a small village in rural India to big cities in Canada and the U.S.

Kamala is passionate about quality of education, faculty and student success, and the vital role of faculty in creating informed and skilled citizens of tomorrow. As a faculty member on the frontlines, she understands the needs of the college community and is honoured to have the opportunity to participate in strategic decision-making.

Sheri has a passion for education, commitment to student success, and significant experience in educational programming and services, particularly those that support Aboriginal learners and their communities. As an educator and first-generation post-secondary graduate, Sheri is well aware of the challenges and opportunities students face in achieving their educational goals and career aspirations.

For 20 years, Sheri has worked with First Nations communities in land and resource management, and community-based education and training. She is an Adjunct Professor in Indigenous Studies at Wilfrid Laurier University, and an Assistant Professor at the University of Guelph in the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development where she conducts research and instructs Water Resources Management, Contemporary Aboriginal Issues, and Aboriginal Community Planning. She has held a number of educational positions including manager of Aboriginal Programs and Services at Niagara College, and program developer and coordinator with Six Nations Polytechnic.

... a Governor. I am very excited about our collective success in contributing to the path forward and supporting the college to continue to excel in a positive and engaged student and community experience.”

Rocco is the Chief Information Officer (CIO) with the Land and Resources I&IT Cluster for the Ontario government. He is a recognized leader with extensive experience in business and information technology. Rocco champions change within the organizations he serves, leveraging partnerships to successfully drive service efficiencies, modern delivery models and employee inclusion.

Rocco graduated from the Mohawk College Engineering Technology program in 1990. He became a Mohawk College Alumni Award of Distinction in 2015, receiving the award in the Technology category. A lifelong learner, Rocco has continued his education at both the Ivey School of Business and the Queens Public Executive Program.

Rocco currently lives in Hamilton with his wife Connie and together they have two wonderful children, Alessandro and Julia.

...as a Board member of this leading educational institution. I look forward to sharing my expertise in health care, education and research with the Board.”

Dr. Poulose graduated from University of Florida with doctor of pharmacy. He immigrated to Canada in 2002 and has been practising as pharmacist in Hamilton for the last 16 years. He is currently working as the lead pharmacist at Sherman IDA Pharmacy, Hamilton and specializes in diabetes care, pain management and custom compounding.

Dr. Poulose has a great passion for teaching and research, he is an Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience preceptor for University of Toronto, Doctor of Pharmacy program for the past 9 years. He is also a clinical preceptor for University of Waterloo, Doctor of Pharmacy program. He has done several research projects in the area of pharmacy practice and published research papers in leading journals.

Sony has served on the board of directors for various organizations including Ontario college of Pharmacists, Social Planning and Research Council (SPRC) of Hamilton, and Neighbour to Neighbour, Hamilton. He also received two prestigious awards, “Bowl of Hygeia” and “Exceptional Achievement in Research and Academia Award” from the Ontario Pharmacists Association for his contributions to the pharmacy profession and community services.

...with my own personal values and because I believe that the College is well-positioned to deliver on its commitments to student and graduate success at home and abroad." - Mila Ray-Daniels

Mila is the CEO of Head Injury Rehabilitation Ontario (HIRO), one of Ontario’s foremost rehabilitation organizations serving people with mild to catastrophic brain injuries. She is an experienced leader with a background in health care, strategic communications and stakeholder relations. Her professional interests include collaboration between individuals and among organizations to better meet the needs of clients and families. Mila has a Masters in Leadership, Health, a Bilingual BA and also holds an Ontario College Graduate Certificate in Corporate Communications. She has been involved in the governance of several national and local organizations including Hamilton Health Sciences and the YMCA Hamilton Burlington. She and her husband, three children and dog Stanley, call Hamilton home.

...I am excited for the opportunity to give back to a college and community that I have been proud to serve these past 23 years.”

Tracey Richardson has been with Mohawk College for almost 23 years and for the past 11 years has supported students as a Student Success Advisor. Tracey is a proud graduate of the Television Broadcasting program. Tracey continues to upgrade her skill set and values the importance of life-long learning by completing and graduating with Honours from the Workplace Leadership and Counselling Techniques Certificates through Continuing Education.

As an enthusiastic, collaborative and active participant on various college initiatives and Student Success projects, Tracey feels that building strong relationships with our current & potential students, faculty, college resources and our community partners is vital to the success of the college. She believes it is the responsibility of every member of the college community, to engage, to connect and to be committed to the overall success of Mohawk College which is truly an investment in our future going forward. As an employee, alumnus and now a Board of Governor, she believes that ‘positive change’ can only be achieved through participation, collaboration and accountability and is excited about giving back to a college and community that has she has grown within over the years.

Tracey currently lives in Dundas with her husband Phil and together they have four wonderful children.

...and I am excited to contribute to the betterment of Mohawk.”

Hardik is a student in Mohawk’s Computer System Technician program. He has worked with fellow students as a Peer Tutor and as a Student Mentor, and he has been involved in many volunteer activities on campus, including supporting activities and events organized by the Student Life, International and Sustainability teams.

Hardik is proud to be a Mohawk student who believes it is important to engage and contribute to the campus community. By serving on the Board of Governors he hopes to contribute to strengthening the college’s position as a leader in postsecondary education.

...the President of Darcor Limited, a manufacturer of casters and wheels located in Toronto and serves as Vice-President of the Institute of Casters and Wheels Manufacturers (Charlotte, NC).

Prior to joining Darcor, Raymond was President of CableTest Systems Inc. (Markham), founder and President/CEO of CRS Robotics Corporation (Burlington), President of ISRA Systemtechnik GmbH (Darmstadt, Germany) and Chairman of Wilson Laboratories Ltd. (Dundas)

Raymond’s active community involvement includes roles for MARS Discovery District (Toronto),
Ontario Aerospace Council, York Technology Alliance (Markham), Industrial-Education Council (Hamilton), Burlington Community Development Corporation, Robotics Industry Association (Ann Arbor, MI), Advanced Manufacturing Technologies and Services, Sectoral Advisory Group for International Trade (SAGIT), member of the Mohawk College Electronics Engineering Advisory Board, and the Mayor’s Business Development Advisory Board (Burlington).

Raymond was awarded the 2012 York Technology Alliance Community Builder Award, the 1996 Premier's Award for outstanding graduate from a Technology program and the 1996 Mohawk College Alumni of Distinction Award for Technology.

Raymond resides in Markham with his wife Tamara, and their children Christian and Sophie.

Steve Stipsits is the president and owner of Branthaven Homes, a Burlington-based homebuilding company active in the GTA and South Western Ontario. Supporting local charities and leading fundraising campaigns. Mr. Stipsits and Branthaven Homes have a drive to give back to the communities that support them.

As a graduate of the Architectural Technology Program at Mohawk College in 1984, Steve worked in construction Europe for two years, before joining the family business Branthaven. Steve has leveraged his custom home building background into a highly successful company that leads the industry in custom-inspired production homes. Branthaven has won numerous sales and marketing, design and service awards, including the building industry’s highest achievements – The Ernest Assaly Customer Service award and both Project, Community, and Builder of the Year designations.

Steve has served as past president of the Hamilton-Halton Home Builders’ Association and member of their Hall of Fame, Steve is also in the Burlington Entrepreneur Hall of Fame.

...this community and am thrilled to be able to contribute to the life and welfare of Mohawk College and its students.” - David A. van der Woerd

David grew up in the greater Hamilton area and is a partner at the law firm Ross & McBride LLP located in Hamilton where he heads the firm’s wills and estates group and the charity law group. David received his Bachelor of Arts in History with a minor in Sociology from Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he also received a Michigan Provisional Secondary Teacher’s Certificate. He obtained his law degree from the University of Western Ontario. He is a deputy judge of the small claims court and a trade-mark agent. An active member of the Ontario Bar Association, Charity and Non-Profit Law Section executive and a trustee and member of the executive committee of the Hamilton Law Association and chairs the Estates and Trusts Subcommittee. He also serves as a director for other charitable organizations. He is married to Cyndi, with 3 grown children and resides in Caledonia.

Previously Ron served 10 years in the Ontario Public Service as Deputy Minister Open Government, Interim President of Orange Air Ambulance, Deputy Minister, Government Services and, Corporate CIO and Chief Strategist for Ontario.

Prior to joining the Ontario Public Service, Ron’s career spanned 25 years in the private sector where he held senior executive positions with Rogers Communications and Bank of Montreal.

Ron holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Dalhousie University, an ICD.D designation from Rotman, is a Fellow of the Institute of Canadian Bankers and a graduate of Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program.

Mr. McKerlie is a member of the Board of Directors for ORION and former Chair of the Board for World Vision Canada.