Board of Governors 2023-24
David Agnew
David Agnew became Seneca Polytechnic’s fifth president in 2009.
Under his leadership, Seneca has continued to strengthen its reputation at home and abroad, forging new partnerships in industry and higher education, developing new programs, growing enrolment and making substantial investments in technology, teaching and spaces.
Prior to joining Seneca, Mr. Agnew held leadership positions in public, private and non-profit sectors, including as Secretary to the Cabinet in the Ontario Government, Principal Secretary to the Premier, President/CEO of UNICEF Canada, Principal at Digital 4Sight, Executive Vice-President and Corporate Secretary for the Credit Union Central of Ontario and Ombudsman for Banking Services and Investments. He started his career as a reporter in Toronto, St. John’s, Ottawa and Edmonton. In 1995, he was seconded to the University of Toronto’s Massey College as a Senior Resident.
Mr. Agnew is Chair of the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH) and Past Chair of Polytechnics Canada. He also serves on the board of ventureLAB. Previous governance roles include Chair of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and Colleges Ontario, and Vice-Chair of the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO).
He is a recipient of the Queen’s Diamond and Platinum Jubilee medals in recognition of his community and public service.
Shiree Bain
Shiree D. Bain is a third-year international student in the Honours Bachelor of Accounting and Finance Degree program at Seneca Polytechnic. She has been actively involved in the Seneca Caribbean Association Club where she aids in fostering a vibrant and inclusive community for Caribbean students at Seneca. Shiree also works in the Seneca Student Federation (SSF) as a Marketing and Promotions Assistant where she undertakes various social media campaigns and marketing initiatives for the SSF. She joined Seneca’s Board of Governors on Sept. 1, 2023, and was acclaimed as the student representative.
Chris Bullen
William (Chris) Bullen is Manager of By-Law & Regulatory Services with the City of Markham. In 2021, he retired from the York Regional Police (YRP) as superintendent after 33 years of service. During his career with YRP, Mr. Bullen’s assignments included the Community Services Bureau; the Community Oriented Response Unit; the Criminal Investigation Bureau; the Public Order Unit; the Traffic Bureau and the Uniform Recruiting Unit. He is the past president and vice-president of the Association of Black Law Enforcers, a former board member with the Canadian Hearing Society and campaign member for United Way of Greater Toronto. Mr. Bullen is a graduate of Carleton University, Seneca, Guelph-Humber and the University of Guelph, where he earned an MA in leadership. He joined Seneca’s Board of Governors on Sept. 1, 2018.
Nadine Chautilal
Nadine Chautilal is a Client Support Liaison in the Information Technology Services (ITS) department. She graduated from the Computer Programming and Analysis Advanced Diploma program at Seneca, where she gained experience during her co-op work terms in the field of ITS. She also holds a Degree in Adult Education at Brock University. Ms. Chautilal joined Seneca’s Board of Governors on Sept. 1, 2022 and was elected as the support staff representative.
Samantha Craig-Curnow
Samantha Craig-Curnow is Anishinaabe-Kwe from the Chippewas of Rama First Nation. She is from the Marten clan and is a mother, an auntie, a sister, a daughter and a wife. Ms. Craig-Curnow is a graduate of Seneca’s Law Clerk diploma program and holds a bachelor’s degree in political sciences, from York University and a law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School. She was called to the bar in November 2020 and has practised since as Associate General Counsel for her First Nation. Ms. Craig-Curnow’s legal work involves guiding her community toward sound legal decisions and the reinvigoration of Anishinaabe law, governance and justice. Her practice also includes contract, employment, environmental, health, education, and estates law. Ms. Craig-Curnow serves as Co-Chair of Seneca’s Indigenous Education Council and supports the youth in her community as a facilitator of the Indigenous Youth Justice Program. She is also a board member of the Indigenous Friends Association and the Indigenous Bar Association. Ms. Craig-Curnow joined the board on Jan. 4, 2023.
John Kucharczuk
John Kucharczuk has extensive teaching experience in a variety of programs in Seneca Business and the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering Technology. As member of the Beverly Glen Rate Payers Association Executive for more than 25 years, Mr. Kucharczuk has held various executive positions from President to Treasurer and is currently serving as the association’s Vice-President. He joined Seneca’s Board of Governors on Sept. 1, 2022 and was elected as the academic staff representative.
Steve Linthwaite
Steve Linthwaite is retired. Prior to his retirement in May 2023, he served as the Vice-President, Flight Operations at Jazz Aviation LP, the largest regional airline in Canada, operating under the Air Canada Express brand. Mr. Linthwaite has more than 35 years of aviation experience having started his career as a commercial pilot in 1985 after graduating from Seneca’s Aviation and Flight Technology program with honours. He has captained the Dash 8 and CRJ aircraft types. Prior to assuming senior management roles at Jazz, Mr. Linthwaite also held leadership positions with the Air Line Pilots Association. During his tenure at Jazz, he was instrumental in founding the Jazz Aviation Pathways Program, which includes 17 educational institutions and industry organizations, Seneca among them. Mr. Linthwaite previously held a board position on the National Airlines Council of Canada, is a past Chair of the Seneca School of Aviation Program Advisory Committee and the President of the Seneca Alumni Council. He joined Seneca’s Board of Governors on Sept. 1, 2020.
Hiten Makim
Hiten Makim is a seasoned financial leader. He has been the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) since 2020. Prior to OCI, Mr. Makim spent more than two decades as CFO at MDA, Information System Group, Canadian Operations and served as controller at Samsung Canada.
With more than 25 years of experience in business management, finance and advisory roles, Mr. Makim is known for his purpose-driven leadership and expertise in managing virtual teams across various locations. His global work spans Canada, Europe and Asia, where he fosters his passion for community engagement and championing diversity, equity and inclusion in organizations. He dedicates time mentoring startups in the technology sector as they scale up.
Mr. Makim holds a BA in accounting and chartered accounting from the University of Waterloo and is actively involved in multiple community organizations, including the Toronto Board of Trade, Angel Investors Ontario, JSOT Youth Business Group, Toronto Doctors Lions Club and the Southern Ontario Kidney Foundation, where he formerly served as a board member.
He joined Seneca’s Board of Governors on Sept. 1, 2023.
Maria May
Maria May is the Dean for the Faculty of Applied Arts and Health Sciences, and the Campus Principal at Seneca’s King and Yorkgate campuses. A registered nurse with more than 30 years' experience in different aspects of nursing, education and administration, Ms. May joined Seneca’s Board of Governors on Sept. 1, 2021 and was elected as the administrative staff representative.
Kimberly Moran
Kimberly Moran is the CEO of the Ontario Medical Association (OMA). She is a highly respected health-care leader and accomplished executive with more than 30 years of senior leadership experience in the private and not-for-profit sectors.
She has held roles including the President and CEO of the Ontario College of Family Physicians, Special Advisor to the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto, where her work included optimizing continuing professional development delivery; CEO of Children’s Mental Health Ontario and CEO of UNICEF Canada.
She has advised health system stakeholders at all levels of government in Canada and internationally. Ms. Moran is a recognized health system transformation contributor and collaborator, with previous roles in Ontario Children’s Health Coalition, which represents children’s hospitals and children’s community healthcare providers, and as Co-Chair of the Children’s COVID-19 Vaccine Table. She was previously on the Premier’s Council on Improving Health Care and Ending Hallway Medicine, a voluntary expert advisory council reporting to the Premier and the Minister of Health.
Ms. Moran joined Seneca’s Board of Governors on Sept. 1, 2019 and is currently serving as Vice-Chair.
Nancy Naylor
Nancy Naylor worked in the Ontario Public Service for more than 35 years. Ms. Naylor served as Deputy Minister of Education for five years and held several leadership roles in the ministries of Health, Finance and Colleges and Universities. Ms. Naylor led major projects in funding, labour relations, infrastructure, information technology and public policy. Ms. Naylor holds degrees from McMaster University and Carleton University and has served on several boards, including the Public Policy Forum. She joined Seneca’s Board of Governors on Sept. 1, 2023.
Bill Pearson
William (Bill) Pearson is an experienced corporate commercial lawyer called to the Bar in Ontario in 1989, specializing in intellectual property and information technology law. Mr. Pearson retired from Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada after a 26-year career in its legal department, with his last 10 years in the position of Vice-President and Associate General Counsel. Mr. Pearson earned an LL. B from the University of Western Ontario where he participated in the Canada-United States Law Institute Program. He also holds a B. Comm from the University of Windsor. He joined Seneca’s Board of Governors on Sept. 1, 2023.
Ashif Somani
Ashif Somani is a retired partner of BDO Canada LLP and has more than 35 years of experience providing audit, management and business advisory services. As a member of BDO’s Quality Assurance team, he was responsible for establishing and monitoring quality standards for the firm’s accounting and auditing practices, presenting several professional development courses and performing the second partner review on high-risk engagements. Mr. Somani is a former treasurer and board member of the York Region Children’s Aid Society. He also served as chair of the Finance and Investment Committee for Mackenzie Health Foundation as well as board treasurer. Mr. Somani is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), a member of CPA Ontario and CPA Canada and was a Certified Financial Planner. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Toronto. In November 2022, Mr. Somani was named a CPA Ontario Fellow (FCPA), the highest distinction bestowed upon a CPA. He first joined Seneca’s Board of Governors in 2008 and served two terms, including three years as chair of the Finance and Administration Committee. Mr. Somani re-joined the board on Sept. 1, 2018 and is currently serving as Chair, having been renewed for a second term.
Winston Stewart
Winston Stewart is the President and CEO of Wincon Security, an organization he founded in 1992 after graduating from Seneca’s Law Enforcement Program. Starting with the humble beginning of one client and one employee, Wincon is now a multimillion-dollar organization, with more than 250 employees and hundreds of clients globally. Mr. Stewart serves on numerous boards and committees, including the Bridge Markham, the Seneca Alumni Council, MTCC 891, YMCA of Greater Toronto, the Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA), 2010 G20 Summit Toronto and City of Markham Cycling & Pedestrian committee. He has received the City of Markham – Outstanding Contributions & Service Award, the Seneca Distinguished Alumni Award, the Markham Board of Trade Business Excellent Award and the BBPA Harry Jerome Award – Young Entrepreneur Award (2006), and he is a past nominee for the Premier’s Award for College Graduates. Mr. Stewart joined Seneca’s Board of Governors on Sept. 1, 2020 and is currently serving as Vice-Chair.