Board of Governors
CHAIR, BOARD OF GOVERNORS: MR. A. KAIN
“Andy” is a lawyer by profession and is a founder and the president of Windular Research and Technologies Inc. (“Windular”). Windular is a privately held corporation that provides innovative renewable energy systems, consulting and advisory services to the global telecommunications industry. Andy also operates his own law practice providing corporate and commercial advice to private companies with an emphasis on start-up business. From July 1995 to February 2010, Andy was General Counsel to the portfolio and administrative managers of a US$5 billion Bermuda-based hedge fund (the “Tewksbury Group”). Prior to joining the Tewksbury Group, Andy was employed as an Associate in the Tax Department at Aird & Berlis LLP in Toronto. Andy has extensive experience in corporate commercial matters and advising corporate and not-for-profit boards. He has held numerous private company and not-for-profit directorships.
Andy earned a BA (Honours) in History and Political Science from McMaster University and a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Ottawa where he graduated cum laude. He is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada and the Bermuda Bar Association.
Andy is actively involved in the Transformation HSC Capital Campaign where he is currently a member of the Campaign Cabinet Committee. He also coaches the HSC Senior Girls’ Hockey Team.
Andy and his wife Ruth are the proud parents of three daughters who are alumni of the College and a son who recently completed Grade 10 at HSC.
Andy serves on the HSC Executive, Finance and Nominating Committees.
Past Chair, Board of Governors: Mr. M. Hamilton
Mike Hamilton is an award-winning executive with over 25 years’ experience in the Canadian medical technology industry.
Mike is Vice President and General Manager of Hill-Rom Canada. Hill-Rom is a leading global medical technology company that partners with health care providers across all care settings, by focusing on patient care solutions that improve clinical and economic outcomes in five core areas: Advancing Mobility, Wound Care and Prevention, Patient Monitoring and Diagnostics, Surgical Safety and Efficiency and Respiratory Health. Hill-Rom's people, products, and programs work towards one mission: Every day, around the world, we enhance outcomes for patients and their caregivers.
Prior to joining Hill-Rom, Mike oversaw Prolacta Bioscience’s expansion into the Canadian health care market focused in the area of neonatal nutrition. Mike also spent over 20 years with Baxter Healthcare Corporation, many of those in executive-level marketing and sales leadership positions. Mike holds an undergraduate degree in Biochemistry from Western University, as well as an MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business.
Mike lives in Carlisle with his wife Angela, and his daughters Mackenzie and Holly are recent HSC graduates. He is a member of Alpine Ski Club in Collingwood, and enjoys travelling, cycling and canoe tripping whenever he has the opportunity.
Mike serves on the Executive, Finance, Audit and Nominating Committees.
Corporation Secretary and Chair, Board Development Committee: Mr. G. Tierney
Mr. Geoff Tierney is McMaster's University's Counsel and Director, Employee/Labour Relations within the University's Office of Legal Services and Human Resources Services.
Geoff is the University's senior legal counsel and is responsible for the legal, employee/labour relations, collective bargaining and compensation portfolios at the University.He holds an honours Bachelor of Sciences degree from the University of Toronto, specializing in cognitive science and a Bachelor of Laws degree from Queen's University. Geoff was called to the Ontario Bar in 2002.
Prior to joining McMaster University in 2005, Geoff practiced law in Toronto at the firm of Baker & McKenzie, specializing in employment, labour and human rights law.
Geoff lives in Ancaster with his spouse Kris, and children William (HSC Grade 6), Henry (HSC Grade 4) and Theresa (HSC SK).
Geoff is the Chair of the HSC Board Development Committee, and serves on the Executive and Nominating Committees.
Chair, Finance Committee: Mrs. B. Barton '03
Since 2005, Mrs. Brianne Barton ’03 has worked in public accounting at Brownlow Partners Chartered Accountants. She has a passion for helping privately held businesses and not-for-profit organizations become the best they can be. She demonstrates this passion by developing continuous improvement strategies for Brownlow Partners and their clients. As a Partner at Brownlow Partners, Brianne works with not-for-profit organizations, privately held companies and Brownlow team members, and utilizes her inquisitive nature to get everyone thinking about strategies for achieving their goals.
Brianne obtained her Chartered Accountant designation in 2009 after earning an Honours Bachelor of Accounting degree with first class standing from Brock University.
She presently serves on the HSC Board of Trustees. Brianne and her wife Bianca live in Ancaster with their sons. Both HSC alumni, they are thrilled to be carrying on the HSC tradition with their children.
Brianne is the Chair of the HSC Finance Committee, serves on the Executive and Audit Committees and is a member of the HSC Board of Trustees.
Brianne is the Chair of the HSC Finance Committee, serves on the Executive and Audit Committees and is a member of the HSC Board of Trustees.
CHAIR, BOARD OF TRUSTEES: MR. B. PEARSON
Mr. Bruce Pearson is the retired former President and co-founder of Pearson-Dunn Insurance and Financial Services Inc. He is an immediate Past Chair and board member of the YMCA of Hamilton, Burlington and Brantford.
Bruce is the Director of the North Waterloo Farm Mutual Insurance Company and currently serves as the Chair of the Governing Board of the Insurance Institute of Ontario. He is also the Chair of the Registered Insurance Institute of Ontario.
Bruce is also the Past Chair and Vice Chair of the Hamilton Police Services Board, is a long time Rotarian and former President of the Ancaster AM Rotary.
Bruce has lived in Ancaster for his entire life and is committed to community service. He is a Mohawk College graduate and a Fellow Charter Insurance Professional. Two of his children attend HSC in the Middle and Senior Schools.
Bruce is the Director of the North Waterloo Farm Mutual Insurance Company and currently serves as the Chair of the Governing Board of the Insurance Institute of Ontario. He is also the Chair of the Registered Insurance Institute of Ontario.
Bruce is also the Past Chair and Vice Chair of the Hamilton Police Services Board, is a long time Rotarian and former President of the Ancaster AM Rotary.
Bruce has lived in Ancaster for his entire life and is committed to community service. He is a Mohawk College graduate and a Fellow Charter Insurance Professional. Two of his children attend HSC in the Middle and Senior Schools.
Bruce serves on the HSC Executive and Nominating Committees.
Dr. O. Akintan
Dr. Olabode "Bode" Akintan is a Child and Adolescent psychiatrist at McMaster Children’s Hospital. He also holds a faculty position (Assistant Professor) at McMaster University. He graduated from Medical school in Nigeria in 1996, practiced as a generalist for a couple of years, then moved to North America to complete psychiatry training and a child psychiatry sub specialty at the University of Maryland.
Since moving to Canada in 2008, Bode has helped to build the child and youth mental health inpatient unit (the largest program of its kind in the province) and Psychiatry Emergency Services, both at McMaster Children's Hospital. He currently serves as Medical Director of both.
In 2015, Bode graduated with a double Masters in Business Administration (MBA) degree through Cornell University NY, and Queen's University, Kingston ON. He serves on various committees at McMaster and on the Professional Guidelines and Standards Committee at the Canadian Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. Bode is a past member of the psychiatry executive for the Ontario Medical Association (OMA).
Bode lives in Oakville with his wife Nene, two children (both students at HSC) and niece from Nigeria who is attending the University of Toronto. His family is active in the community as part of a larger group of Nigerian professionals who migrated to North America. Bode's wife Nene is the founder and CEO of the non-profit organization “I am, I can, I will”.
Bode is a football (soccer) fan, enjoys travelling with his family and enjoys reading non-fiction.
Bode serves on the HSC Board Development Committee.
MS. M. HILL '07
Meagan started her career at Morgan Stanley in New York City where, as a member of the securitized products team, she evaluated lending opportunities for commercial mortgage securitization. Meagan also worked in the residential development group at The Related Companies, a privately owned real estate firm. Prior to joining BASE, Meagan worked for the Canadian Federal Government under the Trudeau administration, supporting the development of the Canadian Infrastructure Bank.
In collaboration with Harvard Business School, Meagan designed the first Harvard Executive Education program for First Nations and Native American investment professionals. The program is scheduled to operate on an annual basis, and provides financial management, negotiation, leadership, and change management training to program participants.
Originally from Six Nations, Meagan holds a BA from Harvard College where she was President of Harvard Student Agencies, the largest student-run corporation in the world. She is also a graduate of Harvard Business School where she completed her MBA.
Meagan serves as special advisor to the Head of College on fundraising.
Mr. P. Jeejeebhoy
Mr. Pheroze Jeejeebhoy is the proud father of three children (one current HSC student and two HSC alumni) and a lawyer practicing in Hamilton. Pheroze was called to the Bar in 1996 after graduating from the University of Manitoba (LLB) and articling at the Ontario Ministry of Health. Since then, Pheroze has dedicated his professional career to representing individuals. Pheroze’s practice is now focused on medical malpractice work and other personal injury issues.
Pheroze has acted as counsel in matters in Ontario, New Brunswick and Manitoba, and he has been certified by the Law Society of Upper Canada as a Specialist in Civil Litigation. Pheroze finds it particularly satisfying to represent children. He considers it a personal honour to have acted for the family of an autistic boy against the Government of Ontario through 136 days of trial in the landmark case Deskin v HMQ (Indexed as Wynberg v HMQ). Pheroze’s experience enables him to provide capable trial representation to many individuals suffering from life changing injuries. In addition, Pheroze is a Board Member and current Treasurer at the Lynwood Charlton Centre, a charitable organization which provides a spectrum of mental health solutions for children and youth. Pheroze enjoys the outdoors.
Pheroze serves on the HSC Board Development Committee.
Pheroze has acted as counsel in matters in Ontario, New Brunswick and Manitoba, and he has been certified by the Law Society of Upper Canada as a Specialist in Civil Litigation. Pheroze finds it particularly satisfying to represent children. He considers it a personal honour to have acted for the family of an autistic boy against the Government of Ontario through 136 days of trial in the landmark case Deskin v HMQ (Indexed as Wynberg v HMQ). Pheroze’s experience enables him to provide capable trial representation to many individuals suffering from life changing injuries. In addition, Pheroze is a Board Member and current Treasurer at the Lynwood Charlton Centre, a charitable organization which provides a spectrum of mental health solutions for children and youth. Pheroze enjoys the outdoors.
Pheroze serves on the HSC Board Development Committee.
Mr. T. Maradin
Mr. Thomas Maradin is a Chartered Professional Accountant and is currently operating his own advisory company. He has over twenty-five years of extensive experience both in public practice with Ernst and Young LLP (Hamilton and Toronto) and industry with private and multi-national public companies and non-for-profit organizations. He has experience in strategic planning, risk management, corporate governance, finance and financial reporting requirements. Thomas is accomplished in teaching finance and accounting, auditing and regulatory programs within public accounting, industry and college environments and is currently a Partial-Load Professor at Niagara College's School of Business and Tourism in a variety of diploma and post-graduate programs.
Thomas earned his Honours Business Administration from Brock University and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario.
Thomas lives in Burlington with his wife Suzanne and their two children, Emily (recent HSC graduate) and Mathew (Grade 11) at HSC.
In his spare time he enjoys outdoor activities and is a member of the Hamilton Golf and Country Club where he serves on the Finance Committee and the Corporate Governance Committee.
Thomas serves on the HSC Finance Committee.
DR. R. MCCABE
Dr. Randi McCabe is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University and a clinical psychologist with almost 20 years of experience in the field as a clinician, researcher, educator, and healthcare leader. At St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Randi is Psychologist-in-Chief and Director of the Anxiety Treatment and Research Clinic (ATRC) where she has focused efforts on reducing wait times and increasing access to empirically supported treatments. The ATRC is one of the leading specialized treatment, research, and training centres for anxiety disorders in Canada. Randi has enjoyed balancing her clinical and administrative roles with her academic pursuits. Her research has focused on anxiety disorders and the development of novel cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) interventions for a range of disorders. She has published over 100 research papers and chapters. She has disseminated her work broadly through publication of several CBT workbooks for clinicians and consumers including The Overcoming Bulimia Workbook (2003), 10 Simple Solutions to Panic (2004), Overcoming Your Animal and Insect Phobias (2005), A Cognitive Behavioral Approach to Weight Management (2009), and The Cognitive Behavioral Workbook for Menopause (2012). She also co-authored Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in Groups (2006) and co-edited Phobias: The Psychology of Irrational Fear (2015). Her books have been translated into many languages including Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, French, Italian, Hebrew, Japanese, Polish, Portugese, Spanish, and Swedish.
At McMaster University, Randi served as Chair of the Clinical Behavioural Sciences Program in the Faculty of Health Sciences (2003-2008), a post professional psychotherapy training program for health professionals. She helped found the Mentorship Program in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences in 2015 and currently service as co-lead. She also teaches and supervises graduate students in the McMaster Integrative Neuroscience Discovery and Study Program (MiNDs) and the Research Clinical Training Stream of the Department of Psychology, Neuroscience.
Randi has played a major role in the development of national credentialing standards for CBT practitioners, serving as President-Elect, President, and Past-President on the Board of the Canadian Association of Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies (2014-2017). She also co-founded the Hamilton Centre for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in 2000. In 2016, she was elected Fellow status in the Canadian Psychological Association, an honour that recognizes distinguished contributions to the advancement of the science and profession of psychology in Canada.
Randi lives in Hamilton with her husband William Harper who is a physician at Hamilton Health Sciences and her two sons who both started in the Montessori Program at HSC at age 3. Liam Harper-McCabe is now in Grade 7 and Brendan Harper-McCabe is in M8 in the Montessori School.
Randi enjoys spending time with her family travelling and skiing, watching her boys play sports, and exploring the great outdoors with her dogs Cody and Sushi.
Randi serves on the HSC Board Development Committee.
Mr. G. Reiner '03
Mr. Geoff Reiner ’03 has always had a passion for entrepreneurship. After spending time in the corporate world, Geoff founded a consulting business, Persistus Strategies. At Persistus, Geoff and his team work with business owners to help develop and implement business strategy. Additionally, they work directly with sales teams to reframe objections, enhance sales skills and close business.
Through Geoff’s consulting, an opportunity was created to work a local energy company called OOM Energy. OOM Energy is an alternative to the traditional grid and provide their clients, both commercial and residential, with more efficient, reliable and affordable power.
As company President and COO, Geoff is responsible for managing the engineering, finance and sales divisions of the OOM Group of companies. Geoff works to align the sales opportunities with the current capital requirements of the organization and ensures the engineering division has the necessary resources to deliver.
Geoff is a McMaster University graduate of the MBA program at the DeGroote School of Business. He was highly engaged in co-curricular activities and was elected as class President. During his presidency, he facilitated a number of legacy initiatives that continue today. Geoff maintains strong connections to the program as an active alumnus and consultant. Prior to attending the DeGroote School of Business, he obtained an Honours Bachelor of Science degree from Wilfrid Laurier University.
In his spare time, Geoff enjoys athletics both as a player and volunteer coach. He believes that travel is the greatest form of education and takes every opportunity he can to see the world.
Geoff serves as HSC Board Ambassador for Alumni and serves on the Finance Committee.
MR. E. SCHAEFER ‘91
Mr. Erik Schaefer is a Partner at McKinsey & Company in Toronto and a leader in their recovery and transformation service line. In this capacity he advises clients and, where necessary, assumes interim senior management roles to deliver operational turnarounds on large-scale industrial assets. His primary focus is on the metals and mining industry, but he has also led numerous transformations in other sectors including pulp and paper manufacturing, oil and gas and across functions spanning operations, sales, marketing, organization and purchasing. He recently spent two years in Asia Pacific as the Chief Transformation Officer and deputy General Manager leading the distressed turnaround of one of the world’s largest precious metals mines.
Erik previously worked as a process design and project engineer at Sulzer Chemtech in Switzerland, Canada and Germany. There, he designed and commissioned large-scale fractional crystallization systems to ultra-purify chemicals and petrochemicals.
Erik is fluent in English, German and French and possesses basic, though rusty, conversational ability in Spanish. He holds an Honours Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Waterloo and an MBA with High Distinction (George F. Baker Scholar) from Harvard Business School. He and his wife Amy (nee Lazier) are both alumni of the College, and their daughters Martha and Audrey currently attend the Middle and Junior Schools.
Erik and his family have recently returned to Hamilton following a six and a half year extended sabbatical spent living, travelling and working aboard their sailboat named Papillon. In that time they sailed together from Chesapeake Bay to Malaysia before returning to dry land. They are thrilled to be back and continuing the HSC family tradition.
Erik serves as HSC Board Ambassador for Parents.
Ms. S. Shi
Ms. Sonia Shi has a MBA from McMaster University and a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) from Science & Technology University, Beijing. Currently, Sonia works in the Strategic Initiatives Group, TD Securities, on Regulatory Rule Implementations after moving from Scotia Global Banking and Markets on Regulatory Initiatives and Executive Office Finance on Capital Management. Prior, she was at BMO Capitial Markets for Operations and Strategy. All are quite different from her engineering experience. Also, Sonia has volunteered on the HSC Parents’ Guild as Tuition Raffle Chair.
Sonia resides in Ancaster with her husband, Ronald, and their two boys Patrick and Michael. Patrick is a recent HSC graduate and Michael is in Grade 11. They both began in the Montessori Rabbit class M2.5 at HSC! Sonia’s personal interests are mentoring and coaching young professionals; she believes in the power of knowledge sharing.
Sonia serves as Chair of the Audit Committee.
Mrs. S. Thomas-Weir '83
Shirley has a strong professional and personal alignment with the values of respect, compassion and confidence in the demonstration of excellence. As Chief Executive Officer of Thomas Health Care, Shirley brings more than 29 years of experience in Senior Care and Housing, providing financial, operational and strategic direction within Retirement Living and Long Term Care Homes. She believes it is a privilege and responsibility to create possibilities and choice in safe environments for people in all communities.
She is in her sixth year as a Director on the Board of the Ontario Long Term Care Association (OLTCA) With experience on the Governance, Advocacy and Finance Committees.
It is her privilege to be in her fourth year as a member of the Board of Governors at Hillfield Strathallan College. She is an Alumna of HSC and a Parent of Alumni. She has been a member of the Alumni Executive, Parents' Guild, and the Strategic Planning Steering Committee. She currently sits on the Finance Committee.
It is her privilege to be in her fourth year as a member of the Board of Governors at Hillfield Strathallan College. She is an Alumna of HSC and a Parent of Alumni. She has been a member of the Alumni Executive, Parents' Guild, and the Strategic Planning Steering Committee. She currently sits on the Finance Committee.
She actively participates within the Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant, Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) sitting at various Quality and Strategic Planning tables.
Shirley is a member of Burlington’s Joseph Brant Hospital’s Campaign Cabinet, whose goal of raising 60M is becoming a reality, as they rebuild the current hospital.
She is honoured to be a part of igniting the possibility and building stronger communities as she is the current Co-Chair of the 2016/17 Campaign Cabinet of the United Way Burlington & Greater Hamilton.
She holds a BSc. in Biology from the University of Western Ontario, a BA from McMaster University in Gerontology and is a Certified Long Term Care Home Administrator.
Shirley resides in Burlington with her husband Rob. Their two children are currently attending university. She encourages and supports youth participation in sports, wellness, giving back and paying it forward. Shirley is an avid sports fan and enjoys travel.
Shirley serves on the HSC Finance and Nominating Committees.
Ms. M. Williams
As McMaster University's Vice-President of University Advancement, Mary Williams leads one of Canada's strongest advancement teams with a stellar reputation for delivering strong results to the University in the development of its reputation and resources. At Mac, University Advancement broadly includes the University’s communications and marketing activities, relationship with government, alumni relations and fundraising. Williams has played a number of roles at McMaster since she joined the team over 25 years ago.
As an active volunteer, Mary is a past-president of the Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education (her national professional organization), and has been actively involved in many boards in the broader Hamilton area, including: Ronald McDonald House, the Hamilton District Health Council, the YWCA, YMCA of Hamilton, Burlington & Brantford and the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce. She is also a member of the Conference Board of Canada’s National Council of Foundation Executives and the YMCA Canada Board of Directors.
Mary, a McMaster graduate herself, grew up in Hamilton, is married to Rob Forbes and together they are proud parents of Liam Forbes who is currently a very proud Grade 8 HSC Student.
Mary serves on the HSC Board Development Committee.
Mr. M. Ayotte, Head of College
Marc has enjoyed his tenure as Head of College since arriving in July 2010. He continues to work with all stakeholders at HSC in further positioning HSC as the leading independent School in Canada with a transformed campus at its core.
Marc, his wife Kim, and their two children are enjoying being part of the HSC community and look forward to many years as members of the HSC family.
Marc is an ex officio (non-voting member) to all Committees of the HSC Board of Governors and the Board of Trustees.
Honorary Life Members
Mr. C. D. Campbell
Mr. G. W. DeGroote ’74
Mr. D. E. Heagle
Located in Hamilton, ON, Hillfield Strathallan College is a Canadian independent, co-educational day school.
The academic program runs from Montessori Toddler and Pre-K to Grade 12.
Hillfield Strathallan College | 299 Fennell Avenue West | Hamilton, ON L9C 1G3 | 905-389-1367
The academic program runs from Montessori Toddler and Pre-K to Grade 12.
Hillfield Strathallan College | 299 Fennell Avenue West | Hamilton, ON L9C 1G3 | 905-389-1367