Our Leadership

Sue Gillespie
President and CEO
Sue is a strategic leader who enables positive social change by realizing opportunities, leveraging partnerships, and creating spaces for innovation. She has a deep understanding of the interaction between complex systems and the related social, economic, and technological impacts. Her adaptive leadership is evident through her ability to create dynamic, agile teams which are strengthened through her mentorship and mission-oriented approach. She is skilled at securing financial investments by identifying and aligning partners’ resources and values to create meaningful impact.
National Board of Directors
As the governing body of Pathways to Education Canada, the National Board of Directors oversees our policy development, sets our strategic direction, and monitors our performance against our goals.
Vincent Mercier, Chair
Davies Ward Phillips and Vineberg LLP
Lori Pearson, Vice-Chair
Managing Partner and COO, Brookfield Asset Management
Jad Shimaly, Treasurer
Chairman and CEO, EY
David Ain
Partner, Egon Zehnder
The Honourable Gloria J. Epstein
Reviewer – Independent Civilian Review into Missing Person Investigations
Katherine Gibson
SVP Finance and Controller, RBC
Wes Hall
Executive Chairman and Founder, Kingsdale Advisors
John James
NCO, RCMP (Retired)
Myriam Legault
Educator, B.Ed, M.Ed, D.E.A.
Brett Marchand
Chief Executive Officer, Blue Impact Inc. and Executive Chairman, Cossette
Theresa McLaughlin
Global Chief Marketing, Citizenship and Customer Experience Officer, TD
Pamela Sugiman
Dean, Faculty of Arts, Ryerson University
Nisita Tappata (Pathways Alum)
Digital Strategy Innovator, Oxford Properties Group
Lara Skripitsky
Vice-President & Chief Technology Officer, McDonald’s Canada
National Campaign Cabinet
The National Campaign Cabinet is a group of volunteer leaders who use their networks to support our fundraising initiatives, help plan our major campaigns, and direct our funding.
Jay Mehr, Co-Chair
President, Shaw Communications Inc.
Carolyn Acker
Founder, Pathways to Education
Glen Campbell
Paul Cowling
Senior Vice President, Legal & Regulatory Affairs, Shaw Communications Inc.
Patrick Fejer
Principal, B+H Architects
Mark Harris
Partner and Managing Director, Boston Consulting Group
Gervais Jacques
Managing Director, Aluminum – Atlantic, Rio Tinto
Grant Kernaghan
Managing Director, Citigroup Global Markets Canada
David Kines
President and Co-Founder, Hollywood Suite Inc.
Danny McCarthy
Eric Rawlinson
Central Leader, EY
Maddy Ross
Pathways Alum
Nicole Swales
Investment Counsellor, Mawer Investment Management Ltd.
Silvy Wright
President and CEO, Northbridge Financial Corp.
Research Advisory Council
The Research Advisory Council is an advisory body of accomplished Canadian researchers from diverse fields who share research and feedback and provide us with critical evidence-based insights.
Aliya Ali
Royal Canadian Air Cadets Program, Pathways to Education Program Alumna
Allison Hearns
Law Student, Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University, Pathways to Education Program Alumna
Isabelle Archambault, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Université de Montréal
Véronique Dupéré, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Université de Montréal
Konrad Glogowski, Ph.D.
Director, Research and Evaluation, Pathways to Education Canada
Carl James, Ph.D. FRSC
Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community & Diaspora, York University
Janet Lane
Director, Centre for Human Capital Policy, Canada West Foundation
Sinead McCarthy
Vice President of Growth and Development, Youth Employment Services
William A. McMicheal, Ed.D.
Vice President, Board of Directors, Pacific Community Resource Services
Kate Tilleczek, Ph.D.
Professor and Canada Research Chair (Tier 1)
Alumni Advisory Committee
The Alumni Advisory Committee is a group of Pathways alumni who guide our decision-making and facilitate our alumni engagement.
Tyler, Chair
Pathways Hamilton, 2009
Richard, Vice-Chair
Pathways Regent Park, 2001
Montaha, Secretary
Pathways Regent Park, 2005
Brandon
Pathways Winnipeg, 2008
Ermias
Pathways Regent Park, 2006
Lalonnie
Pathways Winnipeg, 2010
Lida
Pathways Halifax, 2012
Maddy
Pathways Kingston, 2010
Nisita
Pathways Regent Park, 2002
Roshaan
Pathways Scarborough Village, 2009
Samiha
Pathways Regent Park, 2008
National Indigenous Advisory Circle
The members of the National Indigenous Advisory Circle are Indigenous leaders, educators, and entrepreneurs from across the country. Their role is to lend their knowledge and expertise that helps to build awareness and understanding of the cultures and histories of Indigenous peoples with the goal of increasing Indigenous graduation rates across Canada.
Dale D. Awasis
ThunderChild First Nation, Saskatchewan
Director of Education, Tallcree Tribal Government, Tallcree Alberta
Elder Mae Louise Campbell
Elder in Residence, University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Social Work and Red River College
Dr. Marie Delorme
Métis Nation of Alberta
CEO, The Imagination Group
Darren Googoo
Mi’kmaq
Director of Education, Membertou Mi’kmaq First Nation
Council Chair, CEA/EdCan Network
Jonathan Kakegamic
Anishinaabe
Interim Director of Education/Administrative Supervisor, Keewaytinook Okimakanak Board of Education
Helen Robinson-Settee
Dauphin River First Nation
Director, Indigenous Inclusion Directorate, Ministry of Education
We are grateful for and acknowledge the past participation of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and Sunburst Consulting, and we are actively seeking further Inuit representation and guidance on our National Indigenous Advisory Circle.