Board of Governors

Bio

Sarah holds a Bachelor of Engineering Science degree, Mechanical, from the University of Western Ontario. Sarah sits on the Board of Governors for the University of Western Ontario and was formerly a member of the Western Engineering Advisory Committee (WEAC). She recently completed a term on the Board of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and is a Fellow in the Canadian Academy of Engineering.

Sarah's 30+ years of experience includes roles at ATCO, Bruce Power, BlackBerry, IBM Canada, and Union Gas. She has expertise in cyber security, technology strategy, complex multi-stakeholder program management and operations.

Term

January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2025

Committees

Audit, Fund Raising and Donor Relations, Governance and By-Laws, Property and Finance, Senior Policy and Operations (Chair)

Bio

Marlene McGrath retired as Senior Vice President, Human Resources, for 3M Company of St. Paul, Minnesota in 2018, after having spent 24 years at the company working in the Canadian, international and global businesses.  Work responsibilities included Legal and Human Resources at the executive levels of 3M Canada and 3M Company and leadership of a global team of 1000 employees.  Marlene also worked in London law firms before joining 3M Canada in 1994.  She holds an LL.B from the University of Western Ontario (1986).

Marlene’s past community involvement includes director of The Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada, London Economic Development Corporation, McCormick Care Group, chair of St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation, London, director of Workplace Safety and Insurance Board of Ontario and director of Samuel, Son & Co.  She currently sits on the boards of  the Ivey Business School Foundation Board and Ivey Advisory Board and The Equitable Life Insurance Company of Canada. 

Marlene was recognized as a YMCA Woman of Excellence in London and a National Association for Female Executives Woman of Excellence (US).  She is a graduate of the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD).     

Term

July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2026

Committees

Audit, Governance and By-Laws (Vice-Chair), Property and Finance, Fund Raising and Donor Relations, Senior Policy and Operations Committee (Vice-Chair)

Bio

Cameron Bailey is the Chief Executive Officer of TIFF and the Toronto International Film Festival. He is responsible for the vision, strategy and overall management of one of Canada’s premier cultural brands, responsible for presenting the world’s largest public film festival each September.

Born in London, Bailey grew up in England and Barbados before migrating to Canada. He began his career as a film critic, then joined TIFF in 1990 as a seasonal programmer. At TIFF he headed the Festival's Perspective Canada program, devoted to Canadian cinema, and founded its Planet Africa section in 1995, curating a selection of new films from the African continent and diaspora.

For 20 years he worked as both programmer and critic, contributing to Toronto's NOW Magazine, CBC Radio One, TVO and CTV’s Canada AM. He has been published in The Globe and Mail, The Village Voice and the UK's Screen, as well as in several books, including the Phaidon publication Take 100. In 2015, Bailey participated in CBC's Canada Reads broadcasts, successfully championing Kim Thuy's novel, Ru, to victory in the competition.

Bailey has taught film curation at the University of Toronto, and holds an honorary Doctor of Laws from Western University.

Bailey has organized film series for festivals and institutions including the National Gallery of Canada and Australia’s Sydney International Film Festival. He has hosted filmmaker conversations at many film industry events, including in Cannes, Goa, Dubai and Doha. He has also served on awards juries at festivals including Busan, Tokyo, Reykjavik, Zanzibar, and Beijing, and has been an Advisory Board member and juror for the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative. He has given talks at several Canadian universities, the Smithsonian Institution and Harvard University.

He is past co-chair of the Arts & Culture Working Group of Toronto's CivicAction, and in 2016 joined the board of CivicAction. In 2007, Bailey was a part of the delegation accompanying Canada's Governor-General Michaëlle Jean on her state visit to Brazil. In 2020, he chaired an Ontario ministerial panel to develop a COVID-19 response for Toronto's eight largest arts organizations.

Bailey is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and a Chevalier in France's Order of Arts and Letters. For eleven years (2012–2022), Toronto Life magazine has named him one of Toronto’s 50 Most Influential People. 

Term

July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2027

Committees

Fund Raising and Donor Relations (Vice-Chair)

Bio

Michelle Banik is an accomplished global C-Suite executive with a distinguished career in the Human Resources profession spanning a diverse portfolio of companies. Previously, Ms. Banik held the roles Chief People Officer and Senior Vice President (Global Head of Human Resources) of OMERS from 2015 until December 2019. Prior to that, from 2013 until 2015, she was the Vice President, Human Resources at OMERS. She previously served as a senior executive in a human resources capacity at TMX, where she was Director of Human Resources. Ms. Banik is currently on the Board of Directors for Empire Company Limited (TSX: EMP.A) and the National Board of Directors for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada, with a seat on its Human Resources and Compensation Committee. As well, Ms. Banik sits as a member of the Advisory Council at the School for Advanced Studies in the Arts and Humanities (SASAH) at Western University. In conjunction with her Bachelor of Arts from Western University and her Certified Human Resources Executive designation, Ms. Banik also holds a Chartered Director (C. Dir.) designation.

Term

July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2029

Committees

Governance and By-Laws (Chair), Senior Policy and Operations Committee

Bio

Greg is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and a Chartered Accountant (CA). He also holds an MBA from the University of Toronto and a BSc. (Hons) from the University of Western Ontario where he played football for the Western Mustangs.  Greg played defensive back from 1988-93 and was Captain of the football team in 1993.  

Greg works for the Canadian Football League (CFL) as Chief Football Operations Officer and Head of Grey Cup & Events.  Reporting to the Commissioner and a key member of the League Office Executive leadership team is responsible for leading the CFL's Football Operations department and Grey Cup & Events department.  For Football Operations, his responsibilities include officiating, rules, player discipline, player health & safety, amateur football, the game, football operations administration, Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations, CFL security and the Canadian Football Hall of Fame and Museum. For Grey Cup & Events, his responsibilities include leading, managing and organizing all Grey Cup week events, Touchdown Atlantic and other Touchdown events and all other events that the League Office Events team is responsible for.

Greg previously held the roles of Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Treasurer and Chief Operating Officer (COO) at the CFL where he was responsible for leading the CFL's finance and corporate business operations including finance and accounting, risk management, insurance, data analytics, human resources, legal, information technology, governance and facilities.  Greg has been with the CFL for over 6 years.

Prior to the CFL, Greg was the Vice President, Corporate Finance at the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts for 5 years.  Prior to the Four Seasons, Greg worked for Ernst & Young LLP for 10 years in Transaction Advisory Services and Audit & Assurance Services.  In previous experience, Greg was the Director, Finance and Business Administration for the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) and Vice President, Finance at Streetcar Developments.

Greg currently has the following Board experience:

• Chair, Board of Directors, Canadian Football Hall of Fame
• Board of Directors, Western Alumni Association, Western University
• Board of Directors, Football Canada
• Board of Directors, Champions Club Football Foundation, Western Mustangs Football Team

Greg was appointed to the Western University Board of Governors by the Alumni Association.  Greg is the Chair of the Property & Finance Committee, a member of the Audit Committee, a member of the Senior Policy and Operations Committee and a member of the Fund Raising and Donor Relations Committee for the Western Board of Governors.  

Term

May 1, 2018 to April 30, 2026

Committees

Audit (Vice-Chair), Investment Committee, Property and Finance (Chair), Senior Policy and Operations 

Bio

Ed Goehring received Bachelor degrees in piano performance and religion from Oberlin College and Conservatory and a doctorate in Historical Musicology from Columbia University. His writings focus mostly on the interpretation and reception of Mozart’s music, especially on what the repertory says about beauty, historical consciousness, and the nature and possibilities of art. His more recent work identifies challenges that some sciences face in trying to quantify art’s surplus of inspiration. Goehring has served on the Board of the American Musicological Society, as co-chair of Democrats Abroad London, on the Board of UWOFA, and, more informally, on groups aiming to protect the environment from the fossil-fuel industry. He’s also an ardent skier.

Term

July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2027

Committees

Fund Raising and Donor Relations, King's University College Board

Bio

Lee Greenberg is a Principal at Policy Concepts Inc., a Toronto-based public affairs firm. For more than a decade, Lee led political coverage for a major Canadian daily newspaper. He is the winner of a prestigious National Newspaper Award. Following his time in journalism, Lee served in progressively senior corporate communications roles in the energy and infrastructure sectors, and as Executive Director of Communications in two different Ministers’ Offices. He was an inaugural Board member at Skilled Trades Ontario and is a proud volunteer in his community. Lee holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Western University and a Master’s degree from the University of Edinburgh. He lives in Toronto with his wife and three children.

Term

December 8, 2023 to December 7, 2027

Committees

Fund Raising and Donor Relations

 Bio

Lori Higgs is currently the Vice President, Clinical Support and Chief Financial Officer for St. Joseph’s Health Care London and has more than twenty years of progressive leadership experience in the health care industry. She is accountable for managing an annual operating budget of over $500M and leads a team of over 600 staff in the areas of finance, inventory and logistics, procurement and contract management, patient food and nutrition services, health information management, environmental services, and retail food services.  Lori oversees all aspects of the hospital’s resource allocation and budget planning processes, as well as all financial reporting to internal and external stakeholders.

In 2013, Lori was named as one of London’s Top 20 Under 40 in recognition of business achievements, industry innovation and community involvement and in 2017, was one of 50 individuals selected across Canada for appointment to the Canadian Board Diversity Council.  Lori was also nominated and selected by peers to receive the distinction of Fellow (FCPA) by CPA Ontario in 2021.

Lori has served in a volunteer capacity with a number of organizations including Foundation Western, Big Sisters of London, Brescia College, the London Chamber of Commerce, the United Way Elgin Middlesex Campaign Cabinet and as past Chair of Fanshawe College’s Board of Governors.  She is currently a member of the Mohawk Medbuy Corporation Board of Directors and volunteers on the City of London’s Audit Committee, the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph Investment Lay Advisory Committee and the Finance Lay Advisory Committee as well as the Ontario Hospital Association’s Finance and Audit Committee and Labour Relations Committee.

Term

July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2026

Committees

Audit (Chair), Property and Finance, Senior Policy and Operations

Term

June 19, 2025 to June 18, 2029

Committees

Audit

Bio

Beth MacDougall-Shackleton completed her undergraduate and MSc degrees at Queen’s University and her PhD at Princeton. She is now a Professor of Biology at Western, where she teaches evolution to thousands of first-year Biology students each year. MacDougall-Shackleton’s research program focuses on migratory songbirds, addressing the interplay between social behaviour, movement over the landscape, and susceptibility to infectious disease. She is an elected Councillor and Membership Secretary for the Society of Canadian Ornithologists / Société des ornithologistes du Canada, and a proud former president of UWOFA, the University of Western Ontario Faculty Association. When she is not on campus or birding, Beth sings and dances with London’s Voices of Broadway show choir.

Term

July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2026

Committees

Senate Committee on University Planning

Bio

Raised in London, Ontario, George McAuley (BSc ’96, BEd ’98, MEd ’10) is the second of four boys born into a musical family to Grenadian parents Rita (BA ’74) and Winston McAuley (BA ’74). The four boys, including brothers Gary (Don Wright Faculty of Music), Mark (BA ’02, JD ’18) and Randy (BA ’08, BHSc ’12, JD ’15) spent several years recording and performing around the world as the Juno-nominated Pop/R&B act The McAuley Boys.

George attended Western University where he earned an undergraduate degree in Mathematics, followed by a Bachelor of Education. After years of teaching mathematics and coaching football and basketball at Catholic Central High School in London, George continued his studies at the Faculty of Education at Western to earn his Masters degree in Anti-Racism Education.

Continuing his passion for social justice and removing barriers that limit the potential of marginalized people, George served as the Coordinator of Anti-Racism Education and high school Mathematics and Science at the LDCSB.

He has maintained his commitment to this work for more than 10 years, coordinating equity efforts and initiatives for companies across Canada.

Currently, George is an administrator with the London District Catholic School Board.

George is currently serving his second term as a Director on the Alumni Association Board.

As a member of a family with three generations of Western graduates and the proud father of three amazing Western students, George enjoys spending time with his family and friends.

Term

July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2028

Committees

Governance and By-Laws, Senate

Bio

Lesley Oliver is a dedicated Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) professional with a strong foundation in Human Resources. She began her career at Western University as the Manager of Staff and Faculty Relations in the Faculty of Science, where she developed a reputation for fostering positive and inclusive workplace environments.

Lesley transitioned to Equity and Human Rights Services, serving as the Diversity and Accessibility Consultant for eight years. In 2022, she joined the newly established Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion under AVP Dr. Opiyo Oloya, where she currently works as the EDI Specialist. In this role, she collaborates with campus partners to build a university community that is welcoming, safe, and accessible to all.

In addition to her professional role, Lesley actively contributes to the university community. She is Chair of the Professional Development Committee within the Professional Managerial Association and served for three years on the Joint Health & Safety Committee. Beyond campus, Lesley has demonstrated leadership through her involvement on the Boards of Directors for Ability First and Nokee Kwe, two organizations committed to empowerment and equity.

Lesley’s career reflects a deep commitment to advancing inclusion, fostering belonging, and promoting systemic change within institutions and the broader community.

Term

July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2029

Committees

Governance and By-Laws

Bio

Geoff Pollock is a husband, father, and a lawyer currently serving as a Bencher with the Law Society of Ontario.  He is Thrice a Western Alum: completing his undergraduate at Huron College, followed by his M.B.A. as well as his Law Degree. During his time at Western, he also served as an officer in the Canadian Army Reserves.

 Eleven years ago, Geoff founded his law firm, Geoff Pollock & Associates, serving clients from his office in North York. Geoff sits as an Adjudicator on the Law Society Tribunal. In his free time, Geoff volunteers as Duty Counsel for Pro Bono Law Ontario. His is also a Director of the Ontario Judicial Education Network. He has previously served as a Director of the Churchill Society for the Advancement of Parliamentary Democracy and as a Director of the Ivey Alumni Association of Toronto.

 Geoff has been married to his wife Evgeniya for 11 years. Together they have three children, Daniel (10), Elizabeth (9) and Alexandra (4). The Pollock family are passionate about hockey, with both Daniel and Elizabeth playing Select and in the GTHL. When the family is not on the ice, they can be found enjoying Geoff’s creations on his beloved Big Green Egg BBQ.

Term

January 7, 2021 to January 6, 2025

Committees

Fund Raising and Donor Relations

Bio

Stephen is a widely recognized economist with nearly 40 years of experience in financial markets, forecasting, and economic policy, including 35 years in the public sector.

Prior to joining Osler, Stephen was the 9th Governor of the Bank of Canada, Canada’s central bank. Stephen was Governor of the Bank for seven years after having previously spent 14 years there during 1981-95 occupying a range of increasingly senior positions.

Stephen is also the author of the book titled The Next Age of Uncertainty: How the World Can Adapt to a Riskier Future that maps out the powerful economic forces that are shaping our future and the ideas that will allow us to master them.

Prior to joining the Bank of Canada, Stephen spent 14 years at Export Development Canada, as Chief Economist (1999-2008), Head of Lending (2008-2011) and finally as President and CEO (2011-2013).  He also spent four years at BCA Research, where he was Managing Editor of the International Bank Credit Analyst, one of their flagship publications.

Stephen is a Certified International Trade Professional and a graduate of Columbia University’s Senior Executive Program. He has been a visiting scholar at the International Monetary Fund in Washington, D.C., and at the Economic Planning Agency in Tokyo, Japan. He is a frequent speaker and writer and has taught economics at the University of Western Ontario, Concordia University and Queen’s School of Business.

At Osler, Stephen provides clients with his significant expertise and strategic guidance regarding the financial system, trade, and economic policy both domestically and on a global scale.

Term

July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2026

Committees

Property and Finance (Vice-Chair), Senior Policy and Operations

Bio

Terry Rice is Senior Advisor, Communications and Marketing, in Human Resources at Western University. In this role he leads strategic communications and marketing in support of talent acquisition, employee relations, health, safety, and well-being, as well as learning and engagement.

Prior to joining HR, Terry served in a variety of leadership roles within Western Communications, including Acting Associate Vice-President and Executive Director, Strategic Brand and Marketing. He served as Executive Lead in supporting the President and the 37-member Strategic Plan Steering Committee in developing and launching Towards Western at 150, Western’s current strategic plan.

Terry brings a depth of communications, marketing, branding, and reputation building experience, particularly in higher education student recruitment and university advancement.

A graduate of Western, he holds a BFA, MA and completed the High Potentials Leadership Program at Harvard Business School. Terry and the teams he’s led have been recognized with more than thirty awards from CASE, CCAE and IABC and he is a recipient of the Western Award of Excellence – the university’s highest honour for staff.

Terry is a past member of the Boys and Girls Club of London Board of Directors and has been an active volunteer and coach with the Dorchester Ringette Association.

Term

July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2027

Committees

Property and Finance, Fund Raising and Donor Relations

Bio

David Simmonds is Senior Advisor at the Canadian Centre for the Purpose of the Corporation. He brings deep experience with reputation, brand, corporate strategy, and public affairs across regulatory environments with advisory experience to senior leaders in politics, government, media, and business.

Prior to his current role, David spent several years at McKesson Corporation, the world’s largest healthcare distribution and pharmaceutical services provider. A member of the company’s global leadership team, David helped build and lead teams across Corporate Marketing, Public Affairs, and Enterprise Strategy.

David is Past President, Alumni Western; President Elect of the Canadian Club of Toronto; a Governor of the Stratford Festival; and an Advisory Board Member at Catalyst Canada. David recently completed his appointment as the 2020 Visiting Professor at Western's School of Advanced Studies in Arts and Humanities.

A graduate of Western University, David holds an BA (Hons), MA, and completed the Executive Development Program at the Wharton School. In 2015 the Diversity Advancement Network named David one of Canada’s Top 100 Black Canadians.

Term

January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2023

Committees

Fund Raising and Donor Relations (Chair), Senior Policy and Operations

Bio

Jane Toswell is Professor of English at Western, where she specializes in Old English, the codicology and palaeography of medieval manuscripts, speculative fiction, and medievalism.  Originally from North Bay, she took an Honours B.A. in English and Spanish at McMaster (including a third year abroad in Valencia), and a D.Phil. at Oxford in medieval English literature.  

Her first appointment was at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton, an she came to Western in January 1989.  Her teaching ranges from "This University" to Tolkien, Old English to first-year Medieval Studies, from speculative fiction to the History of the English Language.  She publishes more broadly on topics from Jorge Luis Borges to Tacitus to the neomedievalism of hockey, but especially on the psalms in early medieval England.  During her time at Western she has served at many levels and for many hours.  She also founded the Canadian Society of Medievalists, which has very kindly named a prize in her honour.

Term

July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2028

Committees

Property and Finance

Bio

Joel Welch is a lawyer and a PhD candidate at the Western University’s Faculty of Law. He holds a J.D. degree (law) and a M.A. degree (journalism) from Western University along with a B.A. (1^st Class Honours) (history) from Brock University. Joel served on Western University’s Senate from 2022-2024 as a graduate student representative and was a student athlete on Western University’s varsity fencing team from 2022-2024.  

For his PhD, Joel is exploring how science fiction can be useful to policymakers as they address problems arising from emerging technologies with an emphasis on outer space.

Before returning to Western University in 2021, Joel served 15 years as a police officer and investigator with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, retiring at the rank of Sergeant. He served in various roles within Federal Policing (National Security, Financial Crime, Border Integrity), Recourse Services Branch, and General Duties, with postings in Alberta, Ontario, and at NHQ in Ottawa.

In 2012, he was awarded the QEII Diamond Jubilee Medal for community service. Joel has been an Ordinary Member of the Royal Canadian Legion since 1993.

Joel produces a comedic podcast called the SciFi Pubcast where he discusses themes and topics in pop culture with his co-hosts in a “bar-style” conversational format.

Term

July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2026

Committees

Governance and By-Laws

Bio

Ken Yeung holds a joint faculty appointment in Chemistry and Biochemistry since 2001.  His research expertise in bioanalytical chemistry. His recent focus is on the application of mass spectrometry for the imaging of brain tissue for neurobiology research.  In the area of teaching, he contributed to all levels of undergraduate and graduate courses as instructors and also served as Undergraduate Chair in Chemistry.  In addition, he acted in positions of Chair of the Department of Chemistry, for 1 year, and Associate Dean (Academic) of the Faculty of Science, for 2 years.  He is currently the Assistant Dean (Student Experience) for the Faculty of Science. 

Term

July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2026

Committees

Governance and By-Laws, Senate Committee on University Planning

Noah Zabian is a London local pursuing an Honours Specialization in Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences at Western University. Receiving several accolades for overcoming adversity, Noah is passionate about supporting others and building strong communities. 

On campus, Noah has been heavily involved in Western’s orientation program, serving as a Soph for two years and, more recently, as an Orientation Programming Assistant with the USC and a member of the OCREW Leadership Team. Noah has been a longtime policy advocate at the university through his elected position as a Senator At-Large, and as the Student Outreach Director of the USC’s Accessibility Committee. 

Noah is currently employed by London’s Children's Health Foundation, where he is a part of Victoria Hospital’s Youth CoRE (Connect, Relate, Engage) program. Recently designated as a leading practice by the Health Standards Organization, Youth CoRE offers personalized and group peer support between teenage patients and university-aged supporters who have lived hospital experience. Noah is committed to providing a unique and active perspective to Western’s governance. 

Term

July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2026

Committees

Governance and By-Laws

Bio

Kelly Meighen is a Toronto-based philanthropist and volunteer. Through her individual efforts and as President of the Meighen Family Foundation, she has had a profound impact on youth mental health, the arts, city-building and not-for-profit governance in Canada.

Mrs. Meighen received a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Western University in 1971. She also received Honorary Doctorates from Huron University College, Mount Allison University, the University of New Brunswick and Western University.

Kelly has served on the board of the Meighen Family Foundation since 1979 and has been President since 1990. Through its philanthropic commitments, the Foundation has supported vulnerable communities by funding strategic and creative initiatives, primarily in Toronto and New Brunswick.   

In addition to her work with the Meighen Family Foundation, Kelly has held positions as Chair of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) Board of Trustees, Chair of the CAMH Foundation, Chair of McGill University’s Academic Advising and Mentoring Advisory Board, and Chair of the Stratford Festival. She has held Board positions with Evergreen, Jack.org, Upper Canada College, the Wellesley Hospital, Western University, Huron University College, and The Royal Conservatory of Music. In each of these roles Kelly focused her efforts on strengthening governance and assessing the organizations’ responsibility to and impact on the broader community.

Kelly is the first woman named Honorary Colonel of The Royal Regiment of Canada, one of the country’s oldest Light Infantry units.

She received the Philanthropist of the Year Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals in 2008. She was also recognized by Western University in 2010 with the Dr. Ivan Smith Award. She was the recipient of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002 and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012. Along with her husband, the Honourable Michael Meighen, she was a recipient of the Yorktown Family Services Humanitarian Award for Community Service in 2013.   

Kelly and her husband have three sons, Ted, Hugh and Max, and three grandchildren, and spend their time in Toronto and Saint Andrews, New Brunswick. 

Committees

Fund Raising and Donor Relations 

Bio

Professor Alan Shepard is the 11th President & Vice-Chancellor of Western University. He arrived at Western in July 2019 after serving as President & Vice-Chancellor of Concordia University in Montreal. Prior to Concordia, Professor Shepard was Provost and Vice-President (Academic) of Ryerson University in Toronto. He has also held senior academic leadership roles at the University of Guelph, Texas Christian University, and the University of Virginia.

American-born, Alan was the first of his family to attend university when he enrolled in St. Olaf College in Minnesota. At the end of first year he realised academia was the life he wanted. Elected to Phi Beta Kappa as an undergraduate, he earned a PhD in English from the University of Virginia, and his scholarship has since been supported by the University of Toronto and the Folger Library in Washington. He is author or editor of three books and many articles focused on the culture of early modern England, early modern literature and science, modern theatre, the future of innovation and the future of universities.

Beyond his university leadership role at Western, Alan is also actively involved in the community. He has served as a volunteer for organizations including Universities Canada and the Montreal Chamber of Commerce. Currently, Alan serves as a Vice-Chair on the Executive Committee of the U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities, and also as a board member for Universities Canada, the London Economic Development Corporation, Business + Higher Education Roundtable, and the Stratford Festival of Canada.

Committees

Fundraising & Donor Relations, Governance & By-Laws, Property & Finance

Bio

Mayor Josh Morgan became London’s 65th Mayor on October 24, 2022.  Prior to that, he served two terms as the City Councillor for Ward 7 being elected in 2014 and again in 2018 with support from 75% of voters.

Morgan was the first in his family to attend University after moving to London in 1998 to study at Western. During his time there, Morgan completed undergraduate degrees in Economics & Political Science, as well as an MA in Political Science.

Josh is an active member of the London community serving in leadership positions on multiple boards and organizations. He has previously served as the City of London Budget Chair for both the 2016-2019 and 2020-2023 multi-year budgets. He stepped down from that role when he was appointed Deputy Mayor in December 2020, a position he occupied until he was elected Mayor in 2022.

Bio

Susan Clarke began her career in politics in 2018, when she was elected Councillor for the Municipality of Adelaide Metcalfe. In 2022, she was sworn in as Mayor of Adelaide Metcalfe.

She is a retired banker with over 32 years experience in various positions, in particular as a Regional Manager for Investment Services and Account Manager Roles in Commercial Credit, Small Business and Agriculture.

Having served on the Middlesex County Steering Committee to establish a Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC), Susan was a member of the Loans Committee and served on the CFDC Board for over 15 years. She has served on many committees and boards in London and Middlesex County such as Midd West Financial Services, Middlesex Community Living and Participation House London.

In addition to her council responsibilities, Susan is completing her 30th year of service to the Caradoc Townsend Mutual Insurance Board, and their Strategic Planning, Audit, Investment and CTM Care Committees. She is CTM’s Legislative Affairs Representative at the Ontario Mutual Insurance Association.

A lifelong resident of London and Middlesex County, along with her husband David they operate a cash crop farm in Adelaide Metcalfe Township. She is also a graduate of UWO, a mother of four adult children and Granny to dogs Ellie and Knox. Her hobbies include skiing, golf and reading. She is a regular at CFL Hamilton TiCat and OHL London Knights games.  

Committees 

Audit, Property and Finance, Senate

Bio

In her role as University Secretary, Amy Bryson provides strategic oversight, leadership and direction to the University Secretariat team, which supports Western's bicameral governance system in accordance with legal requirements and obligations, the University of Western Ontario Act, the bylaws and regulations of Senate and Board, and accepted best governance practices.

Amy began her career working as a corporate commercial lawyer for 12 years, 11 of them with McKenzie Lake Lawyers LLP here in London. In 2010, she joined Ivey Business School as the Manager of HBA Recruiting and in 2013 became the Director of HBA Recruiting and Admissions. She served in that role until January 2020 when she joined the President’s Office as Executive Director and Senior Advisor to the President.

Amy has served on the board of several non-profit and for-profit organizations over her career and has most recently served as the Chair of the Board of CAA Club Group and CAA Insurance Company. She has recently retired from her role as Vice-Chair of the Executive Board of Huron University College.

She has a B.A. Honours degree from Huron University College at Western, LL.B. from the University of Saskatchewan, and obtained the ICD.D designation in 2016.