MEMBERS OF THE BOARD

Linda Franklin

Linda Franklin (21-Oct-2023 to 24-Oct-2026) is the Chair of the Board of the William Osler Health system and the recently retired President and CEO of Colleges Ontario. Under her leadership, Colleges Ontario worked to coordinate system wide initiatives from achieving college standalone nursing degrees and three year college degrees to a unified response to COVID-19. She also spearheaded a major marketing campaign to drive home the value of a college education and established a Board governance leadership program that has trained hundreds of college directors in the principles of good governance. Previously, Linda was the CEO of the Wine Council of Ontario. There, she worked with government to change legislation that dramatically improved the economics of the industry. Prior to joining the Wine Council, Linda was a writer and communications specialist whose career included time as a consultant, five years as the head of communications for a regulatory body and heading up a department charged with meeting the communications needs of MPPs at Queen’s Park. She has also served as chief of staff to former Ontario Cabinet Minister Ernie Eves. In addition to her role at William Osler, Linda is the Governance chair and member of the board of the Home and Community Care Support Services (HCCSS), Chair of the Governance Committee for the Ontario Motor Vehicles Industry Council and a member of the Niagara College Board of Directors. Linda Franklin has an Honours degree in English and History and a Master of Arts in Journalism from the University of Western Ontario.

Armand La Barge, PhD

Dr. Armand La Barge (21-Jul-2023 to 20-Jul-26) is a member of the Board of Directors of the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario, and Governor Emeritus and Immediate Past Chair of Trent University, where he was an active member of the Council of Chairs of Ontario Universities and the Canadian University Board Association. He served as a member of the Board of Governors of York University and Sacred Heart College, and president of the Seneca College Alumni Council. Dr. La Barge has a Ph.D. and a Master of Philosophy degree in the field of criminal justice. His ground-breaking research is focused on police response to First Nation occupations and protests. He also has a Master of Arts degree in Canadian and Indigenous Studies, and a Bachelor of Arts Honors degree with distinction in the field of Canadian Studies. He was also awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Guelph and an Honorary Bachelor of Applied Studies degree from Seneca College in recognition of his commitment to volunteerism, community activism, and community safety. Dr. La Barge is an Officer in the Order of Police Merit, a Commander in the Order of St. John, a recipient of the Queen’s Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals, the Police Exemplary Service Medal and First Bar, and the Order of St. John Service Medal. In November 2022, he was invested into the Order of Ontario in recognition of his lifelong commitment to diversity, inclusion, social justice, human rights and community activism.

Marnie MacDougall

Marnie MacDougall (24-Mar-2023 to 23-Mar-2026) has spent the majority of her professional career in international business and politics working with a variety of industries and engaging stakeholders from both public and private sectors. Marnie’s work has assisted in the creation of the Hurvitz Brain Sciences Center at Sunnybrook Hospital as well as the Downsview Aerospace Campus in Toronto. Formerly the Director of International Student Recruitment for the Americas, Europe, India, Middle East and Africa at Seneca College (Ontario Canada), Marnie’s creative and ambitious diversification and strategic approach to international student recruitment successfully improved Seneca’s brand Internationally and grew their international student numbers significantly, ensuring the college’s continued strategic sustainability. She remains involved in international education and international business projects. Marnie holds an MBA from Ivey Business School and sits on the Council of the College of Nurses of Ontario, The Board of Governors of George Brown College and is pleased to have been appointed to the Postsecondary Education Quality Assessment Board (Ontario, Canada).

Thamir (Tom) Murad, PhD

Dr. Tom Murad (8-Feb-2023 to 7-Feb-2026) worked as the Country Lead – V.P. Engineering and Technology at Siemens Mobility – Canada and is currently the Board Vice Chair and the incoming President of IEEE ( Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers ) Canada and the Region-7 Director of Global IEEE. Dr. Murad has a B.SC. Engineering Degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and a received a Doctorate degree (Ph.D.) in Power Electronics and Industrial Controls from Loughborough University of Technology in the UK (1985). He was Awarded the Professional Engineering "PEO" Order of Honor in April 2017 and named as a Fellow of Engineers Canada (2012). He is the Founder/developer and Past Director (2014 - 2018) of the Awards winning, widely recognized Siemens Canada Engineering and Technology Academy – SCETA "setting the most practical and Holistic Model for successful Work Integrated Learning Programs in Canada". An Ex- Board member and Vice Chair of Ontario Society of professional Engineers ”OSPE”, and also has been a member of the Board of Directors of IEEE Canada “Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) (2016 - 2018), The German - Canadian Centre for Innovation and Research, Green Center Canada, as well as Various Advisory Boards in the Academia. Prior to joining Siemens in 2010, he took many executive management positions in the Industry. Dr. Murad is recognized as an Industry Leader, Technology Thinker, Award winning Educator, and a distinguished speaker and Advocator for Engineering, Technology, and technical Talents/skills development Topics.

Patricia H. Southern FCPA, FCA

Patricia (Pat) Southern (9-Feb-2023 to 8-Feb-2026) is a former C-suite executive in the areas of finance and administration and is currently using this knowledge and experience in consulting to private organizations. Her professional career spanned publicly listed companies and private enterprises, including professional services firms. Typically, in these positions, Pat identified the need for strategic evolution within the organization and then implemented the changes required. Grounded in the belief that, when you are able, it is important to give back to the community around you, Pat has served continuously on boards of directors of CPA Ontario, educational institutions and not-for-profit organizations since the late 1970’s. In many of these situations, she became chair of their boards of directors. Pat served on the Board of Governors for Trent University from 2002 to 2010. During this time, she chaired the Presidential Search Committee bringing together academics, administrators and governors and resulting in a unanimous outcome. As a member of the governing body of CPA Ontario, Pat was an enthusiastic leading voice in governance reform while ensuring that the public’s interest was protected throughout the deliberations. In recognition of her senior leadership at work and many contributions to the community and the profession, Pat was recognized as a Fellow of CPA Ontario. Pat holds a Bachelor of Mathematics-Coop (1977) from the University of Waterloo.

Pamela Williamson, PhD

Dr. Pamela Williamson (24-Mar-2023 to 23-Mar-2026) is a member of Moose Deer Point First Nation and the Sturgeon clan. She was raised and currently lives on Mnidoo Mnising (Manitoulin Island), Ontario. Her doctorate in Higher Education – Administration was attained from the Ontario Institute of Education - University of Toronto. Her master’s degree had a similar focus in higher education, and she graduated from Central Michigan University. For over ten years, Pamela worked within post-secondary education at the Ontario community college level in successive roles as professor, placement supervisor, education counsellor support, researcher, and director of Indigenous Services. For over fifteen years, Dr. Williamson was senior administrator of a progressive indigenous primary health care organization comprised of a multi-disciplinary team of specialized professionals including primary care, mental health and addictions, health promotion, and traditional services. In addition to becoming a member of the Post-Secondary Assessment Board, Pamela currently sits on the National Seniors Council, Skhaabe Makwa Council (Centre for Addictions and Mental Health), Health Sciences North Research Institute (member and chair of the HSNRI Research Advisory Committee). She also sits on the IQIVIA Advisory Board (for profit health data research). Dr. Williamson recently retired and currently works as a part-time entrepreneur and owner of Biish Management and Consulting.