Information Box Group
The President is supported by five Vice-Presidents, each of whom have responsibility for a particular area of the University’s work. Contact information for each of the Vice-Presidents, together with links to their websites, are set out below.
Dr. Susan Tighe Summary of goals
President and Vice-Chancellor
Maureen MacDonald Summary of goals
Provost & Vice-President (Academic)
Gianni Parise Summary of goals
Vice-President (Research)
Dr. Paul O'Byrne Summary of goals
Dean & Vice-President (Health Sciences)
Ms. Saher Fazilat Summary of goals
Vice-President (Operations & Finance)
Ms. Lili Litwin Summary of goals
Vice-President (University Advancement)
The President and Vice-Presidents establish performance goals on an annual basis. These goals reflect strategic priorities within their respective areas of responsibility in support of the University’s mission. The goals are established following discussion between the President and Vice-Presidents and are reviewed and formally approved by the Human Resources Committee of the Board of Governors. A summary of the agreed performance goals is provided to the Board of Governors on an annual basis and published here.
Chancellor
McMaster Chancellor Nicholas Brathwaite is a visionary technologist, investor, entrepreneur, inspired philanthropist and dedicated alumnus.
Chancellor Brathwaite, who assumed the position Jan. 1, 2026, was born on the island of Carriacou, Grenada. He earned a degree in Applied Chemistry at McMaster in 1982, and later a master’s degree in Polymer Science from the University of Waterloo before launching his successful Silicon Valley career.
He earned his first patent at Intel, subsequently leaving to become a founding member of nChip. The company was later acquired by Flextronics, where he became Chief Technology Officer and shaped the first wave of smartphones.
Chancellor Brathwaite now leads investments at Celesta Capital, a Silicon Valley capital firm backing disruptive technologies worldwide.
Through the PETNA Foundation, which he co-founded with his wife Janice, he has championed youth, education, and community development across the Caribbean and North America. The foundation’s partnership with McMaster has supported numerous students, including recipients of the Nicholas and Janice Brathwaite Award, which empowers Caribbean scholars to pursue undergraduate studies at the university. In 2018, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from the DeGroote School of Business in recognition of his many accomplishments.
Nicholas Brathwaite
Chancellor
905.525.9140 x 24340
c/o Office of the President
Gilmour Hall, Room 238
McMaster University
1280 Main St. W.
Hamilton, ON.
L8S 4L8
Expenses Reporting
As part of the University’s commitment to good governance and transparency, summaries of the personal travel and hospitality expenses incurred by the President in undertaking his duties are being made available. The President represents the University at a variety of meetings, conferences and events in order to strengthen and promote relationships within the local community, raise the profile of McMaster with all levels of government and contribute proactively to the debate around the future of higher education. The President also works to maintain a strong connection with McMaster’s alumni community, our external supporters and partners, and foster collaborative relationships with other universities, both within Canada and overseas. Summaries of the personal expenses incurred in undertaking this work will be posted on a quarterly basis. The expenses relate to travel costs and associated meals, accommodation and other expenses organized by trip, together with personal hospitality expenses. The University’s policy on Reimbursements to Individuals for University Business governs the approval and reimbursement process for such expenses.