Strategic Oversight Committee Member

Mike Ayers is a Program Manager, Communications and Engagement, in McMaster’s Faculty of Health Sciences. He leads internal and external communications for key departments, helping strengthen the Faculty’s profile. Mike is also a part-time PhD student in Health Management at the DeGroote School of Business and holds an MBA. A multi-time McMaster grad, he has proudly been part of the McMaster community since he first arrived on campus as an undergraduate student in 2011.

Strategic Oversight Committee Member

Monique Beech is Executive Director, Strategic Communications at McMaster University, leading a team of talented communicators and providing strategic advice on communications. She oversees media relations, digital content teams and several embedded communications roles supporting institution-wide initiatives that advance McMaster’s reputation. With expertise in issues management, creative storytelling, and integrated planning, she creates clear narratives for internal and external audiences. Monique serves on the University’s strategic planning committee, contributing a communications lens to consultation and alignment.

Strategic Oversight Committee Member

Kusum Bhatta is a PhD student in the School of Social Work at McMaster. Her research examines the experiences of immigrant aging women of colour, highlight the value of unpaid care work, and aim to advance more equitable social systems. She is President of the Graduate Student Association, Vice President of CUPE Local 3906, and a student senator at McMaster.

Strategic Oversight Committee Member

Katherine Cuff is a Professor in the Department of Economics who recently joined McMaster’s Quarter Century Club. She held a Canada Research Chair in Public Economic Theory from 2009 to 2019 and was an inaugural recipient of the McMaster University Scholar title. She has served in various roles across the University, including Chair of the Senate Committee on Appointments, President of the McMaster Faculty Association and most recently Acting Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences.

Strategic Oversight Committee Member

Darran Fernandez has served as McMaster University’s Registrar since 2024, bringing nearly 20 years of senior leadership experience from York University and University of British Columbia. A dedicated champion of student success, he leads advancing collaborative, student-centred services from recruitment to graduation. He holds an EdD from Western University, where his research focused on designing student service models that reflect the intersectional realities of students’ lives. Fernandez is chair of the Association of Registrars of Universities and Colleges in Canada.

Strategic Oversight Committee Member

Bonnie Freeman is Algonquin/Mohawk from the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. She is the Academic Co-chair of McMaster’s Indigenous Education Council and an Associate Professor in the School of Social Work and Indigenous Studies. Bonnie leads community-connected research, including Two-Row Partnerships (alliance-building between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples). As an Indigenous scholar, she has a commitment to building partnerships with Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities by establishing appropriate and respectful forms of inquiry.

Strategic Oversight Committee Member

Bhagwati Gupta is a Professor in the Department of Biology at McMaster University. His research uses tiny nematodes as animal models to study genetic and environmental regulation of developmental processes, stress response, and aging. He has extensive experience in undergraduate and graduate teaching and mentorship. Bhagwati has held several academic leadership roles at departmental, faculty, and university levels at McMaster, contributing to governance, graduate education, strategic planning, and academic policy development.

Strategic Oversight Committee Member

Jennifer J. Heisz, Ph.D., is a Professor of Kinesiology at McMaster University and Director of the NeuroFit Lab. Her research explores how physical activity and lifestyle interventions influence brain function, cognition, and mental health. She has received numerous honours, including Ontario’s Early Researcher Award and a Canada Research Chair in Brain Health and Aging. She directs the McMaster Physical Activity Centre of Excellence and authored the Move the Body, Heal the Mind.

Strategic Oversight Committee Member

Violetta Igneski is Associate Professor of Philosophy. Her research encompasses moral, political and legal philosophy with an emphasis on the nature and limits of our individual and collective duties to aid and their connection to human rights and political responsibility. Previous administrative positions include MREB Chair, member of Senate, Graduate Council, Humanities Academic Planning Committee, and many departmental roles including MA and PhD Advisor, and Equity Advisor. She was an OHRC part-time commissioner from 2020-25.

Strategic Oversight Committee Member

Beverly Jacobs is Mohawk Nation (Haudenosaunee), Bear Clan from the Six Nations Grand River Territory. She is Vice-Provost, Indigenous at McMaster University. At the University of Windsor, she was senior advisor to the president on Indigenous Relations and Outreach, as well as Associate Professor, Acting Dean and Associate Dean (Academic) at Windsor Law. Beverly is an internationally respected scholar, advocate and leader and is a member of the Order of Canada.

Strategic Oversight Committee Member

Natalia Lishchyna was appointed to the McMaster Board of Governors by the Lieutenant Governor in Council in 2021 and re-appointed in 2025 for another four year term. She has extensive experience in governance leadership and received her ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors. Dr. Lishchyna has over 28 years of experience working in the health care sector and currently serves as a municipal councilor in the Town of Oakville. 

Strategic Oversight Committee Member

Sue McCracken is a Professor at the DeGroote School of Business. She is the Area Chair for the Accounting and Financial Management Services Area and has served as Associate Dean (Academic) and MBA Director.

Sue leads a course for first-year students that aims to develop essential skills, provide experiential learning activities, and facilitate their transition to university and success in the Business Program. Her research focuses on assurance, specifically on audit committees and substantiating sustainability.

Strategic Oversight Committee Member

Nancy McKenzie currently holds the role as Director, Strategic Planning in the Office of the President where she co-chairs the team responsible drafting the university’s strategic plan.

Prior to her secondment, she served as Associate Director, Academic Projects and Reviews in the Office of the Provost. Previously she was program manager for McMaster’s Biomedical Discovery and Commercialization Program and an assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology.

Strategic Oversight Committee Member

Piper Plavins is the President and CEO of the McMaster Students Union. She represents and advocates for all undergraduate students on campus. Piper is a recent graduate from McMaster and holds a Political Science degree specializing in Public Law and Judicial Studies, with a minor in Greek and Roman Studies.

Strategic Oversight Committee Member

Jen Power is a senior advancement and fundraising leader with over 15 years’ experience in higher education and healthcare sectors. As Senior Director, Development, Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University, she provides strategic leadership in major gifts, while building and mentoring a high-performing team. Jen has held senior roles at The King’s Trust Canada, UHN Foundation, and CAMH Foundation, and is currently completing her MBA.

Strategic Oversight Committee Member

Sara Salimi holds a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Reading (UK) and has been a Postdoctoral Researcher at McMaster University since 2022. She has completed a Certificate in Business Administration and brings experience collaborating on innovation projects across both large multinational organizations and early-stage startups. With a strong interest in strategy, governance, and value creation, she is motivated by shaping strategic direction to translate innovation into sustainable, real-world impact.

Strategic Oversight Committee Member

Jonathan Sherbino is a Professor of Medicine and Assistant Dean, Health Professions Education Research, McMaster University. He holds the William J. Walsh Chair in Medical Education. Jonathan is the past chair of the National Specialty Committee for Emergency Medicine, Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Canada. He is the co-founder of a nationally certified medical education training program. Jonathan is the director of the McMaster Health Education, Research & Innovation (MERIT) Centre.

Strategic Oversight Committee Member

Susan Tighe is McMaster University’s ninth President and Vice-Chancellor. She began her term July 1, 2025, after having served as McMaster’s Provost and Vice-President Academic and as Deputy Provost at the University of Waterloo. She is a champion of research and teaching excellence and a powerful advocate for students. A professional engineer since 1995 and professor of civil engineering since 2000, she is a recognized leader in the development, design, and management of sustainable concrete and asphalt transportation infrastructure.

Strategic Oversight Committee Member

Keena Trowell is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at McMaster University. She joined McMaster in 2022 after earning her PhD at McGill University. Her expertise is in supercritical water oxidation processes, with a focus on oxidizing metals for heat and hydrogen production. Dr. Trowell’s research interests include metal fuels, energy storage, energy for remote regions, the water–energy nexus, and the techno–economic analysis of circular fuels.

Strategic Oversight Committee Member

Nicole Wagner is an Assistant Professor in the Information Systems Area at the DeGroote School of Business. She is also the Director of McMaster University’s MSc eHealth Program, a unique interdisciplinary program offered jointly by the Faculties of Business, Engineering, and Health Sciences. Nicole teaches a variety of courses for MBA and MSc eHealth students, and conducts pedagogical research regarding the unique characteristics and concerns of interdisciplinary programs in higher education.

Strategic Oversight Committee Member

Margaret Zanel is the co-founder and Partner, Leadership and Strategy at Wentworth Strategy Group. She is a member of McMaster University’s Senate and its Executive Committee and Vice-President of the McMaster Alumni Association’s Board of Directors. She is also Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors of Achev, a leading organization supporting newcomers to Canada. She’s also an instructor with the DeGroote School of Business Executive Education program in the areas of strategy and DEI.