Co-Chair, Strategic Planning Team

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.

Co-Chair, Strategic Planning Team

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 as an assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology.

Strategic Planning Team Member

Amanda Baldwin has spent the past decade at McMaster driving operational excellence and strategic improvement. As Director, Strategic Initiatives in the Office of the VP (Operations and Finance), she partners across the division and faculties to advance initiatives focused on efficiency, governance, and continuous improvement.

Drawing on strong experience in enterprise systems and cross-functional leadership, Amanda is excited to contribute to McMaster’s Strategic Planning work through the Setting the Course initiative.

Strategic Planning Team Member

Fernando Carneiro leads strategic communications for the Office of the Provost in support of academic planning, budget initiatives and institutional priorities. Fernando is also co-chair of the McMaster Truth and Reconciliation Communications Sub-Committee.

He has more than 20 years of experience in public affairs, issues management and storytelling. He holds a Master of Communications Management from McMaster University, a BA in Journalism from Toronto Metropolitan University and is a graduate of McMaster’s Strategic Leaders program.

Strategic Planning Team Member

Laura Couchie is Anishinaabe Ojibwe, Red-tail Hawk Clan from Nipissing First Nation. She is the Communications Officer, Vice-Provost, Indigenous and Indigenous Education Council. Laura is co-chair of the McMaster Truth and Reconciliation Communications Sub-Committee and supports efforts to amplify and uplift Indigenous Education.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Onkwehonwe Languages from Six Nations Polytechnic, specializing in Mohawk. She studies Ojibwe and is involved in community Indigenous Language Revitalization.

Strategic Planning Team Member

Arlene Fajutrao Dosen is the Assistant Dean and Executive Director of Student Success, leading institution-wide initiatives that advance student life, development and success. A McMaster Arts & Science and Labour Studies alumna and staff leader since 1995, she oversees the Student Success Centre and Student Accessibility Services.

She also holds an EdD in Educational Leadership and serves on the Board of Governors and University Senate, contributing to long-term planning and the university’s commitment to student success.

Strategic Planning Team Member

Joanne Gittens is the Director of Institutional Research and Analysis, leading the collection and analysis of institutional data to inform planning and decision-making. She chairs the U15 DE Data Quality and the Council on University Planning and Analysis Professional Development work groups, advancing data quality and collaboration.

She holds a doctorate from Western University, master’s degrees from McMaster University and the Rotman School of Management, and an honours degree from the University of Guelph.

Strategic Planning Team Member

Karen Knott is Michi Saagiig, Anishinaabe, Ojibwe, Crane Clan from Curve Lake First Nation and is Administrator of Indigenous Initiatives, Office of the Vice-Provost, Indigenous and Indigenous Education Council (IEC).

She arrived at McMaster in 2021 and has supported the IEC and MIRI’s Indigenous Strategic Directions, Indigenous Ancestry Verification process, Indigenous Community Partners Finance Working Group Guidelines and Eyagowihwayedi’se:k Traditional Ecological Knowledge & STEM Summer Camp.

Strategic Planning Team Member

Karen Krueger serves as Administrative Assistant in the Office of the President, bringing strong organizational and administrative expertise to executive-level operations. She brings a strong foundation from her previous work in the education sector, where she supported operations within a school board environment.

A proud alumna of McMaster University, Karen is recognized for her organizational skills, discretion, and collaborative approach, contributing effectively to executive leadership and institutional excellence.

Strategic Planning Team Member

Cheryl is the Director of Equity, Inclusion and Anti-Oppression, at the Office of Equity and Inclusion. She is an outstanding communicator, a notable facilitator and a long-standing champion of EDI.

She also has extensive experience in embedding an equity and inclusion lens in leadership, board governance, strategic partnerships, the employee experience, corporate infrastructure and performance measurement and evaluation. She has recently led the development of McMaster’s EDIA
Strategy 2025-2028.

Strategic Planning Team Member

Kerry O’Brien is Advisor to the President, Strategic Projects. For almost nine years she has provided comprehensive operational and strategic support to the Office of the President and has broad knowledge and experience from across campus, gathered in her previous roles in the Faculty of Health Sciences.

A proud McMaster University alumna, Kerry also holds a Master of Education in Educational Leadership and is currently completing her Certificate in Reconciliation Studies through First Nations University of Canada.

Advisor, Strategic Planning Team

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.

Advisor, Strategic Planning Team

In September 2025, Alex became Special Advisor to the President, Institutional Initiatives, serving as a strategic advisor to the President and executive leadership. She advances McMaster’s academic and research mission by strengthening stakeholder relationships, identifying innovative opportunities and supporting major initiatives. Previously, Alex served as Executive Director of Public Affairs, a role she held since August 2011. Alex earned her undergraduate degree at Laurier and her master’s at McMaster.

Advisor, Strategic Planning Team

Karen McQuigge serves as Director of Alumni Engagement and acting Director, Advancement Communications, where she leads initiatives that strengthen lifelong connections between McMaster and its global alumni community. With a commitment to fostering pride, volunteerism, and meaningful engagement, she oversees programs that celebrate McMaster’s impact and support the success of graduates at every stage. Karen collaborates with campus partners to build relationships that advance McMaster’s mission and vibrant alumni network.

Advisor, Strategic Planning Team

Clare Mitchell is the Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to the President. In this role, she provides executive-level support and counsel, oversees the effective functioning of the Office of the President and helps ensure alignment and close collaboration amongst the university leadership. A seasoned administrator, she previously served as Chief Operating Officer for Clinical Services within the Faculty of Health Sciences and worked as Director of Administration for the University of Toronto’s Department of Medicine, and as Director of Administration for the Faculty of Health Sciences’ Department of Surgery.

Advisor, Strategic Planning Team

Mark John Stewart is Managing Director of Wentworth Strategy Group and has served as Chair of the Bay Area Health Trust, Co-Chair of the City of Hamilton Mayor’s Task Force on Transparency, Access and Accountability, and Chair of Empowerment Squared. An Industry Professor with the McMaster University Master of Communications Management program and DeGroote School of Business Executive Education, Mark John’s leadership includes serving as President of the McMaster Alumni Association, and on McMaster’s Board of Governors.