Our Board Members, 2018-19
Christine Allen
Christine Allen is a Professor and the GlaxoSmithKline Chair in Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery in the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy at U of T. She is the interim Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy and has held leadership roles as Associate Dean Academic and Associate Dean Graduate Education. Since joining U of T, she has established a leading research group focused on the design of innovative materials and drug delivery technologies. She is co-founder of Nanovista Inc., a start-up housed in Johnson & Johnson Innovations JLabs @Toronto, which is focused on the development of multimodal contrast agents to improve the performance of image-guided high-precision cancer therapy. She joined the RSGC Board in 2018. Her sons Ivan and Ryan are in the Class of 2023 and 2027.
Dorothy Byers
Dorothy Byers is an educator with 40 years of experience. In her most recent role as Head of School at St. Mildred’s-Lightbourn School (SMLS), Dorothy found her passion: nurturing and supporting diversity in STEM. Prior to SMLS, she was a teacher and administrator in the Peel District School Board. Retired, Dorothy now has time to promote opportunities for diversity in STEM fields through her role as Chair, Board of Directors, FIRST Robotics Canada. She is the first woman internationally to assume such a position. Dorothy joined the RSGC Board in 2012.
Bruce Chapple ’87
Bruce Chapple ’87 is a partner with McMillan LLP, a national business law firm. He has over 20 years’ experience, specializing in business law with a focus on mergers and acquisitions. He is currently the firm’s Chief Financial Partner and a co-chair of its private equity group. He was previously the firm’s Chief Firm (Engagement) Partner, sat on the firm’s Professional Services Committee and was chair of its United Way Campaign. Bruce is regularly a member of the board of directors on portfolio companies for private equity investors and Canadian subsidiary companies. Bruce joined the RSGC Board in 2012. His two Georgian sons are Spencer ’19 and Devin (Class of 2021).
Ryan Cookson ’03
Ryan Cookson ’03 brings a wealth of RSGC experience to our Board. After spending six years at RSGC, Ryan attended Queen’s University as a Chancellor’s Scholar where he earned a Political Science degree. He then went on to earn a J.D. at Western University’s Faculty of Law and became a Law Clerk with the Court of Appeal for Ontario. Ryan is currently a lawyer in the Litigation Group at Goodmans LLP.
Bruce Chapple ’87
Bruce Chapple ’87 is a partner with McMillan LLP, a national business law firm. He has over 20 years’ experience, specializing in business law with a focus on mergers and acquisitions. He is currently the firm’s Chief Financial Partner and a co-chair of its private equity group. He was previously the firm’s Chief Firm (Engagement) Partner, sat on the firm’s Professional Services Committee and was chair of its United Way Campaign. Bruce is regularly a member of the board of directors on portfolio companies for private equity investors and Canadian subsidiary companies. Bruce joined the RSGC Board in 2012. His two Georgian sons are Spencer ’19 and Devin (Class of 2021).
Ryan Cookson ’03
Ryan Cookson ’03 brings a wealth of RSGC experience to our Board. After spending six years at RSGC, Ryan attended Queen’s University as a Chancellor’s Scholar where he earned a Political Science degree. He then went on to earn a J.D. at Western University’s Faculty of Law and became a Law Clerk with the Court of Appeal for Ontario. Ryan is currently a lawyer in the Litigation Group at Goodmans LLP.
Cathy Cranston
Cathy Cranston is an independent public company board director for Toromont Industries Ltd. and sits on Toromont’s Audit, and Nominating and Governance Committees. She is a Director on the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board, where she sits on the Investment, the Audit and Actuarial, and the Operational Risk Committees. Cathy has her ICD.D designation. She recently retired as Treasurer of BMO Financial Group, where she was a senior executive with 32 years of experience. Prior business experience includes executive roles as Head of Investor Relations, CFO of the Bank’s Wealth Management business and VP of Integrated Risk Management. Prior board experience includes Bank of Montreal (Barbados) Limited, Bank of Montreal Mortgage Corporation, BMO Trust Company, BMO InvestorLine and BMO Nesbitt Burns Financial Services Inc. Her son Charlie is in the Class of 2022.
James Crossland
James Crossland is Senior Managing Director of Teneo Strategy and Chairman of Teneo Canada, a global CEO strategy advisory firm. He is a former Director of Cancer Care Ontario, the Canada-Eurasia Russia Business Association and the Canadian Council of the Americas. James was appointed to the RSGC Board of Governors in 2011. His son James is Class of 2019.
Cathy Cranston
Cathy Cranston is an independent public company board director for Toromont Industries Ltd. and sits on Toromont’s Audit, and Nominating and Governance Committees. She is a Director on the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board, where she sits on the Investment, the Audit and Actuarial, and the Operational Risk Committees. Cathy has her ICD.D designation. She recently retired as Treasurer of BMO Financial Group, where she was a senior executive with 32 years of experience. Prior business experience includes executive roles as Head of Investor Relations, CFO of the Bank’s Wealth Management business and VP of Integrated Risk Management. Prior board experience includes Bank of Montreal (Barbados) Limited, Bank of Montreal Mortgage Corporation, BMO Trust Company, BMO InvestorLine and BMO Nesbitt Burns Financial Services Inc. Her son Charlie is in the Class of 2022.
James Crossland
James Crossland is Senior Managing Director of Teneo Strategy and Chairman of Teneo Canada, a global CEO strategy advisory firm. He is a former Director of Cancer Care Ontario, the Canada-Eurasia Russia Business Association and the Canadian Council of the Americas. James was appointed to the RSGC Board of Governors in 2011. His son James is Class of 2019.
Roma Dubczak
Roma Dubczak is a marketing and brand strategy consultant with experience in packaged goods and the non-profit sector. She is currently a Director of the Board for the Toronto Biennial of Art, Chair of the Canadian Red Cross’ Marketing Advisory Committee and co-chair of their Behind the Red Vest Campaign. Roma was also a member of the Board of Governors of Kingsway College School for 10 years. Roma spent most of her professional life at Procter and Gamble Inc. Roma’s two sons attended RSGC: Maxym, Class of 2017, and Mattay, Class of 2015.
Alex Edmison ’02
Alex Edmison served the RSGC Alumni Association as Vice President from 2012-14 and as President from 2014-16. His mission as President was to develop the alumni mentoring programs, enhance communication, and increase engagement and attendance at both school and alumni activities. Alex serves the Board as Alumni Representative and ensures communication in both directions between the Alumni Executive and the Board. Alex is currently a Vice President specializing in Urban Retail and Development at CBRE Limited.
Roma Dubczak
Roma Dubczak is a marketing and brand strategy consultant with experience in packaged goods and the non-profit sector. She is currently a Director of the Board for the Toronto Biennial of Art, Chair of the Canadian Red Cross’ Marketing Advisory Committee and co-chair of their Behind the Red Vest Campaign. Roma was also a member of the Board of Governors of Kingsway College School for 10 years. Roma spent most of her professional life at Procter and Gamble Inc. Roma’s two sons attended RSGC: Maxym, Class of 2017, and Mattay, Class of 2015.
Alex Edmison ’02
Alex Edmison served the RSGC Alumni Association as Vice President from 2012-14 and as President from 2014-16. His mission as President was to develop the alumni mentoring programs, enhance communication, and increase engagement and attendance at both school and alumni activities. Alex serves the Board as Alumni Representative and ensures communication in both directions between the Alumni Executive and the Board. Alex is currently a Vice President specializing in Urban Retail and Development at CBRE Limited.
Steve Geist
Steve Geist is a corporate director with more than 30 years’ experience as a senior executive in wealth and asset management. He retired from CIBC in 2017, where he last held the position of Senior Executive Vice President and Group Head of CIBC Wealth Management, which included the asset management, retail brokerage, private banking and trust businesses. Prior to this role, Steve was President and CEO of CIBC Asset Management. He is a Chartered Professional Accountant and a Fellow of the Institute, and also holds the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors. His son Nicholas is Class of 2018.
Brad Holland
Brad has been Special Advisor to the TVM Group, an integrated real estate company, since February 2019. From 2014 to 2018, Brad was Special Advisor at George Weston Limited. Prior to this, he spent 20 years as Senior Vice President, Taxation for George Weston Limited, Loblaw Companies Limited and their subsidiaries, providing advice on Canadian and international tax planning and structuring, M&A, divestitures and financing. Brad is also a former Investment Committee member for District Ventures Capital. Brad is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CA, CMA). Brad’s sons Ryan and Owen are Class of 2014 and 2017, respectively.
Steve Geist
Steve Geist is a corporate director with more than 30 years’ experience as a senior executive in wealth and asset management. He retired from CIBC in 2017, where he last held the position of Senior Executive Vice President and Group Head of CIBC Wealth Management, which included the asset management, retail brokerage, private banking and trust businesses. Prior to this role, Steve was President and CEO of CIBC Asset Management. He is a Chartered Professional Accountant and a Fellow of the Institute, and also holds the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors. His son Nicholas is Class of 2018.
Brad Holland
Brad has been Special Advisor to the TVM Group, an integrated real estate company, since February 2019. From 2014 to 2018, Brad was Special Advisor at George Weston Limited. Prior to this, he spent 20 years as Senior Vice President, Taxation for George Weston Limited, Loblaw Companies Limited and their subsidiaries, providing advice on Canadian and international tax planning and structuring, M&A, divestitures and financing. Brad is also a former Investment Committee member for District Ventures Capital. Brad is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CA, CMA). Brad’s sons Ryan and Owen are Class of 2014 and 2017, respectively.
Jennifer Keenan
Jennifer Keenan is a lawyer and has an extensive background in the not-for-profit sector in the areas of strategic planning and fundraising. She is Chair of the Board of Directors of Dignitas International and a past Chair of the Advisory Board of the Give a Day to World AIDS campaign. A former immigration lawyer, she presently serves on the Dean’s Advisory Council at Queen’s Law School. She was a Bencher for the Law Society of Upper Canada and in 2011 was awarded the Lexpert-Zenith Award for Philanthropy that Impacts Children. Jennifer has three sons: Daniel, Class of 2019; Cameron, Class of 2016; and Matthew, Class of 2013.
Adrian C. Lang
Adrian Lang is Head of Operations & Small Business Solutions, North American Retail Payments, Bank of Montreal. She comes to our Board with significant previous board experience at the Advocates Society and the Canadian Stage Company (Chair, 2013-2015). Adrian also sat on the Advisory Board of Young Women in Law and served on the board of the YWCA Toronto from 2005-2009. In 2008, she was recognized by Lexpert as one of Canada’s Leading Lawyers under 40. Adrian’s son Gavin is in the Class of 2020.
Jennifer Keenan
Jennifer Keenan is a lawyer and has an extensive background in the not-for-profit sector in the areas of strategic planning and fundraising. She is Chair of the Board of Directors of Dignitas International and a past Chair of the Advisory Board of the Give a Day to World AIDS campaign. A former immigration lawyer, she presently serves on the Dean’s Advisory Council at Queen’s Law School. She was a Bencher for the Law Society of Upper Canada and in 2011 was awarded the Lexpert-Zenith Award for Philanthropy that Impacts Children. Jennifer has three sons: Daniel, Class of 2019; Cameron, Class of 2016; and Matthew, Class of 2013.
Adrian C. Lang
Adrian Lang is Head of Operations & Small Business Solutions, North American Retail Payments, Bank of Montreal. She comes to our Board with significant previous board experience at the Advocates Society and the Canadian Stage Company (Chair, 2013-2015). Adrian also sat on the Advisory Board of Young Women in Law and served on the board of the YWCA Toronto from 2005-2009. In 2008, she was recognized by Lexpert as one of Canada’s Leading Lawyers under 40. Adrian’s son Gavin is in the Class of 2020.
Alison Leung
As the VP Marketing at WW Canada, Ali leads a team whose mission is to inspire healthy habits for real life, with as many Canadians as possible. Prior to joining WW, Ali held senior leadership roles at Facebook, where she was Head of Consumer Packaged Goods and Government, and at Unilever, where she was a Senior Marketing Director leading the growth on purpose-driven brands like Dove, Hellmann’s and Becel. She also sits on the board of Canada Learning Code. She joined the RSGC board in 2018. Her son Russell is Class of 2019.
Peter Mann
Peter is Executive Vice-President, Co-Chief Investment Officer & Head of Equities, and also acts as a Portfolio Manager focusing on US equities. Prior to joining Gluskin Sheff in 2011, he spent eight years as a US Analyst and Portfolio Manager with Cumberland Private Wealth Management Inc. Before that, Peter managed a private investment partnership focusing on long/short US equities. Peter joined the RSGC board in 2018 and has three boys at the College: Hutton, Class of 2023; Elliott, Class of 2025; and Tillson, Class of 2028.
Alison Leung
As the VP Marketing at WW Canada, Ali leads a team whose mission is to inspire healthy habits for real life, with as many Canadians as possible. Prior to joining WW, Ali held senior leadership roles at Facebook, where she was Head of Consumer Packaged Goods and Government, and at Unilever, where she was a Senior Marketing Director leading the growth on purpose-driven brands like Dove, Hellmann’s and Becel. She also sits on the board of Canada Learning Code. She joined the RSGC board in 2018. Her son Russell is Class of 2019.
Peter Mann
Peter is Executive Vice-President, Co-Chief Investment Officer & Head of Equities, and also acts as a Portfolio Manager focusing on US equities. Prior to joining Gluskin Sheff in 2011, he spent eight years as a US Analyst and Portfolio Manager with Cumberland Private Wealth Management Inc. Before that, Peter managed a private investment partnership focusing on long/short US equities. Peter joined the RSGC board in 2018 and has three boys at the College: Hutton, Class of 2023; Elliott, Class of 2025; and Tillson, Class of 2028.
Jesse Parker ’01
The Reverend Jesse Parker is the Incumbent of the Parish of St. John the Evangelist in Port Hope, Ontario, and Regional Dean of Durham-Northumberland Deanery. Jesse is an RSGC Old Boy (’01) and former member of the faculty (2007-2008). Jesse has served in a number of volunteer capacities in the Diocese of Toronto. In addition to the RSGC Board of Governors, he currently serves on the Boards of Trinity College and the Anglican Diocese of Toronto Foundation. Jesse is also a member of the Diocesan Council, Executive Board, and Social Justice and Advocacy Committee.
Gordon Raman
Gordon G. Raman is a partner at the Toronto office of Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP. He practices in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance and corporate finance. Gord has been an adjunct professor at Osgoode Hall Law School. He is currently the Chair of the Board of the Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada and the Vice-President of the Law Alumni Association of the Faculty of Law at U of T. Gord is also a Past-President of the Canadian Club of Toronto. His son Sebastian is in the Class of 2021.
Jesse Parker ’01
The Reverend Jesse Parker is the Incumbent of the Parish of St. John the Evangelist in Port Hope, Ontario, and Regional Dean of Durham-Northumberland Deanery. Jesse is an RSGC Old Boy (’01) and former member of the faculty (2007-2008). Jesse has served in a number of volunteer capacities in the Diocese of Toronto. In addition to the RSGC Board of Governors, he currently serves on the Boards of Trinity College and the Anglican Diocese of Toronto Foundation. Jesse is also a member of the Diocesan Council, Executive Board, and Social Justice and Advocacy Committee.
Gordon Raman
Gordon G. Raman is a partner at the Toronto office of Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP. He practices in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance and corporate finance. Gord has been an adjunct professor at Osgoode Hall Law School. He is currently the Chair of the Board of the Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada and the Vice-President of the Law Alumni Association of the Faculty of Law at U of T. Gord is also a Past-President of the Canadian Club of Toronto. His son Sebastian is in the Class of 2021.
Clare Samworth
Clare is the Past President of the Georgian Parents’ Guild, mother of Andrew (Class of 2023) and aunt to Alex (’09). When not soaking up the Georgian community on campus, she is a Humanist Officiant, Registrar of the Ontario Humanist Society and a Director of the Islington Ratepayers & Residents Association. Previously she was the Executive Director of Canadian Defence Lawyers, the Medico Legal Society of Toronto, and a marketing and communications professional.
Stephen Beatty ’86
Stephen Beatty became the 6th Headmaster in the College’s history in 2011. Steve’s association with RSGC began in 1976 as a Grade 4 student. A Lifer graduate of 1986, Steve was the President of the Alumni Association from 2000-2002 and a Governor on the RSGC Board from 2003-2010. Before returning to RSGC as Headmaster, Steve was the Head of School at Montcrest from 2006-2011. He is also an RSGC Parent, with his son Jack in the Class of 2022 and Finn, Class of 2025.
Jane Nyman
Jane Nyman joined RSGC as Chief Financial Officer in January 2013. She brings many years of senior leadership experience in both the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors. Jane began her career at Ernst & Young, followed by increasingly senior positions at the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board, the Union Bank of Switzerland (Canada) and the CPP Investment Board. From 2006 to 2015, Jane served on the Board of Directors for Pathways to Education Canada and is a Past Chair of the Finance and Audit and Investment Committees of Pathways. She is a CPA, CA and a CFA.
Stephen Beatty ’86
Stephen Beatty became the 6th Headmaster in the College’s history in 2011. Steve’s association with RSGC began in 1976 as a Grade 4 student. A Lifer graduate of 1986, Steve was the President of the Alumni Association from 2000-2002 and a Governor on the RSGC Board from 2003-2010. Before returning to RSGC as Headmaster, Steve was the Head of School at Montcrest from 2006-2011. He is also an RSGC Parent, with his son Jack in the Class of 2022 and Finn, Class of 2025.
Jane Nyman
Jane Nyman joined RSGC as Chief Financial Officer in January 2013. She brings many years of senior leadership experience in both the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors. Jane began her career at Ernst & Young, followed by increasingly senior positions at the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board, the Union Bank of Switzerland (Canada) and the CPP Investment Board. From 2006 to 2015, Jane served on the Board of Directors for Pathways to Education Canada and is a Past Chair of the Finance and Audit and Investment Committees of Pathways. She is a CPA, CA and a CFA.