Our Board Members, 2020-21

F. Haider Alvi Dr. F. Haider Alvi is a former corporate financier turned academic and company director. Having grown up in North America, he worked in Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Latin America. Haider advised government shareholders and banks on mergers, restructurings and privatizations, and was subsequently involved with social impact investing in Latin America. He is presently a research academic at Athabasca University focused on critical management studies and innovation finance. He is also Chair of the Board of OECM (Ontario Education Collaborative Marketplace) and Member of the Board of Innovate Edmonton. His son Tarek is in the Class of 2024. He joined the RSGC Board of Governors in 2021.

Andrew Armstrong '88

Andrew is a partner in the business law group at McCarthy Tetrault LLP. His practice focuses on investment funds, capital markets and private transactions. An active member of the legal community, Andrew speaks at industry events and lends his insight to articles and publications. Andrew obtained a BAH (Political Studies) from Queen’s University in 1992, and received his LLB from Dalhousie University in 1996. He was called to the Ontario bar in 1998. He graduated from RSGC in 1988 and has two boys at the school, Charlie (Class of 2029) and Robbie (Class of 2027). He was previously a member of the board of Mad River Golf Club.

Eddie Beqaj '08

Eddie Beqaj '08 is a Senior Relationship Manager - Enterprise at Flinks, a Canadian financial technology company. Eddie’s focus has been on developing and building strategic relationships with enterprise clients. He graduated from RSGC in 2008 as a prefect and holds a Bachelor of Sports Management from Brock University. Eddie has been on the RSGC Alumni Executive Committee since 2013, becoming President in 2020 after four years as Vice President. Eddie played an instrumental role in building out the RSGCAA's five-year Strategic Plan and is excited to connect the RSGCAA with the Board of Governors over his time as President.

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 '21.

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 Committee, the Audit and Actuarial Committee and the Operational Risk Committee. Cathy has her ICD.D designation. She recently retired as Treasurer of BMO Financial Group (BMO), 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, VP of Integrated Risk Management, as well as senior roles in capital markets and corporate banking. Prior board experience includes Bank of Montreal (Barbados) Limited, Bank of Montreal Mortgage Corporation, BMO Trust Company, BMO InvestorLine, BMO Harris Investment Management Inc., and BMO Nesbitt Burns Financial Services Inc. Her son Charlie is in the Class of 2022.

Rev. Dr. Tim Elliott Tim (Father Tim) was the interim RSGC chaplain for the 2014 school year. In the 1990s, while Rector of Christ Church Deer Park, his sons Jeremy and Simon attended RSGC. During that time, he also served on the boards of RSGC and the Bishop Strachan School. From 1977 to 1980, he was the assistant at St. George’s on the hill Islington, and following that, Rector of All Saints, King from 1980-1988. Tim retired from parish ministry in 2002 and now works as a vocational coach/consultant. He is also a chaplaincy consultant with independent schools in Canada and the UK. He has a Bachelor of Arts (Huron University College), a Bachelor of Sacred Theology (General Theological Seminary, New York City) and a Doctor of Ministry (Trinity College Toronto). Tim’s most recent board experience was with CLEO (Community Legal Education Ontario). He is the author of Clarity and Courage: Life as an Improvised Journey and Tim has recorded several solo jazz piano albums.

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 Committee, the Audit and Actuarial Committee and the Operational Risk Committee. Cathy has her ICD.D designation. She recently retired as Treasurer of BMO Financial Group (BMO), 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, VP of Integrated Risk Management, as well as senior roles in capital markets and corporate banking. Prior board experience includes Bank of Montreal (Barbados) Limited, Bank of Montreal Mortgage Corporation, BMO Trust Company, BMO InvestorLine, BMO Harris Investment Management Inc., and BMO Nesbitt Burns Financial Services Inc. Her son Charlie is in the Class of 2022.

Rev. Dr. Tim Elliott Tim (Father Tim) was the interim RSGC chaplain for the 2014 school year. In the 1990s, while Rector of Christ Church Deer Park, his sons Jeremy and Simon attended RSGC. During that time, he also served on the boards of RSGC and the Bishop Strachan School. From 1977 to 1980, he was the assistant at St. George’s on the hill Islington, and following that, Rector of All Saints, King from 1980-1988. Tim retired from parish ministry in 2002 and now works as a vocational coach/consultant. He is also a chaplaincy consultant with independent schools in Canada and the UK. He has a Bachelor of Arts (Huron University College), a Bachelor of Sacred Theology (General Theological Seminary, New York City) and a Doctor of Ministry (Trinity College Toronto). Tim’s most recent board experience was with CLEO (Community Legal Education Ontario). He is the author of Clarity and Courage: Life as an Improvised Journey and Tim has recorded several solo jazz piano albums.

Leanne Foster Dr. Leanne Foster is Head of School at Trafalgar Castle School, an all-girls’ day and boarding school in Whitby, Ont. A dedicated and experienced educator, Leanne’s career in teaching and consulting has taken her from kindergarten classrooms to university lecture halls to government ministries, working in both public and independent schools, as well as the private sector. Leanne earned a B.A. from the University of Toronto, as well as a B.Ed. and M.Ed. from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE/UT). She completed her Ph.D. in Educational Administration at U of T, where her doctoral research focused on school improvement and educational change management. Leanne is a member of the board of the Canadian Accredited Independent Schools, Hearth Place Cancer Support Centre, and Station Gallery.

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 was also previously with Price Waterhouse, Fidelity Investments and TD Wealth Management. He currently serves on the Board of the Ontario Financing Authority and the Advisory Board of Ardenton Capital, a global private equity corporation. He is the Chair of the Capital Sector Audit Committee for the Province of Ontario and is a member of the Independent Review Committee of SEI Investments Canada. He is also a past director of the Mutual Funds Dealer Association and the Investment Funds Institute of Canada. He is a Chartered Professional Accountant, a Fellow of the Institute and holds the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors. His son Nicholas is Class of 2018.

Sarah Hales

Sarah Hales, MD, PhD, FRCPC is a psychiatrist for the Division of Psychosocial Oncology in the Department of Supportive Care at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto. Her research has been funded by both the Canadian Cancer Society and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Her clinical and research interests include the end of life experience as it affects both patients and families, and psychotherapeutic interventions aimed at alleviating distress in those facing advanced disease. Sarah is mom to Caleb McFadyen, Class of 2028.

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.

Alison Leung As the Head of Marketing for Shopify Canada, Ali leads a team whose mission is to make commerce better for everyone. Prior to joining Shopify in May 2021, Ali has held various marketing leadership roles at WW (Weight Watchers), Facebook, and Unilever. Ali holds an HBA from Ivey Business School at Western, and an MBA from Schulich School of Business at York. She joined the RSGC board in 2018, and is the current Chair of the Board for Canada Learning Code. Her son Russell is Class of 2019.

Sharon Lewis Sharon has been nominated for over six Canadian Screen Awards that range from Best Director to Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Host. Her career in the arts is successful across multiple platforms. She has directed over 100 hours of popular television, appearing on HBO,CRAVE, TMN, HGTV, CBC, DISCOVERY and I.D. She began her acting career in the title role of Rude, an official Cannes selection. Sharon co-wrote and directed the Dora nominated, smash hit play, Sistahs which ran in the US, Canada and internationally. She hosted CBC’s live political talk show, counterSpin, and their interactive tv show Zed, nominated for several CSA awards. Sharon directed the award winning short film, Chains airing on HBO and internationally. Sharon recently directed her double CSA-nominated feature film; Brown Girl Begins. Most recently Sharon helmed an episodes of CBC’s hour drama, Diggstown, Murdoch Mysteries., OWN TV Amazing Grace, Lifetime's Merry Liddle Christmas Wedding and FX/City Tv's Hudson and Rex. She joined the RSGC Board in 2019. Her son Pi is in the Class of 2022.

Alison Leung As the Head of Marketing for Shopify Canada, Ali leads a team whose mission is to make commerce better for everyone. Prior to joining Shopify in May 2021, Ali has held various marketing leadership roles at WW (Weight Watchers), Facebook, and Unilever. Ali holds an HBA from Ivey Business School at Western, and an MBA from Schulich School of Business at York. She joined the RSGC board in 2018, and is the current Chair of the Board for Canada Learning Code. Her son Russell is Class of 2019.

Sharon Lewis Sharon has been nominated for over six Canadian Screen Awards that range from Best Director to Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Host. Her career in the arts is successful across multiple platforms. She has directed over 100 hours of popular television, appearing on HBO,CRAVE, TMN, HGTV, CBC, DISCOVERY and I.D. She began her acting career in the title role of Rude, an official Cannes selection. Sharon co-wrote and directed the Dora nominated, smash hit play, Sistahs which ran in the US, Canada and internationally. She hosted CBC’s live political talk show, counterSpin, and their interactive tv show Zed, nominated for several CSA awards. Sharon directed the award winning short film, Chains airing on HBO and internationally. Sharon recently directed her double CSA-nominated feature film; Brown Girl Begins. Most recently Sharon helmed an episodes of CBC’s hour drama, Diggstown, Murdoch Mysteries., OWN TV Amazing Grace, Lifetimes Merry Liddle Christmas Wedding and FX/City Tv's Hudson and Rex. She joined the RSGC Board in 2019. Her son Pi is in the Class of 2022.

Peter Mann Peter is the Co-Chief Executive Officer of Grayhawk Wealth. Since 2011, he was the Executive Vice-President, Co-Chief Investment Officer and Head of Equities at Gluskin Sheff, and also acted as a Portfolio Manager focusing on US equities. He also has experience as a US Analyst and Portfolio Manager and as the manager of 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.

Geoff Osborne '08 Geoff is the Director, Strategy & Operations at NRStor, where he has played a pivotal role since joining the company when it was founded in 2012. He is primarily focused on identifying business development opportunities, overseeing project management & operations, securing investments and strategic planning. Geoff has led several major utility infrastructure initiatives and has extensive experience working on battery, flywheel, compressed air energy storage (CAES) and renewable energy projects. Geoff sits on several industry working groups and is currently on the Board of MPOWER, Sunnybrook Stables Ltd., and the Village by the Grange Community. In 2016, Geoff was presented the Canada Clean50 Award as an outstanding contributor to clean capitalism, and was named to the World Energy Council’s Future Energy Leaders’ program. He holds a Master of Laws (energy & infrastructure specialization) from Osgoode Hall Law School and a Bachelor of Science (Honours) from Queen’s University.

Peter Mann Peter is the Co-Chief Executive Officer of Grayhawk Wealth. Since 2011, he was the Executive Vice-President, Co-Chief Investment Officer and Head of Equities at Gluskin Sheff, and also acted as a Portfolio Manager focusing on US equities. He also has experience as a US Analyst and Portfolio Manager and as the manager of 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.

Geoff Osborne '08 Geoff is the Director, Strategy & Operations at NRStor, where he has played a pivotal role since joining the company when it was founded in 2012. He is primarily focused on identifying business development opportunities, overseeing project management & operations, securing investments and strategic planning. Geoff has led several major utility infrastructure initiatives and has extensive experience working on battery, flywheel, compressed air energy storage (CAES) and renewable energy projects. Geoff sits on several industry working groups and is currently on the Board of MPOWER, Sunnybrook Stables Ltd., and the Village by the Grange Community. In 2016, Geoff was presented the Canada Clean50 Award as an outstanding contributor to clean capitalism, and was named to the World Energy Council’s Future Energy Leaders’ program. He holds a Master of Laws (energy & infrastructure specialization) from Osgoode Hall Law School and a Bachelor of Science (Honours) from Queen’s University.

Alyssa Pei Alyssa is a Partner at Bain & Company, a global management consulting firm. She has over 20 years’ experience with a focus on serving clients in the financial services sector across a range of topics including strategy and organization. She is also currently on the College’s Strategic Planning Committee. She brings prior board experience in the educational arena, most recently serving as Vice Chair for the Chewonki Foundation. Chewonki is a place-based educational learning organization in Wisscasset, Maine, and a US 501(c) non-profit organization. Alyssa holds an A.B. and an A.M from Harvard University and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. She has two boys at the College: Alexander, Class of 2024, and Henry, Class of 2025.

Amanda Ploughman Amanda is CEO of Smak Impact Agency, specializing in community, consumer and employee engagement. Prior to Smak, she held executive positions for several organization in Toronto, New York and Chicago, including Shaw, MediaCom, Pelmorex and the Interpublic Group of Cos. Amanda holds a B.S. in Journalism for the William Allen White School at the University of Kansas and completed the executive leadership program at INSEAD. She is the mother of Nicholas (Class of 2019), Cate (Branksome 2021) and Christopher (Class of 2023).

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 Past 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.

Richard Talbot Richard Talbot is an experienced financial services executive. He is Chief Operating Officer of iA Investment Management, an asset manager with $100 billion under management. Previously, Richard had a variety of senior leadership roles at RBC Capital Markets, a top-10 global investment bank including Chief Operating Officer, Co-Head of Global Research and Managing Director, Telecom Services Research. He is a past director of RBC subsidiary companies, the CFA Society Toronto and currently chairs CFAST’s Advisory Council. He is a Chartered Professional Accountant with an FCPA, FCA designation and a Chartered Financial Analyst. Richard holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in business administration from the Ivey Business School. His son David is in the Class of 2024.

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.