David Agnew
With extensive experience in the public, private and non-profit sectors, David Agnew became the fifth president of Seneca in July 2009.
Under his leadership, Seneca has continued to strengthen its reputation at home and abroad, forging new partnerships in industry and higher education, developing new programs, growing enrolment and making substantial investments in technology, teaching and spaces.
Mr. Agnew was Secretary to the Cabinet and head of the public service in the Government of Ontario, Canada from 1992 to 1995 after serving as Principal Secretary to the Premier. In 1995, he led the Public-Private Partnerships Project and was seconded to Massey College at the University of Toronto where he was a Senior Resident.
He was the President and CEO of UNICEF Canada, the first head of the organization recruited from outside the international development sector. As Principal for the consulting firm Digital 4Sight, he led the firm’s global research initiative on the impact of technology on government and democracy. In the co-operative sector, he was the Executive Vice-President and Corporate Secretary for the Credit Union Central of Ontario. Mr. Agnew was the Ombudsman for Banking Services and Investments, the national dispute resolution service for consumers and small businesses.
Mr. Agnew’s working life started in high school as a newspaper reporter in Toronto and he continued his journalism career in St. John’s, Ottawa and Edmonton. He was the gold medallist when he graduated from Memorial University of Newfoundland with a B.A. in political science. Following his studies, he was a Parliamentary Intern at the House of Commons of Canada.
Mr. Agnew is Chair of Canada’s Drug Agency (CDA-AMC). He serves on the board of the Conference Board of Canada and ventureLAB. He has also chaired the boards of Polytechnics Canada, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and Colleges Ontario. His other board and committee service has included: former vice-chair of the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO); the Canadian Ditchley Foundation Advisory Board; Sichuan University’s International Advisory Board; Colleges and Institutes Canada; the Canadian government’s Science, Technology and Innovation Council; the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council; the Empire Club of Canada; the Council on Foreign Relations Higher Education Working Group; and campaign cabinets of the United Way in Toronto and Peel.
He is a recipient of the Queen’s Diamond and Platinum Jubilee medals in recognition of his community and public service.