Board of Governors 2024-25
David Agnew
David Agnew became Seneca Polytechnic’s fifth president in 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.
Prior to joining Seneca, Mr. Agnew held leadership positions in public, private and non-profit sectors, including as Secretary to the Cabinet in the Ontario Government, Principal Secretary to the Premier, President/CEO of UNICEF Canada, Principal at Digital 4Sight, Executive Vice-President and Corporate Secretary for the Credit Union Central of Ontario and Ombudsman for Banking Services and Investments. He started his career as a reporter in Toronto, St. John’s, Ottawa and Edmonton. In 1995, he was seconded to the University of Toronto’s Massey College as a Senior Resident.
Mr. Agnew is Chair of Canada’s Drug Agency (CDA-AMC). He also serves on the board of the Conference Board of Canada and ventureLAB. Previous governance roles include Chair of Polytechnics Canada, Chair of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and Colleges Ontario and Vice-Chair of the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO).
He is a recipient of the Queen’s Diamond and Platinum Jubilee medals in recognition of his community and public service.
Nadine Chautilal
Nadine Chautilal is a Client Support Liaison in the Information Technology Services (ITS) department. She graduated from the Computer Programming and Analysis Advanced Diploma program at Seneca, where she gained experience during her co-op work terms in the field of ITS. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in Adult Education at Brock University and a master’s degree in Digital Product Management at Queens University. Ms. Chautilal joined Seneca’s Board of Governors on Sept. 1, 2022 and was elected as the support staff representative.
Lily Chen
Lily Chen is a finance and operations leader with more than 25 years of global experience in financial services and health care. She has held senior roles including divisional CFO and CAO at Berkshire Hathaway Group, CFO at BF&M and leadership positions at Aviva, ING Insurance Asia/Pacific and Marsh. Currently, Ms. Chen is the Chief Financial & Operations Officer at the Ontario Medical Association (OMA), overseeing finance, technology, operational excellence, enterprise risk management and OMA Insurance. Her leadership has been key in advancing the OMA’s mission through strategic initiatives. Ms. Chen brings expertise in finance, audit, corporate governance, risk management and compliance. She is passionate about education and its transformative power. Ms. Chen aims to positively impact students and the community. Ms. Chen joined Seneca’s Board of Governors on Sept. 1, 2024.
Samantha Craig-Curnow
Samantha Craig-Curnow is Anishinaabe-Kwe from the Chippewas of Rama First Nation. She is from the Marten clan and is a mother, an auntie, a sister, a daughter and a wife. Ms. Craig-Curnow is a graduate of Seneca’s Law Clerk diploma program and holds a bachelor’s degree in political sciences, from York University and a law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School. She was called to the bar in November 2020 and has practised since as Associate General Counsel for her First Nation. Ms. Craig-Curnow’s legal work involves guiding her community toward sound legal decisions and the reinvigoration of Anishinaabe law, governance and justice. Her practice also includes contract, employment, environmental, health, education, and estates law. Ms. Craig-Curnow serves as Co-Chair of Seneca’s Indigenous Education Council and supports the youth in her community as a facilitator of the Indigenous Youth Justice Program. She is also a board member of the Indigenous Friends Association and the Indigenous Bar Association. Ms. Craig-Curnow joined the board on Jan. 4, 2023.
Mandy Hadenko-Hodgkinson
Mandy Hadenko-Hodgkinson is the Director of Student Conduct. She began her career at Seneca Polytechnic in 2014 as a student projects officer, and has served in progressively senior roles, including manager, academic services and manager, academic planning, projects and partnerships. Dr. Hadenko-Hodgkinson holds a doctorate in history from York University, a master’s degree in history and women’s studies and bachelor’s degrees in history and education from Lakehead University. She is also a Seneca graduate, having earned a TESL certificate. Dr. Hadenko-Hodgkinson joined Seneca’s Board of Governors on Sept. 1, 2024 and was elected as the administrative staff representative.
John Kucharczuk
John Kucharczuk has extensive teaching experience in a variety of programs in Seneca Business and the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering Technology. As member of the Beverly Glen Rate Payers Association Executive for more than 25 years, Mr. Kucharczuk has held various executive positions from President to Treasurer and is currently serving as the association’s Vice-President. Mr. Kucharczuk joined Seneca’s Board of Governors on Sept. 1, 2022 and was elected as the academic staff representative.
Steve Linthwaite
Steve Linthwaite is retired. Prior to his retirement in May 2023, he served as the Vice-President, Flight Operations at Jazz Aviation LP, the largest regional airline in Canada, operating under the Air Canada Express brand. Mr. Linthwaite has more than 35 years of aviation experience having started his career as a commercial pilot in 1985 after graduating from Seneca’s Aviation and Flight Technology program with honours. He has captained the Dash 8 and CRJ aircraft types. Prior to assuming senior management roles at Jazz, Mr. Linthwaite also held leadership positions with the Air Line Pilots Association. During his tenure at Jazz, he was instrumental in founding the Jazz Aviation Pathways Program, which includes 17 educational institutions and industry organizations, Seneca among them. Mr. Linthwaite previously held a board position on the National Airlines Council of Canada, is a past Chair of the Seneca School of Aviation Program Advisory Committee and the President of the Seneca Alumni Council. Mr. Linthwaite joined Seneca’s Board of Governors on Sept. 1, 2020.
Hiten Makim
Hiten Makim is a seasoned financial leader. He has been the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) since 2020. Prior to OCI, Mr. Makim spent more than two decades as CFO at MDA, Information System Group, Canadian Operations and served as controller at Samsung Canada. With more than 25 years of experience in business management, finance and advisory roles, Mr. Makim is known for his purpose-driven leadership and expertise in managing virtual teams across various locations. His global work spans Canada, Europe and Asia, where he fosters his passion for community engagement and championing diversity, equity and inclusion in organizations. He dedicates time mentoring startups in the technology sector as they scale up. Mr. Makim holds a BA in accounting and chartered accounting from the University of Waterloo and is actively involved in multiple community organizations, including the Toronto Board of Trade, Angel Investors Ontario, JSOT Youth Business Group, Toronto Doctors Lions Club and the Southern Ontario Kidney Foundation, where he formerly served as a board member. Mr. Makim joined Seneca’s Board of Governors on Sept. 1, 2023.
Jiya Modi
Jiya Modi is pursuing an advanced diploma in Business Administration - International Business at Seneca Polytechnic. Committed to enhancing the student experience, Ms. Modi serves as a Member Services Representative for the Seneca Student Federation, where she works closely with students to address their needs and concerns. In addition, Ms. Modi is a Prime Student Ambassador, actively connecting students with valuable resources and opportunities. She has been President of her Gujarati Cultural Society, serving her fellow club members and participating in uplifting the community culture. Passionate about being a voice for her peers, Ms. Modi is devoted to ensuring that every student in the Seneca community feels supported and heard. Ms. Modi joined Seneca Polytechnic’s Board of Governors on Sept. 1, 2024 as the elected student representative.
Kimberly Moran
Kimberly Moran is the CEO of the Ontario Medical Association (OMA). She is a highly respected health-care leader and accomplished executive with more than 30 years of senior leadership experience in the private and not-for-profit sectors. She has held roles including the CEO of the Ontario College of Family Physicians, Special Advisor to the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto, where her work included optimizing continuing professional development delivery; CEO of Children’s Mental Health Ontario and CEO of UNICEF Canada. She has advised health system stakeholders at all levels of government in Canada and internationally. Ms. Moran is a recognized health system transformation contributor and collaborator, with previous roles in Ontario Children’s Health Coalition, which represents children’s hospitals and children’s community healthcare providers, and as Co-Chair of the Children’s COVID-19 Vaccine Table. She was previously on the Premier’s Council on Improving Health Care and Ending Hallway Medicine, a voluntary expert advisory council reporting to the Premier and the Minister of Health. Ms. Moran joined Seneca’s Board of Governors on Sept. 1, 2019 and is currently serving as Vice-Chair.
Nancy Naylor
Nancy Naylor worked in the Ontario Public Service for more than 35 years. Ms. Naylor served as Deputy Minister of Education for five years and held several leadership roles in the ministries of Health, Finance and Colleges and Universities. Ms. Naylor led major projects in funding, labour relations, infrastructure, information technology and public policy. Ms. Naylor holds degrees from McMaster University and Carleton University and has served on several boards, including the Public Policy Forum. Ms. Naylor joined Seneca’s Board of Governors on Sept. 1, 2023 and is currently serving as Vice-Chair.
Bill Pearson
William (Bill) Pearson is an experienced corporate commercial lawyer called to the Bar in Ontario in 1989, specializing in intellectual property and information technology law. Mr. Pearson retired from Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada after a 26-year career in its legal department, with his last 10 years in the position of Vice-President and Associate General Counsel. Mr. Pearson earned an LL. B from the University of Western Ontario where he participated in the Canada-United States Law Institute Program. He also holds a B. Comm from the University of Windsor. Mr. Pearson joined Seneca’s Board of Governors on Sept. 1, 2023.
Winston Stewart
Winston Stewart is the President and CEO of Wincon Security, an organization he founded in 1992 after graduating from Seneca’s Law Enforcement Program. Starting with the humble beginning of one client and one employee, Wincon is now a multimillion-dollar organization, with more than 250 employees and hundreds of clients globally. Mr. Stewart serves on numerous boards and committees, including the Bridge Markham, the Seneca Alumni Council, MTCC 891, YMCA of Greater Toronto, the Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA), 2010 G20 Summit Toronto and City of Markham Cycling & Pedestrian committee. He has received the City of Markham – Outstanding Contributions & Service Award, the Seneca Distinguished Alumni Award, the Markham Board of Trade Business Excellent Award and the BBPA Harry Jerome Award – Young Entrepreneur Award (2006), and he is a past nominee for the Premier’s Award for College Graduates. Mr. Stewart joined Seneca’s Board of Governors on Sept. 1, 2020. He has served a year as chair of the Academic Planning and Student Affairs Committee and is currently serving as Chair.