COLLEGE OF ELECTORS
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2025
Minutes of the College of Electors meeting held on November 5, 2025 at 5:00 p.m., in the Council Chamber:
PRESENT: Jennifer Dolman, (UTAA) (Chair), Brad Beveridge (Vice-Chair), Omar Bitar*, Dan Bowyer, Michael Camacho, John Cardoso*, Eileen de Villa, Saswati Deb*, Janet Fu, Michael Gibson, Sandra Griffiths, Luke Jeagal, Andrea Koop, Vito Labate, Idas Levato*, Mathias Memmel, Anne Milochik, Andria Minicucci, Asif Mohammed*, Ashleigh Molloy*, Frid Mughal, Herman Ng, Eric Noble, Ennio Palombizio, Jamie Philip*, Naraindra Prashad, Maina Rambali, Mary Rusz*, Christophe Shammas*, Rachel Shaw-Ng*, Jane Speakman, Milomir Strbac, Irene Vrckovnik*, Terese Weisberg, Helen Wojcinski*, Jinzi Zheng*
*participated remotely via Zoom
REGRETS: Pavel Abdur-Rahman, Mohammad Amin, Jennifer Boucher, Terry Burgoyne, Ron Choudhury, Michelle Davis, David Drew, Jodeme Goldhar, Imran Khan, Rohit Singla, Steve Williams,
SECRETARIAT: Tracey Gameiro, Secretary, College of Electors, Amanda Grant, Governance Coordinator
IN ATTENDANCE: Anna Kennedy, Chair of Governing Council, Professor Melanie Woodin, President, University of Toronto, Candice Jay, President, University of Toronto Alumni Association (UTAA) [all were in attendance for item 2]
OPEN SESSION
- Chair’s Remarks and Orientation
The Chair welcomed members to the meeting. The Chair also welcomed Ms Anna Kennedy, Chair of the Governing Council, President Melanie Woodin, and Ms. Candice Jay, President-, University of Toronto Alumni Association, specifically to address the College on the attributes and requirements for alumni governors for 2026. -
President’s Update
At the invitation of the Chair, newly installed President Melanie Woodin shared her reflections on her term to date, highlighting the themes of her Installation Address and the guiding vision for the University. She emphasized the importance of “meeting the moment” as U of T approaches its bicentennial, referencing global challenges such as geopolitical tensions and climate change. The President outlined the University's strategic priorities, including the upcoming consultative Strategic Planning process, and showcased examples of U of T’s leadership in areas like AI, quantum computing, urban innovation, and climate action. She concluded with a call to raise collective ambition and reaffirmed the University's commitment to serving all Canadians and addressing global challenges.
Discussion
Members expressed appreciation for the President’s inspiring and hopeful message, particularly her emphasis on research, inclusion, and national purpose. Questions and comments focused on sustaining hope amid changing societal landscapes, the importance of inclusion—including neurodiversity—and U of T’s role in fostering entrepreneurship. The President highlighted initiatives such as the Swartz Reisman Centre and a pilot project to streamline accessibility services. Members also suggested leveraging alumni as brand ambassadors and praised community-building efforts like campus events. The President affirmed plans to expand such initiatives as part of the University's broader engagement strategy.
THE COLLEGE MOVED IN CAMERA.
IN CAMERA AGENDA
- Attributes and Requirements for Alumni Governors for 2026
The Chair advised that three (3) seats would need to be filled as of June 30, 2026. It was noted that the three incumbents—Amanda Bartley, Brian Madden, and Grace Westcott—were eligible to seek re-election and that each had confirmed their intention to do so. The Chair reported that as part of a preliminary discussion of the attributes and also on the requirements most in need for 2026, the Chair of the Governing Council, the President and UTAA President had met with the COE Executive Committee on October 15, 2025.
Following an extensive discussion by members and based on the advice from the aforementioned guests, it was agreed that on the whole the desired attributes that had been identified for 2025 (below) continued to be applicable
The College received comments from the Chair of the Governing Council, the President and UTAA President on the general requirements for alumni governors. The Chair of the GC and the President also spoke about the contributions of the three incumbents.
Industry experience in:
- Risk management including reputational risk; financial services: audit, budget, investments
- Relevant fields such as real estate, capital projects, city building
- Working with various levels of government, and public/private partnerships
- International experience and/or exposure
Knowledge and skills in:
- Governance in complex organizations in a leadership role
- Consensus building, maintaining an open and innovative mindset, creativity, and adaptability to changing circumstances
- Human resources and/or senior leadership succession planning
- Mental health, as a critical factor in the well-being of university life and society
A robust volunteer service commitment demonstrated through:
- Active and passionate volunteer activity on behalf of the University
- Good knowledge of the University’s three campuses
- A strong community presence and networks
Have an interest in:
- Advocating for post-secondary education, internally and externally
- Shaping the student experience and promoting student success with empathy, and in a way that promotes civility
- Championing the University as a preeminent teaching and research institution
- Alumni Governor Election Process
Members discussed the Alumni Governor election process and reviewed the draft 2026 Alumni Governor Nomination Form that contained minor revisions from the previous year.
The Vice-Chair provided an overview of the Alumni Governor election process and informed members that at its next meeting (January 20, 2026), the College would review the Nominating Committee for Alumni Governors’ (NC-AG) recommendations for the shortlist of candidates to be invited for interviews.
The Vice-Chair also reviewed the communications plan noting that it was similar to the previous year’s plan and would be implemented with the assistance of the Division of University Advancement. He explained that in addition to promoting the call for nominations, this outreach would also serve to raise awareness of Governing Council, alumni governors, and the work of the College. - Election of the 2025-26 Nominating Committee for Alumni Governors
On motion duly moved, seconded and carried,
IT WAS RESOLVED:
THAT Mathias Memmel, Herman Ng, and Jamie Philip be elected to the 2025-2026 College of Electors Nominating Committee for Alumni Governors (NC-AG).
The College returned to Open Session.
- Report of the Previous Meeting – September 29, 2025
On a motion duly moved, seconded and carried
The report of the meeting of September 29, 2025 was approved. - Business Arising from the Minutes of the Previous Meeting
There was no business arising from the minutes of the previous meeting. - Date of Next Meeting
The Chair reminded members that the next meeting would be held on January 20, 2026 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. -
Other Business
There were no items of other business.
The meeting adjourned at 6:37 p.m.
November 7, 2025