George Brown Polytechnic is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and other Indigenous peoples who have lived here over time. We are grateful to share this land as treaty people who learn, work and live in the community with each other.
Who are our members?
Directors of the George Brown College Foundation have a strong interest in and commitment to the goals and long-term objectives of George Brown Polytechnic. Our Directors bring credibility, integrity, and respect to the Foundation.
Current board members come from diverse backgrounds and all have demonstrated a dedication to excellence in their chosen fields.
Officers of the Board
Erin Griffiths
Chair, George Brown College Foundation Board of Directors
Executive Vice President, Global Wealth Solutions, Scotiabank
Erin Griffiths is the Executive Vice-President, Global Wealth Solutions, at Scotiabank. In this role, she is responsible for Scotia Wealth Management’s Financial Planning, Advanced Planning, Insurance and Investment Advisory Solutions groups, as well as the Scotiatrust and Scotia iTRADE businesses. Prior to this, Erin was the Vice President of Total Wealth Strategy for Scotia Wealth Management, leading a number of strategic transformational initiatives, including the evolution of Scotia Wealth Management's client engagement model, technology roadmap, advisory development programs, and analytics capabilities. With her 20+ years of industry experience, Erin is recognized for her ability to build and lead high-performance teams and to drive strong business results in complex, rapidly changing environments. She sits on a number of boards and is a frequent speaker at industry events. She is also the Chair of Global Wealth Management’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council and a Co-Chair for The Scotiabank Women Initiative.
Erin has a BA in Sociology from Queen's University and an MBA from York University's Schulich School of Business.
Leen Yong Li
Chair of George Brown College Foundation’s Finance and Investment Committees
Philanthropist, Educator, Mentor
Leen is the former CEO of the Wealthsimple Foundation, a not-for-profit organization with the mission to enable a brighter future for everyone in Canada through access to post-secondary education. She has over 20 years' experience in the financial service and technology sector and holds a Master of Business Administration in Finance from St. Mary's University, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
A self-made woman, Leen hailed from humble beginnings in China, coming to Canada by herself as an international student in her mid-twenties. Over her career she has held major portfolios including, CFO, Wealthsimple; VP, Finance & Operations, Influitive; CFO Advisor to Medchart, #movethedial, and Pressly. Leen looks forward to making a difference in the lives of young people in the next stage of her life.
Board Members
Dr. Gervan Fearon
Director
President, George Brown Polytechnic
Dr. Gervan Fearon became President of George Brown Polytechnic in August 2021. Working with colleagues across the college, he aims to support career-oriented programs to meet the needs of students and the demands of employers; advance college-led research; and enhance community engagement. With a proven track record of collaboration, transformative leadership and engaging higher learning communities in a shared mission, he leads George Brown’s efforts to provide transformative education opportunities that benefit learners, industry and the greater community.
Gervan has a strong professional background in post-secondary education. Prior to being President and Vice-Chancellor at Brock University (2017-2021) and Brandon University (2014-2017), he held numerous progressive roles in post-secondary education, including Dean of the G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education at Ryerson University; Associate Dean at York University’s Atkinson Faculty of Liberal and Professional Studies; Visiting Scholar at the University of Washington; and as an Associate Professor at York University. Dr. Fearon also has a strong teaching and research record.
His career also included serving as the Executive Assistant to the Deputy Minister at the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and a Senior Analyst at the Treasury Board, Ontario Ministry of Finance. He has also served on numerous community boards, including Ontario Trillium Foundation, Brandon Urban Aboriginal Peoples’ Council, United Way Niagara, Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce, and the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto. He was also Co-Chair of the Niagara Region’s Community Safety and Well-Being Planning Committee, Chair of the Budget and Audit Committee of Council of Ontario Universities, and President of Tropicana Community Services. Gervan is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2013), The Michaëlle Jean Foundation Influencer Award (2017), The University of the West Indies Vice-Chancellor's Award (2020) and several other awards of recognition.
He holds a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Western Ontario and received his master’s and Bachelor of Science degrees in agricultural economics from the University of Guelph. He holds a Chartered Professional Accountant designation (CPA, CGA) and Institute of Corporate Directors designation (ICD.D).
As an ex officio member of the George Brown College Foundation’s Board of Directors, Dr. Fearon brings a track record of collaboration and transformative leadership.
Julian Franklin
Director
Founder & Principal, Franklin Management Group
Julian Franklin is a senior executive and marketing strategist with over two decades of experience in brand activation, partnership development, and consumer engagement. He is the Founder and Principal of Franklin Management Group, a Toronto-based consultancy that delivers bespoke marketing solutions designed to inspire consumer action and solve core business challenges. Prior to founding FMG, Julian held senior leadership roles at Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE), Geometry Global, and The Kraft Heinz Company.
While at MLSE, Julian played a central role in launching George Brown Polytechnic's landmark partnership with the Toronto Raptors in 2023—an initiative that continues to create meaningful opportunities for students and communities across Toronto.
A proud graduate of George Brown Polytechnic, Julian also holds credentials from the University of Ottawa, York University, and Centennial College. He currently serves as Board Chair of the Sponsorship Marketing Council Canada (SMCC), is a founding member of People of Colour in Advertising & Marketing (POCAM), and is a passionate advocate for equity, inclusion, and mentorship. Julian brings to the George Brown College Foundation.
Richard Gill
Director
Vice President, Treasury Strategy, Capital Planning and Analysis, EQ Bank | Equitable Bank
Richard is an experienced public company executive and entrepreneur who currently leads Treasury Strategy, Capital Planning and Analysis at Equitable Bank. Prior to this, Richard was the Vice President of Corporate Development and Investor Relations at Equitable, where he drove the execution of the largest acquisition in the Bank’s history. In this role, he also established the Bank's investor relations and environmental, social, and corporate governance functions.
With 15+ years of industry experience, Richard's financial services expertise includes corporate strategy, investment banking, corporate finance, and treasury. A life-long entrepreneur, Richard has also built and run several successful small businesses, most recently in the telecommunications space.
A first generation Canadian, Richard moved to Canada from India at 14 and brings his lived experience and passion for the life-changing power of education to the Foundation Board. An active member of his community, Richard sits on the Board of Fred Victor, an organization that operates shelters and offers affordable and transitional housing, along with various support services, to over 3,000 people daily who are experiencing poverty and/or homelessness.
Richard received a Master of Finance and MBA from the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto, where he was a Bregman Scholar, and a BCom from the University of British Columbia. He holds a Chartered Professional Accountant designation (CPA, CA).
Michelle S. Henry
Director
Partner, Borden Ladner Gervais, LLP
Michelle brings her significant legal expertise to the George Brown College Foundation Board of Directors. A Partner at Borden Ladner Gervais, LLP, Michelle's standing as a legal professional is also evident in her position as a member of the Federal Judicial Advisory Committee for the GTA. Michelle has been, and continues to be, actively involved in addressing social issues, co-founding the Black Business Law Clinic, also served on the Board of Directors for LOFT Community Services for 10 years. Michelle has both a Masters in English and a J.D. from the University of Toronto. She is a recipient of the 2021 recipient of the Ontario Bar Association Pro Bono Award, for her significant contribution to the legal profession and/or community through pro bono activities and community service.
Damon Murchison
Director
President and CEO, IG Wealth Management
Damon Murchison, President and CEO, IG Wealth Management, brings more than a two and a half decades' worth of experience in financial investment management to the George Brown College Foundation Board of Directors. Over the course of his career, Damon has consistently shown his financial acumen, rising through the ranks of major financial institutions such as Fidelity Investments, Manulife Financial and Mackenzie Investments.
Damon received his MBA through the Executive MBA Program at Ivey Business School at Western University, London, Ontario.
Paul Trudel
Director
Chief People Officer & Senior Vice President, Marketing, EllisDon
Paul Trudel is a senior executive with over two decades of leadership experience in human resources, people strategy, and organizational culture across hospitality, construction, and infrastructure sectors. As Chief People Officer and Senior Vice President of Marketing at EllisDon, Paul plays a dual strategic role in shaping the company’s talent landscape while amplifying its brand and values across diverse markets. Prior to this, he held senior leadership roles at PCL Construction and Hyatt Hotels Corporation, bringing a deep understanding of people-centered leadership in complex, high-performing environments.
Paul holds an Advanced Program credential in Human Resources Management from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto and a diploma in Hospitality and Tourism Administration from Centennial College. A strong advocate for workforce development and inclusive leadership, Paul’s values align closely with the mission of the George Brown College Foundation. Through his leadership at EllisDon, he also supports broad community giving and employee engagement programs, reinforcing his belief in building vital communities through education and opportunity.
Ray Williams, ICD.D, LL. D
Director
Managing Director and Vice Chairman, Financial Markets, National Bank Financial
Ray Williams brings a wealth of financial experience to the Foundation’s Board stemming from his work in the financial sector in London, New York and Toronto. In his current role he is responsible for facilitating engagements with strategic accounts working closely within financial markets to promote the banks One Mission synergistic approach.
As a Financial Services executive, specialized in global capital markets, Mr Williams has extensive experience in Cash and Derivatives products in multiple asset classes, Infrastructure Financing, Provincial & Federal Liability Management, and Mortgage Finance Companies (MFC) Financing and Hedging of Securitized Product.
Mr. Williams is also committed to community engagement, in particular in the area of diversity and inclusion efforts. He serves on leadership boards for various organizations, including 100Strong Foundation. Ray is also a vocal advocate for diversity in the workplace and is a Founding past president and member of the Canadian Association of Urban Financial Professionals (CAUFP). He is also a graduate of the Culinary Arts program (2011). He is also one of the co-founders of the Black Opportunity Fund and the current Chair.