Ottawa, June 25, 2026 – Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) is pleased to welcome four new outstanding members to its Board of Directors. At a pivotal change moment for Canada and the college sector, these new members bring deep expertise in postsecondary education, workforce development, digital transformation, and innovation that will guide CICan’s Roadmap to 2030 to empower our members to deliver transformative results for Canada, and for Canadians.
Joining as At-Large Directors are:
- Derek Dobson, Partner – Federal Defence at IBM Consulting;
- Sean Junor, Director, Digital Enablement, Canfor;
- and Steve Brabant, Director General, Cégep de l’Outaouais.
Julie Gasse, Director General, Collège de Rimouski, has also been elected Regional Director for Quebec, a position she has held on an interim basis since January 2026.
The new directors were elected and appointed during CICan’s Annual General Meeting, held virtually on June 23, 2026.
Derek Dobson is a senior executive with more than 35 years of leadership experience in defence, national security, digital transformation and strategic consulting. Currently a Partner with IBM Consulting, he advises federal organizations on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and modernization initiatives.
Sean Junor is an experienced leader in enterprise transformation, workforce strategy, and digital enablement, with more than 20 years of experience across the public and private sectors. As Director, Digital Enablement at Canfor, he leads major organizational modernization initiatives that improve operational performance and employee experience.
Steve Brabant is Director General of Cégep de l’Outaouais and Chair of the Table Éducation Outaouais. He brings extensive experience in educational leadership, public administration and strategic management, having previously held senior leadership roles with the Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario (CEPEO) and the Association des gestionnaires de l’éducation franco-ontarienne (AGÉFO).
Julie Gasse is the Director General of the Cégep de Rimouski and has dedicated nearly 25 years to the institution’s growth and development through a variety of leadership roles. Her experience spans organizational development, continuing education, academic programming, and strategic planning, where she has led significant institutional initiatives across multiple sectors, including the maritime field.
CICan also extends its sincere thanks to outgoing Board members: André Gobeil, Director General, Cégep de Chicoutimi; Daniel Quan-Watson, former Deputy Minister, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada; Marlene Floyd, National Director, Microsoft Canada; and Nathalie Vallée, Director General, Collège Ahuntsic, for their outstanding service.
Their leadership and contributions have helped shape CICan’s strategic directions and strengthen the sector’s influence and impact across Canada.
As Canada redefines its place in the world, the country will need strong public postsecondary institutions to do what they do best. CICan’s new Roadmap to 2030 is a guiding light for the sector to deliver transformative results for a prosperous Canada, driven by strong communities and empowered by strong colleges.
Quotes:
“I warmly welcome Julie, Steve, Derek, and Sean to CICan’s Board of Directors. Their collective experience and diverse backgrounds will serve our association exceptionally well at this critical time of change for Canada and our sector. I look forward to working closely with all of them as we convene, mobilize, and champion our members for a strong and resilient Canada.
I also want to extend my deep gratitude to the members leaving the Board. I could not have asked for a more engaged, supportive Board of Directors over the past two years, and I want to salute them for their unwavering commitment to CICan and to me personally.”
Pari Johnston, President and CEO of CICan
“The challenges and opportunities facing Canada require institutions to be agile, innovative and deeply connected to the communities they serve. As a Board, our role is to help position CICan and its members to anticipate change, seize new opportunities and maximize their impact. The experience and perspectives that Derek, Sean, Steve and Julie bring to the table will strengthen our ability to do just that.”
Carolyn Campbell, Vice-Chair, CICan Board of Directors
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About Colleges and Institutes Canada
Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) is the national voice of Canada’s dynamic network of public colleges, institutes, CEGEPs, polytechnics and Indigenous Institutes of Education. By convening, mobilizing and championing the sector, we amplify the value and impact of our members to advance priorities that matter most to Canadians.
We respectfully acknowledge that CICan’s offices in Ottawa are located on the traditional and unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe Nation.
For more information
Matthew Smith
Director, Communications
Colleges and Institutes Canada
Email: msmith@cican.org
Twitter: @CollegeCan