Ottawa, June 26, 2025 – Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) is pleased to announce the appointment and election of three new members to its Board of Directors. These leaders will help drive forward CICan’s Roadmap to 2026 and beyond, positioning our sector as a key solution provider to Canada’s most pressing challenges.
As post-secondary institutions navigate a fast-changing landscape shaped by political, economic, and social disruption, strong leadership and good governance are essential. These new appointments reflect CICan’s commitment to ensuring strong, strategic oversight during this pivotal period.
Joining as At-Large Directors are Paul Armstrong, President of Mohawk College, and Marie-Chantale Lortie, Strategic Advisor.
Known for building collaborative ecosystems and leading national transformation, governance, and advocacy initiatives, Marie-Chantale Lortie has more than 25 years of experience bridging public and private sectors in senior roles at BDC, CMHC, Bell Canada, DND and the FAO. She currently sits on the board of the Montreal Clinical Research Institute Foundation and holds an MBA and a bachelor’s in political science.
President of Mohawk College, Paul Armstrong is a seasoned leader in post-secondary education with experience leading through major transitions, including COVID-19. Holding an MBA from Queen’s University and a certificate from Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program, Armstrong also co-chairs the governance committee of Canadian Colleges for a Resilient Recovery – of which Mohawk College is the secretariat – and is a champion of Truth and Reconciliation and EDI.
Representing Ontario as the new Regional Representative, Ann Marie Vaughan is President and CEO of Humber Polytechnic – and the first woman to hold the position – with nearly 30 years of postsecondary leadership. Ann Marie is also the incoming Chair of Colleges Ontario. She holds a doctorate in higher education leadership from the University of Calgary, and degrees from Memorial University and the University of British Columbia.
“We are honoured to welcome Marie-Chantale, Paul, and Ann Marie to the Board,” said Pari Johnston, President and CEO of CICan. “Each brings deep expertise, a strong commitment, and a bold vision for our sector. As respected leaders, they will be instrumental in ensuring we meet the moment with purpose, agility, and a strong voice that champions our members as essential partners in delivering solutions for Canada’s future.”
CICan also extends its heartfelt thanks to outgoing board members Peter Devlin, President, Fanshawe College, and Rebecca Jamieson, President and CEO, Six Nations Polytechnic, for their outstanding service. As Board Chair from 2022 to 2024 Peter provided steady leadership through times of change and renewal. Rebecca was instrumental in advancing CICan’s Indigenization efforts and strengthening our valued partnership with the Indigenous Institutes Consortium. Their leadership and contributions have meaningfully shaped CICan’s work and strengthened its connections and impact across the sector.
CICan’s Board of Directors is composed of leaders from across the country who provide strategic oversight and sector-wide insight to support CICan’s mission. The new directors were elected and appointed during CICan’s Annual General Meeting, held virtually on June 25.
CICan looks forward to working with its new Board members to continue convening, connecting, and championing Canada’s colleges and institutes to meet the country’s – and the world’s – biggest challenges.
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About Colleges and Institutes Canada
CICan is the national and international voice of Canada’s largest post-secondary education network. It advocates, builds capacity, and drives knowledge to strengthen Canada’s publicly supported colleges, institutes, CEGEPs, and polytechnics to meet Canada’s biggest challenges. With more than 95% of Canadians living within 50 km of a member institution, and thanks to its extensive reach around the globe, CICan works to future-proof communities in Canada and abroad.
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