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Vice-President (Operations and Finance)

Operational Excellence

Operational Excellence Committees

The Operational Excellence Steering Committee

The Steering Committee is comprised of senior McMaster University academic and administrative leaders who provide direction and advice on Operational Excellence (OE) priorities, oversee strategic OE initiatives, and promote the objectives of the OE program university wide to increase awareness.

  • Associate Vice-President, Academic Planning and Finance (Chair) – Melissa Pool  

  • Dean, Faculty of Humanities – Pamela Swett 

  • Dean, Faculty of Engineering – Heather Sheardown 

  • Deputy Provost – Matheus Grasselli 

  • Vice-Provost & Dean of Graduate Studies – Steve Hranilovic  

  • Vice-Provost, Equity & Inclusion Office – Barrington Walker  

  • Associate Vice-President (Students & Learning) and Dean of Students – Sean Van Koughnett 

  • Associate Vice-President & Chief Administrative Officer, FHS -Laura Harrington  

  • Associate Vice-President & Chief Technology Officer – Gayleen Gray 

  • Associate Vice-President Research Administration – Kathy Charters 

  • Associate Vice-President & Chief Human Resources Officer – Wanda McKenna  

  • Associate Vice-President & Chief Facilities Officer – Ehab Kamara 

  • Associate Vice-President & CFO – Omer Ahmed 

  • Associate Vice-President, Real Estate, Ancillaries and Partnerships– Debbie Martin  

  • Associate Vice-President, Advancement – Ashley Downey  

  • Associate-Director, Strategic Initiatives – Amanda Baldwin 

  • Associate-Director, Communications & Marketing – Allison Mullin 

  • Guests – As required  

The mandate of the Operational Excellence Steering Committee (OESC) is to: 

  • provide direction and advice on Operational Excellence (OE) priorities, including the Operational Excellence Forum 
  • oversee strategic OE initiatives, 
  • make recommendations on key performance indicators and communication strategies related to OE initiatives 
  • improve accountability, quality and efficiency of OE initiatives, and 
  • identify and mitigate risks associated with any OE initiatives.  
  • Champion and promote the objectives, importance and benefits of the OE program university wide to increase awareness. 

You can find the mandate for the Operational Excellence Steering Committee in the terms of reference here.

The Project Management Committee

The Project Management Committee is comprised of representatives from various departments who bring diverse perspectives and expertise to operational excellence goals and impacts and are responsible for the identification, coordination and execution of initiatives in their departments.

  • Associate Director, Administration (HCS) – Lisa Brenn

  • Manager, Strategic Initiatives and Programs (FHS) – Chantelle Campbell

  • Director, Financial Systems Support (FA) – Stacey Farkas

  • Associate Director, Strategic Implementation (HR) – Andrea Foster

  • Manager, Communications (FS) – Holly Gibson

  • Senior Manager, Projects and Performance (HCS) – Christian Gundlack

  • Director, Strategic Operations (REAP) – Shari McHugh

  • Senior Manager, Strategic IT Portfolio Management (UTS) – Lori Patrick

  • Associate Director, Strategic Implementation (UTS) – Tanya Reid

  • Director, Strategic Initiatives (VPOF) – Amanda Baldwin

  • Project Manager (VPOF) – Catherine Maharaj

  • Associate Director, Communications and Marketing (VPOF) – Allison Mullin

  • Promote the objectives, importance, and benefits of the Operational Excellence program within their departments and spheres of influence to increase awareness, taking the role of program champions.

  • Develop recommendations for the Operational Excellence Steering Committee (OESC) on Operational Excellence priorities, including the themes and recommendations for the Operational Excellence Forum.

  • Provide detailed reports on departmental Operational Excellence initiatives being planned, in progress and completed for their areas. This information will be used for articles, dashboards and impact measurement.

The Forum Organizing Committee 2026

The Forum Organizing Committee is comprised of employees from various departments who bring diverse skills and expertise required to organize the Operational Excellence Forum. Members of this committee are responsible for the planning and execution of the Forum.

 

  • Afnan Abdelbaki – Office of the Registrar

  • Alex Coldwell – Office of the Vice President (Operations and Finance)

  • Allison Mullin – Office of the Vice President (Operations and Finance)

  • Alyssa Guarraci – Human Resources

  • Amanda Baldwin – Office of the Vice President (Operations and Finance)

  • Anna Bajorek – Housing and Conference Services

  • Britt Reifenstein – Athletics and Recreation

  • Catherine Maharaj – Office of the Vice President (Operations and Finance)

  • Chantelle Campbell – Office of the Dean and Vice President FHS

  • Charlotte Miller – Office of the Registrar

  • Deepa Mathew – University Technology Services

  • Emma Montgomery – University Advancement

  • Fernando Carneiro – Office of the Provost and Vice President (Academic)

  • Greg Iarusso – University Technology Services

  • Helen Bauc – Registrar’s Office

  • Holly Gibson – CMPA, Facility Services

  • Laura Grise – University Technology Services

  • Lauren Davidson – UTS/ VPOF

  • Leanne Ruiz – Office of the Registrar

  • Liana Bontempo

  • Nabil Rajput – Housing and Conference Services

  • Paola Morrone – Financial Affairs

  • Stacey Farkas – Financial Affairs

  • Stephanie Poweska – Human Resources

  • Collects project proposals and plans the agenda for the Operational Excellence Forum
  • Organizes the logistics, communications and registration for the event
  • Acts as on-site volunteers on the day of the Forum