How we are organized
The Ministry of Government Services (MGS) supports the modernization of government operations and the provision of cost-effective services to consumers, businesses and the Ontario Public Service. MGS combines the former Ministry of Consumer and Business Services with sections of the former Management Board Secretariat. It is also responsible for leading the development of human resources policies and programs for the Ontario Public Service. Priorities of MGS will support the legislative framework that protects the public interest in areas such as privacy and freedom of information.
MGS Senior Management Committee
Ron McKerlie
Deputy Minister
Ron McKerlie was appointed Deputy Minister, Ministry of Government Services, Associate Secretary of the Cabinet, Centre for Leadership and Human Resource Management and Secretary of the Management Board of Cabinet, on July 9, 2008.
Ron McKerlie joined the Ontario Public Service as Corporate Chief Information and Information Technology Officer and Chief Strategist, Service Delivery in October 2005. Ron's mandate was to facilitate modern government through the efficient and effective deployment of Information and Information Technology solutions and create and implement a first class service strategy for the provision of information, products and services to Ontarians.
Ron is uniquely qualified to bridge the gap between quality service delivery and information technology support having worked for Rogers Communications Inc. as Vice President e-Business where he was responsible for the automation of sales and services for wireless, cable and media products and services via the web channel. Prior to Rogers, Ron worked for twenty years for Bank of Montreal in a dozen roles including Vice President Electronic Banking, Vice President Smart Cards and most recently Senior Vice President eBusiness where he had responsibility for enterprise web based initiatives.
Ron holds a Masters of Business Administration degree from Dalhousie University and is a graduate of Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program. Ron is also a member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee for World Vision Canada.
Ron lives in Mississauga with his wife and has two sons in University. In his spare time he loves to golf, travel, ski and read.
Bob Stark
Deputy Minister, Chief Executive Officer, ServiceOntario
Bob Stark became the Chief Executive Officer for ServiceOntario effective June 5, 2006. Bob came to the OPS from an extensive and successful career, most recently serving as President of PlayCentric Corporation, where he was instrumental in establishing business development strategies.
Bob also held the position of Vice President, National Customer Service at Rogers Communications Inc., and brings a 20-year career in retail and international banking with ScotiaBank. He brings a wealth of skills and knowledge in customer service and in service channel management.
Catherine Brown
Assistant Deputy Minister, Human Resource Management and Corporate Policy Division
Catherine is currently the Assistant Deputy Minister of the Human Resource Management and Corporate Policy Division, Centre for Leadership and Human Resource Management.
Catherine has been a policy professional within the OPS for over 18 years. Prior to her current position, Catherine held senior positions at the Ministry of the Environment, including Acting Assistant Deputy Minister, Integrated Environmental Planning Division; Director, Strategic Policy Branch; and Director, Waste Management Policy Branch.
Catherine has also held positions of responsibility with Cabinet Office, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and the Ontario Women's Directorate.
Angela Coke
Associate Deputy Minister, HROntario
On July 9, 2008, Angela Coke was appointed as Associate Deputy Minister, HROntario, Ministry of Government Services. Angela is the head of this new part of the ministry, which is responsible for human resource management and corporate policy, HR service delivery, employee relations, the Centre for Leadership and Learning and modernization.
From May 2006 to July 2008, Angela Coke was the Assistant Deputy Minister, Modernization Division in the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services. The Modernization Division’s mandate is to increase capacity across the Ontario Public Service to create, implement and sustain transformational change and achieve modernization objectives by providing management frameworks, methodologies, tools, learning and consulting services. The Division also manages corporate programs and transformational projects that advance OPS modernization.
In 2005, Angela led the OPS Youth and Young Professionals Strategy development project for the Centre for Leadership and Human Resource Management.
Between 1999-2005, she held a number of senior management positions at the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care including: Lead Internal Transformation Project; Acting Executive Director, Corporate Services and Organizational Development Division; Director, Corporate Management Branch; Director, Business Improvement Office, and Manager, Business Transformation Projects.
Prior to that she held a number of senior management positions in the Communications Services Branch, Management Board Secretariat, and at the Premier’s Correspondence Unit, Cabinet Office.
Before joining the Ontario Public Service, she worked for the Jamaican Consulate General in Toronto.
Angela has a BA in English from York University, Toronto.
Frank D'Onofrio
Assistant Deputy Minister, Customer Care
Frank D’Onofrio has been with the Ontario Public Service since 1980. He joined ServiceOntario in June 2006 as ADM, Customer Care Division, following five years as Assistant Deputy Minister of the Road User Safety Division at the Ministry of Transportation. Frank held various positions at the Ministry of Transportation, including operations, development of policy and program implementation with a primary focus on road safety policy and program delivery.
Frank lives in Whitby, Ontario, with his wife Barbara and their three children. He enjoys outdoor activities, traveling, and coaching minor recreational sports teams. Frank loves to follow the trials and tribulations of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Rob Dowler
Chief Strategist
Rob is the Corporate Chief Strategist and Assistant Deputy Minister responsible for Information Technology (IT) strategy, policy and planning, e-government, controllership and IT excellence/education.
Prior to taking on his current position, Rob served as a Policy ADM in the Ministry of Government Services and in the Ministry of Consumer and Business Services. Before joining the OPS, Rob was an Urban Planner with the Corporation of the City of Ottawa. He also worked in the private sector as a Management Consultant.
Rob is a Member of the Canadian Institute of Planners, a Registered Professional Planner and a Professional Land Economist.
Rob has won various awards including: the Amethyst Award for outstanding achievement; the IPAC Award for Innovative Management; the U.S. National Consumer Agency Achievement Award; two U.S. Achievement in Consumer Education Awards; the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario’s Recognition Award; the Canadian Institute of Planners National Award for Planning Excellence and a Showcase Ontario award.
Rob is a Member of the Institute of Corporate Directors and has served as a director on several private boards including: Tarion Warranty Corporation, the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council, the Electrical Safety Authority, the Technical Standards & Safety Authority and the Ontario Motor Vehicle Dealers Compensation Fund.
He holds a Masters of Science degree from the University of Toronto, and an Honours B.A. from Queen’s University. More recently, Rob has successfully completed the Executive Program at York University, the Queens Public Executive Program and a Strategic Management Program at Harvard University.
Rob is married with two children. He is a keen triathlete, canoeist and runner who has successfully competed in the Boston marathon and the Canadian Half Ironman. In his spare time, Rob coaches hockey and helps out with various charities.
Marty Gallas (A)
Corporate Chief Infrastructure Technology Services
Marty Gallas was appointed acting Corporate Chief of Infrastructure Technology Services (ITS) in May 2008, responsible for leading the establishment of the Government’s new Infrastructure Technology Services (ITS) organization, establishing its business and service delivery model; and implementing key e-Ontario infrastructure consolidation projects.
Prior to that, Marty held the position of Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Information Officer of the Central Agencies I&IT Cluster (CAC) since July 26, 2004. Marty’s mandate was to manage the delivery of a comprehensive set of Information Technology services to the Cabinet Office and Ministries of Finance, Revenue, and Public Infrastructure Renewal. Together with Central Agencies senior management, Marty and his team were responsible for integrating individual ministry plans and directions into the development of Ministry and Cluster I&IT plans. For a nine-month period in 2006, Marty was also Chief Information Officer of the Government Services Delivery Cluster, leading the delivery of information technology services for the Ministry of Government Services.
Before assuming the role of CIO, Marty was Head of both the technology infrastructure and application development branches in CAC. He played a key role in designing the organizational model and in moving the cluster ahead in the delivery of IT services and applications in support of its customers. Marty joined the OPS in 1981 and has had extensive experience managing complex applications and technology infrastructure, and leading organizational change to improve service delivery.
Tim Hadwen
Director, Legal Services Branch
Tim Hadwen is the Director of the Legal Services Branch of the Ontario Ministry of Government Services. The branch is responsible for providing legal advice and representation for the Government of Ontario acting as employer. Previously, Tim was the Director of the Legal Services Branch of the Ontario Ministry of Labour and prior to joining the Government, he was General Counsel to the Ontario Public Service Employees Union, Manager of the Litigation and Membership Benefits department of the Ontario Nurses’ Association, and in private practice as a partner with the Cavalluzzo, Hayes, Shilton, McIntyre and Cornish law firm. Tim is co-author of the legal text on Ontario Public Service Employment and Labour Law.
Karen Hughes
Associate Deputy Minister/CAO, Corporate Services Division
Karen Hughes is currently the Assistant Deputy Minister of the Corporate Services Division and Chief Administrative Officer for MGS, responsible for all corporate administrative programs including business planning/financial management and human resources, supporting the delivery of ministry programs province–wide.
Prior to joining MGS, Karen was the Director of the Justice and Non-Tax Revenue Branch in the Fiscal Strategy and Co-ordination Division, Treasury Board Office, Ministry of Finance. In this position, she had responsibility for the province’s Results based Planning process, performance management and providing support/advice to Treasury Board/Management Board of Cabinet. Previously she has worked with Management Board Secretariat and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, where she held various positions in the Program Management and Estimates Division, Housing Conservation unit and Housing Policy Branch. Karen is currently the Head Coach of the University of Toronto Varsity Blues Women’s hockey team. She was the Head Coach of the Canadian Women’s national hockey team from 2002-2004 and was an assistant coach with Team Canada from 1998 to 2002 including the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City.
Karen holds a Masters of Science in Planning and a Bachelor of Commerce degrees from the University of Toronto.
Ron Huxter
Chief Technology Officer
After receiving a BSc in Applied Physics (Geophysics) from University of Toronto he had short career in the mining and natural resources sector. Ron joined the Ontario government in 1986 and has been in the information technology area of the Ontario Public Service (OPS) for over 20 years.
Within the OPS Ron has been involved in all aspects of the information technology field in the Land Resources ministries, Justice Cluster, Management Board Secretariat, the Economics and Business Cluster and now with the Ministry of Government Services, Office of the Corporate Chief Information Officer (OCCIO), as the Corporate Chief Technology Officer (CTO). As such, he has been engaged in a number of initiatives and responsibilities involving policy, strategy, planning, architecture, standards, design, development and operations of business applications and IT infrastructure.
Jon Junkin
Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Information Officer Government Services Delivery Cluster
Jon Junkin is th Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the Government Services Delivery Cluster (GSDC). Jon and his team of senior managers are responsible for the delivery of a comprehensive set of information technology services to the Ministry of Government Services, including support for the Ontario Shared Services and ServiceOntario.
Before assuming the role of CIO for GSDC, Jon served as Director, Technology Strategy and Controllership Branch with Justice Technology Services. In that capacity, Jon played a key leadership role in establishing the organizational design for the Justice cluster while building the controllership, strategic planning, architecture, and security functions and processes.
Jon joined the OPS in 1977. He brings diverse executive experience to his new role from a broad spectrum of policy, finance and administration, technology and office services, field services, court services, scientific operations and various other service delivery functions. Jon has worked in a number of different ministries as a Northern Ontario-based senior executive for many years. He has successfully led significant organizational change initiatives, and has built award-winning teams in his public service career.
Jennifer Laidlaw (A)
Director, CSD/HR Strategic Business Unit
As the Director of the Strategic Business Unit for the I&IT organization, Jennifer Laidlaw leads a high-performing team to support I&IT senior management executives across the Ontario Public Service to achieve business results through strategic initiatives and human capital planning.
Jennifer is currently acting in the Director, SBU role for the Ministry of Government Services, including Service Ontario.
Jennifer brings to this role almost a decade in operational and human resources leadership positions in the public and broader public sectors. Most recently she was the Director, Operations for the Archives of Ontario where she applied her change management and leadership skills to lead large scale change, drive service quality enhancements, improve performance and create sustainable results through people, process, governance and technology at the Archives.
Anne Matthews
Director, Communications Branch
Anne joined MGS in August 2009 as Director of Communications. Previously, she was the Director of Operations in Cabinet Office Communications, responsible for issues management, FOI, premier’s correspondence, intergovernmental affairs, and market research for the Ontario government.
Since Anne joined the OPS in 2000, she spent 6 years at the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care in a series of progressive management roles including Assistant Director of the Communications Branch. Her portfolios have included strategic planning, media relations, internal communications, crisis communications and web communications. In 2007, she became the Director of Communications at the Ministry of Intergovernmental Affairs.
She’s best known for project managing the communications team responsible for the provincial response to SARS in 2003 and acting as Co-Chair of the Board of Federated Health Charities.
Prior to joining the OPS, Anne was a broadcast journalist, producer and assignment editor at Citytv and OMNI television in Toronto and at CBS News in New York City.
Anne holds a BA Honours in English/History from Queens University and an MA in Journalism from the University of Western Ontario.
Anne is married and has a one year old son and a four year old daughter who keep her on her toes.
Angela Lockridge
Assistant Deputy Minister, Marketing & Business Support
Angela Lockridge joined ServiceOntario as ADM, Marketing and Business Support in August of 2008.
Prior to her current assignment, Angela worked with the Ontario Provincial Police, where she was a key member of the executive leadership team for seven years, starting as Bureau Commander of Business and Financial Services in 2001. Most recently, Angela held the position of Provincial Commander, Corporate Services, where she led corporate resources planning, controllership and support services for the decentralized policing operation – a workforce of 8,300 staff with an operating budget of $850 million. Angela’s portfolio included 1,000 staff and a budget of $200 million with mix of corporate and operational functions, including strategic planning, results-based and infrastructure planning, and the oversight of operational communication centres dispersed throughout the province.
Before joining the OPP, Angela began her career with the Ontario Public Service, holding several positions with the Ministry of the Solicitor General and Correctional Services, Ministry of the Attorney General and Management Board Secretariat.
Angela is a Certified Management Accountant and holds an Honours Business Administrative Degree from Wilfrid Laurier University.
David Logan
ADM, Employee Relations Division
David joined the employee relations division in February 2006 as director of the newly created union/management relations branch.
As ADM of employee relations, David leads the division in its role as the corporate employer for the OPS, managing employee relations, establishing labour relations strategies and policies, and guiding collective bargaining for the Ontario government. He is responsible for corporate planning related to government wide programs in emergency management and business continuity, and the development of the newly formed Centre for Health, Safety and Wellness.
Before joining the OPS, David worked for the City of Hamilton where he held the position of director, employee and labour relations since 2002. His primary focus in that role had been as chief negotiator for the city. He also led the city through the amalgamation of six cities, and the corresponding consolidation of numerous collective agreements and bargaining agents. Previously, David worked as a lawyer in private practice and at the Ministry of Community and Social Services where he held positions in labour relations and human resources.
In 1992 David received an honours BA from the University of Guelph, his LLB from Queens in 1995 and an LLM from Osgoode Hall Law School in 2002.
Marian Macdonald (A)
Assistant Deputy Minister, Supply Chain Management
Marian Macdonald was appointed as the acting Assistant Deputy Minister of Supply Chain Management in September 2008. Building on her current responsibilities for corporate procurement policy and planning, Marian's responsibilities now include a wide range of supply chain management activities including enterprise procurement of goods, services and information technology and continuing initiatives to streamline procurement processes and procedures. Marian has been with Supply Chain Management since April 2005.
Prior to this, Marian was a project director for the ePhysician Project, a joint initiative with the Ontario Medical Association, responsible for the deployment of information technology to family physicians. Marian has been with the Ontario Public Service since 1985 holding a variety of senior positions in finance, policy, project management, and operations in a number of ministries including Consumer and Business Services, Senior Citizen's Affairs, Health and Long-Term Care, and the Northern Development and Mines in Sudbury.
Marian is currently the past chair of the Board of Directors of the Ontario Civil Service Credit Union believing that contributing to her community is an integral part of public service.
Marian received her Public Administration and Public Policy Bachelor of Arts from the University of Western Ontario.
Miriam McTiernan
Archivist of Ontario
Miriam McTiernan was appointed Archivist of Ontario in March 2000. She has 17 years of previous archival experience, culminating in her appointment as Yukon Territorial Archivist. She also served in the Yukon government as Assistant Deputy Minister and Deputy Minister in the departments of Government Services, Economic Development and Renewable Resources.
Immediately prior to joining the Archives of Ontario, she was the Chief Executive Officer of the Human Resources Professionals Association of Ontario (HRPAO). Ms. McTiernan holds degrees from National University of Ireland and Queen's University, Kingston as well as a diploma from the University of Victoria, B.C.
Morag McLean
Chair, Public Service Commission
In June 2004, Morag McLean was appointed Assistant Deputy Minister, Centre for Leadership and Learning now in the Ministry of Government Services.
Primary activities include: supporting executive services through the development of a talent management strategy; delivering a learning strategy; helping to drive leadership capacity in the agencies, boards and commissions; and developing and implementing a youth and new professionals strategy. Prior to this appointment, Morag was Director of the Executive Programs and Services Branch at the former Centre for Leadership and was instrumental in the initial conception of Centre for Leadership. Since joining the OPS in 1977, Morag has held a variety of senior-level positions at the former Management Board Secretariat; the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs; and the former Ministry of the Solicitor General.
Glen Medeiros
Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategy & Enterprise Services
Glen Medeiros was appointed Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategy and Enterprise Services Division, for Ontario Shared Services in July 2008.
Glen has obtained extensive experience during his over 20-year career in the Ontario Public Service (OPS). Throughout this time, he has managed a number of complex projects and initiatives and prides himself of being able to lead and motivate individuals and teams to provide excellent service and innovative solutions to complex issues. He has held a number of senior positions in ministries including Labour, Health and Long-Term Care, Environment and Cabinet Office.
Glen’s commitment to service excellence and his strategic leadership has been recognized by receiving several awards including an Amethyst Award for the Employment Standards Call Centre initiative and for his leadership contribution during Toronto’s 2003 SARS outbreak.
Prior to starting his OPS career, Glen pursued his business, entrepreneurial and financial interests as a partner in a small, private business as well as working in financial securities with Canada Trust. He holds an MBA from Royal Roads University in Victoria.
Glen was raised in Toronto where he continues to live with his wife Margaret today.
Debbie Moretta
Assistant Deputy Minister HR Service Delivery Division
HR Ontario
Debbie Moretta is currently ADM of the HR Service Delivery Division. This Division is leading implementation of HR transformation and is responsible for the delivery of best-in-class recruitment services, effective day-to-day HR operational services, strategic HR business advice, and the integration and coordination of enterprise HR activity.
Debbie has extensive experience in the Ontario Public Service including 15 years as a senior leader. Prior to her current position, she was the ADM, Corporate Services Division at MGS. She has also held senior positions at the Ministry of Children and Youth Services and the Ministry of Community and Social Services.
David Nicholl
Acting Corporate Chief Information and Information Technology Officer
David Nicholl was appointed acting Corporate Chief Information and Information Technology Officer in May 2008. Prior to that, he held the position of Corporate Chief of Infrastructure Technology Services, within the Ministry of Government Services, since February 2006. He was responsible for leading the establishment of the Government’s new Infrastructure Technology Services (ITS) organization, establishing its business and service delivery model, and implementing key e-Ontario infrastructure consolidation projects.
Prior to joining ITS, David Nicholl was the Chief Information Officer at the Transportation I&IT Cluster (TC). David joined the TC in 2002. David also spent seven years in Bermuda and the United Kingdom where he worked for HSBC (Bank of Bermuda) as Vice-President and Director of Information Technology
Noelle Richardson
Chief Diversity Officer
Noëlle Richardson, the first Chief Diversity Officer appointed by the Secretary of the Cabinet, joined the Ontario Public Service on Aug. 18, 2008. In order to embed fair and inclusive policies and practices within the OPS, she is a member of the Deputy Ministers' Council (DMC) and the Executive Development Committee (EDC).
For the past decade, Noëlle has worked nationally and internationally as a diversity consultant for major corporate clients. She has significant experience developing and implementing diversity strategies and programs for large and highly complex organizations.
Richardson was born in Guyana and moved to Canada in her early teens. She began her first career in broadcasting with Toronto’s CFMT-TV and CBC, earning a high-profile slot as news anchor for the program Midday. She has also anchored for CTV News 1.
Noëlle is past co-chair and current member of the Board of Directors for Literature for Life, an organization that promotes the use of language among teenaged moms through reading circles and poetry writing.
Noëlle is passionate about her work and the transferability of the message of mutual understanding, respect and inclusion, which lie at the heart of her approach to diversity.
Neil Sentance
Assistant Deputy Minister, OPS Green Office
Neil Sentance is currently an Assistant Deputy Minister with the Government of Ontario’s Ministry of Government and Consumer Services, responsible for developing and implementing government-wide supply chain management programs. This includes responsibility for corporate services such as Travel and Fleet Management, and for the establishment and delivery of enterprise procurement for all goods and services, developing government-wide procurement policies and frameworks and identifying and implementing initiatives to streamline procurement processes and procedures.
From October 1999, he was Director of the Procurement Policy and IT Procurement Branch, Office of the Corporate Chief Information Officer, with responsibility for negotiation and management of government-wide contracts for
I & IT hardware, services and software.
Prior to that, he was Director of Purchasing Services Branch, Management Board Secretariat, responsible for the provision of central common services to ministries including corporate travel management and vendor of record arrangements for general commodities as well as IT goods and services.
Before joining the Ontario Public Services in 1990, Neil was a lecturer/adjunct professor in public administration and public policy at the University of Toronto and has a BA and MA in political science from McMaster University.
Leslie Slater
Assistant Deputy Minister, Modernization Division
As Assistant Deputy Minister, Modernization Division, Leslie has the privilege of leading the team responsible for increasing capacity across the OPS to create, implement and sustain transformational change, building project management capacity and skills across the OPS, and delivering corporate programs that drive ideas and innovation, service excellence, and employee engagement and recognition.
Previously, as the Director of HROntario’s Strategic Business Performance Branch, Leslie was responsible for building the foundations for service excellence and business improvement, developing and leading programs to increase capacity, and delivering business operations across the enterprise. Prior to this role, Leslie led the design and development of the new HR service delivery model for the OPS, and spearheaded the Ontario Government’s Recruitment Modernization Strategy, which has revolutionized recruitment in the OPS.
Prior to joining the Ministry of Government Services, Leslie held a number of executive HR positions, including Director of Human Resources at Legal Aid Ontario and Director of Organizational Development at the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
In May 2007, Leslie’s article “Talent Wars and the OPS Revolution” was published in Canadian Government Executive Magazine.
Richard Steele
Assistant Deputy Minister, Business Improvement
Richard’s career has focused on the pursuit of innovation and excellence in the delivery of public services. He joined the OPS in 1992, and has held increasingly responsible positions at the Ministry of Economic Development, Management Board Secretariat, Consumer and Business Services and, most recently, Government Services.
Since April, Richard has been acting ADM for ServiceOntario. Prior to that, as Director, Registration Modernization, he led a high profile transformation program at the Office of the Registrar General, where he championed an “e-Strategy” that implemented North America’s first public service “money back” guarantee. Before joining the OPS, he was with an international consulting firm, conducting business for major corporations in Europe and North America. He also worked with the British Royal Mail managing productivity and process improvement projects. Richard holds a First Class Honours degree in History from the University of York, England, and an M.B.A. from the Manchester Business School.
Melissa Thomson
Executive Assistant and Director of Operations, Deputy Minister’s Office
Melissa joined the Ontario Public Service in 1999 through the Ontario Internship Program. Since then, she has worked in both central agencies and line ministries on several key policy initiatives, including the development of the government's first ever policy on citizen engagement.
In 2003-2004, Melissa was part of the creative team that developed, launched and implemented the Premier's first Ideas Campaign and Budget Consultations. The team's efforts resulted in over 11,000 ideas, the current government's first Budget and an externally adjudicated Diamond Award. Prior to joining the Ministry of Government Services, Melissa was a senior policy advisor in Cabinet Office, focusing on intergovernmental affairs, justice, economic and resource files.
Mark Vale
Chief Information and Privacy Officer
Dr. Mark Vale was appointed the Ontario government’s first Chief Information and Privacy Officer in July 2006. He leads the development and implementation of standards and practices for managing government information assets, including improved access to government information and the protection of personal information across the Ontario Public Service. His office sets enterprise direction, works with I and IT clusters and ministries to build capacity across the government, and promotes access to information and privacy as fundamental business considerations.
Before joining the Ontario Public Service, Mark was President of Information Management & Economics, Inc. working with governments and companies across Canada to help them become more efficient by effectively managing information and knowledge resources.
Mark is an information economist and has more than 25 years experience in information policy, information strategy and planning, and implementing corporate information and knowledge management programs. He is one of North America’s leaders in shaping the information and knowledge management disciplines.
Born in Toronto, Mark received his MA in economics from the University of California, Berkeley and his PhD from Stanford University.
Reit Verheggen
Assistant Deputy Minister, HR Transactional Services
Riet joined OSS in September 2008 as the ADM for the HRTS division, and has been given the mandate of delivering the Payroll Modernization Project.
A long time member of the OPS, Riet has worked in senior management positions at the Ministries of Northern Development and Mines, Natural Resources and Citizenship and Immigration.
Most recently, Riet was the Director of the Immigration Branch, at the MCI and was responsible for negotiating and implementing the Canada/Ontario Immigration Agreement, the Provincial Nominee Program, and the Fair Access to Regulated Professions Act.
Riet was Director of the Forest Industry Relations Branch and the Forest Management Branch at MNR in Sault Ste Marie. Riet began her career in forestry in 1982 after graduating from Lakehead University with an Honours Bachelor of Science Degree in Forestry, and has lived in many northern communities such as Kapuskasing, Englehart, Timmins, Wawa and Thunder Bay.
She served as President of the Ontario Professional Foresters Association for two consecutive terms and she also served on the Advisory Board to the Faculty of Forestry at Lakehead University.
Roman Zydownyk
Associate Deputy Minister – Ontario Shared Services
Roman Zydownyk became Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM) of the Financial Transactional Services (FTS) Division in 2003. In 2006, he took on the added role of ADM of the Integrated Financial Information System (IFIS) Division and later that fall, IFIS/FTS merged to form the Enterprise Financial Services Division (EFSD). Roman has successfully managed to bring together the complementary strengths of the two divisions in an overall effort to provide better services to the Ontario Public Service (OPS).
During his time in the OPS, Roman has been responsible for many initiatives including the Ministry of Finance’s pilot implementation of the Balanced Scorecard. As the Director of the Corporate Planning and Finance Branch, he effectively guided the transfer negotiations associated with the restructuring of the Ontario Securities Commission, as well as the devolution of the Property Assessment function for the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation.
Prior to his current role, Roman was the Executive Director of Business Excellence for OSS where, among many responsibilities, he provided knowledge and guidance for the implementation of OSS’s controllership and risk management framework. He also held several positions within senior management including: Director of Internal Audit Services, Director of Financial Services Policy Branch, and Executive Coordinator of Financial Services and Audit Restructuring. In addition, Roman was also one of the original executives on the Internal Administration Project (IAP) in 1996-97.
Kerry Pond
Assistant Deputy Minister, Accessible Public Service
Kerry was appointed to the role of Assistant Deputy Minister, Accessible Public Service on June 8, 2009. As part of the senior management team at the OPS Diversity Office, he is thrilled to be responsible for leading efforts to assist ministries in achieving our accessibility goals, and joining this strong and dedicated group of individuals in working toward our broader collective vision of inclusiveness.
Prior to joining the Diversity Office Kerry was the first Chief Learning Officer for the Ontario Public Service. He led a strong team of learning professionals at OPS Learning & Development, part of the Centre for Leadership and Learning in HROntario, to re-brand enterprise learning and focus efforts to strengthen the capacity of OPS employees.
In 1997 he joined the Ministry of Education, and moved through progressively responsible leadership roles. In January 2006, he moved to the Ministry of Government Services, to lead the transformation in enterprise learning.
While having lead responsibility for ensuring that the OPS achieves compliance in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, Kerry and his team will also work to continually raise awareness about accessibility and work with ministries to remove barriers.
In making the transition from learning to accessibility, Kerry remains passionate about being a part of the transformation toward an inclusive, diverse, equitable and accessible workplace for all.
Kerry is a graduate of Sheridan College, the Rotman School’s Advanced Program in Human Resources Management, and the Ivey Executive Program.
Shamira Madhany
Assistant Deputy Minister
Shamira Madhany has extensive experience in developing, planning and implementing highly successful provincial policies, programs and services in a number of high profile areas across a range of ministries. Prior to her current position, she was the Director of Postsecondary Accountability Branch and had oversight for twenty four community colleges, nineteen universities and over five hundred private career colleges in Ontario. Before this position, Shamira had the lead responsibility for the provincial access to professions and trades strategy, where she built relationships with occupational licensing bodies, employers and community organizations to deliver a number of key initiatives for internationally trained individuals, most notably bridge training projects.
Aside from degrees from both York University and Wilfred Laurier, Shamira has an Advanced Certificate in Managing Change from the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto, a Diploma in Alternative Dispute Resolution, Faculty of Law, University of Windsor and a Certificate of Achievement from the Queen’s University Public Executive Program.
In her spare time (sadly not too much time recently!), she coaches her younger son's baseball team and tutors high school students who came as refugees from war torn countries such as Sudan and Afghanistan. Shamira was recently appointed to the Markham Public Library Board for a three year term ending in 2010.
Sam Erry
Assistant Deputy Minister, Central Services, ServiceOntario
Sam Erry is the Assistant Deputy Minister, Central Services, ServiceOntario. In this position he has responsibility for the following key business lines: Central Production and Verification Services (Business and Land Registration); Thunder Bay Production and Verification Services (aka Office of the Registrar General); Logistics Services; and Kingston Production and Verification Services. Over the last ten years, Sam has held several senior positions in: the Ministry of Transportation; Ministry of Finance; and the Ministry of Sport, Culture and Tourism. Sam has a Masters Degree in Social Science from the University of Toronto, participates in several competitive sports and is an avid canoeist.
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