Executive Committee
RRC Polytech Executive Committee works collaboratively and steers the College on the path for success.
Fred Meier – President and CEO
Fred Meier became President and CEO of RRC Polytech – Manitoba’s only polytechnic institution – in 2020, leading the College through transformative academic and institutional growth.
Fred’s vision has guided RRC Polytech in embracing its identity as a polytechnic, launching a bold strategic plan to anticipate industry needs and prepare a workforce for the jobs of tomorrow. Key priorities include delivering industry-aligned programming for over 20,000 students, advancing Truth and Reconciliation, embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion, and deepening industry partnerships in Manitoba and beyond.
Under Fred’s leadership, RRC Polytech surpassed the $60-million target for its largest-ever fundraising campaign in under two years. He also played a pivotal role in establishing the Price Institute of Advanced Manufacturing and Mechatronics and the Schroeder Institute of Entertainment and Media Arts, solidifying the College’s leadership in applied research and work-integrated learning.
Fred emphasizes collaboration and fostering a positive, inclusive work environment, recognizing employee engagement as essential to institutional success. He is also deeply committed to Truth and Reconciliation, seeking guidance and learning from Knowledge Keepers, Elders and Grandmothers in Residence to incorporate Indigenous knowledge into College practices, from policies to the naming of spaces.
Before joining RRC Polytech, Fred held senior leadership roles in Manitoba’s public service, including as Clerk of Executive Council and Secretary to Cabinet. He holds a Master of Science from the University of Manitoba. An avid cyclist, Fred enjoys exploring the outdoors, curling, and spending time with his family.
Dr. Christine Watson – Vice-President, Academic
Dr. Christine Watson believes education has the power to transform lives. As Vice-President Academic of RRC Polytech in Winnipeg, she witnesses the College’s impact across every sector and community in Manitoba and beyond. She sees the pride of grads (and their cheering families and friends) as they cross the stage for convocation and is grateful for the opportunity to have supported their success.
Born and raised in Saskatchewan, Christine is a prairie girl at heart with a love of open skies. Her mom was a ballet dancer and teacher, her dad a businessman. The soundtrack of her childhood was CBC radio in the kitchen, Kenny Rogers in the car and JS Bach in the living room.
She was always “best in class” and loved to write and read (still does). She majored in English and received a BA from UBC, an MA from Queens and a PhD from the University of Queensland (Australia) with a dissertation on Australian Indigenous women’s autobiographical narratives.
Her academic career began at the First Nations University of Canada, where she led a task force on Indigenous Student Success and realized she enjoyed having a role beyond the classroom. She’s since held senior teaching and academic positions at University of Regina, Kwantlen Polytechnic University and joined RRC Polytech in 2013.
Creativity is central to Christine’s personal and professional life. She hosts the Winnipeg chapter of the global organization CreativeMornings, a group of volunteers who organize monthly free events with performers and speakers. As a quilt-maker she loves the challenge of exploring colour and design. During the pandemic she wrote and posted haiku poems, accompanied by photographs that inspired the text, every day for a year.
Throughout these personal and professional journeys, Christine has always approached life as a beginner – humble enough to never stop growing, curious enough to ask questions, uncomfortable enough to take risks, and supportive of others because she believes she always has something to learn.
James (Jamie) Wilson – Vice President, Indigenous Strategy, Research and Business Development
Jamie Wilson (Opaskwayak Cree Nation) is a visionary leader with a passion for building bridges between communities and organizations, strengthening relationships with Indigenous Peoples, and creating opportunities for community and social development that support economic prosperity.
Jamie joined RRC Polytech at the beginning of 2022, to guide significant and transformational work within the College’s newly re-envisioned Indigenous Strategy, Research and Business Development portfolio. He brings a wealth of experience to the College, with a background as a private sector senior executive, Deputy Minister (Growth, Enterprise and Trade; Education), educator, member of the 75th Ranger Regiment, Infantry officer, and as Manitoba’s Treaty Commissioner.
In his spare time, you can find Jamie hitting the mat to practice jiu-jitsu with his teenage son.
Giselle Martel – Vice President, Finance and Administration
Giselle works with teams across the College, helping modernize and adapt our financial services to better support our ongoing operations and ensure RRC Polytech’s financial sustainability.
She oversees the College’s finance portfolio, including budgeting and accounting, procurement, and ancillary services, and works directly with our finance team to ensure we provide consistent and reliable services.
Giselle has an extensive background in public sector and post-secondary leadership. In addition to 15 years of experience with the provincial government, before coming to RRC Polytech, Giselle held the position of Executive Director, Financial Planning and Budgeting at the University of Manitoba, where she provided strategic oversight and leadership to the budgeting process, analysis of financial information, and recommendations to support senior leadership.
Giselle is a Chartered Professional Accountant who holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Manitoba.
Outside of work, Giselle enjoys spending time with her family and traveling to beaches near and far.
Melanie Gudmundson – Chief Human Resource Officer
Melanie is responsible for Human Resource Services, Payroll and Benefits, Safety and Health Services, Security Services, Corporate Legal Services, and a shared responsibility for the Centre for Learning and Program Excellence (Staff and Faculty Development). Melanie has been with the College since 2009, and joined the Senior Leadership team in 2018.
Prior to joining the College, Melanie worked for the Province of Manitoba in the Departments of Education and Training, Treasury Board Secretariat (Labour Relations and Compensation Services), and Family Services and Housing.
Outside of work, Melanie spends her time with her family camping in the summer and at the hockey rink in the winter.
RRC Polytech campuses are located on the lands of the Anishinaabeg, Ininiwak, Anishininwak, Dakota Oyate, and Denésuline, and the National Homeland of the Red River Métis.
We recognize and honour Treaty 3 Territory Shoal Lake 40 First Nation, the source of Winnipeg’s clean drinking water. In addition, we acknowledge Treaty Territories which provide us with access to electricity we use in both our personal and professional lives.