Board Membership

As required by The Red River College Polytechnic Act, the Board of Governors consists of one employee selected by RRC Polytech employees; one student selected by the Students’ Association; and at least 9 but not more than 15 members recommended by the Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Immigration.

Remuneration

Board members who are eligible for remuneration receive the following amounts set by the Manitoba Government:

Chair – $250 per month
Vice-Chair – $200 per month
Board Members – $150 per month

Employee Member

Every two years RRC Polytech staff elect a co-worker to serve on the Board of Governors. The current Employee Member’s term ends on June 30, 2025 and an election for the 2025-27 term will be held in Spring 2025.

Student Member

The RRC Polytech Students’ Association has designated its president as Student Member on the Board of Governors. The SA President is elected annually by the RRC Polytech student body.

Community Members

There are to be between 9 and 15 members appointed by the Lieutenant-Governor-in-Council upon recommendation of the Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Immigration. As of July 2023 there are nine appointed community members.

Board Membership

See the Red River College Polytechnic Board Member History from 1993 to Present ›

Loren Cisyk, Chair (Appointed January 1, 2016)

Loren Cisyk was appointed Chair of the Red River College Polytechnic Board of Governors on January 18, 2017 and has been a Board member since January 2016. He is currently the Executive Vice-President, Technology Solutions for Information Services Corporation (ISC) which is a leading provider of registry and information management services for public data and records. Prior to joining ISC, Loren was General Manager for IBM in the Prairies. During his 20 years at IBM, he started in various regional consulting management roles and for 14 years held regional General Management roles in the Prairies and Caribbean. Loren also spent nine years in Information Technology leadership positions at Great-West Life and received six years’ technical experience at Cargill.

Loren graduated from the Computer Analyst/Programmer Diploma Program at Red River Community College in 1982 and received his Certified Management Accountant designation in 1992. He also holds a Project Management Professional (PMP) designation.

Loren was honoured with a Distinguished Alumni Award from Red River College Polytechnic in 2007. In 2011 he received a Fellowship Award (FCMA) from the Society of Management Accountants.

Loren is a member of the Manitoba Museum Board and sits on their Executive Committee. Previously he was Chair of the Information, Communications and Technology Association of Manitoba (ICTAM), a board member of the Manitoba Business Leaders Network (MBLN) and a section chair for the Technology sector of the United Way of Winnipeg.

Stu Charles, Vice-Chair (Appointed September 12, 2018)

Stu Charles was appointed Vice-Chair of the Red River College Polytechnic Board of Governors on July 6, 2022. Stu retired in 2017 after 17 years as the Chief Information Officer for the Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba. He is an alumnus of RRC Polytech’s Computer Analyst Program (CAP) program (now Business Information Technology) and his first job after graduating was with the Canadian Wheat Board where he remained for 17 years.

Stu was honoured to be recognized with the RRC Polytech Distinguished Graduate award in 2018. He was involved with RRC Polytech throughout his career and served on the College’s program advisory committees for 25 years which included several years as chair of the CAP and BIT committees. He currently sits on an advisory committee for ACE (Applied Computer Education).

Stu’s board experience includes the Reh-Fit Centre, Tech Manitoba, the Henry G. Izatt Middle School Parent Advisory Council, and the CIO Association of Canada Manitoba Chapter.

Vassan Aruljothi, Member (Appointed July 1, 2023)

Vassan Aruljothi was elected by the Red River College Polytechnic staff as the Board of Governors’ Employee Member for the term July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2025. Vassan started working at Red River College Polytechnic’s Winkler Campus in 2017 as an Instructor. In 2018, he moved to Winnipeg to assume the position of Event Coordinator under the College and Public Relations department. In 2021, Vassan became an instructor in the Welding Program with the School of Trades & Technology and is now a Work Integrated Learning Coordinator for the Mechanical Engineering Technology program.

Vassan has been a part of multiple Boards of Governance in the past, such as President of the UW Alumni Association, Chair of the Corn and Apple Festival Committee in Morden, Forks Festival Director for Pride Winnipeg, and Secretary for the Tamil Cultural Society of Manitoba.

Prachi Ravi Chawla, Member (Appointed May 1, 2023)

Prachi Ravi Chawla was elected President of the Red River College Polytechnic Students’ Association for the term May 1, 2023 – April 30, 2024. Prior to that, she was the Vice-President External Affairs of the Red River College Polytechnic Students’ Association. She is an International Student from India. She came to RRC Polytech to pursue a Business Information Technology Diploma.

Lea Clarke, Member (Appointed July 14, 2021)

Lea Clarke of Winnipeg is a self-employed consultant who specializes in accounting software, business management and development. She specializes in training and support of accounting software for various levels of business and government agencies.

Jeff Doneza, Member (Appointed November 14, 2017)

Jeff Doneza is a financial services consultant. His previous positions include Assistant Controller at 24-7 InTouch Contact Centres and Corporate Controller for People Corporation. Jeff’s volunteer work includes serving as Treasurer for the Manitoba Filipino Business Council.

Kevin Gill, Member (Appointed July 6, 2022)

Kevin Gill is the founder and President of the Staffmax group of companies. Kevin is a proud graduate of the RRC Polytech Business Administration program.

Under his leadership and vision, Kevin has grown Staffmax into one of the largest staffing and recruiting firms in Canada, led expansion into USA, Australia and Europe, and has expanded service offerings into the Healthcare Staffing and EOR/PEO services field (Employer of Record/Professional Employer Organization). Kevin is a recognized expert and requested speaker in the Staffing, Recruitment, Executive Search and Employment Industry.

Kevin is a board member of the Manitoba Employers Council, Canadian Staffing & Recruiting Association (ACSESS), a member of Business Council of Manitoba, Winnipeg Executives Association (WEA), U of M Associates and a founding Investor in YES! Winnipeg. He is a recipient of the CPHR of MB Visionary of the Year Award. He has participated in the Prime Minister of Canada’s federal budget consultation process. Kevin supports the Bear Clan Patrol, MS Society, KidsSport, United Way and others.

Gbolahan (Bola) Oduntan, Member (Appointed July 6, 2022)

Gbolahan (Bola) Oduntan is passionate about service to both the community and humanity. He is the CEO and founder of STO Global Concept Inc, a humanitarian not-for-profit organization.

Gbolahan obtained his Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Plymouth in England. He is a graduate of RRC Polytech’s Business program.

Gbolahan is very active within the African community in Manitoba, most importantly the Nigerian Community. He is Secretary to the Nigerian Professional in Manitoba, a nonprofit organization committed to socioeconomic, political empowerment of Nigerian Professionals and African descents.

Gbolahan is an Insurance expert with experience in Group Life Insurance; he works with the Small Business Renewal team at Canada Life.

Ruth Ola, Member (Appointed July 6, 2022)

Ruth Ola is the Quality System Manager at KGS Group Consulting Engineers and Project Managers. A certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and a Certified Manager of Quality and Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE), Ruth is a leader whose experience spans across developing, implementing, improving, and executing Quality Management Systems (QMS). She works with the highest levels of corporate leadership in implementing continuous improvement and lean processes, and in business process design and strategic planning.

Ruth has a Master’s degree in Geography and worked as a Geographic Information System (GIS) professional in the earlier part of her career.

Ruth is the co-founder of The Prowezz Company Inc, a team focusing on developing leaders and agents of change. She is also an ASQConnEx expert with American Society for Quality (ASQ), delivering training for individuals, organizations, and communities, helping them to achieve excellence through quality.

She is the Section Chair of ASQ Manitoba. She coaches with the Winnipeg Minor Basketball Association (WMBA).

Phyllis Reid-Jarvis, Member (Appointed August 11, 2020)

Phyllis Reid-Jarvis is the CEO and founder of Ultimate Potentials Corporation. With a focus on employees and organizational success, Phyllis and her team help local, national and international organizations achieve their business, strategic and financial goals through their people by using comprehensive executive coaching principles, leadership and strategy training.

Phyllis has developed a strong appreciation and understanding of the important role post-secondary institutions play in helping to meet the needs of adult learners, the business community and the province of Manitoba. Her previous positions include being a Program Director and Instructor with the University of Manitoba’s Continuing Education.

A Professional Certified Executive Coach, who holds a Master’s degree in Public Health from the University of Manitoba’s Community Health Sciences Program, as well as certifications as a MBTI Personality Types Practitioner, and a Psychological Health and Safety Workplace Advisor; Phyllis brings this knowledge, skills and abilities to her volunteer work as a member of RRC Polytech’s Board of Governors.

Phyllis is a member of the International Coach Federation (ICF), International Coach Academy (ICA), and the American Society for Talent Development ( ASTD), The Canadian Mental Health Commission, the Caribbean Women in Information Communication committee (CWIC) and the CANTO, an ICT non-profit association, whose role is to influence the innovation and development of ICT solutions for its members, the Caribbean and the Americas.

Phyllis has served as a member of the Winnipeg Foundation’s Advisory Committee for their Nourishing Potential community program and on the national board of Breakfast for Learning, a project that focuses on ensuring school-aged to elementary aged students’ learning and academic performance are enhanced through proper nutrition.

Phyllis is very active within the African/Caribbean community in Manitoba. She is one of the founders of the Horace Patterson Foundation, an organization that raises funds to support students of African/Caribbean heritage pursue a post-secondary education. As a former Director member and member, Phyllis has worked with her fellow colleagues for 27 years to raise much needed funds that enabled several hundred students realized their academic dreams.

Phyllis is the author of several books and programs. Her most current are the Essential Performance Coaching for Leaders, Success Strategies for Working Remotely, Pathways for Sustaining Healthy Families and Pathways to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Organizations.

Fred Meier, President and CEO

Fred Meier joined Red River College Polytechnic as President and CEO in July 2020. He is known for his work leading large organizations in senior management and executive roles, focusing on building positive and inclusive cultures that embrace employee engagement, innovation, and collaboration.

Fred’s past leadership within the Manitoba Public Service has impacted Manitoba’s economy, advanced indigenous inclusion, and empowered organizations inside the public service to grow, innovate, and move forward to serve Manitobans better and strengthen the province’s economy. Today Fred uses that experience to connect with employers, industry partners, faculty, staff, and students as Red River College Polytechnic prepares to create a bold new vision and strategic plan

Fred is the sixth President and CEO in the College’s 85-year history. In addition to his role as President and CEO, Fred serves as a member of the Premier’s Economic Opportunities Advisory Board.

Fred holds a Master of Science from the University of Manitoba.