The University of St. Michael’s College Alumni Association Board of Directors exists to bring former students together with each other and with the University of St. Michael’s College to foster a spirit of loyalty among alumni, students, friends, and the community. The Alumni Board provides input that informs initiatives, programs, and events intended to engage alumni in the life of the University.
The Alumni Association Board of Directors currently includes the following Standing Committees: Nominating Committee, Alumni Awards Programs Committee, Alumni Reunion Committee. The current members of the board and their committee memberships are listed below.
Maria is the Founder and Managing Director of KITE – Keep in Touch Education, a company dedicated to alumni research and training programming worldwide. Based in Donegal, Ireland, Maria is also a Visiting Research Fellow at the Trinity Business School, Trinity College Dublin and holds a doctorate in higher education from the University of Sheffield. She is the author of The Alumni Way: Building Lifelong Value from Your University Investment published by Policy Press. A former Loretto College resident and Social Commissioner, as a student Maria was a member of SMCSU, along with Promotions Commissioner and Vice-President of the University of Toronto Students’ Council. She is the second generation of her family to attend St. Mike’s after her dad Victor Gallo SMC 6T6.
Karen is a student success teacher and lawyer. Achieving a BSc from U of T, she continued her education at the University of Ottawa, achieving a Bachelor in Education and a Bachelor in Law. Karen has been on St. Mike’s Alumni Board for 20 years. She served as the Membership Committee Chair, Vice-President, President and now as Past-President. She is an Alumni Awards Committee member and has assisted with Spring Reunion and the Boundless Campaign. Karen was also a member of organizing committee for the 150th Gala at St Mike’s in 2003. As a student, she was a Don at Loretto College, a clerk at the Registrar’s Office and as a tour guide of St. Mike’s and U of T. She received the 2013 Arbor Award from the U of T for her St. Mike’s fundraising and volunteer service.
Liz is a physician in Toronto. Before working in healthcare, Liz was a doctoral candidate in English literature. She then made the transition and has had numerous roles as ER Physician, Hospitalist and Family Physician. Before relocating to Toronto recently, she lived in Northern Ontario where she was a board member with the Timmins and District Humane Society and the Timmins and Area Women’s Crisis Centre. While studying at St. Mike’s, Liz was an editor for The Mike newspaper.
Alessia is a Secondary Teacher with the Toronto Catholic District School Board who holds her OCT qualifications in Special Education, English, Dance, Physical Education and Social Sciences. Alessia graduated with her Honours BA in 2018, and her Master of Teaching degree from OISE in 2021. Prior to her Master’s degree, Alessia worked for Bell Temple LLP as a Legal Assistant, and later, was hired with the Division of University Advancement at U of T focusing on Alumni Reunion. As a current active member of the St. Mike’s Young Alumni Committee (YAC), Alessia has served as a mentor for various networking events. As a student, Alessia was as a member of SMCSU, St. Mike’s Orientation Coordinator and U of T Dance Team Captain. Alessia was a recipient of the Gordon Cressy Leadership Award, as well as the Class Representative Award for the class of 1T8.
Michael Kelly is an Ontario Certified teacher working for the Toronto Catholic District School Board in the secondary panel with experience teaching History, World Religions, English and Leadership and Careers/Civics among others. He is a proud St. Mike’s BA graduate and holds a Bachelor of Education from OISE. Michael also works as a Continuing Education Instructor in Summer School academic programs to ensure at-risk secondary students are given every opportunity to succeed and achieve their full potential. Michael is a dedicated volunteer and board member of many community organizations serving in a variety of roles and capacities. Michael is involved as the Student Council Teacher Moderator and will be contributing to the Central Etobicoke Community Hub Initiative (CECHI) in the coming months. For several years Michael has been an active member of the St. Mike’s Young Alumni Committee (YAC).
Claudia is currently the Manager, Business Integration Services & EA to the Assistant Deputy Minister at the Ontario Ministry of Health. She has an extensive background in policy and corporate management, including holding roles with the Ministry of Finance and Indigenous Affairs. Claudia holds an MBA from the Smith School of Business, Queen’s University, complementing her prior degree from U of T’s Rotman Commerce Program. Passionate about alumni engagement, she actively contributes to the St. Mike’s Young Alumni Committee (YAC). Some of her fondest memories during her time as a student were created at St. Mikes / Sorbara Hall. Claudia was also involved in the Emerging Leaders Program and Women in Business.
Justin is an interdisciplinary artist and consultant whose work intersects human rights, music, and law. He has collaborated with organizations such as Americans for the Arts, the National Guild for Community Arts Education, and the United Nations. Justin’s community-building work with his New York-based ensemble, Inspire, is featured in the Routledge Handbook of Human Rights and Music. A JUNO-nominated tenor, Justin performs regularly with renowned ensembles, including the Studio de musique ancienne de Montréal, the Orchestre Métropolitain, and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Justin is an Adjunct Professor of Human Rights at Durham College, and an articled student at the international law firm, DLA Piper. He holds dual law degrees (JD, BCL) from McGill University, and an MA in human rights from Columbia University. At St. Mike’s, Justin was Director of Music and served on SMCSU as Commissioner for day students.
Jesse is an MBA Candidate at Smith School of Business at Queen’s University. Previously, Jesse was an Advisor of Procurement Operations at Infrastructure Ontario, where he also volunteered as an events coordinator for the firm’s charitable group, Infrastructure Ontario Gives Back. He was also the Vice President of Public Relations for IO Speaks Toastmasters club and is an active member of the St Mike’s Young Alumni Committee (YAC). Jesse graduated from Rotman Commerce in 2017. As an undergraduate student, Jesse was a three-time St. Mike’s Orientation Leader and the Events Coordinator for the U of T Sports and Business organization (UTSB). As a commuter student Jesse actively participated in SMC events throughout the years at Brennan Hall and served as a Commuter Orientation Leader for SMC.
Katie is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at U of T and an Analyst in the Health Statistics Branch of Statistics Canada. Katie volunteers at numerous organizations, including Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, as a York Region Chapter Volunteer and on the Nutritional Sciences Graduate Students’ Association. As an active member of the St. Mike’s Young Alumni Committee (YAC), Katie assumed the role of Chair in 2022. During her time at St. Mike’s, Katie served as a Senior Residence Don, Mentorship Program Coordinator, and St. Mike’s Orientation Coordinator.
Cesare is a Partner in the Municipal Liability and Insurance Defence Litigation Group at Loopstra Nixon LLP; he previously worked in the Insurance Defence group at Bell Temple LLP. After graduating from St. Mike’s, Cesare completed his Juris Doctorate at the University of Ottawa in 2013. As a very active St. Mike’s student, Cesare served on SMCSU as the Social (“Double Blue”) Commissioner in 2006-2007, President in 2007-2008, and in his final year, he was the Speaker for SMCSU as well as a Residential Don of Elmsley Residence (McBrady House).
Matthew is a Category Business Manager at Canadian Tire Corporation (CTC) and has held numerous leadership roles during his 25-year long career. Passionate for helping young people with their personal development, he is an active career mentor. Based in Whitby, Ontario, Matthew continues to volunteer for his former military Regiment, the Canadian Tire Jumpstart charity and is a member of the diversity, inclusion and belonging resource Group focusing on people with disabilities at CTC. As a St. Mike’s student, Matthew enjoyed coaching and participating in numerous sports at USMC, along with reporting for the Mike and sitting on different college committees and councils. Being an alum at USMC is a family affair for Matthew as his wife, brother, sister-in-law, father, aunt, and great aunt are all former graduates at USMC and U of T. Not to mention his daughter attends today as a 3rd-year undergraduate. Matthew is excited about being back on campus and helping to develop the path forward for active participation by our alumni.
Alistair is currently a Senior Planner at University Planning, Design & Construction at the University of Toronto. He is an OAA registered Architect, a member of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada and an advocate for decarbonization & climate-resilient design. He is the Partnerships & Engagement Lead on the Steering Committee for the Toronto Hub of the Carbon Leadership Forum and has been a guest critic at the Daniels School of Architecture, Landscape and Design at U of T, UBC School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, George Brown College, and Toronto Metropolitan University. As a student, Alistair was a two-time Student Residence House President at McCorkell House and Sorbara Hall. He also had roles as the Chaplaincy Liturgical Coordinator, the St. Basil’s receptionist, Campus Security, Porter at Loretto and St. Joseph’s Residences and represented St. Mike’s College at World Youth Day in Germany.
Giulio is a seasoned marketing solutions executive with almost two decades of experience in leading functions across various sectors, including media, retail, QSR, and entertainment. Currently, as the Executive Director of Marketing Solutions Sales at Cineplex Media, he serves Canada’s top brands and agencies, leveraging his expertise in advertising, marketing, and technology. With a strong background in national media companies and a focus on innovation, technology, and strategy, Giulio is skilled in delivering ROI and increasing revenue. Giulio has also completed the EMBA program at the Rotman School of Management, he remains committed to continuous growth and staying current in various areas, including finance, leadership, and innovation. With a competitive spirit and an optimistic outlook, Giulio brings enthusiasm to all endeavors, whether professional or personal. The social engagements he participated in during his time at St. Mikes have laid the foundation for his success in business, and he is eager to give back to the SMC Community at U of T.
Larry resides in Indiana, USA, and is the President of ProConsult, LLC, a strategic global management and logistics consultancy. He works with international not-for-profits, professional medical associations, and the pharmaceutical industry to facilitate collaborative relationships, manage global research projects, prepare publications, participate in scientific symposia, and develop professional training on co-morbid mental and medical disorders. Larry is retired from Eli Lilly and Company having served in management roles in International Marketing, International Government Affairs, and as President of the Lilly Foundation. As a student, he was a denizen of Elmsley Hall, played on St. Mike’s rugby and basketball teams, and performed in a band at events in the Coop and Brennan Lounge. In 2023, Larry was the inaugural winner of the Professor Victoria Mueller-Carson Spirit of St Mike’s Alumni Award.
Stephanie has extensive experience in communications, marketing, government relations, special events and membership development. Her management history includes the Royal Ontario Museum, The Asia Society and Museum, NY, the Council on International Educational Exchange, NY. Stephanie retired as Chief Marketing Officer at the Risk and Insurance Management Society, an association of 10,000 members in Canada and the U.S. While at St. Mike’s, Stephanie lived at St. Joe’s women’s residence.
Chris is a Partner – Construction and Energy at DWF Dublin, Ireland. He was previously the Chief Counsel Claims for AECOM in Europe, the Middle East, India, and Africa and was a lecturer for the Department of Finance on the New Public Works Contract. Chris also holds an MBA from the Trinity Business School, Trinity College Dublin and an LLB from Western University. Chris is qualified in Ontario, Ireland, and England as a lawyer. As a student, Chris was SMCSU President 1985-86 and the Men’s Athletics Director 1986-87, actively playing intramural basketball, soccer, hockey, and volleyball. Chris was resident in Fisher House, Gilson and McCorkell in his four years on campus. Like many St. Mike’s residents, Chris had several family members live at SMC over the years—his father, two uncles, one aunt, two siblings and four cousins.