Collegium is the principal of two bodies that govern the affairs of the University of St. Michael’s College. Its members work to safeguard the property and funds of the University, and ensure that it has the resources to carry out its mission while operating in accordance with the best academic practices and the governing law. Member profiles can be found below, and a list including special committee members can be found here.
Bio to follow.
Susan is a retired business leader with a track record of driving results and optimizing revenue through cyclical markets. She has created and lead high performing sales and marketing teams in 20+ global markets. Susan has a deep understanding of how to create competitive advantage and brand equity having been instrumental, over 28 years, in building the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts brand to its iconic global status, making it the leader in luxury hospitality as the gold standard of service. As a principal at Helstab Advisory Inc, she helped reposition global brands, transform marketing organizations and implement marketing platforms to support strategic business objectives and deliver accelerated performance.
Susan has an MBA from the Schulich School of Business and an Honours BSc from the University of Toronto. She is an alumnus of St. Michael’s College. Susan has sat on advisory boards of post-secondary institutions including Cornell University and Toronto Metropolitan University, the board of C200, and currently serves as treasurer of MTCC 699.
Bio to follow.
Carmen Diston holds a BA, major in religious studies, from USMC (1981); and an MA –
Theology from St. Paul University, Ottawa (2004).
Carmen is a member of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary / Loretto Sisters since 1981.
She served in Niagara Falls as parish pastoral assistant and later Director of Loretto
Christian Life Centre; She held roles in IBVM Canadian Province leaderships and as
General Consultor to IBVM in Rome. She is currently Treasurer for IBVM.
She previously served on the Board of Directors of Catholic Crosscultural Services; and is
presently on the Board of Association of Treasurers of Religious Institutes (ATRI) and
Ignatian Spirituality Program (STIR Retreats).
Ms. Elizabeth Xu is the non-voting undergraduate representative for the 2023-2024 governance cycle, and is entering her second year of life science this fall. Elizabeth joined SMCSU because of her deep appreciation for the college. Throughout her first year, she interacted with remarkable individuals and discovered exceptional places that contributed to her sense of belonging and community at St. Mikes. She feels compelled to give back and contribute to the continuous enhancement of positive experiences for St. Mike’s students in the future. As a member, she aims to promote the mission of SMCSU by representing the undergraduate St. Mike’s student body in an informed and inclusive manner.
Fr. Andrew Leung, CSB completed his Bachelor of Education in Physical Science and Biology at the University of Alberta in 2001, Master of Divinity at the University of St. Michael’s College in 2007, and Master of Education in Administration at the University of Toronto in 2012.
He completed his principal papers through the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) and has served as a teacher in Edmonton, Hong Kong, and Toronto. He was ordained to the priesthood in 2008 for the Congregation of St. Basil (Basilian Fathers) and had been posted as associate pastor and administrator to St. Basil’s Parish in Toronto, St. Joseph’s Home for the Aged in Sheung Shui, Hong Kong as a teacher, St. Michael’s College School in Toronto as a teacher, and St. Alphonsus and St. Clare Parishes in Edmonton as pastor.
During Fr. Leung’s time as a teacher he has taught General Science, Biology, Physics, Chemistry and Math and coached the Badminton team. He was also the Director of Spiritual Life (2015-2016) for St. Michael’s College School. Fr. Leung also served the Basilian community as the Basilian Associate coordinator (2011-2013). In 2018, the Archbishop of Edmonton appointed Fr. Andrew as the Archbishop’s Delegate for Catholic Education and in 2019 he was appointed as a director for the Detroit Catholic Central High School board in Novi, Michigan. In November 2018, Fr. Leung was named interim president of St. Michael’s College School, a position he held until October 2019, when he was appointed to the permanent role of President.
Fr. Leung was appointed to the Collegium by the Superior General of the Congregation of St. Basil in March 2019.
Valentine Lovekin is a lawyer with offices located in Toronto and in Newcastle Ontario. His areas of practice include real estate, estate, and business law.
He is the President of the Canadian Association Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Treasurer of International Association of Catholic Bioethics, Board Chair of the Bloor-Yorkville Business Improvement Association and a Governor of Trent University. Previous community experience includes Board Chair Lakeridge Health, President of Credit Counselling Service of Toronto, Vice Chair of the Toronto Parking Authority and Treasurer for the John Milton Society for the Blind in Canada.
His commentary includes the following publications: Power of Attorney for Personal Care: A Catholic Overview; and Power of Attorney for Personal Care: Balancing Private Rights and Public Interest, both published in Proceedings of Our Lord’s the Sick, Our Lord’s the Poor: A Symposium in Honour of the 900th Anniversary Year of the Order of Malta, Canadian Catholic Bioethics Institute, University of St Michael’s College, University of Toronto (2014).
Katie Moriarty is a Senior Manager with Deloitte Toronto. Ms Moriarty has more than 10 years experience providing audit and advisory related services to clients within the financial services industry, both in Canada and internationally. Prior to joining Deloitte Canada, Ms Moriarty was with PwC, Dublin, Ireland, where she was a manager in the audit practice, focused on delivering audit related services to clients within the financial services sector. Ms Moriarty is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Ireland, and Chartered Professional Accountants, Ontario.
Emma Oliver is a Student Life Professional currently serving St. Michael’s as Assistant Dean, Campus Life in the Office of the Dean of Students. Her work includes oversight of student activities and programs such as student government, orientation, wellness, clubs, and student leader development. She holds a BA from the University of Toronto, and a Master of Divinity (MDiv) from the University of St. Michael’s College. In addition to her work at the University, Emma serves the community through music ministry at events across the Archdiocese of Toronto, as well as a Suicide Alertness, Safe TALK trainer with LivingWorks.
Prior to his ordination, Fr. Scott Birchall obtained his Bachelor in Environmental Studies (BES)
from the University of Waterloo and a Master’s of Science in Planning (M.Sc.Pl) from the
University of Toronto where he focused on affordable housing policy (accessory dwelling
units). Following the completion of his planning studies, Fr. Scott worked in both the public
(municipal) and private sectors.
Fr. Birchall entered St. Augustine’s Seminary in 2008 and obtained a Bachelor in Sacred
Theology (STB) and a Masters in Divinity (M.Div) in 2014. He was ordained a priest for the
Archdiocese of Toronto in 2014. After his ordination, he served as an associate pastor at
Merciful Redeemer Parish in Mississauga.
In 2017, Fr. Birchall began his role as the Director of Discipleship Formation (Serra House) at
St. Augustine’s Seminary and undertook his Doctor of Ministry studies at the Catholic
University of America with a focus on empathy development in Canadian English seminaries.
He completed his doctoral studies in 2021. Fr. Birchall was appointed as the Director of
Pastoral Formation and the Director of Field Placement for St. Augustine’s Seminary in 2021.
He continues to serve as an assistant professor at St. Augustine’s Seminary.
In addition to his responsibilities at St. Augustine’s, Fr. Birchall provides ongoing weekend
support to parishes within the Archdiocese of Toronto and has served on several committees
within the Archdiocese including member of Vocation Council 2015-2018, Priest’s Under 5
Program 2017-2020, and Priest Council Clergy Representative 2017-2021. He is currently the
chair of the Priest Retreat Committee 2021-present, and chaplain to the Couples for Christ
community (western region) 2022-present. He has also provided several talks and led prayer
services throughout the Archdiocese of Toronto.
Jean-Olivier (J.O.) Richard is Assistant Professor in the Christianity and Culture Program, with a status-only appointment at the Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science and Technology. He grew up in a suburb of Montreal, received his B.A. from Concordia University in 2009, and completed his Ph.D in the History of Science and Technology department at the Johns Hopkins University in 2016. Before joining USMC faculty in 2017, he conducted research as a Cain Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Science History Institute in Philadelphia.
J.O. teaches undergraduate courses on a wide array of topics, ranging from the history of science and Chritianity to human and artificial intelligence, science fiction, and Death and technology. His research interests include the relationship of natural philosophy with Christian theology in the early modern era, Jesuit history, environmental history, and the history of alchemy, astrology, and magic. His current research focuses on the life and world of the French Jesuit polymath Louis-Bertrand Castel (1688-1757), with a particular emphasis on his
“system of the action of Man of on nature,” an early modern counterpart to today’s concept of Anthropocene. He is revising his dissertation, “The Art of Making Rain and Fair Weather,” into an intellectual biography that will foreground Castel’s intellectual contribution to climate theory and the early Enlightenment.
J.O. is a co-founder and lead organizer of the Toronto Jesuit History Research Group. In his spare time, he draws, practices and teaches martial arts, and volunteers for Action Haiti, a Quebec-based organization working with Haitian schools.
Mr. Stephen is a seasoned financial services professional with extensive experience in the insurance, banking and securities industries in both Canada and the United States. In 2004, he launched Stephen Financial, an independent estate and retirement planning boutique focusing on individual and group solutions.
Prior to launching Stephen Financial, Mr. Stephen was with Morgan Stanley & Co. in New York where he served as a Vice President in the Finance Division responsible for Morgan Stanley’s relationships with creditor banks, fixed income investors and rating agencies. Before joining Morgan Stanley, Mr. Stephen held various positions of increasing seniority at TD Bank in Toronto and also held a business development role as Vice President at TD Securities USA in New York. Before joining TD, he interned in the Foreign Securities Department at HypoVereinsbank in Munich, Germany.
In addition to his B.Comm from the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University, Mr. Stephen holds the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Canadian Bankers (FICB). While working in New York, he held the Certified Cash Manager (CCM) designation, General Securities Representative Certification (Series 7) and Securities Agent New York State (Series 63).
He is President of the Order of Malta (Ontario) Charitable Foundation as well as a member and past Chancellor of the Order of Malta, Canadian Association. He has served on the Planned Giving Committee at Providence Healthcare Foundation and was a founding member of the Legacy Advisory Committee for the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) Foundation. Mr. Stephen is a past President of the McMaster University Alumni Association and past President of The Canadian Club of New York. He lives in Toronto with his wife and two sons.
Dr. David Sylvester was appointed the 8th President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of St. Michael’s College in the University of Toronto on July 1, 2018. Previously, David served two terms as Principal of King’s University College at Western and was the founding President of Corpus Christi College of liberal arts established at U.B.C. A Professor of medieval history, he holds an M.A. and a Ph.D. from Fordham University, New York City and has taught in universities in Canada and the United States. David is currently Chair of the Governance Committee of Universities Canada and serves on the Board of the Federation of the Humanities and Social Sciences. He recently completed a six-year term as the Canadian representative to the Washington-based Board of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities and is the past chair of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities of Canada. In addition to his interests in university governance, David is committed to exploring the role of universities in community building, especially in response to the TRC calls to action. View Profile
Dr. Brendan Browne is a widely respected educational leader, teacher, author, husband, and father, and is proud to serve the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) as its 14th Director of Education.
Throughout his educational career as a Teacher, Vice-Principal, Principal, Superintendent, Executive Superintendent, and now as Director of Education and Chief Executive Officer of the TCDSB, Dr. Browne has remained focused on improving outcomes for students, families, and communities. His commitment to student achievement, equity, and mental health and well-being, firmly rooted in faith, is articulated in the TCDSB’s Multi-Year Strategic Plan.
His publications and presentations include research and expertise on teaching and learning, special education, educational leadership, invitational leadership, systemic change, and Catholic education. Dr. Browne is the author of the book “Leading for Educational Lives: Inviting and Sustaining Imaginative Acts of Hope in a Connected World”, along with numerous magazine, journal articles, and Catholic leadership course modules. Brendan has served on provincial and international committees and boards focused on educational leadership, and currently serves on the provincial committee for school mental health, and internationally on the Board of Directors for a Christian mission hospital in Kenya.
As a graduate of the Catholic school system, Dr. Browne remains intimately connected to the importance of the application of Catholic values to our work as educators. He holds Bachelor of Arts and Education degrees from Queen’s University, a Masters from the University of Toronto (OISE), and PhD from Brock University. Brendan is a husband to Sarah, and father to two girls who are TCDSB students in both elementary and secondary schools. It is at the intersection of faith and family that Dr. Browne grounds his educational leadership and vision for the Toronto Catholic District School Board.
Susan McElcheran is a PhD candidate in her fourth year at the Faculty of Theology at St. Michael’s College, researching the intersection of intellectual disability and Christian mysticism. She completed her undergrad and B. Ed. at the University of Toronto and her Master’s in Theological Studies at St. Michael’s. Before studying theology, Susan worked at the L’Arche homes in France and in Côte d’Ivoire and taught neurodiverse students in the Toronto Catholic District School Board. She has led music ministry at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church for over fifteen years. During her time at the Faculty of Theology, she has co-chaired the Liturgy Committee for on-line as well as in-person liturgies, and continues to serve as Liturgy Chair. She has participated in the Faculty of Theology Student Life Committee since Fall 2020, and has twice won the Cardinal Collins Award for Contribution to Academic Community Life. She has held Ontario Graduate Student scholarships since beginning her PhD work, and her research is currently funded by a grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council. Susan has published a book review in the Toronto Journal of Theology, and has delivered papers on pneumatology and interreligious diversity at Boston College, and on theology of intellectual disability at the Canadian Theological Society and the Creative Justice conference. She most recently presented a paper on disability and mimetic theory at the Colloquium on Violence and Religion in Paris, France, where she was winner of the Raymund Schwager Student Essay Competition.
As a representative of the Sisters of St. Joseph on the Collegium from 2018-2021, Sister Mary
Anne directly contributed to the creation of St. Mike’s 180. In particular, her input on the new
mission, vision and values of St. Mike’s has guided the St. Mike’s community toward a future of
enhanced sustainability and impact for the common good. She was given an Arbor Award for
her volunteer contributions to the University of Toronto in 2023. Sister Mary Anne is thrilled to
contribute to the governance on the Collegium for another term.
Colleen Shantz is a professor in the Regis St Michael’s Faculty of Theology where she teaches Biblical Studies. Her academic administrative experience includes a term as director of graduate studies for the seven colleges of the Toronto School of Theology and a key role in development of the collective agreement between USMC and UTFA.
Dr Shantz is a specialist in early Christianity and the letters of Paul. Her award winning research is multi-disciplinary, employing cognitive science, affect theory, and ritual studies. She is active in several academic societies and recently completed a term as President of the Canadian Society of Biblical studies. Dr Shantz is also deeply committed to inclusive classrooms and effective teaching and learning. For several years she taught a required course on pedagogy and course design that she developed for doctoral students in theology.
An Ojibway from the Animakee Wa Zhing 37 First Nation, Dr. DeGagné served for seven years as President & Vice Chancellor of Nipissing University in North Bay, Ontario and in 2020 he became the first President & Vice Chancellor of Yukon University in Whitehorse. His more than 25 years’ experience in public service includes serving as an executive with Health Canada as well as with Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.
In 1998, Dr. DeGagné became the founding Executive Director of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation, working on a national level to encourage and support community-developed and delivered culturally based initiatives addressing the intergenerational effects of abuses suffered in the Indian Residential School System. The recipient of numerous awards and honours, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada in 2014 and Member of the Order of Ontario in 2010. He was made a Visiting Fellow at St. Michael’s College in 2021 and is a member of the advisory council for St. Michael’s Diploma in Social Responsibility & Sustainability program.