SAITExecutive
SAIT is under the administration of a five-member Executive Management team:
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Irene Lewis, President and CEO
SAIT Polytechnic |
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Irene Lewis has been President and CEO of SAIT Polytechnic since 1998. Her distinguished career in education spans more than 45 years, the breadth of Canada's educational system and two continents. A former teacher in primary, secondary and post-secondary systems, she has also authored textbooks and hosted an educational television series.
Prior to joining SAIT, Ms. Lewis was President of a college in Edmonton and led its transition to an independent board-governed institution. She also worked in Singapore for more than five years, where she had a central role in articulating that country's vision for the development of its workforce.
In 2007, Ms. Lewis introduced a 100-year capital expansion plan for SAIT that aims to triple its student body. She has transformed SAIT’s campus, overseeing the development and construction of several new buildings, including a new residence tower and underground parking garage. She is also the driving force behind the world-class $450-million Trades and Technology Complex that is currently under construction and slated for completion in 2012.
Ms. Lewis has served in advisory roles to provincial and municipal governments. Currently, she is a member of the Alberta Health Services board, responsible for overseeing the entire health system in Alberta. She is also a member of the boards of several national and international organizations, including Polytechnics Canada, eCampus Alberta, RC 2020, and the Post-secondary International Network, as well as a member of the 2010 Olympic Games Ambassadors Program. In addition, she serves on several provincial and regional committees including the Calgary Airport Authority Business Development Advisory Council, and is Chair of the Alberta Economic Development Authority’s Energy and Environment Committee.
Ms. Lewis is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Alberta and a well-respected ambassador for the post-secondary community. She has received numerous awards and recognition for her service to education and to Alberta throughout her career, including:
 | | Dr. Gordon Nixon, Vice President, Academic
SAIT Polytechnic |
| Dr. Gordon Nixon is Vice President Academic at SAIT Polytechnic, a position he has held since 2001. In this capacity, he provides both strategic academic and business development leadership to the Institute’s domestic and international ventures. Previously, Dr. Nixon’s 20 year career in higher education included serving as a faculty member, an international project coordinator and a dean. Dr. Nixon’s academic credentials include a Ph.D. in Academic Leadership and a Master of Education specializing in Adult and Community Education, both from the University of Calgary. His undergraduate education includes a Bachelor of Administration from Athabasca University, a diploma in Human Resources from Mount Royal College, and a Telecommunications Engineering Technology diploma from SAIT. Dr. Nixon’s doctoral research focused on academic capitalism and college leadership. He completed post doctoral work at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and the League for Innovation Executive Leadership Institute. Internationally, Dr. Nixon led an award-winning project that established five telecommunications training schools in Thailand and specialized telecommunications training courses in Vietnam. He has participated in other projects to enhance education in Mexico, Taiwan, Chile, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, China and Australia. Dr. Nixon’s passion is for academic excellence and in developing a ‘learner-centered’ culture that encourages student success within a culture of accountability. During his period as Vice President, SAIT’s domestic and international commercial training initiatives have rapidly expanded to thriving business enterprises. Throughout his career, Dr. Nixon has chaired or served on the boards of a number of provincial and national post-secondary entities – including the Alberta Senior Academic Officers Committee, eCampusAlberta, Alberta On-Line Consortium, Alberta Distance Education and Training Council, the Software Human Resource Council of Canada, Pan Global Training Inc, the Alberta Council on Admissions and Transfer, and the Canadian Apprentice Forum. His dedication to post-secondary education was recognized with the 2008 International Exemplary Leadership Award from The Chair Academy. Dr. Nixon’s community involvement includes serving on Theatre Calgary’s Board of Directors, the Campaign Cabinet for the United Way of Calgary and Area, and the Calgary Chamber of Commerce Business of the Arts Committee. He has also provided or supported leadership to the Van Horne Institute, Calgary Minor Hockey, Calgary Minor Soccer, Uncles at Large, Toastmasters and the Calgary Jaycees.  | | Wayne King, CFO, Vice President, Capital and Corporate Services
SAIT Polytechnic |
| Wayne King joined SAIT’s Executive Team in June 2007 where he serves as CFO, Vice President, Capital and Corporate Services. Wayne has enjoyed a wide-ranging career in finance, management and business, spanning a number of sectors over the course of more than a quarter century. He is a Chartered Accountant with a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University Calgary. He obtained his CA designation in 1984 and worked for eight years with accounting firm Deloitte and Touche. Wayne brings broad business experience to his role at SAIT including successful tenures as CFO of Royal Host Hotels and Resorts, a real estate investment trust; Executive Vice President and CFO of Viking Energy Royalty Trust; CFO of Denbury Resources Inc.; and CFO of Finex Financial Corporation Ltd, a private merchant bank. During his career Wayne has overseen the successful management and advancement of the organizations under his fiscal leadership, including significant corporate turnarounds and high levels of growth and return on investment.  | | Michael Dyer, Vice President, Employee and Student Services
SAIT Polytechnic |
| Michael Dyer is Vice President Employee and Student Services overseeing the activities of the Customer Services and Human Resources departments as well as Student Residence operations, Sports Services/Campus Centre and Security Services. The role focuses on meeting the needs of SAIT's key constituents: our employees and our learners.Michael holds a degree in economics and he has supplemented his education with additional training and education throughout his career. He is a Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) by the Human Resources Institute of Alberta.
Michael has worked in the Human Resources field for over 25 years with a passion for Labour Relations and maintaining a safe workplace. He has been a Vice President of Human Resources at the local level and on a national scale in the private sector with a real estate investment company, an office business solutions company and with a major newspaper. Michael has also held HR related positions with the municipal and provincial governments. He is Past President for the Canadian Industrial Relations Association (Southern Alberta Chapter), a Former Trustee for the Alberta Provincial Council of Carpenters Supplementary Health and Welfare Trust Fund and has instructed a university credited Labour Relations course at Mount Royal College, Department of Business Administration.
Michael is an active volunteer in community initiatives. Currently, Michael is a board member on the Alberta Labour Relations Board and a committee member on The Chamber of Commerce HR Committee. In 2004 he completed a six year term as Vice President of the Calgary Women's Emergency Shelter (CWES) Board and Chair of the CWES Board's Human Resources committee. Michael has also served as a Board member Boys and Girls Club and the Children's Cottage.
SAIT is building the future of our city and our province. We are expanding our focus on people to move towards our vision, a vision which is sharply focused - we will be recognized as Canada's premier polytechnic, one of the world's finest, setting the standard in education, training and innovation - a result that will be achieved through our people.
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