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 became president and CEO of SAIT Polytechnic in 1998. Irene then set out to transform SAIT into Canada’s premier polytechnic, while changing society’s perceptions of the value of trades and technology education along the way. Today, SAIT is globally-recognized as a leader in energy and petroleum training and an international trailblazer in applied research and innovation.
In 2007, Irene introduced a 100-year capital expansion plan that aimed to triple SAIT’s student body. She has lead a campus transformation including the development of the new world-class $400-million Trades and Technology Complex, currently under construction.
Irene was instrumental in bringing the international WorldSkills competition to Calgary in 2009. Symbolizing the pinnacle of excellence in skills training, this event ignited a passion for trades and technology careers in a new generation of young Albertans.
Prior to joining SAIT, Irene 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 shaping that country's vision for workforce development. Irene has written textbooks, hosted an educational television series and taught in primary, secondary and post-secondary systems.
In 2010, Irene received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Calgary — its highest honour. She has received the Chair Academy’s 2009 International Exemplary Leader Award, the 2008 Distinguished Leadership Award from the Council of Advancement and Support of Education, the Premier’s Gold Award of Excellence and a Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal. She was named 2009 Woman of the Year by Consumers’ Choice, a Woman of Vision by Global Calgary, one of Alberta’s Most Respected Corporate Leaders in 2007 and one of Alberta’s Most Influential Citizens in 2005. Irene is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Alberta and a member of the Alberta Health Services Board.
 | | 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. Dr. Nixon’s dedication to post-secondary education has twice been recognized by the Chair Academy. In 2011 he received its top honour, the Paul A. Elsner International Excellence in Leadership Award. In 2008, he received an International Exemplary Leadership Award. 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. 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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