George Brown College President Anne Sado named new Chair of Polytechnics Canada

TORONTO, Feb. 28, 2013 /CNW/ - George Brown College President Anne Sado has been named Chair of Polytechnics Canada, the voice of Canada's leading post-secondary institutions dedicated to practical technological education and high-quality job creation. The appointment is effective immediately.

"This is an exciting time to be heading this vital organization," says Sado. "The federal government's decision-makers are increasingly acknowledging the merit of our suggestions for economic prosperity through improving support for innovation and skills. We are making a difference."

Polytechnics Canada recently presented Finance Minister Jim Flaherty with six low-cost or no-cost recommendations for inclusion in his coming federal budget. The six proposals are designed to promote innovation among small and medium-sized businesses as well as address the current and looming skills shortage in key industry sectors.

"These proposals demonstrate how our responsive college sector can help stimulate economic growth within the current climate of restraint," Sado says.

Sado became president of Toronto's George Brown College in 2004 after a 25-year career at Bell Canada where she rose to senior vice-president business processes and operational effectiveness. As George Brown president, Sado's achievements have won her numerous honours, including recognition last year as a Woman of Distinction in Education by the YWCA and twice as one of Canada's Most Powerful Women (2010 and 2012) by The Women's Executive Network. Last year, she also received the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal for her positive impact on Toronto's socioeconomic vitality.

Currently, Sado is chair of the Ontario Research and Innovation Optical Network and sits on the boards of several other organizations, including the Toronto Region Board of Trade and the Toronto Financial Service Alliance. Previously, she chaired the Trillium Health Centre and College Ontario's Committee of Presidents, and was a board member of several charities.

Anne Sado was key to the creation of Polytechnics Canada, and is a founding Board member of the association.

An engineer, Sado holds an MBA as well as a Bachelor of Applied Science in Industrial Engineering from the University of Toronto.

Sado replaces outgoing Chair Dr. Don Wright, President of BCIT, who resigned to take a public service position.

Toronto's George Brown College has established a reputation for equipping students with the skills, industry experience and credentials to pursue the careers of their choice. From its three main campuses located across the downtown core, George Brown offers 148 full-time and 1,600 continuing education programs across a wide variety of professions to a student body of approximately 64,000 (including those enrolled in full-time, part-time and continuing education programs). Students can earn diplomas, post-graduate certificates, industry accreditations, apprenticeships and four-year bachelor degrees.

Located in Canada's key economic regions, the 11 member colleges and institutes of Polytechnics Canada are: BCIT, SAIT Polytechnic and NAIT in Alberta, Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology in Saskatchewan, Red River College in Manitoba and, in Ontario: Conestoga, Sheridan, Humber, George Brown College, Seneca and Algonquin.

To see Polytechnics Canada recommendations for the federal budget of 2013, please see: http://www.polytechnicscanada.ca/recommendations

SOURCE: George Brown College

Joyann Callender
Media Relations Manager
George Brown College
Tel: [phone] x3159
E-mail: [email protected]

Ken Doyle
Director of Policy
Polytechnics Canada
Tel: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]