Michael Forbes

AVP, University Relations, Toronto Metropolitan University

Michael Forbes joined Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) in 2011 as the Manager of Public Affairs. Since then, he has served as the Director of Communications, Chief of Staff to the President, and most recently as the AVP of University Relations.
Prior to joining TMU, Michael spent a decade in consulting, where he advised a range of clients such as Procter and Gamble, the Canadian Competition Bureau, The Toronto Port Authority, and the Ontario Ministry of Health on communications strategy and issues management.

Philippe Gervais

Vice-President / Vice-recteur, Communications and Institutional Relations / Communications et relations institutionnelles, McGill University / Université McGill

A seasoned leader in communications and public affairs with more than 30 years of experience across the public and private sectors, Mr. Gervais has served in various governmental roles and worked as a public affairs consultant in the private and public sectors.

In 2016, Mr. Gervais took up the position of Managing Principal for Navigator Ltd, a Canadian public affairs, crisis management, government relations and public opinion research company headquartered in Toronto, with offices in Montreal, Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver.

Prior to joining Navigator, Mr. Gervais served as Vice-President of a national government relations firm, The Capital Hill Group Inc., for 22 years. Earlier in his career, he worked as a Special Assistant for the Minister of National Revenue, as Executive Assistant to the Federal Minister of Public Works and Government Services and as Political Attaché to the Deputy Premier and President of Treasury Board of Quebec.

A corporate director, Mr. Gervais has served on boards in the technology, manufacturing and the not-for profit sectors. He lectures in the area of issues management, crises response and reputation recovery for the Institute of Corporate Directors. He earned a BA in Economics from the Université de Montréal in 1988 and a Graduate Diploma in Management from McGill University in 2011.

Myrrhanda Novak

Executive Director, Public Relations and Presidential Initiatives, University of Manitoba

Myrrhanda Novak is the Executive Director of Public Relations and Presidential Initiatives at the University of Manitoba. With more than 20 years of experience in executive communications, issues management, strategic partnerships and media relations, she plays a key role in protecting and advancing the university’s reputation. She leads UM’s Rankings Action Plan and is the executive lead behind What’s the Big Idea?, the university’s award-winning podcast now entering its fourth season.

Myrrhanda supports senior leaders during high-stakes reputation management and previously led government relations efforts that secured more than $100 million in public investment for UM priorities.

Prior to joining the university, she served in senior communication roles for Members of Parliament and federal ministers. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and political science from Carleton University.

Blayne Meek

Associate Vice President, Marketing & Communications, Red Deer Polytechnic

Blayne Meek is a creative strategist with over 20 years of experience in brand development, traditional and digital marketing, strategic communications and change management within the public, corporate and not-for-profit sectors. As a leader she is committed to creating diverse and inclusive teams who are empowered to be brave in creating compelling content that tells the story of the institution and the people who are a part of it.

Blayne is currently the Associate Vice-President, Marketing & Communications at Red Deer Polytechnic.

Emily Milic

Director, Communications, Humber Polytechnic

Emily Milic has spent the last seventeen years in progressive roles in the Ontario post-secondary sector. She spent a decade at Seneca Polytechnic before transitioning to Humber Polytechnic in 2018. Currently as Director of Communications at Humber, she is an integral part of Humber’s corporate, internal and emergency management communications and public relations efforts. In her new role, Emily also leads issues management and brand/reputation communications and is a designated Humber spokesperson.

Amanda Pautler

Interim Executive Director of Public Affairs, University of Toronto

Bio coming soon!