Governance

Dr. David Ross is SAIT's 16th president. Under Dr. Ross' leadership, SAIT has become Alberta's third-largest post-secondary institution. SAIT is known internationally for its action-based applied education, solution-focused research and enterprising collaborations with people and partners from around the globe.

Prior to joining SAIT in March 2013, Dr. Ross was President and CEO of Langara College, and Vice President Administration and CFO at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Dr. Ross brings more than 30 years of post-secondary experience across several provinces to SAIT.

President during SAIT’s centennial in 2016, he has now launched the first strategic plan of the institution’s second century, New World. New Thinking. The plan sets a transformational course for the future and is part of the institution’s proactive approach to rapidly changing job skill requirements.

Most recently, Dr, Ross chaired the Alberta Skills to Job Task Force as the province adapts to new economic realities and develops the next generation of talent. He also chaired the Canadian Bureau for International Education. Nationally, he has been a board participant for the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), Polytechnics Canada and the Business Higher Education — Business Roundtable.

Currently, he is a board member of Colleges and Institutes Canada (CiCan), the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and sits on international boards for the League for Innovation, the Global Education Network and the Global Applied Education Network. In Calgary, his board experience includes Calgary Economic Development and the Calgary Homeless Foundation.

Dr. Ross holds a PhD from the University of Nebraska, a Master of Aquaculture (MAq) from Simon Fraser University, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Dalhousie University and a Bachelor of Science (BSc) from Dalhousie University.

With more than 30 professional years in the higher education sector, Roy Daykin brings a wealth of knowledge and post-secondary experience to the role of Chief Financial Officer and Vice President, Corporate Services.

As a key member of SAIT's Executive Management Team, Daykin oversees SAIT's finances, human resources, technology, athletics and recreation, campus operations, and capital planning to ensure efficient and effective operations continue to be in alignment with SAIT's students-first mandate.

Prior to joining SAIT in 2018, Daykin was Vice President, Employee and Corporate Services at Okanagan College, President & CEO pro-tem and Vice President, Administration & Community Engagement at Langara College. He has extensive institutional leadership experience in finance, human resources, facilities, technology, risk management and business services.

Currently, he is chair, finance and audit committee and board member of the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) and fills the same role for Cybera, Alberta’s not-for profit technology accelerator. He has previously been board chair of the BC’s Post-Secondary Employers’ Association, chair, audit committee and board member of BCNet, College Pension Plan board member and various other charitable boards and provincial committees throughout his career.

Daykin is a Certified Professional Accountant (CPA). He also holds a Master of Arts in Leadership and Training from Royal Roads University.

Daykin is committed to lifelong learning. His scholarly activity includes teaching experience in accounting and numerous research projects, presentations and studies on topics such as improving cost structures, business process improvement, and understanding cost relationships in the post-secondary sector.

Tom Bornhorst joined SAIT in 2000 as an instructor in our School of Hospitality and Tourism after a decade in senior positions in the hotel industry

Rising to the position of Dean, Bornhorst elevated the school’s profile and reputation by hiring some of the best local and international chefs and instructors and by attracting students from around the world.

As a driving force behind the school’s expansion of living classrooms — including the Culinary Campus, Jackson Henuset Memorial Garden, The Market Place, The Tastemarket by SAIT, and The Michelle O’Reilly Charcuterie Lab – Bornhorst helped the school become the only one in Canada to make CEO World Magazine’s Top 50 ranking.

In 2017, Bornhorst assumed the role of Associate Vice President, Learner and Academic Services. Under his leadership, SAIT expanded its youth programming, launched a digital learning strategy and rolled out strategies for student mental health and Indigenous learners.

Bornhorst has a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Hotel Resort Management from the Haskayne School of Business, and a Diploma in Hotel Restaurant Management from SAIT. He is past chair of the Board of Directors for the Telus Convention Centre and is affiliated with EAB (formerly the Education Advisory Board), University Professional and Continuing Education Association, Academic Impressions, Canadian Association of College and University, and Polytechnics Canada.

Heather Magotiaux brings 20 years of executive leadership from the health and advanced education sectors to SAIT. Her talents in strategic communications, resource development and reputation management have made her an award-winning strategist and allowed her to be a results-oriented leader who builds high-performing teams.

As Vice President at SAIT, she supports the student journey from recruitment through to alumni engagement. Magotiaux is a passionate advocate for equity, diversity and inclusion and oversees that office along with the Office of the Ombudsperson, Office of Community Conduct, Strategic Planning and Enrolment Management, Office of the Registrar, Marketing, Communications, and Alumni & Development.

Previously Magotiaux served as CEO of the Saskatchewan Health and Research Foundation; Vice President, University Advancement at the University of Saskatchewan; and Vice President, Advancement at Saint Francis Xavier University.

Mark Butler brings more than 20 years of leadership experience from the advanced education sector to SAIT. His background in international marketing, business development and strategic partnerships has led him to participate in projects in Australia, Belize, Bahamas, India, Portugal, Palestine, and Tanzania.

As Vice President at SAIT, Butler leads a portfolio including Applied Research, Corporate Training, Business Intelligence and Analytics, International Projects and Business Operations, Centre for Continuing Education and Professional Studies, and SAIT’s International Centre. His responsibilities include local, national and international business development, partnerships and revenue diversification.

Butler joined SAIT in 2017 as Director, International Centre before being promoted in 2019 to Associate Vice President, International. Previously he served as Director of International Education for Bow Valley College; Director, International and Distance Learning for Lakeland College; and Director of Extension Services at Lakeland College.

Butler holds an Executive MBA from Athabasca University and a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Calgary.

Prior to his extensive leadership roles, Butler taught a variety of Business and Management courses at Lakeland College and has developed and/or delivered many educational management and leadership projects, programs and courses. Butler was a Municipal Councillor for the Town of Vermilion for 3 years and has served on various Provincial and National Committees. Most recently representing AB/NWT on Colleges and Institutes Canada’s International Advisory Committee.