Alumni Relations
RUAA Board of Directors
- Ian Horne, Photographic Arts, '77, RUAA President
- Tyler B. Forkes, Executive Director of Alumni Relations, Ryerson University
- Anthony Biglieri, Urban & Regional Planning '83, RUAA Vice President
- Paul Cheevers, Radio Television Arts '95, RUAA Treasurer & Secretary
- Taras Koulik, Business Management '08, Chair, Academic Program Alumni Associations
- Tom Birchall, Business Administration '73, Director, Regional Branches
- Stephanie Veltmann, Fashion '09, Chair, Shared and Personal Interest Chapters
- Andrea Belvedere, Business Management '10, Chair, Students and Young Alumni
- Dr. David Martin, Hospitality & Tourism Management '77, Director of Ted Rogers School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Ryerson University, Chair, Nominations & Awards
- Pouria Ataei, Electrical and Computer Engineering '09, Liaison to the Board of Governors
- Christine Demetriades, Social Work '09, RUAA, Liaison to the Senate
- Austin Tam, Computer Science '05, RUAA, Liaison Marketing & Communications
- Jon Wylie, Theatre Arts, '83, RUAA, Annual Fund Liaison
- Hala Bissada, Hospitality & Tourism '91, RUAA Director at Large
- Nneka Elliott, Radio Television Arts '06, RUAA Director at Large+
Ian Horne
Photographic Arts, '77
RUAA President
Ian attended Ryerson with the goal of becoming a biological photographer. In pursuit of that goal he obtained a B.Tech. in Photographic Arts in 1977 and then returned to complete a BSc. in Biology from the University of Victoria in 1978. Following graduation from UVic he began a career in the mining industry as an environmental impact assessment biologist and a photographer, living in Port Hardy B.C. Over the next 18 years Ian worked days as a biologist and evenings and weekends as a small town photographer taking on assignments including weddings, family portraits, commercial and industrial assignments. It was not exactly what he had envisioned while at Ryerson but fulfilling none-the-less. Ian joined the Professional Photographers Association of British Columbia (PPABC) and Professional Photographers of Canada (PPOC) in 1985. He also served as a Director and Chairman of the District of Port Hardy Harbours and Planning Commission and as a Director and Chairman of the Northern Vancouver Island Salmonid Enhancement Association for many years.
Ian moved his family to the Toronto area in 1997 to continue his career in environmental management for mining. Soon after settling in he joined Toastmasters and has recently achieved his Advanced Communicator Gold designation. From 2000 to 2003, he held the Chair of the Environmental Society for the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metalurgy (CIM) and has served on the executive of the CIM Toronto Branch. Since 2001, Ian has been teaching a course called Environmental Management for Mining at the University of Toronto Lassonde Mineral Engineering Program. He is currently employed as the Director, Environmental Affairs for FNX Mining Company Inc. which requires spending time in both Toronto and Sudbury. Currently, his photographic activity is limited to recreational pursuits as he is now officially a retired member of the PPOC.
Tyler B. Forkes
Executive Director of Alumni Relations, Ryerson University
Tyler Forkes is Executive Director of Alumni Relations at Ryerson University in Toronto. He joined Ryerson in January, 2006, and is in the midst of implementing a new Strategic Plan for the Alumni Relations Office.
Prior to coming to Ryerson, Tyler was the Alumni Relations Coordinator at St. Lawrence College, where he had previously served as the Director of Athletics.
He is the Past President of the Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education's (CCAE) Ontario Branch, Chaired the Alumni Relations track for the CCAE National Conference in Ottawa in 2006, and has presented at a number of conferences and workshops. In addition, he has been engaged with his own alma mater, and is a Past-President of the Queen's University Alumni Association.
Tyler enjoys playing guitar, and has an active streak of everyday running dating back to January 1, 1991.
Anthony Biglieri
Urban & Regional Planning '83
RUAA, Vice President
Anthony Biglieri is the President of The Biglieri Group Ltd. (Planning and Project Management Consulting Company) and The Living Wall Inc. (An Ecological Sound Barrier and Fencing Solution) Anthony is the founder and past Chair of the Ryerson Planning Alumni Association (RPA) for the last ten years. Among the many accomplishments of the RPA, are the group's annual newsletters featuring stories and updates from the School of Urban and Regional Planning and their annual Spring Reception for Urban and Regional Planning alumni and industry professionals. Anthony's company - The Living Wall Inc. was awarded the Green Toronto Award for Green Design in 2008. Anthony enjoys coaching hockey, swimming and soccer.
Paul Cheevers
Radio Television Arts, 1995
RUAA Treasurer & Secretary
Paul E. Cheevers is a Vice President and Broker at Lennard Commercial Realty. His is consistently recognised as one of the top GTA commercial real estate brokers for public institutions and private companies providing expert commercial real estate advice for both sales and leasing projects.
Paul is a proud alumnus of Ryerson University, graduating in 1995 with a degree from the school of Radio and Television Arts. Paul has served as an Alumni representative on the Board of Governors. As well, he co-organised the Idea Exchange for Sustainable Real Estate, a student essay competition for Ryerson Students on behalf of the Greater Toronto Chapter of NAIOP Commercial Real Estate Development Association. During his time as a student, he was President of the Students’ Union and was elected to serve students as a member of the Board of Governors and the Senate.
Paul enjoys playing squash and running at the Ryerson Athletics Complex. He has traveled and volunteered with orphanages, schools and churches located in Africa, Australasia, Europe, Central America, South America and the Middle East.
Taras Koulik
Business Management, 2008
Chair, Academic Program Alumni Associations
Since graduation, Taras has gained professional experience working in venture capital, management consulting and tech start-ups. He is presently a JD/MBA candidate (Class of 2015) within Osgoode Hall Law School and Schulich School of Business, where he is actively involved in the student community.
Taras is the vice president, external of the Osgoode IP/IT club, co-president of the Osgoode Liberals, and 1st year representative and incoming vice president, external for the JD/MBA Students Association. Additionally, Taras is a Clinic Fellow within the Innovation Clinic of IP Osgoode, where he helps growing Canadian technology companies through assistance and advisory services in the commercialization process.
During Taras’s academic years at Ryerson, he worked as a teaching assistant within the Business faculty, served as a student representative on the Senate, as Director of Business within the Ryerson's Student Union and as VP Corporate Relations within the Ryerson Commerce Society.
In his spare time, Taras enjoys bouldering, jogging and volunteering within the democratic electoral process.
Tom Birchall
Business Administration '73
RUAA, Director, Regional Branches
Tom, a 1973 Ryerson graduate in business administration, retired in 2005 after spending 32 years with the CIBC in a variety of banking positions working primarily with small and medium sized companies. Concurrently with his banking career, Tom also served as a reserve officer in 48th Highlanders of Canada. Following retirement Tom has continued to be active in his community as the Past President, The Scots, North British Society (A philanthropic organization), Past President Royal United Services Institute (Nova Scotia) (a military advocacy group) and currently serves as the President of the Nova Scotia Curling Association and President of his condominium corporation. In 2012 Tom was a recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition of his work with DND, Veterans’ Affairs and the treatment of veterans. Tom and his wife, Christine, currently live in a small fishing village on Canada’s east coast. They have three children and 2 grandchildren living across the country and love to travel.
Stephanie Veltmann
Fashion Communications '09, Ryerson University
Chair, Shared and Personal Interest Chapters
Stephanie Veltmann acts as the Women's Hockey Alumni Ambassador promoting the new program throughout the Ryerson community and engaging alumni. Most recently, she has joined the RUAA as Director of the Committee on Shared Interest Groups.
A graduate of the Fashion Communications program ('09), Veltmann has developed her career in design and branding - having worked as an Art Director and now holding the position of Brand Manager at Caulfeild Apparel Group.
During her time at Ryerson, Veltmann pioneered the development of the university's new women's hockey program by recruiting, coaching and promoting a group of dedicated student athletes who shared her passion for bringing the sport back to Ryerson.
Andrea Belvedere
Business Management '10
Chair, Students and Young Alumni
Andrea Belvedere recently completed her Bachelor of Commerce as a Marketing Major in the Ted Rogers School of Management. Andrea has been actively involved in Ryerson University as the President of SIFE (Students In Free Enterprise) Ryerson, the VP, Business Development for the Ryerson Entrepreneur Institute (REI) and the Co-Founder and Director of SAGE (Students for the Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship) Canada. Under Andrea's two-year leadership, SIFE Ryerson directly impacted over 7,900 individuals; created over $20,000,000 in new economic opportunity; had an operating budget of over $500,000; became active in 15 countries; grew to 104 active members that ran 7 programs, 34 projects and over 80 events in 2008 - 2009 alone; and received the support of 57 strategic partner organizations. Andrea led her SIFE team to win 15 awards including 2 National Championships and 3 Regional Championships.
Andrea led the formation of the Ryerson Entrepreneur Institute (REI) - the only student-run entrepreneurship centre in Canada and possibly the world. REI helped start over 35 new student and alumni-led companies and provided them with access to over $1.3M in awards, loans, and equity financing. The creation of SAGE Canada enables high school students to create economic opportunity and a positive social impact through local and global projects and initiatives.
Dr. David Martin
Hospitality & Tourism Management '77
Director of Ted Rogers School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Ryerson University
RUAA, Chair, Nominations & Awards
David Martin (Bachelor of Applied Arts (BAA), in Hospitality and Tourism Management Ryerson University; Masters of Science (MS) in Service Quality Management Rochester Institute of Technology; Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA), University of Sarasota, Florida .Tenured Associate Professor in the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management Faculty of Business Ryerson University. His teaching and research expertise is in Customer Service Management, Business Simulations and Culinary Tourism.
His research has been published in the Journal of Hospitality and Leisure Marketing; Journal of Travel Research and The Journal of Applied Hospitality Management.
He has consulted with the Royal Bank, J. W. Marriott Corporation, and Cendant Corporation. in the development of customer satisfaction measurement tools and executive development training programs in service management. He has developed and delivered for Delta Hotels and Accor Hotels and Resorts management training programs using a real-time computerized simulation program. The emphasis of this training is a balance approach to operations management that includes both financial as well as service management strategies to running a successful hotel operation.
He is a lecturer in Service Quality and Strategic Management for the MBA Hospitality and Tourism Management Program at the University of Guelph and the MS Hotel and Restaurant Program at Rochester Institute of Technology (Kosovo, Coratia, and Dominican Republic Campuses).
He is member of the Ontario Culinary Steering Committee Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Member of SirCorp's Education Advisory Committee, Member, Canadian Hospitality Foundation Board Member, Editorial Advisory Member for the International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management.
Pouria Ataei
Electrical and Computer Engineering '09
Liaison to the Board of Governors
Pouria Ataei was elected to Ryerson University's Board of Governors in 2011 for a three year term. Mr. Ataei graduated in 2009 with a Bachelor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Pouria received an award of academic excellence from Ryerson University. He then pursed his master degree in Medical Physics and Radiation Sciences at McMaster University, where he was elected as the graduate student representative on McMaster's Board of Governors. He also held a seat on the Finance Committee of McMaster University. Pouria Ataei is a co-founder of Advanced Education, a non-profit organization which trains Canadian high school Students to become leaders of tomorrow.
Christine Demetriades
Social Work, 2009
RUAA, Liaison to the Senate
Christine Demetriades (B.S.W., 2009) is pleased to serve on the RUAA Board of Directors, as Liaison to the Senate, where she holds the position of Alumni Senator.
During Christine’s academic years at Ryerson, she served as the Faculty of Community Services representative to the Senate Appeals Committee, worked as a Research Assistant within her Faculty, and founded a non-profit initiative which, to the present day, provides Toronto based organizations with resources for their service-users.
Since graduating in 2009, Christine has spent her summers working for the Regional Municipality of Peel, where she advised a diversity of clientele on financial and interpersonal matters pursuant to their Ontario Works files. In 2009 and 2010, she co-led a participatory research project directed to youth in receipt of social assistance.
Christine is presently continuing her education at Osgoode Hall Law School (J.D. program), where she has served as duty counsel to the school’s legal clinic, and was awarded a bursary to study international law at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
In her spare time, Christine enjoys reading, jogging, and volunteering with various community organizations.
Austin Tam
Computer Science, 2005
RUAA, Liaison Marketing & Communications
Austin is Director, Product Management at Work.com, a division of Salesforce.com where he's helping to redefine the way people work. This division grew out of the acquisition of Rypple, a social performance platform used by innovative companies such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Gilt Groupe, Kobo and Spotify. Prior to joining Rypple as an early employee, he's worked at Workbrain developing rich web-based enterprise applications. He's also worked for IBM where he designed and built web-based team scheduling and collaboration tools.
During his time at Ryerson, Austin's worked as a Teaching Assistant and was a Student Representative on the Academic Council. He's very passionate about technology and vocal about the benefits of co-op. In his spare time, Austin enjoys martial arts, sports and all things geek.
Jon Wylie
Theatre Arts, 1983
RUAA, Annual Fund Liaison
Jon joined Alexander Proudfoot in January 1987 as a consultant, and is the Chief Operating Officer for the Global Mining and Metals Practice. As COO Global Mining & Metals, Jon oversees all Proudfoot natural resource, client engagements. He is considered an industry go-to consultant whom senior executives from the likes of DeBeers and Vale Inco contact for support and guidance. His consulting highlights include leading the cultural and operational turnaround of a major integrated mining and smelting operation in Indonesia, moving from 165 million pounds produced to 200+ million pounds.
Some of Jon’s many clients have included Anglo American, Vale Inco, BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto, Newmont Gold Corp., Freeport McMoRan, De Beers, Gold Fields, Inmet Mining, Teck, New Gold, Lonrho Platinum, and Minsur amongst many others. Jon has worked across the globe from Arctic Canada & Russia, to the Northern Territories of Australia, from Indonesia & Africa, to Chile and Peru.
Hala Bissada
Hospitality & Tourism '91
RUAA Director at Large
Hala Bissada is an international award-winning event-producer and one of Canada's foremost event fundraisers with 19 years of experience.
Prior to establishing Hala Events and Communications Inc., an international events firm, Hala spent 5 years with SickKids Foundation (the fundraising arm of one of the top three pediatric hospitals in the world) where she managed several complex events including The 10th Annual Sick Kids Telethon, raising $5 million and the Wishing Well Lottery, the first mega-hospital lottery in Ontario, Canada netting $5.2 million. She also won her first national industry award (AHP Development Showcase Award) for her work on Miracles in Motion (Canada's largest step-aerobathon) in 1995.
As Chief Development Officer for the Children's Aid Foundation from 1996-2004, Hala increased revenue from $500,000 net to $3.8 million net. As part of her portfolio, Hala executed the following high profile events: The Teddy Bear Affair, The Women's Golf Classic, The Golf Classic and the EZ Rock Radiothon.
Since establishing Hala Events & Communications Inc. in 2004, Hala has won 6 international awards, 4 national awards and 5 provincial awards for her innovative work.
Hala was a member of the Advisory Committee that developed the Humber School of Media Studies and Technology, Fundraising Certificate Program and she also taught the Special Event course for four years. Hala is a part-time instructor at Ryerson University and has recently developed a new Special Event Certificate Program that will launch in September of 2011. She sat on the Board of the Association of Fund Raising Professionals for three years, chaired the 2003 Fundraising Day Conference, and is a much sought-after speaker.
Hala holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Ryerson University and is a Certified Fund Raising Executive. In 2003, she was nominated for Canada's national newspaper's (the Globe & Mail) Top 40 Under 40 award and for the 2008 and 2010 Royal Bank of Canada's Women Entrepreneur of the Year. Hala has also been selected as a prestigious 2010 Ryerson University's Alumni Achievement winner.
Hala was recently selected as one of the twenty Canadian contributing authors for the first Canadian Fundraising Textbook being published by Civil Sector Press.
On a personal note, Hala completed an Ironman in 2004 and loves to ride her motorcycle.
Nneka Elliott
Radio Television Arts, 2006
Director-at-large, Ryerson University Alumni Association
At just 28 years old Nneka Elliott has solidified herself as a force to be reckoned within Canada’s broadcast industry. Nneka has held such roles as reporter and anchor at CFRB Radio, national weather broadcaster for The Weather Network and most notably as a reporter, anchor and weather specialist at CP24 news. Nneka is a versatile broadcaster with a great sense of humor and a natural ability to make audiences comfortable and want to watch more. She brings youth and enthusiasm but at the same time a professionalism and credibility well beyond her years.
Never one to shy away from a challenge, Nneka has taken on a new role as the president and founder of The Media Huddle. Through The Media Huddle Nneka supports budding media professionals by facilitating industry focused events, internship allocation and training. All in an effort to help them find greater success in an ever-changing media industry.
Although a native of Quebec, Nneka spent her formative years on the island of St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the Caribbean. She remains well connected to her community, sharing knowledge on the importance of setting goals and staying motivated. For this she was featured on the city of Toronto’s Black History Month poster in 2009 and is one of Ryerson University's Top 30 alumni under 30. Nneka lends her time to many charity and non for profit organizations including the Stepstone's mentoring programme and sits on Ryerson University’s alumni association board of directors. These days you can still see Nneka on air as a freelancer for CTV news. Follow her @nnekaelliott or @mediahuddle
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