Looking to strengthen and expand its membership, the ORANO Board of Directors this month welcomes two new members, bringing a new set of skills and expertise to the Board as it turns to the next phase of the ORION network.

The Optical Regional Advanced Network of Ontario (ORANO) owns and operates the ORION network.

President of Toronto’s George Brown College Anne Sado, and former Director of Education with the North Bay Area School Board, Robert J. Kennedy join ORANO’s Board this month, for three-year terms.

Ms. Sado, appointed to George Brown in January of this year, has a proven track record in managing large organizations and building strategic partnerships. Most recently, she was Senior Vice-President, Business Processes and Operational Effectiveness at Bell Canada. She holds a degree in Industrial Engineering and an MBA from the University of Toronto. Among a long list of volunteer activities, Ms. Sado has been involved with Junior Achievement, the Trillium Health Centre, the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers, the University of Toronto and Ryerson University.

Robert J. Kennedy PhD. brings a unique perspective to the Board, with a broad background in Ontario’s educational sector. Former Director of Education for the North Bay Area School Board, he served as President of the Canadian Association of School Administrators and the Ontario Public Supervisory Officers Association. Most recently an executive member of the Council of Regents for Ontario Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology, and Chair and Governor of North Bay’s Canadore College of Applied Arts and Technology between 1992 and 1998, Dr. Kennedy is currently an educational consultant for Apple Canada. He holds a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction.

Board Chair, Dr. Ross Paul, President and Vice Chancellor of Windsor University notes the new members bring an ideal combination of private and public sector leadership and experience to the board.

While welcoming the two new members, ORANO regrets the resignation of Ottawa’s Shawn Ling, President of Venture4word Consulting Inc. Among the founding members of the ORANO Board, and bringing a strong private-sector perspective to the board’s deliberations, Ling played a key role in helping ORANO achieve its objectives, said Dr. Paul.

“ORANO is at a pivotal time in its short history,” he said. ”Under Phil Baker’s leadership, we have achieved all we set out to do in setting up the network. Now, the key challenges are to promote the tremendous opportunities it offers to higher educational institutions, researchers and the private sector, and achieve sustainable development.”

Other ORANO Board members include former Fleming College President Brian Desbiens, York University’s VP of Research and Innovation Stan Shapson, and Contact North CEO Maxim Jean-Louis.