Paul Tsaparis (MBA ’84) has been appointed the Chair of York University’s volunteer Board of Governors. His appointment went into effect on July 1. Joining Tsaparis are new Board of Governors members Francesca Accinelli (BA ’92), Maxwell Gotlieb (BA ’72, LLB ’75, LLM ’97), current bachelor of education student Ilana Lazar, staff member and York PhD candidate Anita Ramjattan (BA ’03, MES ’12) and University Professor George Tourlakis, Lassonde School of Engineering. All were appointed to the board effective July 1.
“As we begin a new academic year, the York University community is delighted to welcome a truly outstanding and accomplished group of individuals to our Board of Governors, including our new Chair, Paul Tsaparis,” said York University President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda L. Lenton. “We appreciate their willingness to serve our community and we welcome the diverse array of skills, experiences and insights they bring to these important roles.”
Paul Tsaparis
Tsaparis’ appointment to the Board of Governors of York University is the culmination of two decades of service to the University and a distinguished 30-year career marked by progressively senior appointments within multinational information technology company Hewlett-Packard, including 12 years as president and CEO of Hewlett-Packard Canada.
“I’m proud to lead York’s volunteer board, who are committed to academic excellence, community connections and building a sustainable future for student success,” said Tsaparis.
His service to York University began in 1998 when he was invited to join the Schulich School of Business Dean’s Advisory Board. In 2012, he joined the school as executive-in-residence, and he serves as a guest lecturer and an adviser to the Master of Business Analytics program. In 2010, he was appointed to the board and has served on multiple committees. He was a member of search committees for York University’s current chancellor and president. Tsaparis also serves as the Chair of the Council of Chairs of Ontario Universities.
Tsaparis has brought and continues to bring his leadership talents to independent school, hospital and industry boards, as well as to the boards of startup technology companies and Indspire, an education foundation dedicated to the success of Indigenous youth. He was honoured in 2004 with an alumni award for his contributions to the Schulich School of Business. He is a past recipient of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 award and in 2013 with a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.
Francesca Accinelli
As a member of the Board of Governors, Accinelli serves as a member of the Academic Resources Committee and the External Relations Committee. A graduate of the School of the Arts, Media, Performance and Design, she began her career as a cultural administrator in theatre before eventually moving into television production.
Accinelli has spent the past 15 years working with producers of film, television and digital media. For the past nine years, she has held progressively senior roles for Telefilm Canada – a federal cultural agency dedicated to developing and promoting the Canadian audiovisual industry. At present, she serves as Telefilm’s director of communications and national promotions. Her previous roles include director of the CMF Program Administration, English market, and deputy director of the Television Business Unit, English market.
During her time at York, Accinelli was a recipient of the Murray Ross Scholarship. She was also active in Vanier College Productions, a student club devoted to musical theatre.
Maxwell Gotlieb
Gotlieb’s appointment to the Board of Governors continues a long history and personal commitment to volunteer work. He is a member of the board’s Land and Property Committee. Currently, he serves as the vice-chair of the Mount Sinai Hospital Foundation, and he is actively involved in several other charitable boards and foundations in Toronto. Previously, he was a member of the board of the Baycrest Hospital Foundation.
In addition to earning three degrees at York University, Gotlieb served as a sessional professor at Osgoode Hall Law School. His history of contributions to the University includes service as a member of the Board of Directors of the former York University Foundation, director of the York to the Power of 50 campaign and a member of the President’s Advisory Council. When York University was the designated recipient of funds raised by the Brazilian Ball in 2006, Gotlieb and his wife co-chaired the event. For his many and varied contributions to the University, he was awarded the Bruce Bryden Alumni Recognition Award in 2007.
Gotlieb is involved in numerous business activities through his family office in the real estate and private equity fields. He is a partner at the law firm of Cassels Brock & Blackwell, LLP, in Toronto, where his areas of expertise include taxation, charity and not-for-profit, and private equity.
Ilana Lazar
Lazar, a current student at York University, is a member of the board’s Academic Resources and Investment Committees.
She is pursuing a bachelor of education degree, paired with a double major BA program in sociology and French. She has been an undergraduate student at York University since 2014. Outside of her university studies, she is a dance teacher.
In her years at York University, Lazar says she has recognized the importance of building a community, whether it is at the University or in neighbouring areas. Her experience in the Faculty of Education has allowed her to recognize the various leadership skills required to become an educator and influencer in her communities.
Anita Ramjattan
A dedicated member of the York University community for 20 years, both in the capacity of a student as well as an employee, Ramjattan serves the board as a member of the Academic Resources and External Relations Committees. She is a senior academic adviser for enrolment in the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies.
An ardent proponent of lifelong learning, Ramjattan is currently working towards her doctorate.
George Tourlakis
Tourlakis is a University Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Lassonde School of Engineering. Tourlakis is a member of the Academic Resources and Land and Property Committees.
His current research interests are logic, computability and complexity, and he is the author of seven books on the subject. An accomplished musician, Tourlakis listens to, or plays, baroque music (violin).
He has a long history of volunteerism at the University that spans more than 20 years. Most notably, he has served in numerous governance roles including as the senate representative on the Board of Governors from 1997-99 and 2010-12, Chair of senate from 1996-97. Tourlakis has served on numerous senate and faculty committees.