CPA Ontario Council

Johanne Belanger, FCPA, FCA, ICD.D

Chair
Retired, Toronto
Council term ends 2027

For 35 years, Johanne has held roles across finance, operations, sales, marketing and management, serving on a variety of industry and not-for-profit boards. Johanne brings a mental health and wellness lens to boardroom discussions, business acumen, risk management, and innovation. With a passion for supporting and mentoring women in business, Johanne has developed a multifaceted skill set throughout her career which she applies to several charitable, corporate and industry organizations.

Dr. Chris Bart, FCPA

Professor Emeritus, Toronto
Council term ends 2029

Dr. Chris Bart, FCPA, is Professor Emeritus of Strategy and Governance at McMaster University and founder of The Directors College of Canada, where he served as inaugural Principal and Lead Professor. He also co-founded the Caribbean Governance Training Institute and Caribbean Institute of Directors. His board service spans corporate, healthcare, educational and community organizations, including vice-chair and governance, audit, compensation and nominating committee roles. An author of eight published books, with two additional books in progress, and more than 190 articles, cases and reviews, he was named a Top 50 Governance Professional by the U.S. National Association of Corporate Directors in 2024.

Nahie Bassett, CPA, BBA, MBA

Chief Procurement Officer/Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Ottawa
Council term ends 2028

Nahie Bassett, CPA, BBA, MBA, has over 25 years of leadership experience in the federal public service, specializing in finance, procurement, accounting and materiel management across multiple departments. She has participated in major organizational transitions, strengthened financial stewardship and advanced talent retention strategies. A dedicated mentor and sponsor, she actively supports women’s leadership and professional growth as the departmental champion for the National Women’s+ Network. With a proven record of strategic insight, business acumen and transformational leadership, Nahie is committed to advancing the CPA profession and ensuring its continued relevance in a rapidly evolving environment.

Cathy R. Cobey, FCPA, FCA

Partner, Ernst & Young LLP, Oakville
Council term ends 2027

As EY’s Global Responsible AI Co-Lead, Cathy Cobey guides corporate executives through the complex business risks related to technology in the Transformative Age, including the ethical and control implications of AI and autonomous systems. She has been involved in the development of EY’s AI Audit methodology and is supporting the AICPA ASEC AI working group to develop a practice aid for Auditing AI. Cathy draws on her experience as a CPA, technology risk practitioner and involvement with the EY Climate Change & Sustainability practice to consider the full spectrum of technological and societal implications of technology transformation.

Chester Dawes, CPA, CA

CFO for Vision Ridge Partners
Council term ends 2027

Chester Dawes is the CFO for Vision Ridge Partners, a private equity firm focused on investing in sustainable real assets. He has over 25 years' experience in financial services and industrial companies.

Past roles include COO & CFO of Palistar Capital, Head of Finance Transformation, Global Wealth and Asset Management for Manulife, and CFO & Treasurer at one of the largest private equity firms in Canada. He also served as CFO (Specialty Funds) and Director, Finance at Brookfield Asset Management and also held progressively senior positions in Canada, Europe and Asia for Husky Technologies. He started his career with Deloitte in Toronto.

Pierrette Dosanjh, CPA, CA

Partner, MNP LLP, Thornhill
Council term ends 2027

Pierrette Dosanjh, CPA, CA, is a Partner in MNP’s Public Companies assurance practice and has 20 years of experience in public practice and industry. Pierrette’s main portfolio consists of asset-based lenders and mortgage investment funds. Pierrette is also a people leader at MNP and is responsible for matters relating to the recruitment and growth of team members. Prior to MNP, Pierrette worked in the accounting policy group of the investment division of an insurance company, where she provided accounting policy advice. In the community, she is a member of the Audit & Finance Committee of the YWCA of Greater Toronto.

John Beck, P.Eng

Aecon Group Inc., Toronto

John Beck is founder and Chairman of Aecon Group Inc. A graduate in Civil Engineering from McGill University, John has more than 50 years of experience in the construction industry in Canada and internationally. He is currently a board member of the Royal Conservatory of Music and has been Co-Chair of the Infrastructure & Urban Development Industries at the World Economic Forum. John is a member of the Advisory Council for the School of Public Policy at the University of Calgary and a member of the Business Council of Canada.

Ginny Dybenko, ICD.D

Retired, Waterloo

Ginny Dybenko has recently retired as Executive Director of the University of Waterloo’s Stratford Campus. She was named one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women for her more than 30 years of corporate experience, which includes serving as Dean of the Wilfrid Laurier School of Business and Economics, supporting technical programs for youth, sitting on numerous boards and championing causes for women in business, such as acting as President and Founder of the Waterloo Chapter of the International Women’s Forum.

Graham T. Parsons, BA (Econ)

Retired, Waterloo

Graham Parsons is a celebrated financial professional with over 30 years of experience. He brought the U.S. Harris business model to Canada, launching BMO Harris Private Banking. As Executive VP of Global Private Banking for BMO Financial Group, he developed private banking services clients in over 50 offices across North America and select Asian markets. Graham is a contributor to numerous charitable initiatives, including child wellness and cultural institutions.

Mardi Witzel, ICD.D, GBC.D, MBA

Chief Executive Officer, PolyML, Waterloo

Mardi is the President and CEO of PolyML, an early-stage Canadian AI and machine learning company focused on the manufacturing and financial sectors. In her role, Mardi is responsible for setting the organization’s strategy and executing the growth plan. Mardi is recognized as an expert in the field of AI Governance, having served as a member of the Province of Ontario’s Expert Working Group for a Trustworthy AI Framework and a member of the AI Ethics Advisory Panel for the Digital Governance Council of Canada.

A Board Director with 20 years’ experience in board governance, stakeholder engagement and strategic planning, Mardi also writes on policy issues relating to AI, ESG and the challenges of innovation and sustainability in the digital economy. She is currently serving a third term as a Public Representative on the Chartered Professional Accountants Ontario (CPA Ontario) Council.