Board of Directors
Steve Hatajlo
President, Dawson Foundation
President & CEO, Faxinating Solutions Inc.
Dawson College Class of 1981 (Computer Science)
“I began my career as a as COBOL programmer at the Mercantile Bank of Canada in 1979. While working there, I earned a data processing diploma from Dawson College. I have worked in many capacities, from developer to project manager. My focus has been on helping organizations to develop and deliver creative and valuable applications, ranging from Foreign Exchange to MRP. In 1990, I founded Faxinating Solutions. I have led the development of multiple e-commerce solutions, which provide our clients with alternatives to eliminate costly manual and paper-based processes. I am an active member of the Dawson College Board of Governors, a board member of the West Island Association for the Intellectually Handicapped (WIAIH) and an active member of the New England Electronic Commerce Users Group (NEECOM).”
Domenic Di Franco
Vice-President, Dawson Foundation
District Vice President, TD Bank
Dawson College Class of 1985 (Commerce)
“Since joining TD in 1994, I have worked in numerous areas of business banking in Montreal and in Toronto. As a graduate of Dawson College, I am excited to be working with a group of committed individuals to bring the Foundation to the next level of its development. I am motivated by the belief that our work will greatly benefit our current and future students.”
Ursula Cabral
Vice-President, Dawson Foundation
Communications Counsellor, College Advancement, Dawson College
“Helping individuals and organizations succeed is the passion and purpose of my life. Today, I am proud to work for the advancement of Dawson College, and to belong to this family of thinkers. At Dawson, we are constantly pursuing innovation, excellence and well-being for all. The engagement of our internal and external community is what makes it possible to go above and beyond the traditional model of education to transform society.”
Bruno Valenčak
Treasurer, Dawson Foundation
Partner, Berger Chartered Professional Accountants Corporation Inc.
Dawson College Class of 1975 (Business Administration)
Chris Adam
Board Member, Dawson Foundation
Coordinator, Sustainability Office, Dawson College
“My first 30 years at Dawson were spent as a teacher in the Community Recreation and Leadership Training (CRLT) Program. I have always been in love with nature and have dedicated a great part of my life to engaging students, educators and communities in building a more sustainable world and working for well-being for all. Our Sustainability team is focused on sharing our Living Campus platform and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals. We only have a short amount of time for decisive action to slow down climate change. I believe we can be more effective in this work with the mobilization of partners in the greater community. The Dawson Foundation is a way to amplify and multiply the good work being done at Dawson and attract more people to advance these important projects.”
Richard Filion
Board Member, Dawson Foundation
Retired Director General (2005-2020), Dawson College
“I have given my whole career to college education. The last 15 years have been devoted to Dawson College as Director General. The Dawson community has taught me many things. Still new on the job, the tragedy of 2006 demonstrated to me, and to the whole world, the community’s generosity of spirit and unbreakable determination. We dedicated ourselves to offering our students a learning experience that makes a real difference in their lives, enriches them and helps them to become better humans. Out of this commitment came a desire to advance well-being for all and sustainability. Innovation and excellence, creativity and critical thinking continue to be fostered at Dawson with new projects, such as our AI Initiative, Living Campus and so many others. I invite you to join me in building a better future for the next generation.”
Diane Gauvin
Board Member, Dawson Foundation
Director General, Dawson College
John Nathaniel Gertler
Board Member, Dawson Foundation
Student, Environmental Studies
“As an active member of the Green Earth Club, an environmentalist, an activist and a student athlete on the Division 1 Dawson Blues Basketball team I believe I offer a unique perspective to the Dawson College Foundation. I’m excited to be working with the Foundation first and foremost because I care, I care about the planet and I care about people. I have strong rooted values that guide me and a lot of what the Foundation does is in line with those values, whether it be supporting others, sustainability or well-being for all.”
Élaine Lalonde, MA, CFRE
Board Member, Dawson Foundation
Senior Consultant, Global Philanthropic Canada
“As the proud parent of a recent Dawson graduate (who loved her program at the College), I am thrilled to join the Dawson Foundation. Throughout my career as a fundraising professional, I have developed expertise in capital campaigns, management of foundations, governance of not-for-profits, and special fundraising events. I am proud to assist the Dawson Foundation in increasing its revenues to assist Dawson and its staff and students in their educational journey.”
Amy Leitner
Board Member, Dawson Foundation
President, Leitner Consulting for Seniors
Dawson College Class of 1976 (Literature and Languages)
“I work for families who are facing challenges with their aging parents. I offer and implement solutions, while maintaining the dignity of seniors and reducing the stress on their children.
I am a Dawson Grad, and my time as a student at Dawson was memorable. I benefited from great professors and a wonderful ambiance. I have seen Dawson evolve into one of the best academic institutions in Quebec. I am proud of Dawson’s embrace of diversity, and its commitment to providing well-educated and socially responsible graduates. I want to help Dawson continue training our future leaders and strengthening its vital role in our community.”
Claudia Mastrocola
Board Member, Dawson Foundation
Event Manager, Fondation communautaire Canadienne-Italienne
Dawson College Class of 2013 (CRLT)
“I learned a lot during my time at Dawson about myself and what career path was right for me. That is when my passion for organizing events blossomed. As an event planner, I have organized a wide variety of events from festivals to fundraising events. I am excited to do my part in giving back to the community by sharing my skills with the Dawson Foundation to help support our students.”
Steve Merling
Board Member, Dawson Foundation
Chief Events Officer (C.E.O.), The Eventure Group
Dawson College Class of 2001 (Creative Arts)
“I spent some of my most formative years at Dawson College. Today, as CEO of The Eventure Group, one of Canada’s leading event production agencies, I have taken much of what I learned as a Creative Arts and Communications student at Dawson, and have applied it to my day-to-day business life. I look forward to being able to continue to promote Dawson’s growth and continuity through my involvement on its Foundation’s board.”
Billi-Jo Poirier
Board Member, Dawson Foundation
Recreation Technician, Campus Life and Leadership, Dawson College
Dawson College Class of 1992 (CRLT)
“I came to do a DEC in the Campus Recreation and Leadership Training Program in 1988 and I’m still here! As a technician on the Campus Life and Leadership team, I work closely with our students. These young women and men give me hope and motivate my commitment to Dawson College every day.”
Elaine Rosenberg
Board Member, Dawson Foundation
President, Rosenberg Attorney
Dawson College Class of 1989 (Social Science)
“Through my boutique legal advisory firm, I focus on the needs of business owners located in the West Island. The firm’s mission is to advise and assist West Island business people in the negotiation, execution and implementation of various contractual agreements entered as a result of a new or existing business relationship. As an alumna, I try to bring these skills to bear on the Foundation and its operations.”
Sean Smith, Eng.
Board Member, Dawson Foundation
Technology Entrepreneur, VOZWIN, Inc.
Dawson College Class of 2001 (Pure and Applied Science)
“I am a proud Montrealer and Dawson College alumnus. My professional life is focused on helping people, businesses and organizations reach their full potential. I do this by creating technologies that amplify human abilities. I am dedicating my time to the Dawson Foundation because I believe that education gives us knowledge that helps us transform our world into a better place.”
