EQAO’s work is overseen by its Board of Directors, which is composed of leaders from the education and business community.
Sanjay J. Dhebar, MBA, Chair
Educator, Founder and Author
Sanjay is managing partner of Leonnova, a training and consulting firm, and a faculty member of the Schulich Executive Education Centre and the Schulich School of Business MBA program at York University. He coaches and develops senior leaders in organizations including the Four Seasons Hotel, Siemens, Hoffmann-La Roche, TD Bank, Nielsen Norman Group, Mercedes Benz, Samsung, GlaxoSmithKline, the Dubai Government and Sick Kids Hospital. He uses the case-study methodology in his teachings, drawing on best-practice approaches across sectors. Sanjay has developed a respected process and practical approach called “The Business Workout,” which enables business leaders to achieve better performance and success. Furthermore, Sanjay is an adjunct faculty member at York University’s Schulich School of Business and Schulich Executive Education. Building on his 15 years international teaching experience and his expertise in developing cutting-edge experiential curriculum design, Sanjay has partnered with different universities to re-evaluate their pedagogy and enhance their new programs with current best practices, including the flipped classroom and online learning. In 2019 and 2020, Sanjay was nominated for a Schulich teaching excellence award as a top faculty member. In 2022, Sanjay received the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Community Service pin. In 2018, Sanjay published his first book: Toolbox for Performance Driven Leaders. Sanjay holds a B.A. in public policy from the Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly known as Ryerson University) and an M.B.A. in marketing from the University of Leicester, UK. Recently, Sanjay completed an advanced certificate in digital marketing from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston, along with a train-the-trainer certificate in quality service from Disney.
Yvonne Ruke Akpoveta
Yvonne Ruke Akpoveta is a change management strategist, adviser and change leadership advocate with over 20 years of experience helping public and private sector organizations navigate through change.
She is passionate about helping professionals and organizations both lead and respond to change better and faster, for the greater benefit of society. She believes that change, done right, provides invaluable benefits to stakeholders and the community at large.
Yvonne has worked with organizations such as RBC, TD, Deloitte, Loblaws and JP Morgan Chase to lead and manage their strategic, technology and change initiatives. She is the founder of The Change Leadership, a community focused on preparing leaders, change agents and organizations to lead and respond to change in today’s fast-paced and disruptive business environment.
She holds a B.Sc. honours degree in business information technology from the U.K.’s London Guildhall University, an M.B.A. from Warwick Business School, and a Change Leadership Certificate from Cornell University.
Martyn Beckett, Vice Chair
Martyn Beckett has served in many roles during his career in education, from teacher to school administrator, and from superintendent to director of education. In 2016, he moved to the Ministry of Education in Ontario to serve as assistant deputy minister in the Learning and Curriculum Division and the Student Achievement Division, with responsibilities for curriculum, skilled trades, apprenticeship, leadership and governance, teaching policy and special education, serving in this capacity until 2020. He is currently president of Beckett Education Consulting.
Mr. Beckett holds undergraduate degrees in biology, geology and education, and a Master of Science degree in geology. In addition to his MSc, he holds certificates in strategic leadership from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto, and the Ivey Business School at Western University.
David Belous
David Belous is currently the Chief of Strategic Partnerships and Public Engagement at the Scarborough Health Network. In his role at one of Canada’s largest and most diverse hospital networks, he has innovated the way hospitals partner with community and business to create a healthier future. His prior professional experience includes serving Canada’s 22nd Prime Minister, where David set a new standard for public engagement and spearheaded global trade and diplomatic missions.
Virgina (Ginny) Roth
Ginny Roth is a partner at Crestview Strategy, where she advises multinational corporations, Canadian companies and non-profits on public affairs. She is a sought-after political commentator, appearing as a frequent panelist on major television and radio outlets, and as a contributor to The Hub and The National Post.
Prior to joining the Crestview Strategy team, Ginny worked at Queen’s Park as an organizer for the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario and has been a lifelong political activist. Ginny brings experience as a former staffer and political campaigner, having managed a team of professionals serving clients in every jurisdiction in Canada. Ginny was the recipient of The Peak’s 2021 Emerging Leaders award. Ginny holds a combined honours Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and contemporary studies from the University of King’s College in Nova Scotia. She is former political advisor and long-time activist living in Leslieville, Toronto, with her young family.
Kyle Wilson
Dr. Kyle Wilson is the Director of Information Systems and Chief Privacy Officer at Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health, and he resides in Halton Hills. Previously, Dr. Wilson managed the Research and IT Infrastructure departments at Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (K–12). He has provided in-person and online instruction for over 10 years at Mohawk College, Lambton College and the University of Guelph. His education includes an honours B.Sc. degree and a Ph.D. degree from McMaster University and a M.Sc. degree from Western University. Dr. Wilson’s community involvement includes the German International School in Toronto, Burlington Tennis Club, Alpine Ski Club in Collingwood and YMCA.
Alex Yuan
Alex Yuan founded a successful medical software development company in 1982. He has served on numerous non-profit boards, including as vice-chair of the Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care in 1995 and as the founder of the S’port for Kids charitable foundation in 1997. Alex has been appointed to key positions on the Ontario Job and Investment Board and the Ontario Medical Association’s Ontario Medical Student Bursary Fund Committee. He also served as a Team Richmond Hill Business Ambassador. Alex has received several honours and awards, including the Outstanding Business Achievement award from the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, the Entrepreneur of the Year Award from the Association of Chinese Canadian Entrepreneurs, and recognition from the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond and Platinum Jubilee awards, as well as the Toronto Police Services John Herra Award, among others. Presently, Alex serves as co-chair of the Toronto Police Services Chinese Community Consultative Committee and board chair at the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority for Ontario.
Dan Koenig, Chief Executive Officer
Dan Koenig has served in the former Metro Separate School Board (MSSB) and the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) in a number of roles, including as a teacher, principal, superintendent of curriculum and accountability, superintendent of schools, superintendent of human resources and labour relations, and, most recently, as associate director of academic affairs and chief operating officer.
With more than 37 years of public service in education, Dan is a highly respected educator and a key member of the TCDSB’s senior leadership team. While serving as principal of St. Brendan C.S. in 2007, Dan was selected as one of Canada’s Outstanding Principals. His record of professional experience demonstrates his passion for public education with a student-centric focus, his comprehensive knowledge of the sector and his innovative leadership skills.
Dan obtained his bachelor’s and master of education degrees from the University of Toronto.