Campaign Leadership

It takes leadership to Defy Gravity.

Introducing the visionary team of volunteer leaders spearheading Defy Gravity: The Campaign for the University of Toronto and helping us realize our ambitious goals.

Honorary Chairs

Our Honorary Chairs include some of Canada’s leading philanthropists and U of T’s most esteemed benefactors:

Leslie Dan (’54, ’59, ’97)
The Hon. Henry N. R. Jackman (’53, ’56, ’93, ’11)
Arthur S. Labatt (’11) and Sonia H. Labatt (’60, ’90, ’95, ’11)
Michael Lee-Chin (’07)
The Hon. Margaret Norrie McCain (’55, ’96, ’04)
Sandra A. Rotman (’75, ’07)
Susan Scace (’63, ’03, ’13)
Gerald Schwartz (’16) and Heather Reisman (’21)
James and Louise Temerty
Helen Vari (’11)

Campaign Co-Chairs

Our Campaign Co-chairs are passionate and accomplished business and community leaders who will guide a coalition of campaign volunteers devoted to inspiring the highest level of support for U of T’s excellence and aspirations.

John M. Cassaday (’81, ’17), Co-Chair, 2021-24
Claire M. C. Kennedy (’89), Co-Chair, 2021-24
Brian D. Lawson (’82), Co-Chair, 2024-27
Som Seif (’99), Co-Chair, 2024-27

Campaign Steering Committee

Our Steering Committee includes a wide range of prominent leaders who serve as a sounding board, providing strategic advice to help us engage the University’s diverse base of alumni, donors, and friends.

John M. Cassaday  (’81, ’17)
Noble C. Chummar
Michael Dan  (’84, ’18)
Victor G. Dodig  (’88) 
William A. Downe  (’78, ’18)
Meric Gertler
Ira Gluskin  (’64)
Mitchell Goldhar
Blake C. Goldring  (’81)
Daisy Chiu-Fung Ho  (’90) 
The Hon. Henry N. R. Jackman  (’53, ’56, ’93, ’11)
Claire M. C. Kennedy  (’89) 
Mark Krembil  (’88) 
Brian D. Lawson  (’82)
The Hon. Margaret Norrie McCain  (’55, ’96, ’04) 
George Myhal  (’78, ’18)
David Palmer 
Rose M. Patten  (’09) 
The Hon. David Peterson  (’67, ’94) 
Richard D. Phillips  (’90) 
Susan Scace  (’63, ’03, ’13) 
Som Seif  (’99)  
Sachin  Shah  (’99) 
Leah Temerty-Lord