International Men's Day 2021

Don Lovisa, BA, MIM 

Don Lovisa is President of Durham College, a position he has held for the past twelve years of his more than 30 year career in post-secondary education. 

He is a strong advocate for the college system and changing lives through learning, in and out of the classroom.  He believes that DC is successful because of its dedication to students, employees, and its strong community connections.

In this position, Don leads a talented group of more than 2,400 full and part-time employees dedicated to Leading the Way in the delivery of transformative, experiential education.  Durham College has thrived under Lovisa’s leadership, growing to more than 13,500 full-time, post-secondary and apprenticeship students and over 30,000 students in total. 

Lovisa is considered a leader within the college system and the broader provincial and national community. He is currently a Director on the Board of Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan), past Chair of Colleges Ontario (CO), and is a member of the Education Committee of the Black North Initiative (BNI). 

Lovisa takes great pride in Durham College being a GTA Top Employer for nine years in a row and one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for 4 years.

His track record of success was recognized when he received the Business Person of the Year Award in 2017 from the Oshawa Chamber of Commerce and the Business Achievement Award in 2011 from the Whitby Chamber of Commerce, among other awards.

Lovisa has a Master’s degree in International Management, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology, a diploma in Adult Education and has completed the course work for a PhD in Community College Leadership.

Dwight Townsend, Healthcare Leader

Dwight Townsend is a consultative leader with a successful track record in delivering strategies, stakeholders engagements and partnerships in the health care, business, and academic space.

During his tenure, he managed the Ontario Provincial Health Strategy; including implementation and dissemination across the province. As former Deputy Registrar at the College of Dental Technologists of Ontario, he provided leadership on health care policy matters, manages legislation interpretation and application consistent with the Regulated Health Professions’ Act; he further led matters pertaining to the credentialing and equitable access for Regulated Health Care Professionals entering Canada with the Office of the Fairness Commissioner.

Mr. Townsend served on the senior management teams at Mount Sinai Hospital, and the University Health Network (UNH). 

As one of the principal director at Gomedics Health, he manages COVID-19 planning and logistics pertaining to transportation and implementation of Public Health compliance measures for racialized populations and communities.

Mr. Townsend  is founder and Chair of The Health Research Council for People of African Descent in recognition of the Decade for People of African descent.

He holds a Bachelors of Health Studies degree from York University; Masters of Leadership & interdisciplinary Studies, Royal Roads University; and is currently completing a Maters of Law at Osgoode Hall Law School.

Mr. Townsend’s scholarship focuses on health and Afrocentric education. He consults on

Board governance, curriculum development, and education engagement as it pertains to racialization, diversity and inclusion. A husband and father, he provides education mentorship to at-risk youth, and enjoys bringing external industry experiences and opportunities into the academic space.

Tanner Ellis Ferris, 2SLGBTQ+ advocate

Tanner Ferris is a Corporate Travel Manager with Flight Centre Travel Group, is a board member on multiple theatrical companies, is a member with PFLAG Durham NW, has a successful Drag career,  and continues to perform regularly whilst starting his own not-for- profit Arts Centre. Tanner’s life experiences have provided a range of perspectives on the world. A passion for performance art led him to York University where he studied in the Bachelors of Fine Arts Contemporary Modern Dance Program. Following University, Tanner successfully navigated life’s insanity, seizing opportunities and following avenues for  ‘self established’ success which he credits for helping to developing the resilient person he is today.

Ray Zahab, Explorer, Global Speaker, Founder - Impossible2possible

Ray Zahab is a Canadian Explorer, ultra distance runner and Founder of non-profit impossible2Possible. A recent recipient of the Meritorious Service Cross of Canada, Ray is an Explorer in Residence of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, and Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. In 2015 Canadian Geographic recognized Ray as one of Canada’s Top Explorers. He has ran 17,000+km across the world’s deserts, and unsupported expeditions in some of the coldest places on the planet.

Kristi Honey, CAO - Township of Uxbridge

Kristi Honey is the Chief Administrative Officer for the Township of Uxbridge and is also Chair of the Board of Governors for Durham College.

Kristi has over 20 years’ executive leadership in both the private and public sector, including starting a global consultancy that grew to a multi-million dollar enterprise, recognized by Microsoft as a top 5% global partner.  Kristi is a graduate of Durham College and was recognized as an Alumnus of Distinction.  She also holds a Bachelor of Management and Masters of Business Administration degree.

Kristi is an active volunteer within the community supporting causes that promote human rights and environmentalism. She was recognized for her efforts by Women of Influence in their Global Series as one of Canada's leading women driving equality, diversity, and inclusion nationally and internationally.