Ray Karasevich departing MITT

Originally posted: December 08, 2022

Message from the MITT Board of Governors

In November of this year, the Board of Governors announced to the staff and faculty at MITT that Ray Karasevich, President and CEO, would be leaving at the end of the 2022 calendar year to take an executive leadership position here in Winnipeg.

“I’d like to thank the Board and staff at MITT, our partners within government, industry, and the community for their support during my time with MITT,” said Karasevich. “It’s been a privilege to work with so many groups in our community to meet the needs of learners and contribute to Manitoba’s labour market.”

Karasevich joined MITT as Vice-President Academic shortly after it became a stand-alone hybrid institution in 2014. He soon took on the role of interim and then permanent President and CEO. MITT has seen significant growth under Karasevich's leadership. The institute offers secondary, post-secondary, adult learning, and English language education, as well as industry training.

Key Highlights of Ray Karasevich’s leadership at MITT include:

• The reduction of barriers to make education accessible and relevant at every career stage.
• The development of western Canada’s top Graphic and Print training labs.
• The creation of CyberWave, MITT’s Cyber Security Centre of Excellence.
• The significant expansion of MITT’s Weld Shop, more than doubling the capacity and the creation of an Advanced Manufacturing Lab.
• Innovative high school partnerships, including the dual credit PTEC program with Pembina Trails School Division.
• Strong partnerships with government, educational partners, sector councils, and employers to create skills training and pathways to employment and entrepreneurship.
• The modernization of the governance and program delivery model of the largest network of adult learning centres in southern Manitoba.

“Ray has been a savvy, steady leader who has worked hard to make education accessible; successfully navigated a period of global uncertainty through the pandemic; ensured academic excellence; and has created a welcoming and inclusive culture for staff, students and visitors,” said Ken Webb, Chair, MITT Board of Governors. “Ray will be missed throughout the MITT community, but we are pleased for him to pursue this new opportunity. We thank him for all his contributions.”

The Board of Governors has contracted Leaders International to conduct a national search for MITT’s next President and CEO, which is underway and will launch publicly early in the New Year. In the interim, MITT's Executive Council members will lead the organization, each serving a term as Interim President and CEO. This collective leadership model utilizes the combined expertise of all members of the Executive Council and enables MITT to continue to achieve its priorities.

The members of the Executive Council are:

Bev Stuart, Vice-President, Business and Organizational Development
Neil Cooke, Vice-President, Academic
Jana Thorsteinson, Associate Vice-President, External and Corporate Affairs
Jennifer Lumb, Associate Vice-President, Finance and Campus Services