Leadership

Governance at MITT

Executive Council

Executive Council works collaboratively to execute the day-to-day management of the college, ensuring MITT remains responsive to the needs of students, industry, and the community.

Neil Cooke, President and CEO

Neil Cooke brings considerable academic and leadership experience and extensive industry relationships to his role as President and CEO. He was the Vice-President, Academic with the college and the Vice-President, Academic at Confederation College in Thunder Bay, Ontario prior to joining MITT. Cooke also served as the Manager of Education and Training for the Manitoba Trucking Association and spent 21 years at Red River College Polytechnic in various teaching and senior administrative roles.

Cooke currently serves on the Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada and is a recipient of the Natural Science and Engineering Council Synergy Award for Innovation and the Province of Manitoba Award for Innovation and Research for Sustainability.

Starting his career in the trades, Cooke is a journeyperson holding interprovincial certification as a heavy-duty technician and provincial certification as a truck transport technician. He also holds a Certificate in Adult Education, a Vocational Education Diploma, a Bachelor of Science in Technical Education and a Master of Education in Post-Secondary Administration.

Colin Kelly, Vice-President, Academic

As Vice-President, Academic, Colin Kelly serves as the academic lead for MITT’s college and high school programming and oversees student support services.

Kelly joined MITT from Confederation College in Thunder Bay, Ontario, where he was the Dean of Engineering Technology, Trades, and Aviation. Prior to that, he served as their Director of Applied Research. Over the years, Kelly has taught at Aurora College in the Northwest Territories and Lakehead University in Thunder Bay. He also has extensive experience co-chairing Confederation College’s capital campaign to build a multimillion-dollar Technology, Education, and Collaboration Hub on campus.

Before moving into academics, Kelly worked in community development with the Ontario provincial government, managing large portfolios in various sectors. He began his career in the forestry industry, as indicated by his Bachelor of Science (Honours) from Guelph University and Master of Science in Forestry from Lakehead University.

Beverlie Stuart, Vice-President, Business Development and Community Initiatives

As Vice-President of Business Development and Community Initiatives, Beverlie Stuart holds a varied portfolio that includes Student Recruitment, IT, Career Employment Services, and partnership development, along with educational offerings in Industry Training and Continuing Education, Adult Learning Centres, language programs, and MITT’s partnership with Division scolaire franco-manitobaine.

In Stuart’s decade of work at MITT, she has consistently held roles revolving around industry engagement and workforce development. Her roles at the college, as well as in previous positions with government and sector councils, have seen her design and develop many initiatives to strengthen Manitoba’s workforce and economy that have impacted the public, private, and non-profit sectors.

Holding a Master of Arts in Leadership and undergraduate credentials in Administrative Management, Human Resource Management, and Adult and Continuing Education, Stuart also shares her more than 30 years of experience as the Chair of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce Board of Directors and as the Vice-Chair for the Canadian Career Development Foundation Board of Directors.

Cindee Laverge, Vice-President, Finance and Campus Services

Cindee Laverge joined MITT as Vice-President, Finance and Campus Services in spring 2024, and leads the college’s Finance and Capital and Facilities departments.

Laverge has over 30 years of experience in educational and administrative capacities. She served as the Chief Administrative Officer at the University College of the North (UCN), where she oversaw the institution’s multifaceted operations and strived to reflect the rich cultural diversity and Indigenous reality of Northern Manitoba. Laverge also spent more than three decades at Red River College Polytechnic in roles including the Acting Vice President of Student Services and Planning and Dean of Student Services.

Laverge holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Manitoba, along with her CGA designation. As the Chair of CPA Manitoba, she has played a pivotal role in enhancing governance practices, fostering public confidence in the CPA profession, and advocating for the public interest.

Jana Thorsteinson, Vice-President, External and Corporate Affairs

Jana Thorsteinson has been with MITT since 2015, serving in several External Relations roles on her way to her current position as Vice-President, External and Corporate Affairs. Here, she supports MITT’s board, marketing, communications, and events, and works with a variety of external and government partners.

Thorsteinson came to MITT with a variety of work experiences that have all contributed to her responsibilities at the college. She spent time working in provincial and municipal politics where she led community engagement initiatives and assisted in election campaigns. Thorsteinson also spent over a decade at the University of Manitoba as their Director of Alumni.

Thorsteinson holds a Bachelor of Arts in Politics from the University of Manitoba, as well as a Diploma in Business Administration and Marketing from Red River College Polytechnic.
Outside of MITT, Thorsteinson shares her expertise through The Nellie McClung Foundation as a committee member for the Yes I Can leadership award.