Lethbridge College’s Board of Governors have named Dr. Brad Donaldson as the ninth President and CEO in the college’s history.
Joining Lethbridge College is the next step in Donaldson’s long journey as a leader in Alberta’s post-secondary environment. His strengths are in the development and implementation of organizational strategies, the creation of learning organizations embracing systems thinking and cultures of innovation. In moving from Calgary to Lethbridge, he will look to build upon Lethbridge College’s reputation as a leader in post-secondary education in the province and its many achievements in student success and community support, enabling the institution’s ongoing contribution to future prosperity. He will begin his new role on Sept. 6.
“Brad has a passion for post-secondary education and a desire to build upon the great work that has taken place at Lethbridge College over the past many years,” says Michael Marcotte, Lethbridge College Board of Governors Chair. “At the same time, it is an exciting opportunity for our college to embrace new ways of thinking and carve out an even stronger reputation as a leader in our community. Brad is a thoughtful leader who will ensure Lethbridge College continues to provide meaningful education, research and employment opportunities in southern Alberta and beyond. We are excited to have him in this role.”
Donaldson has more than 17 years of post-secondary experience, most recently as Vice President – Academic (VPA) at SAIT in Calgary. He has also been VPA at Red Deer College, Dean of the School of Manufacturing and Automation at SAIT and has held many engineering and senior leadership roles in the global manufacturing sector.
“One of the critical things that Lethbridge College has done a great job at over the years is aspiring to be a leader in post-secondary education,” says Donaldson. “The college is a supporter of the communities it serves, including the geographic southern Alberta region, local Indigenous communities, and the business and hiring communities. What's important for me is to be able to leverage what has been done well in the past, while identifying opportunities to unleash innovation in the organization.”
Donaldson has served on numerous academic and business committees and boards provincially, nationally and internationally. He is a current member of the Saskatchewan Higher Education Quality Assurance Board and has held positions with the Senior Academic Officers and Provosts Committee in Alberta, Alberta Association in Higher Education for Information Technology Committee, and the Chair Academy, a leadership development organization.
He holds a Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Calgary, a Master of Engineering degree focusing on workplace design and a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Chemical Engineering, both from the University of Toronto.
Donaldson was born in England and emigrated to southern Ontario with his parents and sister after living in Singapore and the United Kingdom. With his wife Gail, and now two adult daughters who still live in Calgary, he came to Alberta in 2005. He is a dog lover with two of his own and two grand-dogs. As avid travelers, he and Gail have had the fortune of visiting every continent except Antarctica.
Donaldson was chosen as Lethbridge College’s President and CEO following a thorough national search, and consultation process that included more than 160 stakeholder engagements.
Donaldson takes over as Lethbridge College President and CEO from Dr. Paula Burns, who resigned earlier this year to become President and CEO of Langara College in Vancouver