Advisory Board

2023-2024

Andy Rodford (He/Him)

B.Sc., B.Ed., MA, OCT

Andy Rodford is the Principal of Venture Gained Consulting and works with schools, camps, businesses and leaders across North America to elevate their impact. As an experienced educator of 30 years he has led leadership and experiential workshops in the fields of education and organized camps focusing on programming, leadership development and strategic planning. Andy was formally the Deputy Head and Head of School at St. Michaels University School in Victoria, BC and, prior to that, was Head of School at Kempenfelt Bay School in Barrie, and held other senior leadership roles at Brentwood College School, Albert College and as the Director of Onondaga Camp, a large outdoor education centre and summer camp in Minden, Ontario. Andy has degrees in Biology, Geography, Education and a Masters in Educational Leadership and Management. Andy is passionate about arts and athletics, particularly rowing, having participated and coached at various levels, including the Varsity program at Trent University and University of Toronto. Andy’s interests include wood carving, boating, outdoor adventures, and increasingly gardening, as he and his wife Liz tend a yard of year-round runaway perennials in Victoria, British Columbia.

Norah Marsh (She/Her)

B.Ed., M.Ed.

Norah has spent almost twenty years as a Director and Superintendent in public education and is a highly respected leader with a proven track record of creative change management, strategic planning, organizational cultural restoration, and student success. She was the CEO of a provincial crown agency where she launched the organization’s first Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Policy. From there, she went on to be the Director of Education/CEO for Durham District School Board (DDSB), one of the largest school districts in Ontario. Her mandate was to address a toxic culture and, at the end of her term, Forbes Canada awarded the Board as one of the top ten employers in Canada while student achievement surpassed the province. Norah was elected to chair the Ontario Institute of Educational Leadership and as President of the Ontario Public Supervisory Officials Association. She has also completed the Human Rights Certification program at York University in support of her continued commitment to Indigenous and human rights. Nationally and internationally, Norah has consulted and presented on a variety of topics including equitable education, student well-being, change management, ethical and compassionate leadership, governance, and sound assessment practices. Norah lives in Ottawa with her husband David and tries to keep tabs on their three children who are now in their twenties. She continues to volunteer for children and youth non-profit organizations.

Zahara Chowdhury (She/Her)

BA., PGCE

Zahara is founder and editor of the blog and podcast, School Should Be, a platform that explores a range of topics helping students, teachers and parents on how to ‘adult well’, together. Zahara was a Head of Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing, leading on EDI across school for staff, students and the wider community. She has supported other schools with EDI workshops and consultancy and has written widely about diversity and wellbeing in education. featuring in Schools Week, SecEd, DiverseEd, the TES and Middle East Eye. She is also a Trustee for the charity, Solutions Not Sides and Lead Champion for The Global Equality Collective, the world's first DEIJ app for education. Zahara is a previous Head of English, Associate Senior Leader and Education and Wellbeing Consultant. She is now working in Higher Education as an EDI Business Partner.

Dr. Michael Salvatori (He/Him)

BEd., M.Ed., PhD.

Career educator and author, Dr. Michael Salvatori currently serves as Director of Continuing Education at the University of St. Michael’s College in the University of Toronto . Michael earned a PhD in Curriculum, Teaching and Learning from OISE / University of Toronto and holds M.Ed. and B.Ed. degrees from the University of Western Ontario. Long a champion of second language education, he is fluent in French, Italian, English and German and is author and co-author of numerous textbooks and teacher resources. Michael previously served as the Chief Executive Officer and Registrar of the Ontario College of Teachers, Canada’s largest self-regulatory body from 2009-2021. His extensive career included being an elementary and secondary school core French and French immersion teacher, a vice-principal, principal, an assistant professor at Glendon College of York University, jointly appointed to the Faculty of Education and the Department of French Studies and Vice President at Niagara University. He has also taught in international settings in France and Italy and frequently speaks at international conferences on topics related to professional regulation, board governance and second language acquisition. In his spare time, Michael enjoys travel, reading, cinema and cooking.

Vinita Mongia (She/Her)

B.Sc., M.Ed.

Vinita has a B.Sc and a Masters of Education and is currently a school administrator. In her 26 year career in Pubic Education, she has been a classroom, resource and special education elementary teacher with a high focus on early literacy. Vinita's focus goes beyond her role as a Principal to supporting the well-being of children and families through school-based programs and resources. She believes in ensuring students, educators and parents develop their capacity to create the conditions for student well-being and academic achievement. Vinita thrives on finding creative and resourceful ways to support families and to leverage the school as the centre of community and a place of connection. She actively engages with the community, including outreach projects in the early years to bridge early education programs, creating exemplary models for wide-spread adoption. In her personal life, Vinita is passionate about living a healthy lifestyle focused on fitness and wellbeing and loves spending time outdoors with friends and family.

Advisory Board

2023-2024

Andy Rodford (He/Him)

Norah Marsh (She/Her)

Zahara Chowdhury (She/Her)

Dr. Michael Salvatori (He/Him)

Vinita Mongia (She/Her)

LEGACY ADVISORY TEAM

Jeff Perera (He/Him)

Jennifer Laidlaw (She/Her)

Simon Storey (He/Him)

Dr. Rumeet Billan (She/Her)

Candies Kotchapaw (She/Her)

Stephanie Woolley (She/Her)

Jeff Hainbuch (He/Him)