Provincial representatives on the MPAC Board of Directors

Bill Hawkins

For more than 25 years, Bill has led growth and development initiatives in the private and public sectors. 

He is currently Head of Trade & Investment at Sussex Strategy Group, a Canadian public affairs firm, and owner of GROWTHBRIDGE, a strategic advisory firm that helps businesses pursue opportunities in high-growth international markets. 

His private-sector experience includes senior leadership roles at a Canadian private investment company with global agri-food holdings. 

He also served as Chief Operating Officer and later President of a Canada-based financial services group. 

In the public sector, Bill held senior federal and provincial positions, including Principal Secretary to Canada’s 22nd Prime Minister and Chief of Staff to the Minister of International Trade and Asia-Pacific Gateway. 

Bill holds an MBA and Post-MBA Graduate Diploma from York University’s Schulich School of Business, a Diploma in Public Policy and Administration from the University of Guelph, and a BA from McMaster University. 

Jon Olinski (Vice-Chair)

Jon Olinski is the Dean for Seneca Polytechnic’s Faculty of Arts, bringing a broad background in teaching, public affairs and human resources to his role. With over 20 years of experience in the postsecondary education sector, Jon has served in numerous capacities, including over eight years as a professor and Program Coordinator for Seneca’s Public Administration program. 

Actively involved in his community, Jon currently serves as the Director for the Postsecondary Education Quality Assessment Board (PEQAB) and as a Director and Past Chair of the Board of Directors for Luminus Financial Credit Union. His previous roles include Director and Vice-Chair of the Richmond Hill Chamber of Commerce and Director of the Town and Gown Association of Ontario.  

Jon holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Anglia Ruskin University and is a graduate of Conestoga College’s Business Administration-Management Studies and Human Resources Management programs. He has completed the Director’s Education Program from the Institute of Corporate Directors and the Rotman School of Business at the University of Toronto, earning the ICD.D designation. Additionally, he holds several management designations from the Canadian Institute of Management.