Joint governance

Recognized model for keeping your plan sustainable

Equal representation

Through their representatives on the Plan’s governing bodies – the Sponsors’ Committee and the Board of Trustees – members and employers have an equal say in and share the risks of Plan decisions. This joint governance structure is recognized as a model for success in keeping defined benefit pension plans sustainable.

The governors are appointed by the Plan sponsors: the College Employer Council on behalf of the college boards of governors, the Ontario College Administrative Staff Association (OCASA), and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU).


Joint governance adds value

As a member of the CAAT Pension Plan, you can be certain that your interests are well-represented, because both members and employers share equally in making the decisions that affect your benefit security.

The Sponsors' Committee

The Sponsors’ Committee is an eight-member group, which approves Plan amendments and files actuarial valuations. Members of the Sponsors’ Committee primarily represent the interests of the groups that appoint them. The Committee’s focus is determining how to best balance contribution rates and benefit design.

Shawn Pentecost, Co-Chair

Shawn Pentecost is an Employee representative (OPSEU/SEFPO-appointed). Mr. Pentecost is a social science and communications professor at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus. He is an executive of...

Janet Morrison, Co-Chair

Janet Morrison is an Employer representative (CEC-appointed). Dr. Morrison is President & Vice Chancellor of Sheridan College and has extensive experience in leadership roles focused on learning...

Riley Burton

Riley Burton is an Employee representative (OCASA-appointed). He is Associate Dean of the School of Engineering Technology and Trades at Confederation College. Mr. Burton is a past Chair of the...

Dr. Gervan Fearon

Dr. Fearon is an Employer representative (CEC-appointed) and is President of George Brown College. He has extensive experience in government and post-secondary education, including a strong teaching...

Ross Gascho

Ross Gascho is an Employer representative (CEC-appointed). He is a Partner at Fasken Martineau, and head of the firm’s pensions and employee benefits practice. Mr. Gascho is a member of numerous legal...

Cheri Hearty

Cheri Hearty is an Employee representative (OPSEU/SEFPO-appointed) with more than 20 years of experience in the pension and benefits industry. As Supervisor of the Worker Safety and Pension & Benefits...

Veneise Samuels

Veneise Samuels is an Employee representative (OPSEU/SEFPO-appointed). She is a Student Support Representative at George Brown College. Ms. Samuels also serves as President of OPSEU/SEFPO Local 557...

Glenn Vollebregt

Glenn Vollebregt is an Employer representative (CEC-appointed). Mr. Vollebregt serves as President & CEO of St. Lawrence College. With a range of experience in the private, municipal government, and...


The Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees is a 12-member board. As fiduciaries, Trustees are legally bound to act in the interests of all Plan members. The Board of Trustees sets the investment strategy and funding risk that are appropriate for the Plan’s long-term obligations and establishes policies for administering benefits.

Kareen Stangherlin, Chair

Kareen Stangherlin is an Employer-appointed Trustee. She serves on the Audit and Governance committees. Ms. Stangherlin is the CEO of Zelos Capital Ltd., a boutique private wealth and corporate...

Virginia Di Monte, Vice Chair

Virginia Di Monte is an Employee-appointed Trustee. She serves on the Audit and Governance committees. Ms. Di Monte is a Payroll Administrator at Seneca College. She also serves as Treasurer for...

Dr. Scott Blakey

Scott Blakey is an Employer-appointed Trustee. He is Co-Chair of the Governance Committee and serves on the Audit Committee. Dr. Blakey is the Chief Administrative Officer of Durham College. He has...

Rasho Donchev

Rasho Donchev is an Employee-appointed Trustee. He serves on the Investment and Finance and Administration committees. Mr. Donchev is a Negotiator at OPSEU/SEFPO. He holds a C.Dir designation from The...

Janet Greenwood

Janet Greenwood is an Employer-appointed representative. She is Co-Chair of the Investment Committee. Ms. Greenwood has extensive experience in institutional asset management and is a member of...

Karen McRae

Karen McRae is an Employer-appointed Trustee. She is Co-Chair of the Finance and Administration Committee and serves on the Investment Committee. Ms. McRae has considerable experience in the finance...

Dianne Salt

Dianne Salt is an Employer-appointed Trustee. She serves on the Finance and Administration Committee. Ms. Salt is a bilingual, award-winning communications professional with over 35 years of...

Alnasir Samji

Alnasir Samji is an Employer-appointed Trustee. He serves on the Investment and Finance and Administration committees. He is Managing Principal at Alderidge Consulting Inc. He previously served as a...

Don Smith

Don Smith is an Employee-appointed Trustee. He is Co-Chair of the Investment and Audit committees. Mr. Smith is a faculty member of the School of Business at Georgian College. As a Chartered...

Kim Watkins

Kim Watkins is an Employee-appointed Trustee. She serves on the Investment Committee. Ms. Watkins is Vice President, Corporate Services at Mohawk College. She serves on several boards, including the...

Donald Wright

Donald Wright is an Employee-appointed Trustee. He is Co-Chair of the Governance Committee and serves on the Finance and Administration Committee. Before retiring, Mr. Wright was a General Accountant...

Audrey Wubbenhorst

Audrey Wubbenhorst is an Employee-appointed representative. She is Co-Chair of the Finance and Administration Committee. Ms. Wubbenhorst is a board director and a professor of communications strategy...


Subcommittees of the Board

Equal representation and voting extend to these subcommittees of the Board of Trustees that make recommendations to the Board :

  • Appeals Subcommittee – hears member appeals of the interpretation of Plan rules.
  • Audit Committee – reviews the effectiveness of the organization in controlling and managing operational risk. It ensures the reliability of financial reporting and reviews the annual financial statements.
  • Finance and Administration Committee – is concerned with Plan design, funding and administration, legislation, litigation, and the appointment and evaluation of actuarial and legal advisors.
  • Governance Committee - assists the Board of Trustees in ensuring effective Board functioning and decision making as well as overseeing management of the CEO & Plan Manager.
  • Investment Committee – develops and recommends the Statement of Investment Policies and Procedures and related policies such as those concerning responsible investing and investments in derivatives