Faculty and Leadership

Ashley Dafel is the CEO of Yorkville University and has 35 years of global work experience spanning executive roles in diverse industries, including board membership and related governance roles. Ashley holds a BComm from the University of the Witwatersrand (Johannesburg, South Africa) and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University (Chicago, Illinois). Ashley started his career as a teacher. Later, he had the privilege of teaching BBA and MBA students at the Schulich School of Business at York University.  He is passionate to be working in higher education.

Contact – Office of the Provost

Dr. Allyson Lowe is the Provost and Executive Vice President of Yorkville University. Prior to joining Yorkville, she served as: Vice President of Academic Affairs at Trocaire College in Buffalo, NY; Dean, College of Leadership and Social Change and Chair of the Department of Political Science at Carlow University in Pittsburgh, PA; and Director of the Pennsylvania Center for Women, Politics & Public Policy and the Elsie Hillman Chair of Women and Politics at Chatham University, also in Pittsburgh. A Fulbright recipient, her scholarly and teaching interests are in the areas of policy development, the EU, and women and leadership. Dr. Lowe holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from The Ohio State University

Dr. Lydia He serves as the Chief Marketing and Revenue Officer at Yorkville University, where she leads the marketing, communications, student recruitment, pricing, and strategic data analytics functions. Before joining Yorkville, Lydia held the position of Senior Vice President, Strategy, Advanced Analytics & Digital Transformation at HomeEquity Bank. There, she spearheaded high-impact, cross-functional transformation initiatives, resulting in significant sustainable growth in both top-line and bottom-line. Lydia has a background in management consulting with renowned consulting firms like the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and Monitor Deloitte, where she advised senior executives and boards on growth strategy and customer strategy. Lydia is known for her unique combination of strategic acumen, exceptional execution, and a relentless focus on results. She is also an experienced people leader with a strong track record of coaching and cultivating high-performance teams. With a Ph.D. in Management from the University of Toronto and an undergraduate degree in business from Renmin University of China, Lydia brings a wealth of academic rigor and practical expertise to her role.

Shannon Carvell is the Chief Financial Officer at Yorkville University, and a senior executive with a robust background in finance, operations, and customer service across international markets. She graduated from McMaster University with a BComm (Honours). With experience spanning notable companies like Pitney Bowes, Weight Watchers International (now WW), and CBC, Shannon has demonstrated success in restructuring and business turnaround. As a qualified CPA, CA with Ernst & Young and a US CPA designation holder, Shannon brings a wealth of financial leadership to her role, driving key initiatives and fostering business growth at Yorkville University.

Kelly Bird is the Chief People Officer at Yorkville University, boasting extensive experience in driving organizational transformation and growth across multiple industries, including with Torstar Corporation, Weight Watchers International (now WW), HMV North America, Rogers Communications, Cogeco Communications, and Purolator Inc.  With a proven track record in championing high-performance cultures and creating talent strategies to optimize organizational effectiveness, Kelly is known for her innovative and strategic leadership. Her ability to navigate fast-paced, complex organizations and foster strong stakeholder partnerships has been instrumental in enhancing employee engagement and driving organizational success.  Kelly holds a BComm Degree from McMaster University.

Chris Gain is Chief Information Officer at Yorkville University and brings over 20 years of IT and operations experience to his role. With a background spanning multiple industries, including CPG, logistics, and telecom, Chris has excelled in transforming key systems and reorganizing global operations to facilitate international scaling. Progressive roles in large enterprises as well as venture and private equity backed companies have honed his skills in driving growth and innovation. His leadership roles in early-stage organizations highlight his ability to build teams and systems that drive growth and innovation, making him a valuable asset to the university’s IT initiatives. Chris received an Honours Bachelor of Business Administration from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Masters, Business Administration from the Schulich School of Business at York University

Hadi Farashahi is the Chief Transformation Officer at Yorkville University, He is an experienced executive specializing in global operations, lean transformation, M&A, outsourcing transition, and supply chain management with a global perspective gained from working across various regions, including US, Mexico, China, Europe, and the Middle East. Hadi holds an MBA and an Aerospace Engineering degree from the University of Toronto. With extensive expertise across the Aerospace & Defense, Medical, and High-Tech sectors, Hadi has demonstrated leadership in driving continuous improvement and operational excellence. He has over 10 years of experience as board member in the non-profit sector. Hadi brings a unique blend of strategic vision and operational efficiency to his role at Yorkville University.

Katie Reese is the Senior Vice President of Corporate Development at Yorkville University, responsible for enabling new programs, partnerships and key strategic projects. Prior to joining Yorkville University, Katie worked for Birch Hill Equity Partners as Vice President – Portfolio Operations, and prior to that worked for CIBC Capital Markets in investment banking. Katie is passionate about education and serves as the Chair of the Neuchatel Junior College Fund, and has volunteered with the Prison Literacy Initiative. Katie completed both her BComm (First Class Honours) and BSc Life Science (Distinction) at Queen’s University where she was a Chancellor’s Scholar.

Tyler Dunham is the SVP of Governance, Regulatory, and Government Affairs at Yorkville University, boasting nearly two decades of experience in Canadian higher education. With expertise in risk management, government relations, and relationship building, Tyler has played a pivotal role in the university’s pan-Canadian expansion, government relations, and regulatory approvals. His establishment of an innovative and specialized Governance, Regulatory & Government Affairs unit has been instrumental in supporting Yorkville Education’s operations across multiple provinces, showcasing his dedication to excellence in governance and compliance while maintaining successful relationships with all levels of government. In 2024, Tyler was elected Chair of Ontario’s Private Out-of-Province Degree in Ontario Group, whose mandate is to provide a communications link with and among the members of the sector and relevant government and institutional bodies. Prior to his current role at Yorkville, Tyler held various positions at the University of Toronto, Royal Conservatory of Music, and St. Clair College. Tyler is a proud Yorkville graduate, having completed his Master of Education (Educational Leadership) in 2021 and holds his Bachelor of Music Performance (Oboe) from the University of Toronto.