From: Trevor Rodgers, Chief Financial Officer
Date: June 24, 2022
Re: Announcement of Sanish Samuel as Controller and Director of Financial Services

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Sanish Samuel as the University of Toronto’s next Controller and Director of Financial Services effective August 2, 2022.

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Controller is a key member of the University’s Finance leadership team, providing expert advice to senior leaders on public sector and not-for-profit accounting standards; ensuring that appropriate procedures and controls are in place to protect the University’s assets; supporting the University’s ambitious teaching and research agenda including major fundraising and capital plans; and driving the transformation and digitization of the University’s financial services.

Sanish has worked in the not-for-profit sector for over 20 years, including 10 years in financial leadership roles at York University. His most recent role was as the University Comptroller at York, where he provided leadership in the areas of financial reporting, research accounting, accounts payable, and compliance. During his tenure, he supported the University’s program to modernize administrative services by recommending and implementing changes to policies and procedures and leveraging technology to improve standardization, simplification, efficiency, and customer service without compromising integrity of financial controls. Prior to his roles at York University, Mr. Samuel provided financial leadership at Avana Capital Corporation / Maytree, a not-for-profit organization advancing systemic solutions to poverty through a human rights approach. Sanish is an active collaborator among the Ontario University finance community, and was awarded the COFO Distinguished Service Award by the Council of Ontario Universities in 2021. He holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Accounting from the University of Waterloo, and is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA).

I am delighted that Sanish has agreed to join the University in this role. He is a strategic business partner and outstanding leader, with a proven track record of modernizing and improving financial services in a University environment. Recognized for his diplomacy, professionalism, and collaborative leadership style, he is ideally suited to take on the role of Controller and Director of Financial Services.

Please join me in welcoming Sanish Samuel to his new role at the University of Toronto.