Senior Leaders

Dr. Alice Wainwright-Stewart was appointed Lakeland College's 9th president and chief executive officer on May 4, 2015.

As president and CEO of Lakeland College, Stewart has overseen substantial growth in capital projects at each campus, including the hairstyling lab/salon, Dairy Learning Centre, Energy Park Site, Animal Health Clinic and Agricultural Technology Centre. She’s also been a champion of the college’s Truth and Reconciliation efforts, expanding applied research in agriculture, and increasing Lakeland’s focus on student-managed enterprises, experiences and events.

Before her appointment as president, she served as the vice president, academic for almost 10 years. During her tenure as a vice president, the college became active in applied research, constructed the Energy Centre and added a variety of new programs including heavy oil power engineering, renewable energy and conservation, street rod technologies, western ranch and cow horse, and sign language interpretation.

Throughout her more than 30-year career at Lakeland, Stewart has served the college in a variety of capacities. She was hired in 1982 to teach evening classes in the early childhood development (ECD) program. In 1984 she became a full-time ECD instructor and a year later, chair of the program.

In the next 10 years she became chair of three additional programs and then took on the dual role of dean and chair of human services programs. As dean, she created the School of Health and Human Services in 1998 and guided its growth to 10 programs.

In addition to her work at Lakeland, Stewart has been involved in various organizations and boards including the Alberta Council for Admissions and Transfers, Alberta Promise Board of Directors, and Child Care Network. She served as chair of the Alberta Provincial Early Childhood Coordinators. Currently she is an active member of the Council of Post-Secondary Presidents of Alberta and The Presidents Leadership Network Coordinating Committee for Canada.

Originally from California, she has worked in diverse educational settings.

Stewart has a bachelor's degree in liberal arts with a teaching certificate, and a master's in early childhood education from California State University of Northridge. She also has a doctorate in higher education from the University of Liverpool.

Alice and her husband Alex live near Vermilion, Alberta. She is very involved in English springer spaniel trials and has judged various national championships in both Canada and the United States. As well, she has competed in Alberta and Saskatchewan cutting horse association and been in the Canadian standings. She was also a gold medalist in California’s junior track and field Olympics.

Dr. Todd Sumner, vice president of academic and research

Dr. Todd Sumner was appointed the new vice president of academic and research on July 2022.

As vice president, academic and research, Dr. Sumner will oversee the academic division of nine schools, student and academic services, foundational learning and continuing education plus the applied research team.

Before moving into the role of vice president, Dr. Sumner served as Lakeland’s interim dean of student and academic services and registrar. He brings extensive experience to his role with 24 years of post-secondary and leadership at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), where his roles included associate chair positions in math and upgrading, chair of upgrading, director of continuing education and associate dean of the school of business and the school of trades. He also served as an instructor in math, computer programming and Microsoft Office.

Dr. Sumner holds bachelor degrees in science and education, a master degree in instructional technology, and a PhD in educational psychology.

Contact Todd via his executive assistant:
Mary-Lou MacMillan
780 853 8604
mary-lou.macmillan@lakelandcollege.ca

Georgina Altman, vice president of external relations and infrastructure

With a proven track record for success, Georgina Altman returned to Lakeland College in August 2014 as the vice president of advancement.

Since then external relations was added to her portfolio. As well, an organizational re-structure in June 2017 added facilities and services, residence services and the international department.

As vice president of advancement and external relations, the veteran business leader and fundraiser is responsible for overseeing fund development, alumni relations, marketing, communications and recruitment. She is also responsible for enterprise services, including print/mail services, and event services. Altman also represents the college through both government and community relations.

For Altman, joining Lakeland College is a homecoming of sorts. She worked in student services and then residence at the college from 1992 to 1997. Her husband, TJ, is a Lakeland alumnus.

Prior to her return, Altman, a certified fundraising executive, served as the executive director and chief executive officer of the Lloydminster Region Health Foundation from 2000 until 2013. During her tenure, the foundation's annual revenue stream grew by more than $3 million. Since leaving the foundation, Altman has been doing fund development and executive coaching through her consulting firm, Top Performance Group Inc., albeit at a slower pace due to her commitments to the college.

Outside of the college, Altman serves on the Lloydminster Economic Development Corporation Board and the Vermilion River Regional Alliance. In June 2016, Altman was appointed to the Health Quality Council of Alberta's Board of Directors. Altman has a BA from the University of Saskatchewan, and, from Royal Roads University, an MBA and a graduate certificate in executive coaching.

When Altman and her husband are able to find downtime, they enjoy travelling to areas close to home and when possible, play a round or two of golf. Although Altman would be the first to admit she is a terrible painter, this too keeps her occupied when time permits.

Altman also finds herself coaching and mentoring others no matter where she is. While some might say this falls under a positional description, it is something she enjoys thoroughly and does not see it as a job.

"I love helping people develop their own skills."