McMaster welcomes new director of Digital Infrastructure and Cloud Services

The Office of the Associate Vice President and Chief Technology Officer is welcoming a new technology leader after a broad and extensive search. 

Michael Bennett has been selected as McMaster’s director of Digital Infrastructure and Cloud Services starting on May 1, 2025. 

This role is responsible for modernizing and expanding McMaster’s digital technology systems, helping the university become more future-ready as we adapt to evolving technological needs in support of our educational and research mission. 

Bennett joins McMaster from Dalhousie University where he held several roles over the course of nearly twenty years, serving most recently as their director of digital infrastructure. He has led large teams of IT professionals driving digital infrastructure transformation and overseen large operational and capital budgets to deliver excellent network, security and data center environments. 

Bennett also served as the technical director for the Atlantic Canada Organization of Research Networks (ACORN-NS) which connects provincial universities, research and health organizations. He also participates on various CANARIE committees, a non-profit partnership between government and over 140 public and private sector organizations. 

“I am honored to join the talented team at McMaster University,” Bennett said. “Technology is a critical enabler for our research and teaching, and I am committed to leveraging innovative solutions to support McMaster’s mission of excellence in education and research.” 

Bennett plans to move to the Hamilton area with his wife and two children and is excited to get acquainted with the McMaster community. 

“I am eager to engage with the vibrant McMaster community and collaborate on innovative projects that will drive our technological capabilities forward,” he said. 

In this position, Bennett will oversee critical pieces of the university’s technological infrastructure that underpin foundational systems and services such as Mosaic and our network. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Michael to our leadership team,” said Associate Vice President and Chief Technology Officer (AVP and CTO), Gayleen Gray. “He brings a wealth of experience leading digital technology transformation in the higher education sector and closely aligns with McMaster’s strategic values.” 

Bennett was selected by a hiring committee that included representatives from the IT community and other senior leaders on campus, including: 

• Andrea Oliver – Director, Enterprise Applications and Data Systems 
• Anna Purina – Chief Internal Auditor 
• Ehab Kamarah – Associate Vice-President and Chief Facilities Officer 
• Gayleen Gray – Associate Vice President & Chief Technology Officer 
• Herman Poon – Manager, Information Systems 
• Mike Diggins – Senior Manager, Enterprise Networks 
• Mike Nowakowski – Senior Manager, IT Security Operations 
• Nicole Longstaff – Director (Interim), Research High Performance Computing 
• Paul Laurent – Database Administrator 
• Randy Walinga – Director, IT Services – Teaching and Learning Services 
• Tara Pasalic – Systems Integration Specialist 
• Tracy Dallaire – Director, Information Security Services 
• Wayde Nie – Senior Manager, Enterprise Architecture 

“I am grateful to the hiring committee for their commitment and energy throughout the search,” said Gray. “This is an important position, and we are welcoming a terrific leader.” 

We look forward to introducing Michael Bennett to the McMaster community when he arrives on May 1, 2025.