MaKami College Appoints Board of Governors

Following MaKami College’s transition to an Independent Academic Institution (IAI) and its establishment as a public post-secondary institution in Alberta, the College is pleased to announce the appointment of its new Board of Governors. 

The newly appointed board, consisting of public members with a wide range of professional, academic and personal backgrounds, and members of the MaKami College administration, will provide strategic oversight and ensure the continued growth and success of the college. Their diverse personal, professional and educational backgrounds reflect the varied communities served by MaKami College and will help steer the institution toward ongoing excellence.

“Today marks another milestone in MaKami College’s history and I am honoured to serve as the Chair as we embark on a new chapter of MaKami’s legacy,” said Mark Frederick, Board Chair. “Our new Governors’ diverse expertise and backgrounds will support MaKami in continuing to provide a positive learning environment for our students as we begin our new chapter as a not-for-profit post-secondary institution.”

“MaKami College believes in helping individuals create a better community, and I look forward to working with my colleagues in continuing to foster a positive learning environment where MaKami students are given the opportunity to better their lives through the transformative power of post-secondary education,” Frederick added.

The following appointments take effect immediately:

Mark R. Frederick – Serving as Chair of the MaKami College Board of Directors, Mark Frederick practices law at Miller Thomson LLP, a national Canadian lawfirm with offices in Calgary and Edmonton.  Mark is recognised as a specialist in the field of insurance and related legal fields, and represents a wide range of professionals including engineers, architects, lawyers, insurance brokers and other financial professionals. Mark has a BA (Double Honours) from St. Paul’s College at the University of Manitoba and an LLB from Queen’s University. He is a Fellow of the London, UK-based Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. As a senior Partner at Miller Thomson LLP, he was called to the bar of Ontario in1988 and had subsequently been called to the bars of British Columbia New Brunswick, Nunavut and Alberta. 

Dr. Michele Burns, FRCP – Dr. Michele Burns graduated from the University of Calgary Medical School in 1992 after obtaining a BSc in Biology (Honours) and an MSc in Medical Genetics from McMaster University. Her specialty training in Internal Medicine was done at the University of Calgary. Dr. Burns has been a full-time General Internist at the Rockyview General Hospital since 1998, where she has been the site lead for Internal Medicine as well as the lead for the Pre-Admissions Clinic. She currently works as a ward consultant, as well as leading the Medical Teaching Teams in the care of very sick patients. For 25 years, she also worked as a critical care bedside physician, as well as an ICU Outreach Physician.

Brooks Tanner – Brooks Tanner is a dynamic and results-driven leader with a unique blend of expertise in real estate and technology. With a specialized focus on senior and multifamily housing developments, Brooks has successfully guided numerous projects, demonstrating his ability to drive business growth in niche markets. Beyond his professional success, Brooks is committed to mentoring entrepreneurs and making impactful Angel investments, supporting and nurturing the local business community. His leadership extends to his role as a managing partner at Terra Realty and Development Group, where he also serves as a licensed Realtor® in Alberta.

Marija Pavkovic-Tovissi – Marija Pavkovic-Tovissi is the visionary founder and CEO of MaKami College, established in 2001, with a passion for helping others achieve success through education. Inspired by her immigrant parents’ struggles, Marija created an institution to serve as a beacon of opportunity. Under her leadership, MaKami College became a Public Post-Secondary College in Alberta in March 2023 and transitioned to a not-for-profit organization in 2024.

Vladimir Pavkovic – Vladimir Pavkovic, the co-founder and Vice-President of MaKami College, is a serial entrepreneur, philanthropist and community builder, recognized for his extensive experience in driving business growth and creating lasting social impact. Vladimir’s commitment to giving back is evident in his philanthropic efforts, where he actively dedicates time and resources to support causes that uplift communities and encourage positive change. A passionate believer in the power of community, he has built a reputation for mentoring others and creating opportunities for collaboration and collective success.

Ryan Dolan – Ryan Dolan is the Chief Financial Officer of MaKami College, bringing over 13 years of experience in financial leadership across diverse sectors including higher education, financial services, construction and charitable organizations. Ryan began his career with MNP and was responsible for leading audit engagements for several large Credit Unions in the interior of BC and provided tax planning and advisory services for his clients. He utilized his background in financial services to move to the Cayman Islands and worked with PwC, providing audit and consultancy services for large institutions across the Caribbean, including leading an accounting standard implementation project for a group of 28 Credit Unions in Jamaica.

The following appointments take effect May 1, 2025:

Garrett Tomlinson – Garrett Tomlinson is a distinguished Métis professional and artist with over 15 years of experience in Indigenous governance, advocacy and project management. As Senior Director of Self-Government for the Métis Nation with Alberta, Tomlinson has been pivotal in developing innovative consultation processes that protect Métis rights. In 2014, Tomlinson became one of Alberta’s youngest Chief Elected Officials as Reeve of Northern Sunrise County. As the inaugural Chair of the Otipemisiwak Métis Government, he operationalized governance structures under Alberta’s first federally recognized Métis Constitution.

Melissa Redlich – Melissa Redlich is the Manager for the Intensive Care and Coronary Care Units at Rockyview General Hospital, as well as the Manager for Respiratory Services. With a career spanning over 30 years, Melissa brings a wealth of experience in critical care nursing, including expertise in clinical nursing, critical care education and operational management. In addition to her managerial roles, Melissa serves as the co-chair for the Alberta Health Services – Critical Care Strategic Clinical Network’s Delirium Project. A graduate of the University of Calgary Nursing Program, she has dedicated her career to advancing healthcare through leadership and specialized care in the critical care sector.

The appointment of a new Board of Governors follows the completion of a rigorous process undertaken by MaKami College to fulfill the requirements under the Private Vocational Training Act and the Post-Secondary Learning Act as part of its transition to becoming an Independent Academic Institution. As a public, not-for-profit post-secondary institute, MaKami College remains committed to being a community-driven institution dedicated to excellence, accessibility and lifelong learning.

For more information on MaKami College and the newly appointed Board of Governors, visit www.makamicollege.com

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For more information:

Erika Barootes

Spokesperson / Director of External Relations

 1-833-262-5264