People at Laurier

Lazaridis Institute appoints leaders

Laurier's Lazaridis School of Business and Economics has appointed Mark Pecen as chair of the Lazaridis Institute for the Management of Technology Enterprises and Kim Morouney as the institute's managing director.

Pecen is a leader in the global wireless industry, holding more than 100 fundamental patents in the areas of wireless communication, networking and computing. He was formerly a senior vice-president at BlackBerry, where he founded the Advanced Technology Research Centre and developed much of the company’s wireless and networking patent portfolio.

Currently, Pecen is CEO of Approach Infinity, Inc., chief operating officer of ISARA Corporation and chair of the European Telecommunication Standards Institute’s industry standardization group, Quantum Safe Cryptography.

Morouney is well-known for driving success in higher education. Her recent roles include serving as director of Laurier’s renowned Bachelor of Business Administration program, associate dean for academic programs and co-chair of Laurier’s multi-year, cross-campus integrated planning and resource management initiative.

“These two appointments will drive forward our ambition to address the need for more management talent and more globally competitive technology companies here in Canada,” said Micheál Kelly, dean of the Lazaridis School. “With Mark’s and Kim’s leadership, the Institute will position Canada as a global leader in technology management education.”

The Lazaridis Institute for the Management of Technology Enterprises was created to support growth-oriented Canadian technology companies and developed through investments by BlackBerry founder Mike Lazaridis and the Government of Ontario.

Assistant professor and former chancellor appointed to Order of Ontario

Assistant Professor Leslie Fagan was recently appointed to the Order of Ontario, the province’s highest civilian honour. Fagan is a world-renowned soprano and coordinator of the voice program at Laurier’s Faculty of Music.

Also appointed to the Order of Ontario was Michael Lee-Chin, who served as Laurier’s chancellor from 2011 to 2016. Lee-Chin was appointed in recognition of his contributions as an entrepreneur and philanthropist.

The Order of Ontario is presented to individuals whose career has had a major impact or influence on the province, Canada or internationally.