The University of Toronto, a WBE Canada Government Member, invites women-owned businesses and other diverse suppliers in the food and beverage sectors to join them April 26, 2022 for an informational webinar conducted by University Food Services. This webinar is specifically aimed at certified WBEs in food services interested in operating on the St. George Campus. Information will include details, timelines, and proposal requirements for several upcoming opportunities.

Established in 1827, the University of Toronto is Canada’s largest university with approximately 80,000 students, 17,200 faculty and staff and librarians, and almost 500,000 alumni active in every region of the world. The university ranks among the top major research universities globally.

There are 7 food outlet locations that vary in size and complexity across the University where food services are seeking to introduce diversity in terms of business owners and the variety of food offerings to students’ faculty and staff.

Bid/Award Timeline

• April 26, 2022 – Webinar hosted by WBE Canada and presented by University Food Services providing full details of the invitation
• April/May 2022 – site tours
• May/June 2022 – bids to be submitted
• July 2022 – bids awarded
• August 2022 – fully operational

REGISTRATION CLOSED

This webinar is open to all women-owned and other diverse businesses

Meet the Presenters

Anne Macdonald

Anne Macdonald is the Assistant Vice-President of Ancillary Services at the University of Toronto, responsible for a large team that provides student and family housing, food services, events, transportation services and trademark licensing on the downtown campus of Canada’s most prestigious university. Before coming to the University of Toronto, she spent 15 years with the Corporation of Roy Thomson Hall and Massey Hall, where she managed front-line patron services, Catering and Retail. Anne has an MBA and a Bachelor of Music in Performance, both from the University of Toronto, and an ARCT diploma from the Royal Conservatory of Music.

During her career, Anne has led and been a supporter of numerous procurement initiatives designed for positive impact, including groundbreaking local food procurement commitments, and ethical garment industry production initiatives, including the Bangladesh Accord.

Colin Porter

Colin has over 30 years’ experience in the food service industry starting in the UK and Ireland before arriving in Canada and is currently the Executive Director for Food and Beverage Services and Campus Events at the University of Toronto.

In his current role he is tasked with overseeing the day to day foodservice operations of residence dining, retail operations, catering, conferencing and event services at Canada’s largest University whilst also being responsible for the development of the immediate and long term strategic plan for the program.

Colin has broad experience within the industry across multiple sectors from hotels and resorts to corporate dining to traditional retail and QSR to healthcare and higher education.
Colin enjoys the challenge of the industry, none more so than transitioning away from the pandemic and preparing for a brighter future that requires bold and innovative decision making from industry leaders.

Michael Jeronimo

Michael is the Director of Retail & Residential Dining Operations at the University of Toronto.
He has spent the past 20 years in leadership roles within the Hospitality & Service Industry working with various National Branded concepts and organizations.