Sheldon Levy

Sheldon Levy is a higher education leader with a strong focus on innovation, entrepreneurship and the digital economy. Over the past decade, he has played a central role in Canada’s innovation ecosystem, helping to establish initiatives such as Toronto Metropolitan University’s (TMU) Digital Media Zone (DMZ), the Brookfield Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and Scale Up Ventures. 

As President and Vice-Chancellor of TMU from 2005 to 2015, Levy led the creation of the DMZ, an early-stage incubator for student entrepreneurs that has since gained international recognition. He also co-founded Ryerson Futures, an accelerator that expanded the DMZ model to locations including Calgary, Alberta and Mumbai, India. 

From 2015 to 2017, he served as Ontario’s Deputy Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development. In this role, he advanced innovation and entrepreneurship across Ontario’s post-secondary education and training system. In 2017, he became Chief Executive Officer of NEXT Canada, where he supports emerging entrepreneurs through mentorship, education, networks and access to funding. 

Levy serves on the Board of Directors of Baycrest Health Sciences.

Earlier in his career, Levy was President of Sheridan College from 1997 to 2001, overseeing the early growth of its animation department during the rise of computer-generated imagery. His previous senior leadership roles include Vice-President, Finance and Strategy, Ontario Tech; Vice-President of Governmental and Institutional Relations, University of Toronto; and Vice-President, Institutional Affairs, York University.

Levy is a member of the Order of Canada.