I am pleased to announce the appointment of Josh Fortier as the new executive director, Community Safety and Security (CSS) at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), effective July 31, 2026. In this role, Josh will oversee all functions within the CSS unit, including crime prevention and community engagement; emergency management; investigations; risk management; security and emergency services; and security infrastructure and equipment.
Josh joined TMU in November 2025 as the senior director, security operations and emergency management. Since joining TMU, Josh has not only worked to build strong relationships with the TMU community and its partners but to understand how TMU's commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion strongly informs its approach to community safety and security. This includes blending frontline security guard support with proactively addressing the complex needs of community members around campus through partnerships and community engagement.
With a degree in sociology/criminal justice from Nipissing University, Josh has over 15 years experience in the security industry, with almost 10 of those years spent in post-secondary spaces. Prior to joining TMU, Josh was at Sheridan College for nearly 10 years where he held increasingly senior roles before serving as the director, Campus Safety from June 2023 to November 2025. In his time at Sheridan, Josh spearheaded efforts for the security team to be the first college in Ontario to stock and carry Naloxone as a safety measure to support community well-being.
An advocate for advancing safety and security, Josh most recently held the role of President of the
Ontario Association of Colleges and Universities Security Administrators, and has held trainer designation in Non-Violent Crisis Intervention.
I wish to provide my sincere thanks to Keith Christie who has been the interim executive eirector, Community Safety and Security since November 2025 and will be retiring this summer.
Please join me in welcoming Josh into this new role. I would also like to thank members of the selection panel for their participation and contributions:
- Matthew Baker, Chief of Staff & Executive Director, Government Relations, Office of the President
- Keith Christie, Interim Executive Director, Community Safety & Security
- Roberta Iannacito-Provenzano, Provost & Vice-President, Academic
- Jenny O'Donnell, Chief Human Resources Officer
Saeed Zolfaghari, Vice-President, Administration and Operations
