Ontario's Alcohol and Gaming Commission welcomes Dr. Karin Schnarr as new CEO and Registrar

The Board of Directors of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has announced a change in leadership with the appointment of Dr. Karin Schnarr as the new Chief Executive Officer and Registrar.

Schnarr is set to take on her role starting on September 18, replacing the outgoing CEO and Registrar, Tom Mungham, who announced his intention to retire from the agency in March 2023. 

The new AGCO boss brings to the role extensive experience and a track record as a senior executive, having served in academic, public-sector, and private-sector consulting positions.

Notably, she holds the position of Associate Professor of Strategic Management at the Lazaridis School of Business & Economics at Wilfrid Laurier University. Her tenure at the university has seen her take on diverse roles, including Director of MBA and BBA Programs, as well as participation on the university's Board of Governors and Senate.

In addition to her academic achievements, Schnarr has held key positions within the Government of Ontario, serving as Chief of Staff to ministers across various portfolios. During her tenure, she played a pivotal role in shaping public policy, legislation, and regulations related to government priorities. Recently, she served as Chair of the Ontario Government’s Task Force on Women and the Economy.

Beyond her professional roles, Schnarr is renowned as "a seasoned relationship builder" within organizations, across government ministries and agencies, and with external partners and stakeholders. She was also the Chair of the Board of the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario and Vice-Chair of the Waterloo Regional Police Services Board.

Furthermore, Schnarr is an active supporter of various community initiatives. She volunteers on the National Advocacy Committee for ALS Canada and previously served on the board of the Kids Health Foundation. Her diverse experiences also include past membership on the iGaming Ontario Board of Directors.

Schnarr has earned her PhD in Strategic Management with a focus on Corporate Governance from the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario. She also possesses an MBA from the same institution, along with a Master of Arts in English Literature from Queen’s University and Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees from the University of Waterloo.