Alumnus and innovator Nicholas Brathwaite to lead McMaster University as next Chancellor

Nicholas Brathwaite Named McMaster University’s Next Chancellor

(original story via ronfanfair.com, Oct. 30, 2025).

McMaster University has announced that alumnus and tech innovator Nicholas Brathwaite will become its 20th Chancellor in January — marking another milestone for Caribbean representation in Canadian higher education.

Brathwaite, who earned a degree in Applied Chemistry from McMaster more than four decades ago, has built a global career in technology and venture capital. He co-founded Celesta Capital, a Silicon Valley firm that invests in deep tech innovations across semiconductors, systems, and life sciences.

“Being allowed to return in this role and serve the McMaster community is an honour I never imagined,” Brathwaite said in remarks quoted by journalist Ron Fanfair.

From Carriacou to Silicon Valley

Born on the small Grenadian island of Carriacou, Brathwaite’s journey took him from early studies in Barbados to graduate work at the University of Waterloo, and ultimately to leadership roles at Intel and Flextronics, where he reportedly became one of the first Black chief technology officers of a publicly traded tech company.

Commitment to Giving Back

Alongside his wife, Janice, he established the PETNA Foundation in 2007 to provide scholarships and educational support to Caribbean students. The foundation now partners with McMaster to offer the annual Nicholas and Janice Brathwaite Award for students from the Caribbean pursuing undergraduate studies in Canada.

“The true measure of success is not the wealth you accumulate or the titles you hold. It is about the impact you have on the lives of others,” Brathwaite told Fanfair.

A Symbol of Representation and Innovation

Brathwaite joins a growing group of Canadian university chancellors of Caribbean heritage — a sign of changing times in academia. His appointment also strengthens ties between McMaster and the global technology sector, particularly through partnerships that connect university research with commercial innovation.

For the full original reporting, visit ronfanfair.com.