A proud Applied Chemistry alumnus from the Class of ’82 and a veteran technologist, investor and philanthropist, Nicholas Brathwaite assumes the role of chancellor at McMaster University with deep roots in innovation, entrepreneurship and global leadership, and a personal commitment to education and equity.
Brathwaite brings a unique blend of Silicon Valley savvy and heartfelt dedication to his alma mater.
He assumed his new role on January 1, and will officially be installed as chancellor during Convocation in May.
What was your response to taking on the role of Chancellor at McMaster University?
When I came to McMaster as a student, if somebody had told me that one day I would be considered for the chancellorship role, I would not have thought that was even possible. So, when I was considered for the role — when [former McMaster President] Dr. [David] Farrar first called me and told me they were considering me and asked if I’d be interested — it took me a while before I responded. It was almost like I had to wake up from the dream first. I think it’s really a great honour and privilege to even be considered.
What’s your special connection to McMaster? Why does it mean so much to you?
I didn’t come to McMaster just to earn a degree. I came to gain knowledge that would allow me to become the best in the world at something — I didn’t yet know what — and to use that knowledge to make an impact. And I received that. Along the way, I also made wonderful friends and became very involved in the McMaster community, especially among Caribbean students. I built lasting relationships, including with some professors. I remember Professor Hileman — who sadly passed away — as my favourite. I spent countless hours talking with him not only about chemistry, but about life more broadly.
McMaster was a place that shaped a significant period of my development.
You and your wife have given back to McMaster and many other organizations for many years now. Why is it so important for you and your family to invest in education?
My father was the son of a man who ran away from home at 12 and never returned. My grandparents had no formal education, yet they believed deeply that education was the only way to change their family’s future and they invested whatever they could in their 10 children.
My dad, their third child, was the first to attend high school. He was a brilliant student, but when his father passed away, my grandmother could no longer afford his boarding in Grenada, and he had to leave school. But he never gave up. Years later, he went to university.
Education transformed his life. He became a teacher, a principal, Chief Education Officer of Grenada, and eventually a diplomat with the Commonwealth Secretariat. His hard work eventually led to his being knighted by Queen Elizabeth.
His commitment to learning transformed our entire family — and it’s why I wanted to partner with McMaster to support talented students who lack financial means, to help create opportunities they wouldn’t otherwise have.
Thank you for sharing such a moving story. How has your family influenced your approach to leadership and mentorship?
As a former student, I hope my involvement inspires others — students and alumni — to get more engaged with McMaster and to see how partnering with the university can help them pursue their own goals and advance the social causes they care about.
I’ve also been encouraged by how our previous Chancellor, who was from a First Nations community, motivated Indigenous students to see McMaster as a place for them. I hope I can play a similar role in encouraging people from other racialized communities to see Mac as a welcoming place to study and to thrive.
You take an active role in companies that you are investing in. How will that spirit translate into your work as chancellor?
It’s never been my style to get involved in something and just sit back and watch from the sidelines. If I’m going to get involved, I want to be involved, and I want to help have an impact. That’s my intention here as well.
As an investor and someone who deeply understands entrepreneurship, commercialization and innovation, how can McMaster advance in this area?
McMaster is one of the top research institutions on the planet, and the quality and volume of scientific discoveries coming out of the university are tremendous. The challenge, for McMaster and for many Canadian universities, is commercialization.
Improving entrepreneurial outcomes is a fantastic initiative, and I fully support the university in that. It’s an area where I can add value, much as we do through my venture capital firm Celesta Capital. But it all comes down to execution — and execution in a university is challenging. You can’t drive execution; you have to influence it. You have to show researchers the impact they can have by commercializing their work rather than simply publishing it.
With my background, I think I can be a strong partner for the university in moving this forward. Ultimately, it’s about creating a clear execution pathway from scientific research to entrepreneurial outcomes.
What legacy do you hope to leave as chancellor?
The time a chancellor spends in the role is very short compared to the life of a university. So, for me, any legacy will likely be about helping to create an inflection point in how we approach key priorities.
I hope to play a small role in setting the university on a long-term, sustainable path — especially around the kind of innovation McMaster has always been known for. One of the things I would like to do — with the support of others — is help McMaster no longer be so quiet. More people need to know about McMaster and the level of impressive talent that is a part of this community.
Okay, you’re ready for the fun questions: Cats or dogs?
Definitely dogs for me.
What’s your idea of a perfect day for you when you have a day for yourself or with your family?
A perfect day for me is a day when I feel like I made an impact on whatever it is I was tackling that day. Or when I get to spend a lot of time with my family.
What’s the one song to get you energized?
I am an audiophile and jazz is my favourite genre. So anything jazz will usually get me energized.