Memorial University awarded a $110,600 consulting contract to a company controlled by a former senior administrator at Sheridan College, where Memorial University President Janet Morrison and Vice-President (Finance and Administration) Alison Horton previously held senior leadership positions.
According to Memorial University’s procurement disclosure, ARC Organizational Transformation Inc. was awarded a contract valued at $110,600 on August 21, 2026, for “Consulting Optimization Initiatives.”
Federal corporate records identify Amy Bernstein-Crowe as the sole individual with significant control over ARC Organizational Transformation Inc., directly holding more than 75 percent of the company’s shares.
The company was incorporated on June 14, 2026, approximately two months before receiving the contract from Memorial University.
Bernstein-Crowe previously held several senior administrative positions at Sheridan College, including Internal Auditor, Associate Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer, and Associate Vice-President and Chief Organizational Excellence Officer.
Morrison served as president of Sheridan College from 2016 until August 2025, while Horton worked at the college from 2022 until at least September 2025, holding senior leadership positions including Vice-President (Administrative Services) and Vice-Provost (Academic Resources and Planning).
Ontario’s public-sector salary disclosure records listed Bernstein-Crowe as Internal Auditor at Sheridan College as early as 2015, when she earned $102,047.07. By 2022, her annual salary had increased to $130,726.50.
In 2023, Bernstein-Crowe was listed as Associate Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, earning $142,968.73. In 2024, she was listed as Associate Vice President and Chief Organizational Excellence Officer, earning $170,382.74.
Morrison appointed Horton as Memorial University’s interim vice-president (finance and administration), effective February 2, 2026.
In a January 7, 2026, announcement, Morrison acknowledged their previous working relationship at Sheridan College, stating, “She and I worked together at Sheridan where she served as the vice-president (administrative services) and vice-provost (academic resources and planning).”
At the time the contract was awarded, Horton was serving as Memorial University’s interim vice-president (finance and administration), overseeing the university’s financial management and procurement functions. As vice-president, Horton reported to President Janet Morrison.
On October 14, 2026, Memorial announced Horton’s permanent appointment to the position, following Morrison’s recommendation to the Board of Regents.
The appointment was made without a new competition, following an unsuccessful national search in 2025. Memorial had previously announced that the search would be paused for 12 months and relaunched in January 2027.
According to the university, Horton was identified as “a strong candidate” during the earlier search but initially could not commit to the position beyond February 2027.
The procurement disclosure identifies ARC’s contract under award number AFS-123-26 and purchase order P0240802, with Memorial University’s Financial and Administrative Services listed as the issuing department.
The previous professional relationships and subsequent contract award raise questions about Memorial University’s procurement and conflict-of-interest procedures.
Matt Barter is a graduate of the Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty at Memorial University of Newfoundland, holding a degree in Political Science with a minor in Sociology. He enjoys reading thought-provoking articles, taking walks in nature, and volunteering in the community.
Leave a Reply