Steve Kavanagh was born in Montreal, QC and attended Herbert Symonds School and Monklands High School. After moving to Ontario, Steve graduated from Thornlea Secondary School in Thornhill. Steve has worked primarily in the health-care sector and in the social-services sector for the last 30 years. Steve and Penny (married in 1972) have three children, all graduates of the Peel District School Board system. Jill, Kelly and Rob all attended Glendale Public School, Beatty-Fleming Senior Public School and Brampton Centennial Secondary School.

Steve first ran for the position of School Trustee as boards were amalgamated in late 1997. His first term began in January 1998. Steve's major issues of the day were to ensure that Brampton children did not spend a major portion of their school life housed in portables, as his children were experiencing at the time. Advocating for a "bricks and mortar" solution was his major theme. At the same time, school boards, children and parents had just been through major disruptions as a result of teacher/staff unrest province-wide. Steve also pledged to do his best to ensure that children and parents would not suffer due to labour issues.

The Kavanagh's have lived in two different homes in Ward 5 since 1982. They deliberately purchased their second home within the same area to ensure their children would continue attending Glendale Public School.

In 1991, Steve completed a milestone in his personal education by completing his B.A. at Brock University part-time. The degree hangs proudly in the family living room.

Steve has been elected as Trustee three times (1997, 2003 & 2006) and acclaimed as Trustee in 2000. The current term as Trustee runs until November 30, 2010.