Thursday, April 30: Professional Development Day
Opening Keynote
Amanda Leuschen
Vice-President, Leadership & Learning, Leaps and Bounds Consulting
Amanda Leuschen has built her career around one simple truth: meaningful relationships create lasting impact. From her early days in documentary and children’s television production, to a decade at Apple leading high-performing teams, to senior leadership at United Way Winnipeg, Amanda’s work has always centered on helping people connect, grow, and thrive. Today, as Vice President of Leadership & Learning at Leaps & Bounds Consulting, she partners with leaders and teams to bring strategy to life through culture, collaboration, and trust. Known for her warmth, clarity, and ability to make complex ideas feel simple and actionable, Amanda inspires audiences to see leadership as a deeply human act — one grounded in strength of character, depth of connection, and the courage to commit.
Afternoon Session
Chris Carter
Principal Governance Advisor at Vancouver City Savings Credit Union (Vancity)
Chris Carter is an award-winning lawyer, director and Fellow of the Chartered Governance Institute, with 23+ years’ experience in corporate governance in the public, private and non-profit sectors. Chris won the 2025 Distinguished Professional Service Award from The Chartered Governance Institute of Canada (CGIC) for outstanding contributions to leadership and innovation in governance.
Chris currently acts as the Principal Governance Advisor at Vancity, one of Canada's largest community credit unions. She also recently led the governance team at the B.C. Lottery Corporation (BCLC), one of the top 5 largest Crown corporations in the province. During Chris's tenure, BCLC won an Excellence in Governance Award for Stakeholder Engagement from Governance Professionals of Canada (2024).
Prior to BCLC, Chris acted as Legal Counsel & Deputy Secretary for nearly 17 years at HSBC Bank Canada, a former TSX-listed public company and Canada’s leading international bank. At HSBC, she co-created the Company Secretary Department by hiring and training new staff, managing the office move and drafting procedural guides, all while ensuring 200+ corporate filings and 45+ Board meetings/year were successfully completed on time. During her tenure, HSBC won an Excellence in Governance Award for Best Practices to Enhance Boardroom Diversity from GPC (2015).
Chris is also an instructor for the Directors Education and Accreditation Program at the Chartered Governance Institute of Canada, and a guest lecturer and mentor for the Faculties of Law at the University of Calgary and Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops. She is a frequent speaker at the GPC Annual Corporate Governance Conference and the CGIC Continuing Professional Development webinar series.
Friday, May 1
Opening Keynote
Rahul K. Bhardwaj
President and Chief Executive Officer - Institute of Corporate Directors
As President and CEO of the Institute of Corporate Directors, Rahul Bhardwaj leads a Canadian not-for-profit association of more than 18,000 members committed to improving national outcomes by growing the board leadership and governance capacities within Canadian businesses, agencies and not-for-profits.
Mr. Bhardwaj currently serves on the boards of the Institute of Corporate Directors, the Canadian Foundation for Governance Research, past Chair and current Executive Committee of the Global Network of Director Institutes, the Leader Council at the Ian O. Ihnatowycz Institute for Leadership at Ivey Business School, and as Director Emeritus at the Rideau Hall Foundation.
His corporate governance vision has made Mr. Bhardwaj a sought-after presenter, speaker and media commentator in Canada and across the globe.
The University Presidency and Impact of Board Governance
Glen Jones
Ontario Research Chair in Postsecondary Education Policy and Measurement and Professor of Higher Education
Glen A. Jones is the Ontario Research Chair in Postsecondary Education Policy and Measurement, Professor of Higher Education, and Director of the Centre for the Study of Canadian and International Higher Education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), University of Toronto. His research interests include higher education systems, governance, policy, and academic work. He has received numerous national and international awards for his research, including an honorary degree from the University of Manitoba. He is the author or co-author of more than 150 publications. He is an emeritus dean of OISE, as well as a former department chair and associate dean. His recent books include: University Governance, Management and the Academic Profession (Springer, 2025), Governance of Higher Education: Global Perspectives, Theories and Practices (2nd edition, Routledge, 2024), The Role of Governing Boards in Canadian Higher Education: Sociological Perspectives on the Form and Functioning of Boards (Routledge, 2024), and University Governance in Canada: Navigating Complexity (McGill-Queen’s, 2022).
President’s Panel
Benoit-Antoine Bacon
University of British Columbia
Dr. Benoit-Antoine Bacon started a five-year term as the 17th President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of British Columbia on November 1, 2023. In this role, he leads the academic mission and operations of UBC as it strives to make an ever-greater positive impact on BC, Canada and the world. Before joining UBC, Dr. Bacon served in several academic leadership roles, including as President and Vice-Chancellor of Carleton University in Ottawa, Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic) at Queen’s University in Kingston, and as Provost and Vice-President (Academic Affairs) at Concordia University in his hometown of Montreal.
Dr. Bacon holds a PhD in neuropsychology from the University of Montreal, after which he undertook a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Glasgow, Scotland. His research in the field of cognitive neuroscience focuses on the links between brain activity and perception in the visual, auditory and vestibular systems, as well as on multisensory integration. Sharing his own lived experience, he advocates nationally for open conversations about mental health and substance use. These efforts have notably been recognized with awards from Excellence Canada, and the Royal Ottawa Hospital, as well as the Honorary Presidency of the Canadian Psychological Association. He currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Mental Health Commission of Canada.
Vivek Goel
University of Waterloo
Dr. Vivek Goel is a distinguished scholar with extensive achievements in research, teaching, and leadership across both public and private sectors. He is recognized in Canada and worldwide as a leading public-health researcher, health-services evaluation expert, and champion for the use of research evidence in health policymaking.
He has held several senior leadership roles at the University of Toronto including as Vice-President and Provost and Vice-President Research and Innovation. He is President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Waterloo.
Dr. Goel served as founding President and CEO of Public Health Ontario from 2008 until 2014 and founding scientist at the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES), where he continues as an Adjunct Senior Scientist. He has served as Chief Academic Strategist with Coursera, a global platform that connects universities and learners with online courses. He has extensive experience in governance and serves on the boards of the Canadian Institute for Health Information (as Chair), the POST Promise, and Chair of the Expert Advisory Group on the development of a Pan-Canadian Health Data Strategy.
Dr. Goel is a fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, a fellow of the Fields Institute for Research in Mathematical Sciences, a Member of the Order of Canada and recently appointed to the Order of Ontario.
He obtained his medical degree from McGill University and completed post-graduate medical training in Community Medicine at the University of Toronto. He obtained a master’s degree (MSc) in Community Health from University of Toronto and a master’s degree (MS) in Biostatistics from Harvard University School of Public Health.
Deborah MacLatchy
Wilfrid Laurier University
Deborah MacLatchy has served as president and vice-chancellor of Wilfrid Laurier University since 2017. As president, she spearheaded the development of the Laurier Strategy 2019-2024 and the Laurier Strategic Action Plan 2024-2028. Dr. MacLatchy’s leadership during pivotal moments, such as Laurier’s pandemic response and the province of Ontario’s approval for Laurier’s campus in Milton, reflects her deep expertise in academic and administrative operations.
Dr. MacLatchy is a member of the Board of Universities Canada and chair of the Board of the Council of Ontario Universities (COU). In 2023, Dr. MacLatchy achieved the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors-Rotman Directors Education Program, reflecting her commitment to strong governance. She currently chairs one community arts & culture board and is vice-chair of Ontario Universities Athletics.
Prior to being appointed president at Laurier, Dr. MacLatchy served as Laurier’s provost and vice-president: academic and the dean of the Faculty of Science. She has also held faculty and senior roles at the University of New Brunswick. Dr. MacLatchy is an active researcher and graduate student supervisor focusing on ecotoxicology, holding a PhD in zoology from the University of Manitoba.
Wendy Rodgers
University of Prince Edward Island
Dr. Wendy Rodgers is the President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Prince Edward Island. She earned her PhD in Kinesiology from the University of Waterloo, with a master’s degree from Western University and an undergraduate degree from York University. Dr. Rodgers has also been active in research ethics review and related administration since the beginning of her career.
Dr. Rodgers studies social cognitive theories as they relate to behavior change in varying contexts with a particular focus on exercise in rehabilitation settings. Her work concerns how individual motivational characteristics relate to intentions to increase exercise behavior in consideration of contextual influences that might impede or support behavioural adoption, change, and persistence. Dr. Rodgers has an extensive publication and funding record.
Dr. Rodgers has a long history of administrative and governance roles within the academy. She has led institutional initiatives in the areas of equity, diversity, and inclusion; in leadership development and support, issues management, faculty workload and evaluation, and oversight and leadership of the academic mission of the university.
Shared Governance: What’s Possible
Cheryl Foy
President, Strategic Governance Consulting Services Ltd.
Cheryl has provided governance advice and guidance to nearly 50 Canadian universities since 2021. She has advised provincial governments, sector organizations, university boards, senates, presidents, and governance professionals on a wide range of matters.
She has taught several courses at the university level. She designed and delivered the first and only senate-approved micro-credential, "Governance in Canadian Universities," for university governance professionals (University of Manitoba).
With over 25 years of experience in governance, Cheryl has held executive roles as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary in both public and private technology companies, as well as higher education. She is a multiple award-winning general counsel. As a thought leader in strategy and governance, Cheryl has spoken at numerous conferences and events. In 2021, Cheryl authored the book "An Introduction to University Governance" and regularly writes for legal and sector publications.
Cheryl holds an Honours BA and an LLB from Queen’s and was called to the Ontario Bar in 1995. She has served on several national not-for-profit boards, including the Canadian Bar Association, Canadian Corporate Counsel Association, and Women General Counsel Canada. Most recently, Cheryl served as Governance Chair for TEMBO, Investment Committee Chair and Board member for the Canadian Universities Reciprocal Insurance Exchange, and as a founding board member for Ontario Tech Talent. She serves on the editorial board of Canadian Lawyer.
The Scarborough Charter in 2026
John Ariyo
Executive Director, Scarborough Charter Secretariat
John Ariyo joined the Scarborough Charter Secretariat on Anti-Black Racism and Black Inclusion in Canadian Higher Education in July 2024 as its inaugural Executive Director. The Ottawa-based Secretariat was created to support over 60 universities and colleges that are the signatory members of the Scarborough Charter.
John is a change agent and system influencer, with previous leadership positions in both municipal and provincial governments at the City of Mississauga, City of Hamilton, Elections Ontario, and Province of Nova Scotia. He is a respected leader on the forefront of key community initiatives that have built public trust, advanced equity and anti-racism initiatives, and improved outcomes for residents and various equity populations.
A long-time government and community volunteer, he served on Canada’s National Security Transparency Advisory Group (NS-TAG) and the Halifax Electoral Boundary Review Panel. He currently sits on the Boards of Directors of the Ottawa Food Bank and the Pinecrest Queensway Community Health Centre, Ottawa, the largest community health centre in Ontario.
Christopher Stuart Taylor
Associate Vice-President, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism
Christopher Stuart Taylor is the Associate Vice-President of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Anti-Racism (EDI-R) at the University of Waterloo. He is also an Associate Professor in the Department of History. He completed his PhD at Western University (Canada) in History and Migration & Ethnic Relations (MER). His book, Flying Fish in the Great White North: The Autonomous Migration of Black Barbadians, is available from Fernwood Publishing. He also worked in the Ontario Public Service (OPS) and began his career as a Policy Coordinator Intern in the Deputy Minister's Office at the Ministry of Labour. He was the Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator in the Ministry of the Attorney General's Diversity, Inclusion & Accessibility Office; a Senior Policy Advisor at Ontario's Anti-Racism Directorate; and Manager of Social Justice & Change Cluster at the Ontario Correctional Services College. Dr. Taylor is a proud founding member of the University of Waterloo’s Black Faculty Collective (BFC).
Saturday, May 2
AI Adoption in Governance
Devan Mescall
Professor, Edwards Enhancement Chair in Business, University of Saskatchewan
Dr. Devan Mescall is a world-renowned researcher specializing in corporate decision-making, governance, and innovation—including artificial intelligence. He has published multiple articles in top tier journals including Financial Times 50 journals such as The Accounting Review, Contemporary Accounting Research, The Journal of Business Ethics and The Harvard Business Review. His research has been cited by the OECD, IMF, and presented to policymakers in Canada and the U.S.
He has completed MIT’s Leading the AI-Driven Organization program and Harvard's Driving Nonprofit Performance and Innovation and Risk Management for Corporate Leaders programs to advance his work on AI and corporate governance and has published leading research on successful artificial intelligence implementation in the Harvard Business Review. Dr. Mescall has made over 20 media appearances and interviews in the past year for CTV, Global, CBC and the Financial Post. Dr. Mescall serves as a principle at Arcite AI supporting organizations enhance their value creation through successful AI adoptions. He is the invited guest editor for Corporate Governance: An International Review's special issue on Corporate Governance and AI.
Dr. Mescall who is a CPA CA also has a strong interest in financial leadership and budgeting innovation in higher education. As the University of Saskatchewan’s inaugural Chief Financial Officer, he led the redesign of the university’s financial leadership model and chaired the Strategic Finance Committee, overseeing the strategic allocation of a $1B+ budget. His work established the Office of Strategic Finance emphasized transparency, alignment with institutional priorities, and long-term financial sustainability.
With research that bridges academia and public policy, and administrative leadership that has shaped the financial strategy of a U15 institution, Dr. Mescall brings a rare blend of scholarly impact and executive insight to the future of higher education.
Bringing it All Together: Leading Change and Exercising Influence
J. Mark Weber
Special Advisor to the Provost on Leadership Strategy and Development and Professor of Management and Organizations
Mark Weber is Special Advisor to the Provost on Leadership Strategy and Development at the University of Waterloo (UW).
Prior to his current role, Mark was the Eyton Director of the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship & Business at UW, the inaugural Director of UW’s Graduate Diploma in Social Innovation, and a former faculty member at the Rotman School of Management and UTM at the University of Toronto. He also taught courses at Northwestern University, INSEAD, and the Ross School of Business at University of Michigan. He earned his PhD in Management and Organizations at the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, and also holds a masters degree in social psychology and an MBA.
Mark is an award-winning teacher and researcher. He consults extensively and has provided training and coaching to executives and professionals in the financial services, professional services, technology, telecommunications, broadcast media, entertainment, automotive, pharmaceutical, healthcare and education sectors, and in government at all levels. He also facilitates strategic planning for not-for-profit and for-profit organizations alike. Mark’s early achievements included both national and international awards for public speaking and debating. His pre-academic professional experiences included managerial and leadership roles in municipal government, the financial services sector, and in not-for-profit organizations.
Mark’s research focuses on leadership, cooperation, negotiations, decision-making, and trust. His work has been published in outlets like Research in Organizational Behavior, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Organizational Psychology Review, Culture and Negotiation: Integrative Approaches to Theory and Research, Social Psychological and Personality Science, Trust and Distrust across Organizational Contexts: Dilemmas and Approaches, and Personality and Social Psychology Review.