The current election is for one director, from the Faculty of Health, for a 2-year term beginning July 1, 2026.
Each candidate was invited to submit a candidate information form; candidate answers have not been altered in any way.
To get a sense of what qualifications you might want to look for in a candidate, learn more about being a Board member.
The candidates
Health
Chris Vigna
This position has been acclaimed.
I am seeking election as a Director on the FAUW Board because I want to continue contributing to the important work of supporting and representing faculty members at the University of Waterloo. As the current Chair of the Teaching Stream Faculty Committee, I already serve on the Board and have developed an understanding of its priorities, current objectives, and the broader issues affecting FAUW members. I would welcome the opportunity to continue this work in a director role and to contribute to the Board’s ongoing efforts on behalf of the membership.
I believe I would be an effective director because I bring both governance experience and a collaborative leadership style. In my role as Associate Chair, Undergraduate, I gained valuable experience in university governance, including serving on Senate Undergraduate Council. That work strengthened my ability to engage thoughtfully with policy, decision-making, and institutional processes. As Associate Chair, I also spearheaded the creation of the interdisciplinary Neuroscience Minor, an initiative that brought together expertise from four academic units across three Faculties. Developing that program required listening carefully to different perspectives, building consensus, and working constructively with colleagues across units to achieve a shared goal.
My approach to collaboration is grounded in openness, respect, and active listening. I believe effective representation begins with making members feel heard, especially when their experiences, priorities, or concerns differ. FAUW serves a diverse membership across roles, ranks, and academic units, and I would approach this responsibility by listening carefully, engaging collegially, and working to ensure that a broad range of perspectives informs Board discussions and decisions. I am approachable and value honest, constructive dialogue. As a director, I would aim to foster collaboration that is thoughtful, inclusive, and focused on advancing the mission of FAUW in ways that benefit all members.