As a not-for-profit corporation, the UWSA is governed by a Board of Directors.
The Board's responsibility is to set long-term goals for the association, provide important financial and governance oversight, and safeguard the UWSA's future. They ensure that the work of the UWSA is in full alignment with the Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act, our by-law, and our strategic plan.
Read more about the board and its duties in Article 8 of our By-law.
Current directors and officers
Gitanjali Shanbhag
Term of office: 2023–2026
Pronouns: she/her
“The voices of the BIPOC community need to be amplified and I am here to advocate for and be the voice of my community. I am dedicated to instigating positive change for our staff contending with unfair workplace challenges. This commitment entails ongoing learning, promoting awareness, and championing the cause of our staff, aligning with UWSA's strategic priorities.”
Sara Perkins
Term of office: 2022-2025
Pronouns: she/her/they
"I have always been a vocal advocate for safer and healthier work conditions, physically and psychologically. I want to make the University a better place for ALL workers, and represent the needs of neurodivergent staff."
Kosi Ike-Orji
Term of office: 2024–2027
Pronouns: she/her
"I ran for office because making an impact in every situation I find my self is, is very important to me. When I started working for University of Waterloo, I set out a task to find ways I could provide a positive impact not just for myself but for others."
Kathy Becker
Director term of Office: 2022–2025
Pronouns: she/they
"I care about the people who make up our campus and I’m driven to make things better."
Agata Antkiewicz
Term of office: 2022–2025
"I take true joy in meeting and talking to people, resolving differences and finding a constructive way forward to advocate for and empower staff as well as to help ensure the growing influence and appreciation of staff in the decision-making processes on campus."
Bill Baer
Term of Office: 2017–2025
About Bill: I'm the Information Technology (IT) Director in the Arts Computing Office and have worked on campus for twenty-plus years. During my Engineering undergraduate years, I volunteered with ESQ and realized I had a passion for outreach.
Gail Bender
Term of office: 2024–27
Pronouns: she/her
"This is an interesting time for UW. Given the large number of employees facing retirement, budget constraints, and the 'new way of working,' this is an opportunity to look holistically at what best serves the staff for the future."
Kenneth Berry
Term of office: 2024-2027
Pronouns: he/him
"As a strategic thinker, I am a firm believer in thinking long term while maintaining a focus on the vision of the board in guiding the high-level strategic governance of the UWSA."
Matthew Grant
Term of office: 2024–27
Pronouns: he/him
"I'd like to see us continue evolving to meet the needs of our members, including those who have traditionally been excluded from representation. I want to build a better, more resilient, equitable and respected environment for staff to have their voice heard and, more importantly, to have their concerns addressed."