St. Paul’s is pleased to announce the appointment of Brad Siim (BASc '92) as the new chair of our Board of Governors. He succeeds Gary Foerster (BA '76) who had been in the role from 2007 to 2014. Siim’s appointment is effective immediately and runs until October of 2022.
“I really enjoy helping the College and I’ll do my best as Board Chair to support its continued growth,” said Brad Siim. “When I first joined the College, it was such a small community. Since then it’s expanded its academic programming and renewed/expanded its residence. It’s a remarkable thing to be a part of.”
Siim has been a part of the St. Paul’s community since he was a first-year student living in the residence in 1987 studying in Waterloo’s computer engineering program. After graduating in 1992, he went on to co-found and sell three high-tech start-ups in the Waterloo region: PixStream (acquired by Cisco Systems in 2000), Kaparel (acquired by Rittal in 2000) and Sandvine (TSX: SVC, subsequently acquired by Francisco Partners in 2017).
With a love of his experience at the College, Siim has served on the Board from 2002 to 2012 and later re-joined from 2013 to the present, taking on various roles during his tenure. Each Board member is allowed to serve three, three-year terms, but later re-join if they take a year off after a three-term commitment. Each Board Chair must serve a term as Vice-Chair before being elected to the position of Chair.
The Board Chair is responsible not only for running board meetings but for ensuring the proper functioning of the Board more generally. In addition, the Board Chair ensures the College's duties to stakeholders are being fulfilled by acting as a link between the Board and upper management – particularly the principal.
“We’re very lucky to have a guy like Brad on our Board and delighted he’s agreed to serve as Chair,” said Richard Myers, Principal. “Brad really loves St. Paul’s and promotes it all the time. He’s been a great member of our Board over the years because he’s not afraid to ask a lot of hard questions based on his outstanding business experience.”
Siim lived at the College for five terms and later moved into student housing with floormates from La Bastille, the French culture and language floor. He fondly remembers participating in traditions such as Blackforest Coffeehouse, Toast Time, movie nights and dances where he would DJ the music.
Brad Siim and James Cherry (BASc '92) during the summer of 1989 on floor Apathy, now named Empire.
“I loved the life experience I gained at the College, and it’s so exciting to be able to pass on and share the experience I had with the next generation of students,” said Siim. “Living at St. Paul’s really allows them to enjoy their time at university and take advantage of all the unique things the College has to offer.”
Siim was named one of the Colleges’ Distinguished Alumni in 2014. His leadership, expertise and experience with the community will continue to benefit the College in the years to come. Please join us in welcoming him to his new position.