Joy Johnson, President of Simon Fraser University, was appointed Vice-Chair of Universities Canada's Board of Directors for a term of one year today (October 30), at the organization's semi-annual membership meeting. After serving in this role, she is expected to succeed McGill University President, Deep Saini, as Chair of Universities Canada's Board of Directors from October 2025-2027.
Prior to her appointment as President of Simon Fraser University, Dr. Johnson served as SFU's Vice-President, Research and International from 2014 to 2020. Before joining SFU, Dr. Johnson had a distinguished career in academics and research, completing her PhD in nursing at the University of Alberta before joining the University of British Columbia as a professor in the School of Nursing.
"This is excellent news for Universities Canada," said Gabriel Miller, President and CEO of Universities Canada. "Dr. Johnson is a highly accomplished and respected university leader who has been an outstanding contributor to our organization and Board of Directors. Dr. Johnson's leadership reflects her deep commitment to excellence in research and higher education and will no doubt continue providing strong, national leadership to Canada's universities as Vice-Chair."
Universities Canada's semi-annual membership meeting provides a forum for Canadian university presidents to discuss current issues, as well as the future of post-secondary education and research. Under this fall's theme, Opening doors to growth and opportunity, university leaders zeroed in on their vital role empowering Canadians to build resilient, well-paying careers in a 21st century job market and to help solve the country's most important challenges, from lagging productivity to housing affordability. A number of guest speakers joined the meeting, including the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada, former ministers James Moore and John Manley, Canadian journalist and political commentator Vassy Kapelos and Theophilos Argitis, Managing Director of the Compass Rose Group.
Universities Canada also welcomed new board members Andy Hakin, President of St. Francis Xavier University, Lesley Rigg, President of Brock University, Bill Flanagan, President of the University of Alberta, Michael Benarroch, President of the University of Manitoba and Brett Fairbairn, President of Thompson Rivers University. These board members have been appointed on a two-year term, except for Dr. Fairbairn, who will serve a one-year term.
