Senior Women Academic Administrators of Canada Conference

Through her career in University Governance and the Provost’s Office at the University of Alberta, which spanned over two decades, Andrea possesses a unique awareness of the specific challenges within the post-secondary sector at the intersections of collegial governance, programs, policy and procedure, quality assurance, inclusive excellence, leadership recruitment and selection, and institutional autonomy.

As a Principal in the National Academic Practice at Odgers Berndtson, she applies this unique experience in partnering with universities and colleges across Canada to recruit leaders at all levels of the academy, including Deans, Vice-Presidents, and Provosts, positioning institutions to achieve their strategic and operational objectives through effective leadership.

Barb MacQuarrie is the Community Director of the Centre for Research and Education on Violence against Women & Children in the Faculty of Education at Western University. She conducts research and develops evidence-based education and prevention initiatives involving both community-based and university-based partners. She collaborates with researchers, advocates, community organizations, labour organizations and employers locally, nationally and internationally to continue developing new approaches to addressing gendered violence.

Betty Anne Younker, (Ph.D. Northwestern University, M.Ed. Pennsylvania State University, B.Mus. University of Prince Edward Island) returned to the University of Western Ontario as Dean and Professor of Music Education of the Don Wright Faculty in August 2011; she finished her second term August 2021 and continues as a professor in the music education department. Previous appointments were at the University of Michigan (2000-2011), University of Western Ontario (1997-2000) and the University of Prince Edward Island (1992-1997). Awards include the Dr. Pedro Goldman Award Faculty of Music Students Council (Western), and the distinguished Alumnus of the Year (Penn State University, College of Arts and Architecture). Her research interests include critical and creative thinking within the disciplines of philosophy and psychology, which has been published in national and international journals and as book chapters; and has been presented at national and international conferences. She has served the profession and community in a variety of capacities including as President of the Michigan Music Educators Association, The College Music Society, and the London Arts Council, and as a member of several editorial boards and committees. Currently she is Chair of the London Kiwanis Music Festival, Board Member with the London Symphonia, and President of the University of Prince Edward Island Alumni Association.

Candice Frederick (she/her pronouns) is a person of the Caribbean diaspora. As a Partner at BIPOC Executive Search, she has worked with several post-secondary institutions on DEI hiring and faculty cluster hires. For over 17 years, she has worked with community organizations and education institutions to build better pathways of access. She grounds her practices in intersectional feminism, critical race theory, and a trauma-informed perspectives. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Education degree, both from the University of Toronto.

Dr Carol Beynon is professor emerita at Western where she has held several administrative posts as Associate Vice Provost of the School of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Education, and Associate Dean. Carol's research focussed on three areas: learning to teach, critical perspectives in music education; and, the impact of singing on persons with Alzheimer's Disease. She has received several awards for outstanding teaching, was named the Woman of Excellence in Arts, Culture and Heritage, and was inducted into the “Wall of Fame” at the Don Wright Faculty of Music at Western. Carol is the Senior Artistic Director of the Amabile Boys & Men’s Choirs of London, Canada.

Christy R. Bressette is Western’s first Vice-Provost & Associate Vice-President (Indigenous Initiatives). Christy—whose Anishinabek name is Neeta-Noo-Kee Kwe (Hard-Working Woman)—joined Western on March 1, 2021, after serving as the National Coordinator for Indigenous Education with the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada since 2008. Serving with passion and commitment over the past two decades, Christy has also supported area Anishinabek, Haudenosaunee, and Lenape Nations, as well as Friendship Centres, within work to advance education outcomes for Indigenous learners in the areas of policy, curriculum, and governance.

As one of the first Indigenous women to earn a PhD in Educational Studies from Western, where she also earned her BA (Honours) in History and BEd (with distinction), Christy has strong ties to Western. In addition to teaching at the primary and secondary level in Ontario and British Columbia, she has also taught several graduate-level courses related to Indigenous culture and education in Western’s Faculty of Education since 2004. In 2017/18, she co-chaired the Provost’s Task Force on the Implementation of Western’s Indigenous Strategic Plan (2017/18). Throughout her career, Christy has demonstrated an astute ability for bridging cultural differences between people to help ensure inclusive, equitable, and quality education opportunities for all.

Dr. Charmaine Dean is University of Waterloo Vice-President, Research and International providing strategic leadership on research and innovation, commercialization, and internationalization. She is responsible for building strategic alliances and partnerships with other academic institutions, governments, and industries and has driven initiatives focused on both ethics and social impact of technological developments and on research equity and diversity.

Dr. Dean previously served as the Dean of Science at Western University, Associate Dean in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University (SFU), Chair of the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science at SFU, and President of the Statistical Society of Canada. She is also Chair of Council for NSERC.

Ellyn Lyle has a longstanding background in innovative education practices, ranging from traditional classrooms to workplace and community partnerships and technologically supported learning. She has also held executive leadership positions within global corporations where learning and development were integral components of her portfolio. In all these contexts, she has remained intensely interested in supporting the development of students and teachers as they contribute to socially equitable and sustainable programs. She has been Dean of the Faculty of Education for the past six years and remains active in teaching and research. The use of critical and reflexive methodologies shape explorations within the following areas: lived and living curriculum; intersections of self and subject and their implications for teacher and learner identity; re/humanization of education; and praxis and practitioner development. Connect with her at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellynlyle/

Dr. Glanfield is a member of the Métis Nation of Alberta. In her role as Vice-Provost (Indigenous Programming and Research), Dr. Glanfield led the development, consultation, and approval of the Indigenous Strategic Plan in support of the objectives articulated in For the Public Good, build and nurture positive relationships with Indigenous communities, support the work of Faculties and Departments to Indigenize curricula across programs, and foster a supportive environment for Indigenous faculty, students, and staff.

Heidi Braaksma has worked for over 30 years in the health and education sectors as a social worker and leader in mental health.

She is passionate about mental health literacy, promotion, and the benefits of movement, mindfulness, and self-compassion as robust responses to our challenging world.

Heidi is delighted to discuss senior leaders' work-life integration.

Consultative and collaborative, Jennie’s recruitment style is informed by her own extensive experience as an academic leader and her work in post-secondary institutions in Canada, the USA, and the UK.

As a Partner with the Academic Executive Search Practice, Jennie serves as a strategic advisor and partner to post-secondary institutions. She is skilled communicator and facilitator and is well equipped to support her clients the most critical leadership decisions. She is committed to ensuring equitable and inclusive recruitment processes result in the attraction and selection of the leaders that today’s institutions need to succeed.

Her approach is informed by her deep understanding of the complexities of leading in the field of higher education. Before joining KBRS, Jennie was Associate Vice President of Western University where she led a large and diverse portfolio consisting of 10 departments. Prior to joining Western University, Jennie held several leadership roles including roles at Queen’s, Windsor, University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign), Baylor University (Waco, Texas) and most recently Memorial University where she was the Director of Student Life.

Education and Certifications:

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Geography, Queen’s University
Master of Arts, Geography, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Bachelor of Arts (Honours), Geography, King’s College, London
Executive Certificate in Diversity and Inclusion, Cornell University

Passions, Community Involvement and Personal Interests:

Vice Chair, Board of Directors, St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival
Board of Directors, Shallaway Youth Choir

Jennifer Davila is the Director of Administration at Western's Faculty of Education. She has previously held leadership positions in Administration, Human Resources, Communications, Student Services, and Marketing. Jennifer firmly believes that we prosper most as human beings, learners, and leaders when we find 'common ground' and support one another. Through her EMBA, Human Resources specialization, at the University of Fredericton, Jennifer is analyzing the issues, challenges, and opportunities Canadian Universities face today and exploring the future of Higher Education recruitment.

Jennifer is a multi-award-winning speaker as well as a recipient of the prestigious Queen Elizabeth the II Diamond Jubilee Medal for her community work. Her speeches are memorable, entertaining, and dynamic. She has spoken for educational institutions, businesses, and companies like Western & McMaster, TD Canada Trust and Learners Law Firm to name a few. With a world class speaking format, your audience will laugh, cry, think and act on everything “SLAY”.

A graduate of Western, King’s and McMaster Universities, Jennifer has two bachelors and a master’s degree. She is a certified trainer of Extended DISC and trained in EMDR therapy. She has spent two decades speaking, coaching, and counseling to support people in achieving the best version of themselves. Most recently she was asked to be the host of a Community Television Show called “What’s Up London” after co-producing an award-winning show called “Melanated View”.

In December 2022, Jennifer became the Director of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Decolonization at King’s University College.

Julia writes, speaks and advises on university governance in Canada, drawing on extensive experience in the field. She is Adjunct Professor in the Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria, where she served as University Secretary from 2005 to 2018. Prior to that, she held various administrative positions at Dalhousie University. In 2004, she was seconded to the position of Senior Director (Universities and Colleges) at the Nova Scotia Department of Education. Previously, she worked at the Council of Maritime Premiers in Halifax and the Institute of Intergovernmental Relations at Queen’s University.

Julia has a BA in Political Economy from the University of Toronto, a MA in Political Studies from Queen’s University and a PhD in Higher Education from the University of Toronto. She co-authored a book on mergers in higher education (with Daniel Lang), has written about university revenue generation and is lead author (with Glen Jones, Claude Trottier and Olivier Bégin-Caouette) of University Governance in Canada: Navigating Complexity (McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2022), based on a comparative case study of the governance of six major universities across the country.

Julia Robarts is a Principal in Odgers Berndtson’s Academic Practice, with experience recruiting executives for public and not-for-profit organizations across Canada. Over the last 18 years, Julia has contributed to placing more than 350 of Canada’s most influential leaders in higher education, government, health care, and charities.

Julia is a Certified Human Resources Leader and holds a Master of Science in Organizational and Social Psychology from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Windsor.

She also serves as a director on the board of Yonge Street Mission in downtown Toronto.

Dr. Katina Pollock is a Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy at the Western Faculty of Education and former Co-Director of the Knowledge Network for Applied Education Research (KNAER). She is currently the academic coordinator for the doctorate in educational leadership. Her research focuses on the work and well-being of school leaders.

Katreena Scott is a Psychologist, Professor and Director of the Centre for Research and Education on Violence Against Women and Children at Western University. Dr. Scott leads an applied research program aimed at ending violence in family relationships, with specific expertise on addressing violence perpetration in men. She has authored over 40 articles and book chapters on the development of violent relationships, the efficacy of service to male batterers, the effect of abuse and trauma on children, and on empirically and ethically sound policies for working with abuse perpetrators. The Caring Dads program that she developed (www.caringdads.org) is currently running in many sites across Canada, as well as in the US, UK, Ireland, Wales, Germany, Australia and Sweden. In recognition of her contributions to the field, Dr. Scott holds the Tier I Canada Research Chair in Ending Child Abuse and Domestic Violence.

Dr. Lee Ann McKivor enjoyed a 17-year career within Western University’s Office of the Registrar then moved to serve 3 years as the Associate University Secretary. Having recently joined Memorial University as University Registrar, she is ready for the next adventure!

Earning a B.A., [Western], followed by a Diploma in Hotel and Restaurant Management [Fanshawe College], her college experience provided a route to work in Sheffield U.K. where she enjoyed a 7-year career at The University of Sheffield. In returning to Canada, she obtained a M.Ed., Higher Education Leadership (Specialization) [Calgary] and a Ed.D., Educational Leadership [Western].

To balance her administrative life, Dr. McKivor is an Assistant Professor, part-time/limited duties, within the Ed.D. program at Western. She is also the proud mother of a magnificent daughter who attends the University of Ottawa. Finally, Dr. McKivor and her husband are now under the control of their rescues, a chocolate lab, Otis, and a “we think she’s some kind of shepherd” Lilly.

Nicole Neil is the Associate Dean of Research in the Faculty of Education at the University of Western Ontario (UWO) and Doctoral Level Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA-D). She has worked with children and youth with developmental disabilities for approximately 15 years in research and practice. Her work focuses on the integration of research and practice, partnering with community providers to support evidence-based practice. She is Coordinator of the Master’s of Professional Education in Applied Behavior Analysis, one of the faculty’s largest online programs, for which she received a teaching award from the Ontario Association for Applied Behaviour Analysis. Nicole was previously the Assistant Dean of Graduate Education in the Faculty or Education. 

Sepideh Mahani is the Associate Dean and the Chair of Education Leadership in the Faculty of Education at Yorkville University. She holds degrees in Education Leadership (PhD and MEd), Political Science (BA), and Teaching English to Foreign Learners (TEFL). With over 15 years of experience teaching at tertiary and K–12 levels in both traditional and online settings, Sepideh has also consulted various international government agencies. Her research interests span a wide range of issues including education leadership, diversity in education, first-generation students, culturally relevant pedagogy, motherhood and academia and gender equality in education. 

Stephanie holds a Doctor of Education, Educational Leadership Degree from Western University and a Master of Education Degree from the University of Windsor. She is also a graduate from the University of Detroit Mercy with a Collaborative Bachelor of Science Degree and Dental Hygiene Diploma. Stephanie obtained a full time Faculty position at St. Clair College in Aug 2014 and Coordinated the Adult Upgrading Department. In 2019, Stephanie gained experience as the Coordinator of College Education Development Program (CEDP) and Teaching and Learning in the Centre for Academic Excellence (CAE). Stephanie's passion for inclusive education led her to return to the classroom and become the Coordinator of the Community Integration Through Cooperative Education (CICE) program in addition to the Adult Upgrading Department at St. Clair College. This led her to study and develop an Organizational Improvement Plan during her time as a doctoral student to increase the inclusion of students with developmental disabilities in post-secondary education. Stephanie is now the Chair of the School of Community Studies at St. Clair College and oversees seventeen programs, including the Social Justice Legal Studies Degree program.

As Associate Vice-President, Alumni Relations, Temi is responsible for leadership and vision for the planning, implementation, and management of alumni engagement strategy for Western University. Western Alumni comprise over 328,000 living alumni in 161 countries worldwide. With over 15 years dedicated to advancement and alumni relations, Temi’s experience includes alumni program strategy and inclusive community building, careers and virtual programming, change management and engagement metrics. In previous roles at McGill and Concordia, Temi worked with student leaders, alumni volunteers and campus partners to improve the student experience and increase the breadth and depth of alumni engagement.

Tracy Isaacs is Special Advisor to the Provost on Gender-Based and Sexual Violence and Professor in the Department of Philosophy at Western University. She is an internationally recognized feminist philosopher whose publications in ethics and moral philosophy bring feminist and other social justice perspectives into the scholarly literature concerning collective moral responsibility. She has been at Western since 1992 and has served as the Associate Dean (Academic) for the Faculty of Arts & Humanities from 2015-2022. Some of her previous academic administrative appointments have included Graduate Chair, Philosophy; Chair, Department of Women’s Studies and Feminist Research; and Acting Director, Centre for Women’s Studies and Feminist Research. 

Dr. Jennifer Sutton is Provost and Associate Professor of Psychology at Brescia University College, an affiliate of Western University and Canada’s only women’s university. She earned a B.A. from the University of Kentucky and M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from Western University in Psychology. At Brescia, she regularly teaches statistics for psychology, and her service roles have included various executive roles within the Brescia Faculty Association, Chair of the Brescia Research Ethics Board, and Chair of the School of Behavioural and Social Sciences. Her research program investigates spatial cognition and navigation processing in adults.

Linda holds a PhD in Psychology (Measurement) and has been a faculty member in the Faculty of Health Sciences (Occupational Therapy) at Western University since 1994. She was Associate Dean – Research & Graduate Studies in Health Sciences for 5 years, and has been Vice-Provost of the School of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies since 2008. She has a record of interdisciplinary teaching and research and has partnered on research funded by CIHR, SSHRC, and a variety of external agencies and foundations. In addition to serving on many Senate committees, she has represented Western on the Ontario Council on Graduate Studies for 14 years, including serving as Vice-Chair and Chair. She has also served on Western’s Board of Governors, the McIntosh Gallery Board, and the Board of the Amabile Choirs of London.

Mary E. Hofstetter is an accomplished leader and experienced Chief Executive Officer with proven skills in Change Leadership, Strategic Planning, Board Governance and Board Relations, Fundraising, Financial Management, Organization Development, Public and Community Relations and Communications. Career highlights include service as Vice-President, Academic, Mohawk College; President & CEO, Sheridan College; General Manager, Stratford Festival; President & CEO, Banff Centre. She currently consults part time in the arts and culture and not-for profit sector, with a focus on Board governance and best practices.

Ms. Hofstetter holds Hons. B.A. and M.A. degrees, the ICD.D designation, an Honourary Doctor of Laws from Western University, and was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada for her service to arts, culture and postsecondary education in Canada. She has substantial Board and governance experience in the not-for profit sector, and currently serves as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund, Vice-Chair of the Board of Governors of Sheridan College, and Past Chair of the Board of Directors of Stratford Summer Music.

Margaret McGlynn is the Vice-Provost of Academic Planning, Policy and Faculty and Professor of History at Western University. The Vice-Provost role is responsible for the oversight of Collective Agreement matters along with a variety of planning and strategic needs related to the development of faculty. Both her research and her administrative work focus on the ways in which policy and regulation intersect with cultural norms during periods of rapid change and the ways in which the adaptation of old policies can support or modify the introduction of new ones.

Deborah MacLatchy was appointed president and vice-chancellor of Wilfrid Laurier University in 2017 and renewed for a second term beginning in 2022. Previously, she was Laurier’s provost and vice-president academic and dean of science. As president, she has spearheaded the development of a five-year institutional strategic plan, the Laurier Strategy: 2019-2024, which focuses on two interconnected themes, thriving community and future readiness. This strategy underpinned the success of the institution during the pandemic. A champion for equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) initiatives and Indigenization, Laurier’s strategic EDI plan was approved by Senate and the Board of Governors in fall 2022. In 2021, Laurier was granted provincial approval to develop its third campus in Milton, ON; Milton undergraduate classes will begin in 2024. Prior to her time at Laurier, she was a faculty member and dean at the University of New Brunswick Saint John campus. She is an active researcher and graduate-student supervisor with a focus on comparative endocrinology and ecotoxicology and a founding fellow of the Canadian Rivers Institute. She holds an honours BSc in biology from Acadia University and a PhD in zoology from the University of Manitoba.

Yorkville University President Dr. Julia Christensen Hughes (PhD) is a globally recognized academic, passionate about the power of post-secondary education to transform lives, help people fulfill their purpose, and improve society. Prior, while serving as founding dean of the Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics at the University of Guelph, Lang’s MBA in Sustainable Commerce was ranked first in Canada and in the top 10 globally by national ‘clean capitalism’ business magazine, Corporate Knights.

Dr. Christensen Hughes’s published work includes the co-edited books Academic Integrity in Canada: An Enduring and Essential Challenge (2022); Taking Stock 2.0: Transforming Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (2022); Handbook of Human Resource Management in the Tourism and Hospitality Industries (2018); Taking Stock: Research on Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (2010); and Curriculum Development in Higher Education: Faculty-Driven Processes and Practices (2007). Her most recent journal articles have focused on the need to better align university rankings and faculty research with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Donna Kotsopoulos is the Dean and a professor at the Faculty of Education. She is an extremely proud alum of Western where she earned her doctorate in educational studies in 2007 and was the Governor General Gold Medalist. She is the President of Senior Women Academic Administrators of Canada. She is an Ontario Certified Teacher. Her research explores mathematics learning across the lifespan as well as postsecondary education – particularly strategic resource allocation, leadership, and university governance. Her service, research, and teaching have been recognized with several awards, including the John and Gail MacNaughton Prize for Excellence in Teaching (2020), an OCUFA teaching award (2014), the Fields Institute Fellow (2017) through the esteemed Fields Institute for Research in Mathematical Sciences.

An accomplished academic leader, professor and research scientist, Dr. Lesley Rigg has served as Brock University’s President and Vice-Chancellor since November 2022.

Previously a biogeographer/forest ecologist, Rigg led the research enterprise at Western University as the institution’s Vice-President, Research. Prior to arriving at Western, she served as Dean of the Faculty of Science and Professor, Biological Sciences at the University of Calgary, where she led one of the largest Faculties on campus spanning six departments and five multidisciplinary programs.

Her experience also includes holding significant leadership positions at Northern Illinois University. There, she served as Vice-President for Research and Innovation Partnerships and other roles including Associate Dean Research and Graduate Affairs in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

She is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society of Canada, a former executive committee member of the Ontario Council on University Research (OCUR) and the recipient of many honours, including the Alberta SHEInnovator Award and the Women of Inspiration, Vision Builder Award for Western Canada. She has spoken extensively and published works on forest dynamics, biogeography, and women in science.

Rigg earned her bachelor’s degree in geography and environmental studies from York University in Toronto, a master’s degree in geography from the University of Colorado and a PhD in geography and environmental studies at Australia’s University of Melbourne.