Nancy McKenzie re-appointed as Chair of the UBC Board of Governors

August 18, 2022

The UBC Board of Governors is pleased to announce the re-appointment of Ms. Nancy McKenzie as Chair of the Board for a two-year term, effective June 23, 2021.  Additionally, Ms. McKenzie is pleased to announce the appointment of the Board’s new Co-Vice-Chairs, Ms. Alison Brewin and Mr. Raghwa Gopal, for one-year terms effective June 23, 2021.

Nancy was initially appointed to serve on the Board in 2017 and was elected Chair in July 2020.

Since joining the Board, Nancy has chaired the Finance Committee, and has served as a member of the Executive Committee, Property Committee, Employee Relations Committee, Financial Strategy Working Group, UBC Neighborhoods Liaison Committee, and Academic Renewal Working Group.

Nancy is looking forward to working with the President and Vice-Chancellor and the UBC Administration to advance key institutional priorities including Indigenous Reconciliation; Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence; and, Sustainability and Climate Action.

Following her re-appointment, Nancy noted that “It is a real honour to have been chosen among my peers on the Board to continue as Chair for a further term.  I look forward to continuing to work closely with President Ono and the Board, to advance UBC’s global impact on some of the world’s most urgent and pressing issues, through implementation of the UBC Strategic Plan.  Additionally, I am committed to continue to build upon governance transparency and creating an inclusive culture where every student, faculty member, staff member and visitor feels welcome and part of the UBC community.”

In addition to her duties as Chair of the UBC Board of Governors, Nancy is a director on a number of Boards, including Coast Capital Savings, where she is Vice-Chair and Chair of the Risk Committee, and is an advisor to businesses.

New Vice-Chairs Raghwa Gopal and Alison Brewin were appointed to the Board in 2013 and 2018 respectively. Throughout their terms both Raghwa and Alison have demonstrated strong Board leadership through their service on several committees and working groups.

Raghwa is currently the President & CEO of Innovate BC. He is also a member of the NRC-IRAP Board of Advisors and sits on a number of for profit and non-profit Boards.

Alison works as a consultant to the non-profit sector in BC, providing governance, planning and leadership support to a diverse range of organizations. She has a legal degree and a career working in equality and inclusion.

As Nancy notes, “I am thrilled that both Alison and Raghwa will be supporting me through their additional leadership roles as co-vice-chairs of the Board.  Their complementary skillsets will ensure diverse perspectives are incorporated into planning and continuity of issues coming before the board, and I deeply appreciate their council to both myself and President Ono.”

In response to Nancy’s reappointment as Board Chair, UBC President and Vice-Chancellor, Santa Ono said:  “I am delighted that Nancy McKenzie has been reappointed as Chair of the Board of Governors. Nancy has brought a thoughtful, inclusive and informed approach to Board matters over the past year, and I look forward to continuing to work the Chair and Board as we strive towards the University’s vision as set out in the UBC Strategic Plan—’inspiring people, ideas and actions for a better world’.”