University Leadership and Governance
Senior Executive
- Office of the President
- Office of the Provost and Vice-President (Academic)
- Office of the Vice-President (Research)
- Office of the Vice-President (International + Enterprise)
- Office of the Vice-President (University Services, Operations and Finance)
- Office of the Vice-President (External Relations)
- Office of the General Counsel
- University Governance
University Structure
The 91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø has a bi-cameral governance structure, as set out in the Alberta Post-secondary Learning Act, consisting of the Board of Governors and the General Faculties Council (GFC). The university is led by the president and vice-chancellor, appointed by the Board of Governors, and the chancellor, the titular head of the university, elected by senate.
Board of Governors and General Faculties Council
The Board of Governors consists of a chairman appointed by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council, the chancellor, the president and 18 other persons appointed by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council, representing alumni, students, staff and the general public. The Board of Governors has authority for board governance and the GFC has authority for academic governance.
While senior authority rests with the Board of Governors, both Board and GFC conduct their business respecting jurisdictions, capitalizing on shared interests, and sharing governance authority within a collegial relationship based upon a mutual desire to serve the greater good of the institution.
Chancellor and Senate
The chancellor is the ceremonial head of the 91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø and is elected by the university's senate to serve a four-year term. The senate of the 91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø is an independent body of diverse community leaders and university representatives that fosters and celebrates the achievements of the university.
President and Executive
The president serves as the institution's chief executive officer and vice-chancellor. The president of the university guides the institution's senior leadership team and reports to the Board of Governors.
Senior Executive Team
Bill Flanagan, President and Vice-Chancellor
Bill Flanagan became the 14th president and vice-chancellor of the 91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø in July 2020. Born and raised in Alberta, he has been recognized for his transformative and entrepreneurial leadership. President Flanagan launched the largest and most ambitious program of academic and administrative restructuring ever undertaken by a Canadian university. With a vision for the 91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø for Tomorrow (UAT), he set the goal of turning the university’s acute financial pressures into a strategic transformation, repositioning the U of A for long-term success.
With the creation of a new university-wide operating model, UAT dramatically enhanced the efficiency of administrative services by establishing shared service centres, introducing new technologies and reducing administrative costs by over $100 million annually. The establishment of three new colleges results in a more dynamic, agile and aligned academic structure.
As reflected in the university’s new strategic plan, Shape 2023-2033, the 91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø is now poised for ambitious enrolment growth and even greater research impact.
Verna Yiu, Provost and Vice-President (Academic)
Dr. Yiu is a professor of pediatrics in the U of A’s division of pediatric nephrology. A well-respected and long-serving member of the U of A community, Dr. Yiu has held numerous leadership roles in the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry including Interim Dean (2011), Vice Dean (2008-2011), and Assistant Dean of Student Affairs (2000-2008). She is a proud U of A alumna, having completed her undergraduate degree, medical school, and residency at the U of A. She completed her fellowship in pediatric nephrology at Harvard University. For the past ten years, Dr. Yiu has held executive leadership roles at Alberta Health Services—Canada’s largest province-wide healthcare system—serving first as executive vice-president and Chief Medical Officer (2012-2016), then as president and Chief Executive Officer of AHS (2016-2022).
Aminah Robinson Fayek, Vice-President (Research)
Aminah leads the Research and Innovation team who support the university’s large, diverse and complex research and innovation enterprise. The portfolio provides leadership, support and services to the university's research and innovation community, across all stages and five campuses, and plays a key role in fostering, developing and supporting major research initiatives and partnerships. She and her team also work closely with our partners, sponsors, partner hospitals and other stakeholders.
Aminah is a professor of civil engineering and a renowned expert in construction engineering and management. She is a passionate advocate for research, graduate students, and industry collaboration and has served on many external policy and research committees.
David Bressler, Vice-President (International and Enterprise)
David Bressler is a professor in the Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Science (ALES), specializing in bioresource technology, as well as renewable fuels, chemicals, and materials. He is the technology founder behind Forge Hydrocarbons, an advanced lipid-to-hydrocarbon biofuel technology company. During his distinguished career, he has been recognized as one of Canada's Clean 50 (2017), served as Executive Director of the Biorefining Conversions Network (2009-2016) and was a Project lead/Member of the Scientific Advisory Board for Biofuelnet, the Canadian Network Center of Excellence and Member of the scientific advisory board (2012-2015) for First Green Partners. He is a graduate of the U of A, receiving his PhD in microbiology and cell biotechnology.
As the Vice-President (International and Enterprise), David leads the U of A’s efforts to expand international academic collaborations and to enhance the institution’s engagement with industry; he also leads the university’s innovation portfolio.
Todd Gilchrist, Vice-President (University Services, Operations and Finance)
Todd Gilchrist is a skilled executive with more than 30 years of experience in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. Todd’s current role as Vice-President, University Services, Operations and Finance includes the two legacy portfolios of Facilities & Operations and University Services and Finance. As an engaged visionary leader Todd inspires his team to realize their abilities and greatness which moves organizations forward. He believes in doing things right and doing the right thing - even if and especially when it is difficult. He leads with a remarkable balance of compassion and accountability, knowing that when staff can bring their whole self to work they can achieve the heights of success - both personally and professionally.
Elan MacDonald, Vice-President (External Relations)
Elan MacDonald, ICD.D is the Vice President, External Relations at the 91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø. Elan has spent her 25-year career advising organizations and corporations on sustaining and growing their businesses by navigating government, policy development, crisis communications, the regulatory and legislative processes, and the shifting political, social and economic landscapes.
Elan serves as Chair of the Real Estate Council of Alberta and a director on the boards of Edmonton International Airport (YEG) and Amii. She is past-Chair of the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce and a former Director on the boards of Covenant Health, Edmonton Global, Alberta Ballet and Atlas Global Brands. As President and CEO of Impact Consulting, Elan founded one of Alberta’s most reputable government relations advisory and communications companies, serving local, national and international clients. She later joined her firm with Global Public Affairs, where she became the Senior Vice President, National Client Development.
Elan has a long history in Alberta politics serving as Deputy Chief of Staff and Political Advisor to two Alberta Premiers, and as a political advisor to Cabinet Ministers. She has a Master’s in Strategic Public Relations from George Washington University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from University of Calgary.
John Lemieux, General Counsel
John Lemieux (BA (Hons), JD, LLM) is the General Counsel at the 91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø. In this role, he is responsible for providing comprehensive legal advice and counsel to the University, its Board of Governors, administration, and various departments on a wide range of legal matters. John oversees all legal affairs at the University, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations, mitigating legal risks, and protecting the University's interests.
An experienced legal professional, John leads the University's legal team, guiding them in corporate/commercial matters, regulatory compliance, privacy and cybersecurity, and governance matters. His extensive background includes serving as a Partner at Dentons Canada LLP for nearly a decade, where he focused on these key areas.
John is an experienced lawyer with an established commitment to public service and community building. In addition to his role with the University, John sits on the Board of Directors of the Art Gallery of Alberta. He is a proud alumnus of the 91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø.
Kate Peters, University Secretary
Kate Peters (PhD) is an academic leader with extensive experience in higher education governance and policy implementation. She currently serves as the University Secretary at the 91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø, where she plays a pivotal role in supporting the university's highest level of decision-making and fostering shared governance. In this capacity, she leads the Board of Governors and General Faculties Council, the University’s academic senate.
Kate’s tenure at the 91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø spans over a decade, including leadership roles at Campus Saint-Jean and the Office of the Provost. Her research on policy implementation in universities has focused on student engagement in the quality assurance of academic programs, examining how system-level policies are adopted and enacted in different organizational contexts. Prior to her time at the 91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø, Kate spent a decade working in the Canadian Francophonie, holding positions in both government and the non-profit sector. She studied at the Université de Bourgogne in Dijon, France, and completed her PhD at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), University of Toronto.