Office of the University Secretary

Board of Governors

Board Members

The University of Saskatchewan Board of Governors consists of 11 members: the university chancellor; the university president; five members appointed by the provincial government; two members elected by University Senate; one student representative; and one member elected by faculty. Board members include:

Dr. Busch-Vishniac ( President )

Dr. Busch-Vishniac received her undergraduate degrees in physics and mathematics from the University of Rochester, and Master of Science and PhD degrees in mechanical engineering from MIT. She worked as a postdoctoral fellow in the Acoustics Research Department of Bell Laboratories immediately following completion of her PhD. In 1981, Dr. Busch-Vishniac joined the faculty of The University of Texas at Austin as an Assistant Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department. She remained there until 1998, rising through the ranks and holding an endowed chair as well as serving as the associate chair of the department. She then joined Johns Hopkins University as the Dean of the Whiting School of Engineering, where she remained until joining McMaster University in 2007.

Dr. Busch-Vishniac’s research focuses on aspects of acoustics and on diversity issues as they relate to engineering education. She is best known for her work to control noise in hospitals and for her efforts to revise engineering curricula to suit a more diverse population. She has authored over 60 technical articles, a monograph, and a number of popular papers. She also holds nine US patents on electromechanical sensors. She has served as the lead supervisor for 18 PhD students, 34 MS students, and a host of undergraduate students engaged in research project and has received many teaching and research awards, including the Curtis McGraw Research Award of the American Society for Engineering Education, the Silver Medal in Engineering Acoustics of the Acoustical Society of America, the Achievement Award of the Society of Women Engineers. She has also served in a variety of leadership roles, including President of the Acoustical Society of America and Chair of the Ontario Council of Academic Vice-Presidents.

Ilene is a member of the Human Resources and Governance & Executive committees.

 

Mr. Blaine Favel ( Chancellor )

Blaine C. Favel was elected Chancellor effective July 1, 2013 for a three-year term, replacing Vera Pezer (BA’62, MA’64, PhD’77) who was first elected in 2007 and served two full terms. His appointment was confirmed at a meeting of University Senate April 20 based on the recommendation of a joint nomination committee.

Mr. Favel, currently the CEO of One Earth Oil and Gas, is an influential Plains Cree leader who has made significant contributions to scholarship, education, public service and the Canadian public good. He has earned two other degrees—a law degree from Queen’s University and a master of business administration from the Harvard Graduate School of Business—and was given an honorary doctor of laws from the U of S in 2012.

Mr. Favel resides in Calgary, Alberta and is a proud father to five children. He serves on the Finance & Investment and Audit committees.

 

Mr. Lee Ahenakew

Lee Ahenakew graduated from the U of S with a Bachelor of Commerce in marketing degree in 1997 and currently works with BHP Billiton as a senior advisor in Aboriginal engagement. He brings expertise in corporate Aboriginal relations and an understanding of the need to develop organizational strategies and quality processes to advance corporate social responsibility. He has a national reputation as a management consultant who is retained by major corporations to assist with developing strategies to engage Aboriginal organizations and communities. Lee is chair of the Audit committee and also serves as a member of the Land & Facilities committee.

 

Mr. David Dubé

David Dubé graduated with an Advanced Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of Saskatchewan in 1984 and is a Huskie football alumnus. Dubé currently is the majority owner, controlling shareholder, president and CEO of Concorde Group Corp, a diversified Saskatoon-based company. He is a recognized investor and venture capitalist, and an active board member of multiple companies, non-profits, Enterprise Saskatchewan and charitable organizations. David is a member of the Finance & Investment and Land & Facilities committees.

 

Dr. Grant Isaac

Grant Isaac graduated from the U of S with both his bachelor and master’s degrees in economics. He brings expertise in finance, taxation and business technology services through his work at Cameco as chief financial officer and senior vice-president. He has served as the dean of the U of S Edwards School of Business and on several other boards. He also taught at the university for nine years, where he focused on research, development and commercialization of technology products, international trade and regulations, and the strategic management of intellectual property. Grant serves as chair of the Finance & Investment committee and is also a member of the Governance & Executive committee.

 

Ms. Kathryn J. Ford, Q.C.

Kathryn J. Ford, Q.C. graduated from the U of S with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1971, before obtaining her law degree in 1974 from Queen’s University. She specializes in conflict resolution and has a particular interest in mediation, workplace conflict assessments and workplace harassment investigations. She owns her own law practice and has practiced law in Saskatoon since her admission to the Saskatchewan Bar in 1977. Kathryn serves as a member of the Human Resources and Governance & Executive committees.

 

Mr. Greg Smith ( Vice-chair )

Greg Smith graduated from the U of S with a BComm in 1979 and is currently a partner in the chartered accounting firm Stark & Marsh in Swift Current. Smith has a strong history of community involvement, including terms as director for the Saskatchewan Special Olympic Games, Swift Current United Way and South West Centre for Entrepreneurial Development. His professional life is also marked by numerous initiatives, such as being past governor of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants, president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Saskatchewan, as well as an instructor at the University of Regina and Athabasca College. Smith was appointed to the board in 2007, chairs the Governance & Executive committee and serves on the Audit and Finance & Investment committees. 

 

Ms. Grit McCreath

Grit McCreath has been an educator-teacher, teacher-librarian and administrator-for over 30 years in Saskatchewan, Alberta and Ontario.  She has taught all grades from Kindergarten to Grade 12 in both public and private schools.  McCreath has been involved with the not for profit sector and the community at large.  She has been a director on various boards including the St. Albert Public Library, Junior Achievement Alberta, YWCA Calgary (President), Famous 5 Foundation (Education Chair and Editor of curriculum guide used across Canada), University of Calgary Research Ethics, Friends of Prince Albert National Park, and currently the Whyte Foundation. McCreath co-authored a book called Waskesiu and its Neighbours: A Casual Illustrated History in 2008 to celebrate the 80th  anniversary of Prince Albert National Park.  She has been honoured twice by the City of Calgary for work with school/business partnerships and received the Conference Board of Canada Royal Bank Partners in Education Award.  She received the Excellence in Teaching Award from Alberta Education and was named one of Calgary's Women of Distinction.  McCreath served on the Senate of the University of Saskatchewan for three years including service on the executive committee and the ad hoc committee to review terms of reference of Senate committees. 

Ms. McCreath was elected to the Board by the Senate in July 2009.  She serves on the Land & Facilities committee is chair of the Human Resources committee.

 

Ms. Susan Milburn ( Chair )

Past president of the U of S Alumni Association (2002-2003) and a recent volunteer in the university's Thinking the World of Our Future Campaign, Susan Milburn is well known both on and off campus for her extensive community and corporate involvement. She has been employed in the investment industry for many years and is currently serving as vice-president of Raymond James Ltd. in Saskatoon. She has also served on numerous boards throughout the province, including SaskEnergy and SaskPower, and in 2002 was named one of Saskatchewan's Women of Influence in Saskatchewan Business magazine. Milburn was elected to the board by Senate July 2006.  Her investment background is a valuable asset in her role as a member of the Audit committee. She also serves as a member of the Governance & Executive and Human Resources committees. 

 

Dr. Linda Ferguson

Linda is a full professor in the College of Nursing.  Her undergraduate, master's and doctoral degrees are in the field of nursing, and she holds a post-graduate diploma in continuing education.  She has worked extensively in the field of faculty development within the College of Nursing and the University of Saskatchewan.  She has taught educational methods courses at the undergradiate (nursing and physical therapy), post-registration, master's and doctoral levels for the past twenty years.  Her research has focused on the nursing education strategies of mentorship and preceptorship, teaching excellence, interprofessional education, and the process of developing clinical judgement in nursing practice, and she holds SSHRC funding as PI and Co-PL.

Currently the Director of the Centre for the Advancement of the Study of Nursing Education and Interprofessional Education (CASNIE) within the College of Nursing at the U of S, Linda has been involved in university governance through University Council since 1998, having been elected for a total of four terms.  She has been a member of the Planning Committee, Scholarships and Awards Committee, Instructional Development Comittee, Coordinating Committee, and the Bylaws Committee.  Dr. Ferguson has a strong interest in keeping the U of S responsive to the community's needs, fiscally strong, a learning environment for all, and a leader in relevant research and development of knowledge.  She sought election to the Board of Governors to contribute to this agenda.  Dr. Ferguson was elected to the board July 2010 and serves on the Audit committee, and chairs the Land & Facilities committee.

 

Mr. Max FineDay ( President, USSU )

Max FineDay is from Sweetgrass First Nation and is currently a fourth year student majoring in political studies. He was elected President of the University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union (USSU) for the 2013/2014 year and has a long history of involvement with the USSU and student lobbying, having sat as an elected member of council and been appointed to USSU committees previously. 



Academically, his focus is on post-secondary education policy in Saskatchewan and abroad, First Nations policy, as well as provincial, federal, and First Nations provincial and federal politics and the political systems of New Zealand.

On the Board of Governors, Max sits on the Land & Facilities Committee and the Finance & Investment Committee and looks forward to working with the board while bringing the crucial voice of students to the table.

 

Ms. Elizabeth Williamson ( University Secretary )

Elizabeth Williamson joined the university in April 2013 as University Secretary. Beth completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Saskatchewan in 1987, obtaining a commerce degree with a major in accounting, and received her Bachelor of Laws from the University of British Columbia in 1992. She was called to the Saskatchewan Bar in 1996, and began her legal career at MacPherson Leslie & Tyerman.

Beth has been in-house counsel at Cameco Corporation over the past 13 years, first working in the areas of contract and commercial law and later in the governance field with Cameco’s board of directors. Beth has also been active in the community, serving on the boards of the Saskatoon Zoo Foundation, Friends of the Broadway Theatre, and her church. Beth and her husband have two daughters in elementary school and enjoy living in the Nutana area.

As University Secretary, Beth provides administrative support for the governance of the university, including the Board of Governors, University Council, Senate and the General Academic Assembly. She also provides guidance in interpreting university policies, matters of jurisdiction and governance, and protocol and ceremonies. Beth also assists with both academic and non-academic appeals, and audit services reports to her on administrative matters.