Board of Governors

About us

The Board of Governors of Vancouver Island University is empowered by the University Act of British Columbia. The management, administration and control of the property, revenue, business and affairs of the university are vested in the Board. No remuneration is paid to any member of the Board of Governors in respect of their service as a governor. The Board membership is comprised of 15 members as follows:

• the chancellor
• the president
• two faculty members elected by the faculty
• eight persons appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council, two of whom are to be appointed from among persons nominated by the alumni association
• two students elected by the students, and
• one person elected by and from the employees of the university who are not faculty members

Further information

The Secretariat Office
Email: Board@viu.ca

Phone: 250.740.6681

Board of Governors - Biographies

James Cassels, Chair

Jamie Cassels served as President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Victoria from 2013 to 2021. Prior to that, Professor Cassels was UVic's Vice-President Academic and Provost from 2001-10 and before that served as Dean of the Faculty of Law. He served as Chair of the Research Universities Council of BC, and on the Board of Universities Canada.  A professor of law since 1981, his books and articles have been influential in areas of law and public policy. He was a founding member of the BC Law Institute, has consulted to all levels of government on issues of public policy, and has volunteered for a number of organizations including Big Brothers and Sisters and the United Way.  Recognition of his contributions as a teacher, scholar and leader include appointments as Kings Counsel, a member of the Order of Canada, and the national 3M university teaching award.

Lisa Marie Barron

Lisa Marie Barron was recently appointed to the VIU Board of Governors. A full biography will be available soon.

Peter Behie

Peter Behie was recently appointed to the VIU Board of Governors. A full biography will be available soon.

Nate Bello

Nate Bello was an Instructor at the College of New Caledonia, a Director with the Cariboo Regional District and the Mayor of the City of Quesnel. Active in his community, Mr. Bello was a Member of the Vancouver Island Workability Society and the Columbia Institute. He was also President and Director of the Social Planning and Research Council, Vice - Chair and Director of the Northern Development Trust Initiative, and Vice – Chair and Member of the University of Northern British Columbia. Mr. Bello holds a Masters of Education in Curriculum Development from the University of Victoria and a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Fordham University.

 Michael Eso

Michael is a long time labour and community activist with a keen interest in politics and public policy. He is currently a Director for the BC General Employees Union - BCGEU. He is responsible for the BCGEU Offices in both Nanaimo and Victoria.

As well, Michael is the lead negotiator for the 33,000 member BCGEU Public Service Bargaining Unit. He was the negotiator for both the 18th and 19th Public Service agreement with the Government of BC.

In addition, Michael was the elected president of the 25,000 member Victoria Labour Council which is the local voice for organized labour in the capital region for over a decade.

He was also the 2016/17 Co-Chair with Bruce Williams, CTV Vancouver Island of the Campaign Cabinet of the United Way Greater Victoria. Michael is a very proud supporter of the work of the United Way in Greater Victoria as both a fundraiser and funder of vital community services.

In his spare time which is too often in short supply, Michael loves music, gardening and working around the 110 year old home that he owns with his wife Sheri in the beautiful community of Sidney BC. 

Corry Gervais

For nearly two decades Corry Gervais has built her roots as a business leader in Nanaimo.  Through a shared vision and passion for community and results, she has worked with 100’s of businesses, leaders of government, organizations, media, and key business associations locally, regionally, and provincially to improve the business landscape.  Corry is the former President of the Business Improvement Association of British Columbia and has served on various committees and Boards related to economic prosperity.  Corry has held management and leadership roles in downtown revitalization, economic development, destination marketing, and event planning.  Corry believes that leading organizations, that that are deeply involved in the prosperity of the Nanaimo community, is an honour, and takes inspiration from those that volunteer their time to do the same. Corry and her husband have 3 adult children and 4 grandchildren.  In her spare time, she loves to spend time exploring Vancouver island, gathering with friends and family, boating and travel. 

Chris Jaeger

Chris Jaeger has been a member of the Faculty of Management for almost 20 years. He teaches in both, the Marketing and Management Departments.

Chris teaches mainly in Nanaimo, on the traditional lands of the Snuneymuxw.  He recognizes too that VIU has a presence among the Quw’utsun, Snaw-Naw-As and Tla’amin peoples.  To all, he offers his thanks for the many opportunities he, along with so many others, enjoy in being able to teach, learn, research, live and share knowledge.

Chris has come to the VIU Board of Governors after spending 10 years of being a member of various academic governance committees including, Education Standards, VIU's Senate and the Planning and Priorities Committee.

Chris is committed to ensuring the promises of learning, studying and academia are within reach of as many people as possible. He appreciates how transformative attaining successful education outcomes can be, not only for students, and their families, but also for the instructors and the staff who work to create meaningful programs and to deliver them.  It is in this spirit that Chris shares his thoughts with his colleagues on the Board and envisions VIU's future growth.

Dennis Johnson, Interim President and Vice-Chancellor

Bringing more than 30 years of experience in post-secondary education across Canada, Dr. Johnson most recently served as president of the College of New Caledonia (CNC) from 2019 to 2023. Since his time at CNC, he has stayed active in higher education and has been providing consulting services, including working with several institutions on finance and organizational improvement projects. Prior to his time at CNC, he held several senior leadership roles at Saskatchewan Polytechnic, including provost and vice-president academic, and vice-president strategy and business development. 

He began his academic career as an instructor at Mohawk College and later taught at Okanagan University College and Thompson Rivers University, where he also held leadership positions. Originally from British Columbia, Dr. Johnson is widely respected for his collaborative leadership style and his deep commitment to student success and community engagement. 

Dr. Johnson holds a PhD in Educational Administration from the University of Saskatchewan, a Master of Education in Post-Secondary Studies from Memorial University of Newfoundland, a Bachelor of Education in Adult Education from Brock University and a Carpentry Certificate of Qualification and Certificate of Apprenticeship from British Columbia. 

Brandi Klee

Brandi Klee was recently appointed to the VIU Board of Governors. A full biography will be available soon.

Sarah Mei Lyana

Sarah Mei (she/her) is an international student from Singapore. She is currently a fourth-year BA undergraduate student with a Political Studies major and a minor in Liberal Studies. She campaigned and was elected as the VIU Students’ Union Women Students’ Representative for the terms of 2022-23 and 2023-24. In this role, she organized monthly events for women and non-binary students to gather and share their stories. She also represented VIU at women-centred events, such as during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, in both years. She is the current Chairperson of the VIU Students’ Union and in this position, campaigned and has been elected as one of four Director-at-Large positions at the BC Federation of Students for the term of May 2024 to Apr 2025. She is a big believer that all activism is interconnected and intersectional. In her spare time, she likes Taylor Swift’s music, and cats.

Kelly Muir

Kelly Muir was recently appointed to the VIU Board of Governors. A full biography will be available soon.

Kiersten Packham

Kiersten Packham is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) and avid life-long learner. Kiersten moved to Nanaimo in 2021 with her family in her role at Grant Thornton LLP to experience ocean living after 18 years in Nelson, BC. Originally from Calgary, Kiersten received her Bachelor of Commerce in Tourism and Hospitality Management at the University of Calgary and began her career in the hospitality industry with Fairmont and Sheraton Hotels and Resorts after several years traveling through Australia and Great Britain. It is through this early experience in hospitality that her commitment to service was born. After working at Canadian Pacific Railway in procurement, Kiersten and her husband moved to Nelson to raise their two children. Her time in Nelson was full of community involvement as a board and finance committee member with Kootenay Kids Society, the School Council Treasurer for St. Joseph Independent School, and years supporting the soccer and competitive skipping activities of her children.

In 2011, Kiersten began remote learning through Athabasca University to begin the process of achieving her designation as a Chartered Accountant.  Through her work with Berg Lehmann Chartered Professional Accountants, she was successfully designated as a CPA, CA in December 2015.  Her early experience included work as a municipal and not-for-profit auditor.  Kiersten's practice now focuses on supporting small and mid-sized businesses and organizations grow and thrive in Nanaimo and Duncan.  Her interests include yoga, hiking, and traveling as well as being an avid reader and podcast listener.  Kiersten is delighted to be part of the Vancouver Island community.

Judith Sayers, Chancellor

Dr. Judith Sayers is a member of the Hupacasath First Nation and mother of two. She was elected as the new president of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council in September 2017. Judith has worked as a Strategic Adviser to First Nations and corporations and is an adjunct professor at the Peter Gustavson School of Business and Environmental Studies at the University of Victoria. She was the elected Chief of the Hupacasath First Nation for 14 years and the Chief Negotiator for 15 years. Judith’s educational background includes a business and law degree and an honourary Doctor of Laws from Queen’s University. She has an extensive background of practicing law for 18 years in both Alberta and British Columbia, working in international forums, lobbying governments and other agencies for the promotion and protection of First Nations rights and title.

Sharon Torgerson

Sharon Torgerson was recently appointed to the VIU Board of Governors. A full biography will be available soon.