University Leadership and Governance
The University of Alberta 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 University of Alberta and is elected by the university's senate to serve a four-year term. The senate of the University of Alberta 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 University of Alberta 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 University of Alberta 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 University of Alberta 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 and Innovation)
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.
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 University of Alberta. Elan has spent her career advising organizations and corporations to sustain and grow their businesses by navigating government, policy development, crisis communications, the regulatory and legislative processes, and the shifting political, social and economic landscapes. As President and CEO of Impact Consulting, Elan built and operated one of Alberta’s most reputable government relations advisory and communications companies for close to a decade, 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 is Chair of the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce and a Director on the boards of Edmonton Global, Atlas Biotechnologies and Alberta Ballet.
Brad Hamdon, General Counsel
Brad Hamdon, KC, graduated from the University of Alberta law school in 1990. After practising at a law firm in Edmonton for five years, he held positions in the legal department of Enbridge Pipelines and EPCOR Utilities prior to joining the U of A as its first General Counsel in 2004.
As General Counsel, Brad leads a team that manages the provision of all legal services for the university and that provides legal advice to the board, the senior executive team, deans, chairs, directors and others. In addition, Brad oversees the privacy, records management and policy offices at the University.
John Lemieux, University Secretary
John Lemieux, (BA (Hons), JD, LLM), is the University Secretary at the University of Alberta. In this role, he is responsible for the efficient operation of the University’s bicameral governance systems and judicial processes. John provides leadership to support informed decision making by the Board of Governors, the General Faculties Council and their respective committees, in exercising their legislative, monitorial, and/or judicial functions appropriately and effectively.
An experienced governance professional, John leads the University’s Governance office team which includes board, academic and judicial operational units. The University Governance team is charged with providing guidance, organizational direction and administrative assistance to the campus community on University governance related activities.
John is an experienced lawyer with an established commitment to public service and community building. In the course of his legal career John has focused on governance matters for both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, regulatory compliance and privacy and cybersecurity issues. In addition to his role with the university, John sits on the Board of Directors of the Art Gallery of Alberta.
John is a proud alumnus of the University of Alberta.