Events

The Evolving International Education Landscape in Canada

Dr. Deborah Saucier was appointed President and Vice-Chancellor of Vancouver Island University in July 2019. Dr. Saucier holds a PhD in psychology from the University of Western Ontario and a BSc and MSc in psychology from the University of Victoria. She received her International Baccalaureate diploma from the Lester B. Pearson College of the Pacific in Metchosin, near Victoria.

Prior to joining VIU, Dr. Saucier was President of MacEwan University in Edmonton and Provost and Academic Vice-President of the University of Ontario Institute of Technology. Dr. Saucier is a distinguished researcher in both psychology and neuroscience. She was the Canadian Research Chair in Behavioural Neuroscience at the University of Lethbridge and Dean of Science at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology and has garnered numerous grants to support her research, including awards from Natural Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and the Canadian Foundation for Innovation.

Dr. Saucier is also the author of two books in psychology and an advocate for women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

At Vancouver Island University, Dr. Saucier has guided the development and implementation of the institution’s first strategic plan. The plan includes three core values – People, Place and Potential – and six commitments for the next five years. Following the guidance of the plan, Dr. Saucier is working to build on the institution’s strengths and fostering the unique educational experience at VIU to be more accessible, more inclusive, and more deeply rooted in community.

Born in Saskatoon, Dr. Saucier is a member of the Métis Nation of Alberta. In 2020, she was awarded the Indigenous Women in Leadership Award from the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business. As president of Vancouver Island University, Dr. Saucier is focused on helping to close the education gap for Indigenous youth and working to incorporate the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), BC Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA), and the TRC Calls to Action into institutional decision making by implementing both policy and physical changes on campus to ensure that Indigenous cultures and knowledges are reflected in campus spaces.

Dr. Saucier is married to curator and contemporary artist Chai Duncan and has a teenage daughter.

Brandon Ellis is an accomplished technology leader with extensive experience in engineering and product development. Currently serving as the VP of Engineering and Product at ChowNow, Brandon has also held prominent roles, including CTO and Co-founder at Cuboh. His previous positions include Senior Director of Technology, Chief Technology Officer, and Lead Developer at Checkfront, as well as Web Developer at BrandThunder and Senior Web Developer at Seeker Solutions. Brandon holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Victoria and a Computer Systems Technology diploma from Camosun College

Adam Olsen (SȾHENEP) was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Saanich North and the Islands and member of the B.C. Green Caucus in 2017 and re-elected in 2020.

Adam has a deep love and respect for his home in the W̱SÁNEĆ territory. As an advocate and facilitator, he is committed to good relationships and improving public participation to strengthen all aspects of the community.

His 16-year career in elected public service began when he was elected Councillor in the District of Central Saanich (2008, 2011). Prior to that Adam worked for two decades in the service and communications sectors where he gained valuable experience in building relationships, connecting people, problems, ideas and solutions.

Born in Victoria, BC, Adam has lived, worked and played his entire life on the Saanich Peninsula. He is a member of Tsartlip First Nation (W̱JOȽEȽP), where he and his wife, Emily, are raising their two children, Silas and Ella.

Dwight joined Ocean Networks Canada in 2008. He holds a B.A. in Chinese Language and Literature and an M.A. in Educational Technology, both from the University of Colorado. Dwight has 20 years of experience in design and development of computer- and web-based rich media and interactive educational materials. Much of this work has been science-related, including a diversity of topics such as radar meteorology, the aurora borealis, hurricane safety, fire weather, watershed protection and the physics of shallow-water waves. Aside from his work in educational media, Dwight also previously worked as web communications designer for the Oregon State University Extension Services and ran a small consulting service. Although he was born and raised in places far-removed from the coast, Dwight has long been fascinated by oceans. This connection drew him to take up residence in coastal areas like Taiwan, Hawaii, western Oregon and most recently Vancouver Island. He's thrilled to be working with Ocean Networks Canada during this exciting time of growth and innovation.

Les Leyne is the Victoria Times Colonist Legislature Reporter,  covering legislature sittings. He has written an opinion column since 1995 and was a political, municipal and general assignment reporter prior to that. He grew up in Qualicum Beach and worked on the West Shore and in Duncan prior to joining the Times Colonist.

The Honourable Patricia Bovey,  Former Senator for Manitoba.  

Retired senator Patricia Bovey was appointed to the Senate of Canada in November 2016 as an Independent Senator from Manitoba. She served on the Foreign Affairs & International Trade Committee, Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament Committee and the Official Languages Committee.

As the first art historian and museologist to be appointed to the Senate, Bovey has worked on all issues, from legislation to committee work, primarily through the lens of arts and culture, and from her regional perspective.  She has spoken in the Chamber about the impact of the arts, especially on health and crime prevention. She also installed the first works of Black Canadian Artists in the Senate of Canada since 1867. Her goal is to ensure the voice of arts and culture is heard, in the Senate as well as in every sector of society.

Winnipeg-based gallery director, art historian, professor and arts and culture management consultant, she was Director of the Winnipeg Art Gallery (1999-2004) and the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria (1980-1999), and appointed the Winnipeg Art Gallery’s Director Emerita in 2014.

Author and lecturer on Western Canadian art, she is currently writing Impacts and Turning Points: The Western Voice in Canadian Art.

Sonia is party leader of the Green Party of British Columbia.   During Sonia’s time as MLA, Cowichan Valley has undergone significant changes. She takes pride in the historic levels of investment in the riding and the accomplishments since being elected MLA in 2017. A new high school and hospital are under construction, a beautiful hospice has been established, and substantial progress has been made toward a new weir to help protect the Cowichan River from increasingly frequent droughts. Serving the people of Cowichan has been an honour, but Sonia and her family have realized it is time to return to Victoria as her children embark on the next chapters of their lives. With deep roots in Victoria, Sonia wishes to continue her political journey, representing and giving back to the community that nurtured her.

Sonia’s experience in Shawnigan and the Legislature has taught her that just because something is unprecedented, it doesn’t mean it is impossible. She believes that when representatives think creatively, are not beholden to special interests, and focus on data and evidence, the future desired for the communities can be achieved.

Glory Gray grew up in Washington, DC. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance and investments and began her career working as an analyst at a U.S. Investment Bank, helping large companies find investment capital to grow their businesses.

She is the founder of Glory Gray Wealth Solutions and Nanoose Bay Wealth Management. Both are independent, full-service financial planning and investment advising practices.

Glory is also the host of the “Women’s Wealth Canada Podcast,” a financial education podcast for women which was named by Feedspot as one of the 10 Best Canadian Women Podcasts.

Glory serves on the board of several non-profits and holds a Master Financial Advisor certification in Philanthropy. She created a workshop for Vancouver Island University called “The Charitable Investor: Making a Difference,” which covers tax-saving strategies for investors who want to build a charitable legacy.

Glory’s has been featured in Canadian MoneySense magazine, Citywire Magazine, Authority Magazine and Ariana Huffington’s Thrive Global project.

She splits her time between Nanoose Bay and Victoria and lives with her husband, David, and superhero rescue dogs, Bandit and Dolly.

Glory will speak on the nuts and bolts of building and growing a podcast as a business or hobby.

Lynn has worked with hundreds of artists over the past 25 years as a curator, gallery owner, artistic director, and creative strategist for artists and arts organizations. She's curated exhibitions, directed national arts festivals, and created an award-winning arts-forward Olympic pavilion. As a writer, Iynn has held the honour of documenting many lives, events and stories of artists, knowledge keepers and culture bearers. She's held the trust of non-profits, Inuit and First Nations organizations, museums, private collectors and all levels of government to create collections, innovative arts strategies, and cultural events. Lynn has written and delivered professional development workshops - and helped many artists.

Giuliano Zaccardelli has a distinguished career in law enforcement and international policing. He joined the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in 1970, beginning his service in Alberta before transitioning to specialized roles in commercial crime investigations in Toronto and Calgary. Over the years, he steadily rose through the ranks, holding leadership positions across Canada, including in New Brunswick, Quebec, and Ontario. In 2000, he became the 20th Commissioner of the RCMP, overseeing its 27,000 employees and operations nationwide.

In 1999, Zaccardelli was appointed Deputy Commissioner of Organized Crime and Operational Policy, a role created to enhance the RCMP's focus on national and international organized crime. His career later extended to global policing initiatives, including serving as Director of INTERPOL’s OASIS Africa program in 2008 and leading the Strategic Planning Directorate in 2009.

Zaccardelli’s leadership earned him numerous honors, including the Order of Merit of the Police Forces, the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, and the French Legion of Honour. He has also received several Canadian commemorative medals and was named Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.

Born in Prezza, Italy, Zaccardelli immigrated to Canada at age 7 and grew up in Montreal. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Loyola College and has completed advanced training at the FBI Academy and Bramshill Police Staff College in England. Fluent in English, French, and Italian, he is a passionate advocate for integrated, intelligence-led policing at all levels.