Disruption as Opportunity: Catching Waves of Change in Higher Education

Opening Keynote
Sparking Curiosity: The Future of University Governance

• Matt Fullbrook, Founder, Fullbrook Board Effectiveness

Panel Discussion: What is the future of university governance?

• Matt Fullbrook, Founder, Fullbrook Board Effectiveness
• University Secretary Panel (panellists to be announced)

Achieving World Class University Governance in an Age of Disruption

• Paul Dubal, ISO37000 Certified Governance Expert, Author, EQ for the Governance Professional

Sensemaking: Navigating Change for University Leaders

• Daniel Atlin, Executive Coach and Strategic Advisor

• Land Acknowledgement - Claire Milton, KC, ICD.D
• Welcome Honour Song - Raymond Sewell, Assistant Professor of Indigenous Literature and Culture, Saint Mary's University

Presidents Panel: Leading through Disruption - Protests; Anarchy; Existential Crisis

• Moderator – Dr. Jessica Riddell, Professor of Early Modern Literature, Bishops University
• President – Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, Saint Mary's University
• President – Dr. Vivek Goel, University of Waterloo
• President – Dr. Wendy Rogers, University of Prince Edward Island 
• President – Dr. Graham Carr, Concordia University

Indigenous-led Governance – Lessons from Labrador

• Dr. Ashlee Cunsolo, Provost and Vice-President Academic and Research, Acadia University

Measuring Success in a University – Reshaping Accountability in a Distressed World

• Katrina Beach, FCPA, Partner, Doane Grant Thornton
• Leah White, CPA, Patner, Doane Grant Thornton

Break Out Group 

Board Members: The Chair-President Relationship – Maintaining Trust in Disruption

More presenters to be announced

• Simon Chan and Deborah MacLatchey, Wilfred Laurier University
• Alan Abraham and Robert Summerby-Murray, Saint Mary's University
• Julian Demkiw, University Secretary and Chief Governance Officer, University of Saskatchewan
• Facilitator: Catherine Woodman, ICD.D, KBRS

Break Out Group

Governance Professionals: The Bridge Over Troubled Waters

More presenters to be announced

• Sheree Drummond, Secretary of the Governing Council, University of Toronto
• Claire Milton, University Secretary and General Counsel, Saint Mary’s University
• Facilitator: Kate Fagan Taylor, GrowthPoints

East Coast Kitchen Party – Lobster Dinner at The Cable Wharf – Featuring Big Fish

• Mark Gosine, Board Vice-Chair, Saint Mary's University

• Coro Strandberg, President, Strandberg Consulting

• Dr. Jessica Riddell, Founder, Hope Circuits Institute, Professor of Early Modern Literature, Bishops University

Optional: Post-Conference Workshop with Dr. Jessica Riddell, Founder, Hope Circuits Institute, Professor of Early Modern Literature, Bishops University

Co-Creating Blueprints for Transformative Governance – Applying Hope Circuits' Tools for Immediate Campus Impact

In this hands-on, two-hour workshop, Dr. Jessica Riddell will lead participants in applying Hope Circuits' governance tools to co-create actionable blueprints for fostering human and ecological flourishing on their individual campuses. Building on the insights shared in her keynote, Dr. Riddell will guide governance professionals and board members in designing strategies that turn disruption into sustainable, hopeful change. This session empowers attendees to leave the conference with implementable plans that can be launched within a week, a month, and over the coming year to better navigate and leverage challenges in higher education.

This workshop is built around Hope Circuits' three core indicators of flourishing: shared vocabulary and vision, clear pathways for action, and authentic agency. Participants will engage in exercises to deepen understanding of these principles and their applications, enabling them to transform values into pragmatic, effective governance tools that enhance decision-making, inclusion, and long-term institutional sustainability.