Ryerson University Names Janice Fukakusa as New Chancellor
Mitch Frazer named Chair and Anthony Staffieri named Vice Chair of the Board of Governors
TORONTO, Oct. 11, 2018 /CNW/ - Janice Fukakusa, financial services expert, innovation champion and diversity leader, has been named Chancellor of Ryerson University for a three-year term. Succeeding Lawrence Bloomberg, Fukakusa's appointment makes her Ryerson's fifth Chancellor and the first female to hold this prestigious position.
The Chancellor, who is the ceremonial head of the university, acts as an ambassador for Ryerson on local, national and international levels, presides at all convocations and confers university degrees.
"I am honoured to be Ryerson's new Chancellor, and look forward to driving the positive educational and societal changes for which the university has become known," said Chancellor Fukakusa. "We are leading the charge on so many important issues, and I am eager to work with students, faculty and staff in this new capacity to further advance the impressive progress that has been made to date."
A corporate director with extensive banking and financial services experience, Fukakusa served previously as RBC's Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Financial Officer. She retired from this role in January 2017 following a distinguished 31-year career, and currently serves on the boards of a number of corporate and not-for-profit organizations. Fukakusa obtained a BA from the University of Toronto and an MBA from Schulich School of Business.
Prior to this appointment, Fukakusa held the role of Chair of the Board of Governors for Ryerson University. Mitch Frazer will now step into this position and Anthony Staffieri, former board member, has been named Vice Chair. Together they will oversee institutional strategic planning, risk management and the financial management of the university.
"We are fortunate to have such skilled and passionate leaders who will further elevate Ryerson on the global stage," said Mohamed Lachemi, President and Vice-Chancellor, Ryerson University. "The university is very focused on preparing students for the new economy, fostering the next generation of city-builders and advancing the well-being of local and global communities through our research, so welcome the combined experience of this extremely capable team to champion these efforts."
An accomplished pensions, benefits, and employment lawyer, governance expert, published author, and prominent public speaker, Frazer is a Partner and the Chair of the Pensions and Employment Practice at Torys LLP. He is also the founder of the National Institute on Ageing at Ryerson University's Ted Rogers School of Management, Chair of TFS – Canada's International School, Chair of the North York General Foundation, and an Adjunct Professor at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law. He has received numerous awards over the course of his career for his work.
Staffieri has over 25 years of financial and executive leadership experience, and currently serves as Chief Financial Officer of Rogers Communications Inc. In this role he is responsible for the company's overall finance function, and oversees corporate strategy and financial services. Staffieri is also a Board Director of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, Chair of its Audit Committee, and serves as Chair of Ryerson's Finance Committee. He is a Fellow Chartered Accountant and Fellow Chartered Professional Accountant.
Ryerson University is Canada's leader in innovative, career-oriented education. Urban, culturally diverse and inclusive, the university is home to more than 45,300 students, including 2,600 Master's and PhD students, 3,800 faculty and staff, and nearly 198,000 alumni worldwide. For more information, visit www.ryerson.ca.
SOURCE Ryerson University
Daina Astwood-George, University Relations, Ryerson University, E: [email protected]
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