Dr. Saucier’s Keynote Title
Permission to fail: The importance of supportive post-secondary education to the mental well-being and success of students (read more)
Dr. Saucier’s Biography
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 BA 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.
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DR. DEBORAH SAUCIER
President and Vice-Chancellor
Vancouver Island University
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PROF. PAUL DANGERFIELD
President and Vice-Chancellor
Capilano University
Prof. Paul Dangerfield’s Keynote Title
The Next Paradigm! (read more)
Prof. Paul Dangerfield’s Biography
Paul Dangerfield assumed the role of Capilano University’s third president and vice-chancellor on October 1, 2016.
In his role, Dangerfield is leading Capilano University forward in pursuit of its vision and mission as a regional university that promotes student success, career preparation and life readiness for graduates to contribute as responsible citizens in a rapidly changing world.
Previously, Dangerfield was the executive director and Vancouver campus dean of the New York Institute of Technology, and was dean of Capilano University’s faculty of business and professional studies from 2006 to 2009. Prior to his role with the New York Institute of Technology, Dangerfield was the vice-president of Education, Research and International with British Columbia Institute of Technology from 2009 to 2014. From 1985, Dangerfield spent 20 years with the Canadian Forces in a variety of increasingly senior roles that included chief of staff, commanding officer and vice-president of human resources.
Dangerfield has served on a wide variety of boards, including current board chair of British Columbia Association of Institutes and Universities, West Vancouver Chamber of Commerce; B.C. Council on Admissions and Transfer and the B.C. Technology Education Careers Council. Dangerfield is also a volunteer community leader with the United Way of the Lower Mainland Campaign Cabinet, an executive committee member with the Business Council of British Columbia and a board member with Economic Partnership North Vancouver.
Leadership was Dangerfield’s specialization when he completed a Master of Business Administration at Royal Roads University. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from Carleton University.