Board of Governors’ Committees

Members of MSVU’s Board of Governors and, in some cases, members of the external community, participate in standing and ad hoc committees designed to assist the Board in carrying out its fiduciary responsibilities to the University.

Standing committees meet regularly and are accountable directly to the Board of Governors. They consider matters that fall within their specific areas of responsibility and bring recommendations to the Board for discussion and decision. Ad hoc committees are formed to address a specific project or task and are only active until the assigned task is complete and recommendations are brought to the Board of Governors for decision.

To view the mandate, membership and terms of reference for the Board’s committees, please click on the arrow to the right of the committee’s name to toggle the open/close of the section.

Board of Governors and Committee Schedule 2026-2027

For further information on the committees, please contact the Board Governance Secretary.

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee facilitates the operations of the Board by reviewing the Board macro-agenda to ensure that the Board is discharging its responsibilities as efficiently and effectively as possible. Based on the macro-agenda the Executive Committee develops and plans the Board meeting agendas for regular meetings and the Annual meeting to ensure all appropriate matters are brought before the Board on a timely basis. In addition, the Committee assists the Board by responding to matters when it is impractical to call a full Board of Governors’ meeting. View the Executive Committee’s Terms of Reference for additional information on the composition and responsibilities of the committee.

2026-2027 Meeting Dates:

  • November 24, 2026
  • February 23, 2027
  • April 27, 2027
  • June 10, 2027

Members:

  • Patti Towler (Board Chair and Executive Committee Chair)
  • Claudette Porter (Board Vice-Chair)
  • Derrick Dempster (Finance & Campus Planning Committee Chair)
  • Andrea Coish (Nominating & Governance Committee Chair)
  • Melanie McGrath (Audit & Risk Committee Chair)
  • Joël Dickinson (Ex-Officio, Non-Voting Member)
  • Isabelle Nault (Ex-Officio, Non-Voting Member)
  • Lori Francis (Ex-Officio, Non-Voting Member)

Updated: September 28, 2026

Audit & Risk Committee

The Audit & Risk Committee provides assistance to the Board in fulfilling its fiduciary responsibilities relating to financial accounting and reporting practices by overseeing the internal control environment and reviewing financial statements. As well, it maintains, by way of regularly scheduled meetings, a direct line of communication promoting transparency, honesty and ethical behaviour between the Board of Governors and the Auditors, thus ensuring the Auditors’ independence and an avenue for discussion with the Board of Governors.

Updated Terms of Reference coming soon.

2026-2027 Meeting Dates:

  • November 2, 2026
  • June 17, 2027

Members:

  • Melanie McGrath (Committee Chair)
  • Patti Towler (Ex-Officio, Board Chair)
  • Jennifer Best-White (Board Member – Community at Large)
  • Jean Flynn (Board Member – Governor in Council)
  • Derek Fisher (Board Member – Faculty)
  • Rebecca MacNeil (External Community Member)
  • Joël Dickinson (Ex-Officio, Non-Voting Member)
  • Isabelle Nault (Ex-Officio, Non-Voting Member)
  • Lori Francis (Ex-Officio, Non-Voting Member)
  • Vacant, External Community Member

Updated:  September 27, 2026

Finance & Campus Planning Committee

The purpose of the Finance & Campus Planning Committee is to provide financial advice to the Board of Governors with respect to the University’s annual operating and capital budgets, funds, university fees, Government grants, borrowing of funds, unaudited financial statements, recommendations from other committees which have financial implications and other matters as presented by the University Administration and/or the Board of Governors. The Committee is also responsible for advising the Board of Governors on matters related to the physical layout and protection of university lands, buildings, grounds and related infrastructure, any proposed changes thereto, and for the acquisition and/or sale of real property.

Updated Terms of Reference coming soon.

2026-2027 Meeting Dates:

  • November 23, 2026
  • February 18, 2027
  • April 23, 2027
  • June 8, 2027

Members:

  • Derrick Dempster (Committee Chair)
  • Patti Towler (Ex-Officio, Board Chair)
  • Michelle Clare (Board Member – Community at Large)
  • Claudette Porter (Board Vice-Chair)
  • Karen Hudson (Board Member – Community at Large)
  • Tracey Newman (Board Member – Community at Large)
  • Mika Paul (Board Member – Student Representative)
  • Conor Barker (Board Member – Faculty Representative)
  • Penny Henneberry (Board Member – Alumni Representative)
  • Gary Logan (External Community Member)
  • Brendan Nobes (External Community Member)
  • Joël Dickinson (Ex-Officio, Non-Voting Member)
  • Isabelle Nault (Ex-Officio, Non-Voting Member)
  • Lori Francis (Ex-Officio, Non-Voting Member)

Updated:  September 28, 2026

Joint Board/Senate Liaison (JBSL) Committee

The JBSL Committee serves as a means of communication between the Board of Governors and the Senate on matters of common concern, with special reference to the task of linking academic goals and financial forecasts.

Updated Terms of Reference coming soon.

2026-2027 Meeting Dates:

  • October 9, 2026
  • January 20, 2027

Members:

  • Patti Towler (Board Chair and Committee Co-Chair)
  • Joël Dickinson (Senate Chair and Committee Co-Chair)
  • Tammy Findlay (Senate Representative)
  • Adriana Benzaquen (Senate Representative)
  • Kelly Regan (Board Representative)
  • Rosemarie Sampson (Board Representative)
  • Isabelle Nault (Ex-Officio, Non-Voting Member)
  • Lori Francis (Ex-Officio, Non-Voting Member)

Updated:  September 28, 2026

Nominating & Governance Committee

It is the responsibility of the Nominating Committee to propose governors from the community at large and to propose a slate of officers and Committee Chairs. The Committee is committed to ensuring the diversity of Mount Saint Vincent University’s Board of Governors and will endeavor to source skill-specific representation from Aboriginal people, visible minorities and persons with disabilities. It also oversees policies and procedures relating to the governance of the University and reviews and provides advice on other matters as presented by the University administration and/or Board of Governors.  The Nominating & Governance Committee is also responsible for ensuring that the Board is taking all necessary and appropriate steps in respect of the fulfilment of the Board’s responsibilities in the area of employment matters. See the Nominating & Governance Committee Terms of Reference for additional information on the composition and responsibilities of the committee.

2026-2027 Meeting Dates:

  • August 17, 2026
  • October 20, 2026
  • January 28, 2027
  • April 19, 2027

Members:

  • Andrea Coish (Committee Chair)
  • Patti Towler (Ex-Officio, Board Chair)
  • Claudette Porter (Ex-Officio, Board Vice-Chair)
  • Kimberly MacLachlan (Board Member – Community at Large)
  • Helen Hayward (Board Member – Community at Large)
  • Nicola Watson (Board Member – Community at Large)
  • Craig Ennis (Board Member – Alumni Representative)
  • Vanessa Sarkis (Board Member – Student Representative)
  • Nathaniel Street (Board Member – Faculty Representative)
  • Joël Dickinson (Ex-Officio, Non-Voting Member)
  • Isabelle Nault (Ex-Officio, Non-Voting Member)
  • Lori Francis (Ex-Officio, Non-Voting Member)

Updated:  September 28, 2026

Investment Committee (Subcommittee of the Finance & Campus Planning Committee)

The Investment Committee reports to the Finance & Campus Planning Committee and is charged with the oversight of the investment management of the Capital Funds, Endowment Funds, Women’s Studies Chair Funds and any other sums of money of the University, as directed by the Board of Governors.

Updated Terms of Reference coming soon.

2026-2027 Meeting Dates:

  • February 10, 2027
  • June 3, 2027

Members:

  • Vicki Robertson (Committee Chair)
  • Patti Towler (Ex-Officio, Board Chair)
  • Derrick Dempster (Board Member and Finance & Campus Planning Committee Chair)
  • Ifeanyi Emesih (Board Member – Community at Large)
  • Thomas Nicolle (External Community Member)
  • Joël Dickinson (Ex-Officio, Non-Voting Member)
  • Isabelle Nault (Ex-Officio, Non-Voting Member)
  • Lori Francis (Ex-Officio, Non-Voting Member)

Updated:  September 28, 2026