Chilliwack Lawyer Cristen Gleeson Elected Chair of UFV Board

Cristen Gleeson, a lawyer from Chilliwack, has been elected as the new chair of the board of governors at the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV). She takes over from John Pankratz, who has concluded his second term but will remain a member of the board. Gleeson is the 15th individual to chair the UFV Board and the third woman to hold this position, following Betty Meagher and Phyllis Stenson, who served from 1979 to 1982 and 1999 to 2002, respectively.

The UFV Board of Governors is responsible for overseeing the management and administration of the university’s property and finances. It consists of volunteer members appointed by the government alongside elected faculty, staff, and students. The university’s president and chancellor are also included as members due to their roles.

Gleeson, a managing partner at Baker Newby law firm, has a diverse background. Originally from Thunder Bay, Ontario, she earned her BA in 1998 and her law degree in 2001 from Queen’s University in Kingston. While studying, she played two seasons of varsity basketball and participated in the Canada World Youth program. Gleeson has also spent summers working to combat forest fires in northern Ontario.

Joining the UFV Board in 2020, she has already served five years, most recently as vice chair. Gleeson describes her tenure as rewarding, stating, “UFV is a great university. I find the atmosphere very collegial, friendly, and respectful of diversity and Indigenous peoples.”

She has been actively involved in significant initiatives during her time on the board. Notably, she contributed to the drafting and implementation of Íyáqáwtxw (House of Transformation), the university’s strategic plan. She also supported former president Joanne MacLean through various challenges, including the pandemic and natural disasters that impacted the Fraser Valley.

Gleeson expressed pride in having chaired the presidential search committee that led to the appointment of Dr. James Mandigo as the new president and vice-chancellor. “James and I are very aligned in our approach and enthusiasm. We like to get things done and are always open to ideas,” she noted.

The new chair is keen on continuing UFV’s initiatives that align with its strategic goals. Yet, she is also aware of the financial challenges posed by a decline in international student enrolment. “We face a financial challenge, as do universities across Canada, from falling international enrolment, but we have fared better than other institutions,” Gleeson commented.

In recent developments, UFV received the Changemaker Campus designation from the Ashoka U Network, marking it as the first university in six years to earn this recognition. This accolade reflects the institution’s commitment to impactful education and community engagement.

Gleeson is particularly excited about UFV’s commitment to the One Health approach, which examines the interconnectedness of human, animal, and ecosystem health. She believes this initiative is especially relevant given the university’s focus on health sciences and agricultural studies at the Chilliwack campus.

She is also the second lawyer from Baker Newby to serve as UFV’s board chair, following her mentor Larry Stinson, who held the position from 2011 to 2013. Baker Newby has a longstanding connection with UFV, sponsoring an annual scholarship.

In her personal life, Gleeson balances her professional commitments with family responsibilities. She and her husband have two children, aged 10 and 13, and they operate a tree farm in Rosedale.

Gleeson appreciates the opportunities UFV provides for busy professionals and mothers like herself to engage in leadership roles. Looking ahead, she aims to foster a constructive and collaborative environment among board members to advance UFV’s mission.

UFV President James Mandigo expressed gratitude towards Pankratz for his dedicated service, highlighting his exemplary leadership. Mandigo looks forward to collaborating with Gleeson, stating, “I’m delighted to welcome Cristen Gleeson as UFV’s new board chair. Cristen brings strategic insight, community focus, and a deep belief in the power of education to transform lives. I look forward to working closely with her and the Board of Governors as we advance UFV’s priorities and strengthen our service to the Fraser Valley.”