2026 Leadership Changes

To the CBU Community,

As part of an ongoing organizational review, we are refining our executive governance structure to strengthen coordination, improve decision-making and enhance leadership oversight. These changes are also reflective of the current financial situation and allow for strong leadership with no additional administrative hiring.

Moving forward, the Executive Team will meet monthly to focus on institutional planning and governance. A new President’s Direct Reports Group will meet weekly to support strategic decision-making and day-to-day coordination. Together, these important groups will serve complementary roles to ensure both effective governance and greater responsiveness.

To support this structure, the following portfolio changes are being implemented:

• Dr. Andy Parnaby has been appointed Vice-President Academic and Provost, effective immediately. He is succeeding Dr. Rod Nicholls upon his retirement at the end of this month.
• Shauna Kelly will become Vice-President, Operations and External Relations, overseeing HR, IT, facilities management, government relations and strategic communications and marketing. The Chief of Staff role will not be backfilled.
• Sara Salter Burke will expand her current VP role to become Vice-President, Development and Revenue Strategy, advancing fundraising, alumni engagement, events and other new revenue opportunities.
• Dr. Tanya Brann-Barrett will assume oversight of the Art Gallery and the Beaton Institute, with her title changing to Associate Vice-President, Research and Innovation to support important growth on those files.
• Stephanie Myles has assumed an expanded role as General Counsel and will add Risk Management, as well as privacy, safety and security to her portfolio.

These changes build on the previously announced appointments of Jennifer Campbell as Chief Financial Officer and Becky Chisholm as University Registrar and Associate Vice-President, Student Experience. Together, they reflect a more focused, coordinated and streamlined leadership structure to support CBU’s long-term sustainability.

Please join me in congratulating colleagues who are taking on these important roles.

Yours very truly,

David C. Dingwall