Office of the President

Emily Huner stepped into the role of Acting President at Vancouver Island University (VIU) on April 4, 2025, and will serve in this capacity until a longer-term acting president is appointed.  

Huner is a seasoned administrator with more than a decade of post-secondary leadership experience spanning finance, operations and student affairs. Currently, she is also the Chief Financial Officer and Vice-President, Administration at VIU. In this key role, Huner leads a portfolio that includes Enterprise Risk Management, Facilities and Campus Development, Ancillary Services and Student Housing, Financial Services, Internal Audit Services, Information Technology and Strategic Planning & Initiatives. She is responsible for providing leadership, strategic direction and overall management in support of achieving the designated goals and priorities in VIU’s Strategic Plan: People, Place, Potential. 

Previously, she served as Assistant Vice-Provost, Student Affairs at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia. Her earlier roles at Dalhousie included Director of Finance and Administration for the Faculty of Arts and Science, Director of Operations for Student Health and Wellness, Operations Manager for Student Health Services, and Manager of Finance and Administration for Athletics and Recreation. She also served internationally as Vice-President, Business & Finance at the University College of the Cayman Islands in 2020. 

Huner holds a Master of Business Administration – CMA (2013) and a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing (1995), both from Saint Mary’s University. She is a Chartered Professional Accountant. 

Emily was recently nominated for the “Excellent in Industry PEAK Award” through the BC Association of Women in Finance (December 2024), received the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Dalhousie Professional & Managerial Group in 2019, and the CMA Board of Directors’ Leadership Award in 2013. Her past contributions to institutional governance include serving as Chair of Dalhousie’s Human Resources Integrated Team Committee, Chair of the Nominating Committee for the Dalhousie Professional & Managerial Group, and Co-Chair of Dalhousie’s United Way Campaign. 

Known for her integrity, collaborative approach, and ability to lead through change, Huner is committed to fostering financial resilience, transparent communication, and a strong sense of community across the institution. 

Outside of her professional life, Huner is a passionate advocate for health and wellness. She enjoys hiking, biking, and kayaking, and brings the same energy and focus to her leadership as she does to her time in the outdoors.