James Cassels, Chair
Jamie Cassels served as President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Victoria from 2013 to 2021. Prior to that, Professor Cassels was UVic's Vice-President Academic and Provost from 2001-10 and before that served as Dean of the Faculty of Law. He served as Chair of the Research Universities Council of BC, and on the Board of Universities Canada. A professor of law since 1981, his books and articles have been influential in areas of law and public policy. He was a founding member of the BC Law Institute, has consulted to all levels of government on issues of public policy, and has volunteered for a number of organizations including Big Brothers and Sisters and the United Way. Recognition of his contributions as a teacher, scholar and leader include appointments as Kings Counsel, a member of the Order of Canada, and the national 3M university teaching award.
Karen Bittner, Vice-Chair
Karen Bittner was raised a farmer’s daughter in small town Saskatchewan. After high school, she completed her Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation (now known as Chartered Professional Accountant) and Master of Business Administration. For the first 20 years of her career, she served as a public servant in management roles firstly for the City of Regina and, later, the Government of Saskatchewan. In 2008, Karen moved to Vancouver Island accepting a Director role with Vancouver Island Health Authority in the seniors’ portfolio. She later served as the Executive Director of the Vancouver Island Providence Community Association and, currently, is an accountant in private industry. Karen and her husband have also pursued one of their “bucket list” items by starting a small farm outside of Mill Bay.
Karen learned early in life that if you want your community to serve you, you must serve your community. In Saskatchewan, she volunteered for numerous boards and organizations including the 2003 Grey Cup, the Institute of Public Administration of Canada, TCU Financial Group and the Society of Management Accountants of Saskatchewan, serving as its President in 2007. In 2007, Karen was conferred a Fellow of The Society of Management Accountants of Canada for her contributions to her community, her employer and the accounting profession. She has continued her volunteer work in the Cowichan Valley and is proud to serve Vancouver Island University.
Nate Bello
Nate Bello was an Instructor at the College of New Caledonia, a Director with the Cariboo Regional District and the Mayor of the City of Quesnel. Active in his community, Mr. Bello was a Member of the Vancouver Island Workability Society and the Columbia Institute. He was also President and Director of the Social Planning and Research Council, Vice - Chair and Director of the Northern Development Trust Initiative, and Vice – Chair and Member of the University of Northern British Columbia. Mr. Bello holds a Masters of Education in Curriculum Development from the University of Victoria and a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Fordham University.
Johnny Blakeborough
Biography coming soon.
Natasha Bob
Natasha Bob is a Snaw Naw As Nation member (Nanoose First Nation) and graduate of Vancouver Island University. Natasha believes that ideas are more powerful when people come together and focus on a vision for the future. She has served in her community on council and held the Education, Housing and Daycare Portfolios as well as the Coast Salish Education and Training Portfolio. She loves her community and is dedicated to working hard for the betterment of future generations.
Brian Dick
Brian Dick serves on the VIU Board of Governors as an elected instructional staff representative, and previously represented the Faculty of Science and Technology on the VIU Senate. Brian joined VIU’s Physics, Engineering, and Astronomy department in 2006 and is currently its chair. He also coordinates its Engineering Transfer programs, and is the primary instructor for its Engineering Design I and II courses (ENGR 112/121). Brian received a Bachelor of Applied Science from SFU in Engineering Physics, and a PhD from the University of Alberta in Electrical and Computer Engineering. He holds an Engineers and Geosciences of BC registered limited license (PL Eng) and is a certified PMP.
Brian is passionate about removing barriers for accessing engineering education, and led development and implementation of the Common First-Year Engineering Curriculum initiative in BC through the BC Council on Admission and Transfer (BCCAT) and BC Campus. He has considerable interest in enriching program curriculum with intercultural experiences, and has participated in projects or programs within South Korea, Taiwan, Kenya, and Vietnam. Most recently, his work in Vietnam enabled a collaborative design project between students at VIU and Tra Vinh University (TVU), and a field school experience for VIU first-year engineering students to visit and work directly with students at TVU.
Brian currently chairs the BCCAT Research Committee, and recently served as an appointed member to the BCCAT Council and chair of its Engineering Articulation committee. He is the recipient of the VIU Provost Award for Excellence in Teaching Design and Practice that focusses on Intercultural Learning, the VIU President's Award in Community Engagement (International Engagement), and the BCCAT Transfer and Articulation Community Award.
Michael Eso
Michael is a long time labour and community activist with a keen interest in politics and public policy. He is currently a Director for the BC General Employees Union - BCGEU. He is responsible for the BCGEU Offices in both Nanaimo and Victoria.
As well, Michael is the lead negotiator for the 33,000 member BCGEU Public Service Bargaining Unit. He was the negotiator for both the 18th and 19th Public Service agreement with the Government of BC.
In addition, Michael was the elected president of the 25,000 member Victoria Labour Council which is the local voice for organized labour in the capital region for over a decade.
He was also the 2016/17 Co-Chair with Bruce Williams, CTV Vancouver Island of the Campaign Cabinet of the United Way Greater Victoria. Michael is a very proud supporter of the work of the United Way in Greater Victoria as both a fundraiser and funder of vital community services.
In his spare time which is too often in short supply, Michael loves music, gardening and working around the 110 year old home that he owns with his wife Sheri in the beautiful community of Sidney BC.
Corry Gervais
For nearly two decades Corry Gervais has built her roots as a business leader in Nanaimo. Through a shared vision and passion for community and results, she has worked with 100’s of businesses, leaders of government, organizations, media, and key business associations locally, regionally, and provincially to improve the business landscape. Corry is the former President of the Business Improvement Association of British Columbia and has served on various committees and Boards related to economic prosperity. Corry has held management and leadership roles in downtown revitalization, economic development, destination marketing, and event planning. Corry believes that leading organizations, that that are deeply involved in the prosperity of the Nanaimo community, is an honour, and takes inspiration from those that volunteer their time to do the same. Corry and her husband have 3 adult children and 4 grandchildren. In her spare time, she loves to spend time exploring Vancouver island, gathering with friends and family, boating and travel.
Chris Jaeger
Chris Jaeger has been a member of the Faculty of Management for almost 20 years. He teaches in both, the Marketing and Management Departments.
Chris teaches mainly in Nanaimo, on the traditional lands of the Snuneymuxw. He recognizes too that VIU has a presence among the Quw’utsun, Snaw-Naw-As and Tla’amin peoples. To all, he offers his thanks for the many opportunities he, along with so many others, enjoy in being able to teach, learn, research, live and share knowledge.
Chris has come to the VIU Board of Governors after spending 10 years of being a member of various academic governance committees including, Education Standards, VIU's Senate and the Planning and Priorities Committee.
Chris is committed to ensuring the promises of learning, studying and academia are within reach of as many people as possible. He appreciates how transformative attaining successful education outcomes can be, not only for students, and their families, but also for the instructors and the staff who work to create meaningful programs and to deliver them. It is in this spirit that Chris shares his thoughts with his colleagues on the Board and envisions VIU's future growth.
Kurtis Johnstone
Kurtis Johnstone is a fourth-year student in the Digital Media Studies Program at Vancouver Island University (VIU). He was elected as a Student Representative on the Board of Governors for the 20-2025 term. This role allows him to focus on student engagement and represent student interests at the highest level of the university. Kurtis also serves as the Director of Internal Relations at the VIU Students' Union, where he built lasting relationships with student leaders, faculty and clubs.
In addition, Kurtis is the Technology Officer at Global Emerging Leadership Programs (GELP), where he led the development of a software platform for distributing and validating digital badge credentials, enhancing the impact and reach of GELP’s leadership programs internationally. Likewise, Kurtis is an advocate for co-curricular engagement and learning and has led the implementation and coordination of VIU’s Student Engagement App, supporting student development on and off campus.
In his new role on the Board of Governors, he is committed to fostering collaboration, advocating for student needs, and working towards a stronger, more connected university community. Kurtis is dedicated to ensuring that student voices play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the institution.
Sarah Mei Lyana
Sarah Mei (she/her) is an international student from Singapore. She is currently a fourth-year BA undergraduate student with a Political Studies major and a minor in Liberal Studies. She campaigned and was elected as the VIU Students’ Union Women Students’ Representative for the terms of 2022-23 and 2023-24. In this role, she organized monthly events for women and non-binary students to gather and share their stories. She also represented VIU at women-centred events, such as during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, in both years. She is the current Chairperson of the VIU Students’ Union and in this position, campaigned and has been elected as one of four Director-at-Large positions at the BC Federation of Students for the term of May 2024 to Apr 2025. She is a big believer that all activism is interconnected and intersectional. In her spare time, she likes Taylor Swift’s music, and cats.
Kiersten Packham
Kiersten Packham is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) and avid life-long learner. Kiersten moved to Nanaimo in 2021 with her family in her role at Grant Thornton LLP to experience ocean living after 18 years in Nelson, BC. Originally from Calgary, Kiersten received her Bachelor of Commerce in Tourism and Hospitality Management at the University of Calgary and began her career in the hospitality industry with Fairmont and Sheraton Hotels and Resorts after several years traveling through Australia and Great Britain. It is through this early experience in hospitality that her commitment to service was born. After working at Canadian Pacific Railway in procurement, Kiersten and her husband moved to Nelson to raise their two children. Her time in Nelson was full of community involvement as a board and finance committee member with Kootenay Kids Society, the School Council Treasurer for St. Joseph Independent School, and years supporting the soccer and competitive skipping activities of her children.
In 2011, Kiersten began remote learning through Athabasca University to begin the process of achieving her designation as a Chartered Accountant. Through her work with Berg Lehmann Chartered Professional Accountants, she was successfully designated as a CPA, CA in December 2015. Her early experience included work as a municipal and not-for-profit auditor. Kiersten's practice now focuses on supporting small and mid-sized businesses and organizations grow and thrive in Nanaimo and Duncan. Her interests include yoga, hiking, and traveling as well as being an avid reader and podcast listener. Kiersten is delighted to be part of the Vancouver Island community.
Deborah Saucier, President
Dr. Deborah (Deb) Saucier became President and Vice-Chancellor of Vancouver Island University in July 2019. An experienced administrator, accomplished neuroscientist and devoted educator, Saucier is deeply committed to student success, Indigenous education, reconciliation and community engagement. Learn more about President Saucier.
Judith Sayers, Chancellor
Dr. Judith Sayers is a member of the Hupacasath First Nation and mother of two. She was elected as the new president of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council in September 2017. Judith has worked as a Strategic Adviser to First Nations and corporations and is an adjunct professor at the Peter Gustavson School of Business and Environmental Studies at the University of Victoria. She was the elected Chief of the Hupacasath First Nation for 14 years and the Chief Negotiator for 15 years. Judith’s educational background includes a business and law degree and an honourary Doctor of Laws from Queen’s University. She has an extensive background of practicing law for 18 years in both Alberta and British Columbia, working in international forums, lobbying governments and other agencies for the promotion and protection of First Nations rights and title.