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Board of Governors

The Board of Governors is the senior governing body of the University and is responsible for establishing the legal and administrative framework for the University. It has superintending and reforming power over all decisions affecting activities held at the University or connected with the University. It is composed of 25 voting members and one non-voting observer, the breakdown of which is outlined in article 25 of the By-Laws. Its general powers are set out in the University Charter while its specific functions and powers are listed under article 41 of the By-Laws.

 

Chair of the Board, Chancellor and Deputy Chancellor

Duties

The Chair of the Board of Governors chairs all meetings of the Board and of the Corporation. They are an Officer of the University and an ex-officio member of the Board of Governors, the majority of its standing committees as well as the Corporation.

Current Chair of the Board

On July 1, 2020, Ms. Helen Antoniou began her first one-year term as Chair of Board of Governors.  Ms. Antoniou was appointed to the Board on July 1, 2015 and served as Board Vice-Chair from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020.

Helen Antoniou Helen Antoniou

Helen Antoniou is an executive coach for corporate leaders and their teams, as well as family business owners and their successors.  She is the author of the Globe and Mail bestseller, Back to Beer... and Hockey:  The Story of Eric Molson, a business biography of her father-in-law and past chairman of Molson Coors Beverage Company.  Helen also lectures at institutions such as the MIT Sloan of Management and the ICD-Rotman Directors Education Program.

Starting as a corporate commercial lawyer 30 years ago, Helen transitioned to management consulting and later assumed leadership roles within organizations such as Bombardier and the McGill University Health Center.  She now uses her experience to help coaching clients maximize their impact and reach their goals.

Helen holds Civil and Common Law degrees from McGill University, a Masters in Law from Université de Paris II, and a Masters in Public Health from Harvard University.  Her community involvement focuses on health education.

Past Chairs
Norman E. Hébert jr. July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2020
Peter Kruyt  July 1, 2005 to June 30, 2012
Alan Benedetti July 1, 2003 to June 30, 2005
Lillian Vineberg November 17, 1999 to June 30, 2003
Reginald Groome * September 30, 1992 to September 20, 1999
André Gervais * June 18, 1987 to September 29, 1992
Donald McNaughton * June 18, 1981 to June 30, 1987
C.A. Duff  * June 14, 1974 to June 17, 1981
* deceased

Duties

The Chancellor is the titular head of the University and serves as an ambassador to the University. The Chancellor presides at convocations and similar ceremonies and performs such official duties as the Board of Governors may designate. In accordance with the By-Laws, the Chancellor is a non-voting observer on the Board of Governors and an Officer of the University.

Current Chancellor

On May 20, 2020, the Board of Governors reappointed Jonathan Wener, C.M. as Chancellor of Concordia University, for a two-year term beginning on January 1, 2021. Prior to his appointment as Chancellor, Mr. Wener served as Deputy Chancellor.

Jonathan Wener, C.M. Jonathan Wener, C.M.

Prior to his appointment as Deputy Chancellor, Mr. Wener served on the Board of Governors from 1995 to June 2012, was Vice-Chair of the Board from 2005 to 2011 and Chair of the Real Estate Planning Committee from 1996 to 2012.

Mr. Wener is Chairman and CEO of Canderel. A native Montrealer who graduated from Concordia University in 1971 with a Bachelor of Commerce degree, Mr. Wener turned his passion for buildings and architecture into 40 years of acquiring, developing and managing office and industrial properties, residential condominiums and retail facilities.

Committed to community involvement, Mr. Wener launched Défi Corporatif Canderel in 1989, which has since raised more than $7 million for cancer research. As a personal expression of his belief in community service, for over 25 years Mr. Wener has played a leadership role in numerous organizations devoted to education, culture and health. He is also a director of several corporations.

Mr. Wener is a Member of the Order of Canada and a Member of the Conseil du Patronat du Québec.

 

Past Chancellors
L. Jacques Ménard * January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2014
David P. O'Brien   January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2010
Eric H. Molson   July 1, 1993 to December 31, 2005
Jeanne Sauvé * October 1, 1992 to January 26, 1993
Alan B. Gold  * February 5, 1987 to September 30, 1992
Earle W. McLaughlin * January 1, 1982 to December 31, 1986
Harry J. Hemens *
 August 24, 1974 to December 31, 1981
* deceased

Duties

The Deputy Chancellor has all the powers of the Chancellor in his/her absence or inability to act.  

Current Deputy Chancellor — Vacant

 

Past Deputy Chancellor  
Jonathan Wener July 1, 2012 to December 31, 2014
L. Jacques Ménard * September 23, 2009 to December 31, 2010

Meetings, minutes, and standing committees

The Board of Governors usually meets monthly from September to June, although the Chair of the Board may decide to dispense with a meeting in any given month. It conducts its business through its standing committees that bring recommendations to the Board.

Governor's Handbook

The Governor's Handbook is designed as a tool for members of the Board of Governors.  It regroups useful information in understanding their duties as Governors and in fulfilling their mandate. The Handbook is updated as required.

Annual Report

The Annual Report provides members of the Concordia community with information respecting the Board of Governors' role and operations for a given year.

Honorary Degrees

Concordia University awards honorary degrees at Convocation to individuals who have made a substantial contribution to society or have achieved extraordinary distinction in their fields or careers.

 

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