Chilliwack Lawyer Cristen Gleeson Takes Chair at UFV Board

Cristen Gleeson, a lawyer based in Chilliwack, British Columbia, has been appointed as the new chair of the Board of Governors at the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV). She succeeds John Pankratz, who concluded his second term but will remain as a board member. Gleeson becomes the 15th chair in the university’s history and the third woman to hold this position, following Betty Meagher and Phyllis Stenson.

The UFV Board of Governors oversees the university’s management, administration, and financial affairs. It comprises volunteer members appointed by the government, along with elected faculty, staff, and students. The university’s president and chancellor are also integral members.

Gleeson is currently a managing partner at the Baker Newby law firm, where she has worked since 2006. A native of Thunder Bay, Ontario, she obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1998 and her law degree in 2001 from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. During her time at Queen’s, she played two seasons of varsity basketball and participated in the Canada World Youth program. Additionally, she spent summers fighting forest fires in northern Ontario.

Having joined the UFV Board in 2020, Gleeson served as vice chair before her new appointment. “I have enjoyed the experience immensely,” she stated. “UFV is a great university with a collegial atmosphere that respects diversity and Indigenous peoples.”

Gleeson highlighted her involvement in the drafting and implementation of Íyáqáwtxw, UFV’s strategic plan, and her role in supporting former president Joanne MacLean during both successes and challenges, including the pandemic and significant flooding in the Fraser Valley. She is particularly proud of chairing the presidential search committee that selected Dr. James Mandigo as UFV’s new president and vice-chancellor.

“James and I share a similar approach and enthusiasm,” Gleeson remarked. “We aim to get things done while remaining open to new ideas.” She expressed her commitment to supporting initiatives that align with the strategic plan and to building upon the university’s recent achievements.

Despite the challenges posed by a decline in international student numbers, which is impacting universities across Canada, Gleeson noted that UFV has managed to fare better than many institutions. “We face financial challenges due to falling international enrolment but remain optimistic,” she said.

Gleeson was pleased to announce that UFV recently received the Changemaker Campus designation from the Ashoka U Network, marking it as the first university in six years to earn this recognition. She is also enthusiastic about UFV’s commitment to One Health, an interdisciplinary approach to studying the interconnectedness of human, animal, and ecosystem health. “One Health is exciting because it examines how these areas are linked,” she explained, noting that this initiative aligns well with UFV’s facilities in Chilliwack, particularly its health sciences and agricultural studies programs.

As the second lawyer from Baker Newby to serve as UFV’s board chair, Gleeson follows in the footsteps of her mentor Larry Stinson, who held the position from 2011 to 2013. In addition to her role at UFV, she chairs the Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation. Gleeson and her husband have two children, aged 10 and 13, and they operate a tree farm in Rosedale.

Gleeson expressed gratitude for UFV’s supportive environment that allows busy professionals and parents to take on challenges like the board chair role. She looks forward to collaborating with fellow board members to advance the university’s mission. “We aim for a conciliatory and constructive approach to working together for the university’s best interest,” she affirmed.

UFV President James Mandigo thanked Pankratz for his dedicated service, calling him “an exemplary role model in steady leadership and thoughtful governance.” He added, “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.”