Wilfrid Laurier University welcomed a new Chair of its Board of Governors this July 2026, with incoming chair, Jim Phillips, stepping into the role.
Phillips will take over from outgoing chair, Simon Chan.
Phillips first joined the board in 2019 as a representative of Martin Luther University College. Since then, he has served as vice-chair; chair of the finance, investments and property committee; and as a member of the presidential review committee. From 2014 to 2020, Phillips also acted as a member, treasurer and chair of the Martin Luther University College board.
Under the Wilfrid Laurier University Act, the board of governors has management authority over the university. The board oversees WLU’s strategic direction in conjunction with the academic direction set by the Senate. It also oversees the university’s financial sustainability, reputation, risk and operations in support of its strategic goals.
The board of governors meets approximately three to five times each year, between September and June. Its next meeting is scheduled for Friday Sept. 11, 2026.
Members of the public and university community are invited to attend the open portions of the board of governors’ and committee meetings. Closed sessions are restricted to board members and required resource staff.
Phillips will be taking over the chair as WLU approaches several significant institutional decisions, including the search for its next president and continued work on WLU’s long-term financial sustainability goals.
With a background in banking, Phillips enters the role with a considerable understanding of finance.
Phillips’ appointment comes as WLU prepares to select its next president and vice-chancellor. Deborah MacLatchy’s term is set to end June 30, 2027, with applications for her successor expected to be reviewed beginning this October.
The university secretariat, on behalf of the board of governors, has created a 14-member search committee made up of faculty, staff, students, alumni and members of the university’s senate and the board of governors to recommend a candidate for WLU’s next president and vice-chancellor. This makes Phillip’s new position particularly significant.
“As incoming chair, I look forward to working with my board colleagues, president and vice-chancellor MacLatchy, the executive team and all stakeholders on the priorities for our exciting future at Laurier,” Phillips said in a statement to the university.
The Wilfrid Laurier University Act provides for broad representation on the board of governors to ensure members of the university community have a voice in university governance.
In keeping with the principles of shared governance, the board includes strong representation from the senate. Three faculty representatives are elected from the senate, as well as the chancellor, president and vice-chancellor, who serve automatically on the board in their respective positions.
The board of governors has 34 members, including five faculty representatives, three students, two administrative staff members and three alumni.
The board also includes six members appointed by the lieutenant-governor in council, eight community-at-large members, two members appointed by Martin Luther University College and three members appointed through the cities of Waterloo and Kitchener and the Regional Municipality of Waterloo.
When recommending individuals for appointment, the board’s nominations committee considers the needs to support the board’s work. Representation is prioritized from the communities where WLU has campuses and offices, including Kitchener-Waterloo and Brantford.
Wilfrid Laurier University welcomes Phillips into this new role.
Contributed Photo by Santosh Chandrasekar
