Author Archives: PFM Search

Vani Visva – Senior VP, Finance & Operations – VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation

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PFM Executive Search is excited to announce the news that following an extensive national search, Vani Visva (CPA, CGA, MBA) has been selected as the new SVP, Finance & Operations to join the VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation, effective February 21st.

Vani comes with extensive experience in financial systems, technology implementation, risk management, property development and facilities management, extending over more than twenty years in Ontario in private, government and not-for-profit organizations. Vani is currently serving as VP & CFO with the March of Dimes Canada, a role she has held since 2019 – March of Dimes Canada is a national charity with an annual revenue of $150M.

On behalf of PFM Executive Search, congratulations Vani!

PFM Executive Search is recognized as a leader in executive search and has been working with some of the most prominent Canadian private, public, and not-for-profit clients over the past 29-years. We are known for our ability to recruit senior leaders from around the world to top management positions.

Jason Downing – Director, HR & Safety – Mowi

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PFM Executive Search is excited to announce that Jason Downing has accepted the role of Human Resources Director with Mowi Canada West, effective January 9th.

A Chartered Professional in Human Resources, Jason’s past experience has included leading implementation programs for leadership development, reconciliation, and change management. Jason’s career history also includes time with Canada’s military, both active duty and managerial roles.

On behalf of PFM Executive Search, congratulations Jason.

PFM Executive Search is recognized as a leader in executive search and has been working with some of the most prominent Canadian private, public, and not-for-profit clients over the past 30-years. We are known for our ability to recruit senior leaders from around the world to top management positions.

Michael Hitch – Dean, Faculty Sciences – University of the Fraser Valley

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PFM Executive Search is excited to announce that Michael Hitch has accepted the role of Dean, Faculty Sciences with the University of the Fraser Valley, effective September 1, 2023. Dr. Hitch will also hold a faculty appointment in the School of Land Use and Environmental Change.

Dr. Hitch joins UFV from Curtin University where he is the Head of School for the Western Australia School of Mines: Minerals, Energy & Chemical Engineering. He has also held appointments at Tallinn University, University of New South Wales, and the University of British Columbia.

Dr. Hitch brings a blend of academic and research leadership, plus experience in corporate development and operational roles in industry. He has worked tirelessly to develop partnerships with industry that create undergraduate experiential learning programs and he has funded chairs to attract world class researchers.

Dr. Hitch has partnered with school districts to promote STEM subjects and to help educate younger high school students about the mining and resource sectors. He brings a strong commitment to, and experience with, Indigenization from his time in Australia and in Canada. His work with Indigenous peoples in the Arctic helped negotiate an impact agreement in Nunavut.

Dr. Hitch has an extensive publication record that includes 74 peer reviewed journal articles, 52 conference presentations, a published book about his work in Nunavut, and numerous grants totalling in the millions of dollars. We look forward to welcoming Dr. Hitch later this year.

On behalf of PFM Executive Search, congratulations Michael!

PFM Executive Search is recognized as a leader in executive search and has been working with some of the most prominent Canadian private, public, and not-for-profit clients over the past 30-years. We are known for our ability to recruit senior leaders from around the world to top management positions.

Tracy Penny Light – Dean, Faculty of Arts & Sciences – Capilano University

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PFM Executive Search is excited to announce that Tracy Penny Light has accepted the role of Dean, Faculty of Arts & Sciences with Capilano University, effective February 2, 2023.

Tracy Penny Light comes to CapU from St. George’s University, Grenada, West Indies, where she served as both a history professor and director of the Office of Leadership and Excellence in Academic Development division in the Department of Educational Services. Prior to that role, she served as a professor of history and the executive director of the Centre for Student Engagement and Learning Innovation at Thompson Rivers University, and associate professor at the University of Waterloo where she taught in both the sexuality, marriage and family studies and history departments and served as the director of women’s studies.

Tracy Penny Light holds a Master of Arts in History (Laurentian University) and a PhD, History (University of Waterloo). She is also president of the Association for Authentic, Experiential, and Evidence-Based Learning (AAEEBL), the international ePortfolio community of practice.

On behalf of PFM Executive Search, congratulations Tracy!

PFM Executive Search is recognized as a leader in executive search and has been working with some of the most prominent Canadian private, public, and not-for-profit clients over the past 30-years. We are known for our ability to recruit senior leaders from around the world to top management positions.