Author Archives: PFM Search

Celebrating the 2019 alumni UBC Achievement Awards

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PFM Partner, Shelina Esmail, along with other PFM staff and spouses, recently attended the 2019 alumni UBC Achievement Awards, where seven inspiring members of the UBC community were honoured. Shelina currently sits on the alumni UBC Committee.

Congratulations to the 2019 recipients!

For more information, please go to: https://www.alumni.ubc.ca/events/awards/

Nominations are now open for the 2020 alumni UBC Achievement Awards. To nominate, please go to: https://www.alumni.ubc.ca/events/awards/nominate/

Adrian Scovell – President & CEO for Automotive Retailers Association (ARA)

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PFM Executive Search is pleased to announce that the Board of Directors of the Automotive Retailers Association (ARA) has chosen Adrian Scovell as the new President & Chief Executive Officer effective October 1st. As the Association’s next leader, Scovell will craft and execute a vision and strategy for the ARA that maintains its values of creating solutions while working collaboratively with stakeholders and driving its purpose of “igniting the engine of a vibrant BC economy.” Adrian joined the ARA in 2010 following a diverse career with some of Canada’s most respected companies—IKEA, Rogers Video, and Belron (parent to Speedy Glass). He moved through the ranks and built skills in operations, marketing, negotiations, and business development. Along the way, he won two Marketer of the Year awards, among others, and sat on several boards of various charities and working groups. Congratulations Adrian on being appointed following a comprehensive search process.

PFM Executive Search is a recognized leader in senior leadership recruitment and is known for its ability to facilitate large and complex Selection Committees in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Over the past 27-years, PFM has recruited senior leaders from all over the world.

Darren McKnight – General Manager for Waterfront Employers of BC (WEBC)

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PFM is proud to announce the successful placement of Darren McKnight as the new General Manager of the Waterfront Employers of BC (WEBC).

Darren is a highly experienced, successful and well-regarded business leader, who has gained experience throughout his career in Benefits Administration and Management. He joins WEBC from First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) where he was the Director, Benefit Management leading Health Benefits transformation initiatives. Prior to his role at FNHA, Darren held several positions at Healthcare Benefit Trust, where he worked for 16 years. Darren’s educational background is in Kinesiology and in addition he holds a Masters of Business Administration from UBC.

The combination of Darren’s experience, drive, and values makes him an ideal fit for WEBC’s next stages of growth. His appointment as General Manager is effective 15 October 2019.

PFM Executive Search is a recognized leader in senior leadership recruitment and is known for its ability to facilitate large and complex Selection Committees in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Over the past 27-years, PFM has recruited senior leaders from all over the world.

William Azaroff – Chief Executive Officer for Brightside Community Homes Foundation

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PFM Executive Search is proud to announce the recent appointment of William Azaroff as the new Chief Executive Officer for Brightside Community Homes Foundation.

Brightside Community Homes Foundation (Brightside) is one of Vancouver’s largest and oldest affordable housing societies for seniors, families, and people with disabilities.

William joins Brightside from Vancity credit union, where as Vice President of Community Business & Investment, he and his team have been supporting local businesses and organizations throughout southwestern British Columbia that are looking to deliver triple-bottom-line results – those that generate profits, alongside positive results for people and the planet. A seasoned executive, William is also the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Vancity Community Foundation and a Board Member and former Chair of Modo Cooperative.

“I am honoured to be taking on this new role,” said William. “Vancouver is an amazing city, and I’ve been passionate about working to make it more accessible, livable and affordable for many years. Brightside has a strong vision and an important role to play to ensure people of all income levels have a home within a vibrant and healthy community in Vancouver. I can’t wait to get started.”

Chair of Brightside’s Board of Directors, Greg Tooke, said that William shares the board’s vision for Vancouver’s future and will provide excellent leadership as Brightside aims to double the number of affordable homes it provides over the next decade. Greg continued, “We look forward to welcoming William as the new CEO of Brightside. William is an authentic and visionary leader with the skillset to create a big impact on retaining Vancouver’s diversity, and making Vancouver housing inclusive for all.”

PFM Executive Search is a recognized leader in senior leadership recruitment and is known for its ability to facilitate large and complex Selection Committees in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Over the past 27-years, PFM has recruited senior leaders from all over the world.

Marcia Buchholz – Managing Director, Human Resources for The University of British Columbia (UBC)

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PFM Executive Search is pleased to announce that Marcia Buchholz has recently accepted the role of Managing Director, Human Resources – Advisory Partnerships, Central Services and Professional Standards with The University of British Columbia (UBC).

Marcia was previously the Associate Vice-President, Human Resources, at the University of Calgary, where the HR team provided HR support to over 11,000 faculty and staff, and championed emerging and priority HR programs, policies and practices.

Since 2011, Marcia had guided the university’s people practices in employee programs, employee, labour and faculty relations, change management and business transformation with a commitment to building positive and respectful workplace cultures.

Marcia led U.Calgary’s transformation to a new HR shared services model, evolving HR operational business practices in advance of an enterprise-level systems renewal project (similar to UBC’s IRP/Workday project).

Marcia has a key focus on employee engagement and culture initiatives, creating the “Respect in the Workplace” initiative that led to a more engaged and supportive culture of work.

She was instrumental in the launch of the mental health strategy and initiatives for faculty and staff, including a WellBeing and WorkLife portfolio, which led to U.Calgary being the first Canadian university and first Canadian organization to receive the World at Work “Seal of Distinction” for flexible and supportive employee policies and programs.

Marcia has served as a senior HR professional across Canada in both post-secondary and the private sector for over 20 years, with such organizations as IBM Canada, Jayman, CIBC, EDS Canada, and Ceridian Canada. She has led large teams and has worked collaboratively with all stakeholders in these organizations.

Marcia has been a life-long learner and has also been actively involved in the development of the HR profession throughout her career and has been actively involved in organizations such as CAUBO and HRAUWC.

PFM Executive Search is recognized as a national leader in recruiting senior officials to progressive post-secondary institutions. Our firm is known for creating an inclusive and transparent facilitation procedure with stakeholders and partner groups, ensuring a fair and open selection process that brings forward a diverse slate of qualified candidates for senior academic and non-academic roles.