Tag Archive

For: UBC

Adam Jussel – Managing Director, Student Affairs – University of British Columbia (UBC)

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PFM Executive Search is excited to announce that Adam Jussel has accepted the role of Managing Director, Student Affairs with the University of British Columbia effective mid-July of 2025.

Adam comes to UBC with over 13 years of experience in the post-secondary field, and since 2019 he has been serving as the Dean of Students at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM). Prior to this, Adam served as the Assistant Dean of Students and the Director of the Office Student Conduct at Washington State University. Adam received his juris doctorate from Seattle University, and his Bachelor of Science in Business Information Systems from California Lutheran University.

As the Managing Director, Student Affairs, Adam will play a pivotal role in continuing to enhance and advance the strategic direction and oversight of a wide range of units and programs that are responsible for building, transforming, and enhancing the UBC student engagement and experience on the Vancouver campus.

On behalf of PFM Executive Search, congratulations Adam!

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.

Adam Charania – Vice President, Human Resources – University of BC

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PFM Executive Search is excited to announce that Adam Charania has accepted the role of Vice President, HR with the University of BC effective December 6th/2024.

Adam has been serving as UBC’s Interim Vice-President, Human Resources, since April 2024. He brings more than 20 years of broad senior HR leadership experience, in both the public and private sectors. Over the course of his career, he has worked in several large and complex organizations including Provincial Health Services Authority, British Columbia Automobile Association, as well as the BC Provincial Government, at both the Ministry of Labour and the Public Sector Employers’ Council. He has led HR teams where he was responsible for talent, succession and workforce planning, organizational restructuring, labour relations, compensation, benefits, and wellbeing programs, including integration of diversity and inclusion across HR programs.

As an integral member of the senior leadership team, the Vice-President, Human Resources works collaboratively with management, students, faculty and staff across the university, and with key external partners, to enhance UBC’s ability to achieve its people objectives and sustain a culture that sees people as the university’s greatest strength.

On behalf of PFM Executive Search, congratulations Adam!

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.

Dennis Thomas-Whonoak – Executive Director, Indigenous Business Initiatives and Engagement – UBC, Sauder School of Business

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PFM Executive Search is excited to announce that Dennis Thomas-Whonoak has accepted the role of Executive Director, Indigenous Business Initiatives and Engagement with the UBC Sauder School of Business effective August 28th.

Dennis is deeply connected to his community and culture, where he serves as an elected councillor for his Nation. He is a member of səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) in Deep Cove, North Vancouver. He also has ancestral ties to Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish Nation), Welsh ancestry and close familial ties to xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Nation). Dennis has an MBA from SFU and brings 15+ years of professional experience from his work with his community, Tsleil-Waututh Nation. During that time, he led new business opportunities and explored future business partnerships, programs and projects. He has extensive experience Indigenizing business initiatives – from large residential developments to sports facilities. As an active community member, Dennis has served on various Boards of Directors, including the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Museum of Vancouver and City of Vancouver UNDRIP Task Force.

Dennis prides himself on bringing people together and is committed to leave a legacy that strengthens Indigenous peoples and, in turn, strengthens our entire society. He has won several awards for his work including the 2022 Enduring Award from Capilano University Alumni Awards of Excellence, 2021 Business in Vancouver’s Top 40 Under 40, 2021 Award for Planning Excellence in the category of Planning for Reconciliation by Canadian Institute of Planners for the Heather Lands project.

On behalf of PFM Executive Search, congratulations Dennis!

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.

Jennifer Ogeer – University Veterinarian – University of British Columbia

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PFM Executive Search is excited to announce that Dr. Jennifer Ogeer has accepted the role of University Veterinarian for the University of British Columbia, effective June 1st, 2023.

Dr. Ogeer is joining UBC from Antech Diagnostics (Mars Petcare), where she was the Vice-President Medical Science & Innovation. Jennifer has a rich background, and has been a clinical veterinarian, a Clinical Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University, and an Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine & Critical care at the University of Saskatchewan. Jennifer received a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, along with a Master of Science in Critical Care and a Master of Arts in Leadership and Organizational Behaviour all from the University of Guelph and holds an Executive MBA from the University of Western Ontario. She has held several leadership roles in not-for-profit organizations, including service as the Treasurer and Executive Board Member of the Black Veterinary Association of Canada, Chair of the Board of Directors of Veterinarians without Borders, and is the incoming Chair of the Ontario Veterinary College PetTrust Board of Directors.

Jennifer is excited to join UBC, and to work with their exemplary Animal Care Services team and all who support their Animal Care and Use Program.

On behalf of PFM Executive Search, congratulations Jennifer!

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.

Salman Shahid – Director of Architecture – University of British Columbia

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PFM Executive Search is excited to announce that Salman Shahid has accepted the role of Director of Architecture at the University of British Columbia effective January 4th 2022. Salman will lead the development of UBC’s Enterprise Architecture (EA) operating model, building a team of Enterprise Architects, Solutions Architects and an EA Practice to ensure alignment of UBC’s technology roadmaps with Digital UBC, the Institution’s Digital Strategy. On behalf of PFM Executive Search, congratulations Salman!

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.