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For: UBC

alumni UBC Launches alumNIGHTS: Leadership Lessons

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In December 2019, alumni UBC launched a year-long series that will connect and engage alumni around the theme of leadership. The series kicked off in Vancouver with an evening where UBC alumni gathered to network and learn from high-profile industry leaders. This evening was hosted by PFM Partner, Shelina Esmail, who is also an alumni BC board member.

The evening began with a panel discussion where the leaders shared some of their learning and advice, as well as challenges they’ve faced in their career journeys. Following the program, attendees had the opportunity to meet the panelists and local alumni in an open networking environment over food and refreshments. Attendees – recent grads and well-established alumni alike – walked away feeling inspired, keen to develop their own leadership skills and pave their own paths to leadership.

If you would like to listen to the Podcast from this event and/or subscribe to the alumni UBC Podcasts, please go to: www.alumni.ubc.ca/podcasts/alumnights-leadership-lessons

Rick Hart – Associate Vice-President, Communications for the University of British Columbia (UBC)

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PFM Executive Search welcomes Rick Hart as the new Associate Vice-President, Communications for the University of British Columbia. This follows an intensive and inclusive search process with a Selection Committee led by UBC’s Vice President, External Relations.

Rick is well positioned for success as the new AVP Communications having joined UBC in 2013 as the Director of Brand and Marketing Communications, before becoming Senior Director, Brand and Marketing, in 2018. During this time, Rick was involved in a number of key initiatives such as the recent “The Potential is Yours” brand marketing campaign, the launch of UBC Connects, the creation of UBC’s Brand Leadership Council and the launch of the UBC Strategic Plan.

A Sauder School of Business graduate, Rick has also held senior positions at a number of global integrated communications agencies during his 20-year career, in Canada and the UK.

The AVP, Communications oversees UBC’s central Communications portfolio, comprising Brand and Marketing, Internal Communications and Media Relations. The role is a key part of the External Relations leadership team — collaborating and strengthening alignment in communications and marketing across UBC as a whole.

PFM Executive Search created a collaborative search process involving various key stakeholders and partner groups inside and outside the university. We are delighted Rick was the successful candidate given his breadth of marketing-communications experience and the depth of understanding he brings through his six years at UBC.

PFM Executive Search is recognized as a leader in working with diverse selection committees in the Higher Education Sector. The firm brings a global reach to each and every assignment in the post-secondary field and ensures an open and transparent search & selection process for our university clients.

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/

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.

Yale Loh – Treasurer for The University of British Columbia (UBC)

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PFM Executive Search is excited to announce that Yale Loh has accepted the position as The University of British Columbia’s (UBC) Treasurer. Yale joins UBC from Aritzia, where he served as Treasurer and was responsible for leading all treasury, retail accounting, and sales audit functions. Previously, Yale held positions with Finning International and Capital Power Corporation, along with progressively senior financial positions at BC Hydro, including five years as Treasurer.

Yale’s extensive treasury experience with private and public sector organizations will help the University continue to build strategic direction and leadership support for financial liquidity, capital financing, corporate borrowing, cash management, financial projects management, tax, leases, and revenue accounting on all UBC campuses. Yale currently serves his community as a member of the Finance Committee of the Board at West Point Grey Academy and the United Way of the Lower Mainland Campaign Cabinet, and has been an occasional guest lecturer at the UBC Sauder School of Business. Yale is a commerce graduate from UBC and earned an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management. Yale also holds his Chartered Financial Analyst and Chartered Professional Accountant designations.

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 26 years, PFM has recruited senior leaders from all over the world.