Leadership change within the Equity and Inclusion Office
A message from Lesley Cormack, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Principal, UBC Okanagan, Andrew Szeri, Provost and Vice-President, Academic, UBC Vancouver, Marcia Buchholz, Vice-President, Human Resources and Ainsley Carry, Vice-President, Students
As UBC continues to advance its equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives, the Equity and Inclusion Office (EIO) will be undergoing a leadership change.
It is with mixed emotions that we wish to announce that Dr. Sara-Jane Finlay is leaving the role of Associate Vice-President, Equity and Inclusion, to take up a new role with ICBC. Since joining the university in 2015, Dr. Finlay has made significant contributions to advancing UBC’s equity and diversity mandate, most notably the launch of UBC’s Inclusion Action Plan, an expansion of the Equity Enhancement Fund and the introduction of Inclusive Excellence. President Santa Ono has shared his appreciation for Dr. Finlay’s passionate work on behalf of equity, diversity and inclusion at the UBC, stating that we are a better university because of her contributions over the last six years.
Dr. Finlay’s last day as Associate Vice-President, Equity and Inclusion, will be December 17, 2021. On behalf of the university, we would like to thank Dr. Finlay for her contributions to UBC and wish her well in her new role.
In order to support the continued work of the EIO, Dr. Margaret Moss will take on the role of interim Associate Vice-President, Equity and Inclusion, effective December 1, 2021. Dr. Moss is currently an associate professor in the School of Nursing as well as Director, First Nations House of Learning. Dr. Moss is an enrolled member of the Three Affiliated Tribes of North Dakota. She brings a health and law background, was recently appointed to the National Academy of Medicine Board, and this year was named to Forbes 50 over 50 Impact List. Dr. Moss has also been integral to the creation and advancement of UBC’s Indigenous Strategic Plan. We thank Dr. Moss for stepping in to lead this important work.
Going forward, in order to support the evolving mandate of equity, diversity and inclusion at UBC, a new role of Chief Diversity Officer will be created. A formal search will begin in the new year, and we look forward to providing further information at that time. In the meantime, please join us in thanking Dr. Finlay for her contributions to UBC and welcoming Dr. Moss to her interim role.