Disruption as Opportunity: Catching Waves of Change in Higher Education
May 1-3, 2025 in Halifax, Nova Scotia
This year’s conference theme—Disruption as Opportunity: Catching Waves of Change in Higher Education —reflects the conversations and decisions made in our Board rooms across the country.
In addition to a great program, conference participants will be treated to a reception the evening of May 1, 2025 at the McInnes Cooper Law Firm on the Halifax Waterfront, and an East Coast Kitchen Party the evening of May 2, 2025.
The Canadian University Boards Association (CUBA) exists to improve the governance of Canadian universities. It serves as a means of mobilizing the leadership of university boards to support and develop policies and programs that enhance the ability of boards to discharge their fiduciary duties and to be accountable for the overall direction of their universities.
BONUS PROGRAM FEATURES and CONFERENCE NEWS
Conference participants will have access to the following valuable options:
Consultation Sessions with Alex Usher, Daniela Hampton-Davies & Maïca Murphy
Conference participants are invited to sign up for a complementary 30-minute session with our governance specialists from Higher Education Strategy Associates (HESA) - Alex Usher, President of HESA, Daniela Hampton-Davies, Founder of Balsam Advisory, and Maïca Murphy, Manager Strategy & Governance at HESA, who all work together with Boards to provide a comprehensive suite of strategic governance support. These confidential consultation sessions may be used to discuss a current governance issue, challenge, or question. Individuals or small groups of 2-3 people may attend each session.
Sessions will be offered over the 3-days of the conference.
BoardWise is a new joint initiative from Higher Education Strategy Associates (HESA) and Balsam Advisory, created to support the evolving governance needs of Canada’s postsecondary institutions. Drawing on our combined experience in strategy, policy, and boardroom practice, BoardWise offers tailored, insight-driven services that help equip leadership to govern wisely, act strategically, and guide institutions forward. Whether you're strengthening onboarding, assessing effectiveness, or aligning governance with strategy, we're here to help your board lead with purpose.
Consultation Sessions with Cheryl Foy
- Complimentary registration for up to 3 board members and 1 governance professional from one university in the Foundations of University Governance Workshop (Value $1,800) to be offered in the Fall of 2025 – random draw from registrants
- Complimentary registration for 2 individuals to attend a new session – Financial Restructuring for Universities. (Value: $150 each) to be offered in 2025 – In the face of sustained advocacy after the Laurentian University financial restructuring, the federal government amended the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act so that universities could not use the Act to restructure their finances. This new session will provide participants with an overview of the current restructuring options available to universities – Random draw from registrants
- Complimentary 30-minute sessions with Cheryl Foy for attendees offered within two weeks post conference – 12 hours of complimentary advisory services to attendees to discuss a current governance issue, challenge, or question. A schedule and sign-up options will be available to registered delegates.
Conference Digital Platform - WHOVA
We’ll be using the Whova App as our digital conference platform. Through Whova, you can:
- View the full agenda and create your personalized schedule
- Connect with other attendees in advance
- Organize or join social activities (like coffee meetups or morning runs!)
- Stay up to date with live announcements and session updates
Program
Hosted by the University of Waterloo
| 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. | Registration Desk open |
| 7:30 a.m. | Networking Breakfast |
| 8:30 a.m. | Land Acknowledgement and Welcome |
| 8:45 a.m. |
Opening Keynote
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| 9:30 a.m. |
Panel Discussion: What is the future of university governance?
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| 10:30 a.m. | Break |
| 11:00 a.m. |
Achieving World Class University Governance in an Age of Disruption
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| 12:30 p.m. | Lunch: Windsor Lobby & Terrace |
| 1:30 p.m. | Lightning Talks - Presenters to be announced |
| 2:30 p.m. | Break |
| 2:45 p.m. |
Sensemaking: Navigating Change for University Leaders
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| 4:00 p.m. | Closing Remarks |
| 5:15 p.m. |
Shuttle to the Welcome Reception - Bus 1 Meet in hotel lobby |
| 5:30 p.m. |
Shuttle to the Welcome Reception - Bus 2 Meet in hotel lobby |
| 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. | Welcome Reception Hosted at McInnes Cooper Purdy’s Wharf Tower II |
| 6:45 a.m. | Morning Activity: Halifax Harbourfront boardwalk stroll or Coffee, Coloring & Connecting | |
| 7:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. | Registration Desk Open | |
| 7:30 a.m. | Breakfast: Windsor Room | |
| 8:30 a.m. |
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| 8:45 a.m. |
Presidents Panel: Leading through Disruption - Protests; Anarchy; Existential Crisis
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| 10:00 a.m. | Break | |
| 10:15 a.m. |
Indigenous-led Governance – Lessons from Labrador
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| 12:00 p.m. | Lunch: Windsor Lobby & Terrace | |
| 1:00 p.m. |
Measuring Success: Reshaping Financial Accountability to Focus on Future Opportunities
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| 2:15 p.m. | Break | |
| 2:30 p.m. |
Break Out Group Board Members: The Chair-President Relationship – Maintaining Trust in Disruption Location: Regency Room
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Break Out Group Governance Professionals: The Bridge Over Troubled Waters Location: Windsor Room
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| 3:45 p.m. |
Strategies for Recovery & Reform: The Role of University Governance
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| 4:45 p.m. | Wrap Up - Notes from Conference Organizers | |
| 5:30 p.m. |
Shuttle to the East Coast Kitchen Party - BUS 2 Meet in Hotel Lobby |
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| 5:45 p.m. |
Shuttle to the East Coast Kitchen Party - BUS 2 Meet in Hotel Lobby |
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| 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. |
East Coast Kitchen Party – Lobster Dinner at The Cable Wharf – Featuring Big Fish |
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| 6:45 a.m. | Morning Activity: Halifax Harbourfront Boardwalk Stroll or Coffee, Coloring & Connecting |
| 7:30 a.m. | Breakfast: Windsor Room |
| 8:30 a.m. | Land Acknowledgement and Welcome
|
| 8:35 a.m. | Invitation to CUBA 2026
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| 8:45 a.m. | Purpose Governance - Reclaiming the Role of Higher Education in Saving the World
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| 10: 00 a.m. | Closing Keynote: Hope Circuits as Governance—Disruption as Opportunity for Flourishing
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| 11:00 a.m. | Break |
| 11:10 a.m. | CUBA Annual General Meeting |
| 12:15 p.m. |
Boxed lunch to-go Location: Windsor Lobby & Terrace |
| 1:30 p.m. |
Optional: Post-Conference Workshop with Dr. Jessica Riddell, Founder, Hope Circuits Institute, Professor of Early Modern Literature, Bishops University Co-Creating Blueprints for Transformative Governance – Applying Hope Circuits' Tools for Immediate Campus Impact In this hands-on, two-hour workshop, Dr. Jessica Riddell will lead participants in applying Hope Circuits' governance tools to co-create actionable blueprints for fostering human and ecological flourishing on their individual campuses. Building on the insights shared in her keynote, Dr. Riddell will guide governance professionals and board members in designing strategies that turn disruption into sustainable, hopeful change. This session empowers attendees to leave the conference with implementable plans that can be launched within a week, a month, and over the coming year to better navigate and leverage challenges in higher education. This workshop is built around Hope Circuits' three core indicators of flourishing: shared vocabulary and vision, clear pathways for action, and authentic agency. Participants will engage in exercises to deepen understanding of these principles and their applications, enabling them to transform values into pragmatic, effective governance tools that enhance decision-making, inclusion, and long-term institutional sustainability. |
Meet our Presenters
Click presenter card to read more
Accommodations for the conference have been arranged at the Prince George Hotel, located at 1725 Market Street in downtown Halifax.
Book your accommodations by March 31, 2025 to receive the CUBA preferred rate!
Self-parking is available at the hotel for $26 per day.
Book accommodation Accommodations for the conference have been arranged at the Prince George Hotel, located at 1725 Market Street in downtown Halifax.
Book your accommodations by March 31, 2025 to receive the CUBA preferred rate!
Self-parking is available at the hotel for $26 per day.
Book accommodation
The city of Halifax is approximately 30 minutes from the Halifax Airport.
Maritime Bus offers daily travel from the Airport to the city, departing at 2:05 p.m. and 5:20 p.m. Halifax Transit offers an express bus from the airport to downtown Halifax. Visit the airport website for transportation options.
Welcome to Halifax, Nova Scotia! Explore local history, a vibrant culinary scene, and exciting events, all in a spectacular coastal setting.
If you are extending your visit before of after the conference, you may wish to visit Discover Halifax for information on things to do in Halifax.
Welcome to Halifax, Nova Scotia! Explore local history, a vibrant culinary scene, and exciting events, all in a spectacular coastal setting.
If you are extending your visit before of after the conference, you may wish to visit Discover Halifax for information on things to do in Halifax.
Thank you to our conference sponsors!
