CUBA Conference 2025
Disruption as Opportunity: Catching Waves of Change in Higher Education
May 1-3, 2025 in Halifax, Nova Scotia
Registration is OPEN!
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.
Program
Hosted by the University of Waterloo
6:45 - 7:30 a.m.
Morning activity - TBD
7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Registration Desk open
7:30 a.m.
Breakfast
8:30 a.m.
Land Acknowledgement and Welcome
8:45 a.m.
Opening Keynote Sparking Curiosity: The Future of University Governance
Matt Fullbrook, Founder, Fullbrook Board Effectiveness
9:30 a.m.
Panel Discussion: What is the future of university governance?
Matt Fullbrook, Founder, Fullbrook Board Effectiveness
University Secretary Panel (p anellists to be announced)
10:30 a.m.
Break
11:00 a.m.
Achieving World Class University Governance in an Age of Disruption
Paul Dubal, ISO37000 Certified Governance Expert, Author, EQ for the Governance Professional
12:00 p.m.
Lunch
1:00 p.m.
Lightning Talks - Presenters to be announced
2:30 p.m.
Break
2:45 p.m.
Sensemaking: Navigating Change for University Leaders
Daniel Atlin, Executive Coach and Strategic Advisor
4:00 p.m.
Closing Remarks
5:00 p.m.
Shuttle to the Welcome Reception - Meet in hotel lobby
5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
Welcome Reception Hosted at McInnes Cooper Purdy’s Wharf Tower II
6:45 a.m.
Morning Activity: Halifax harbourfront boardwalk stroll
7:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Registration Desk Open
7:30 a.m.
Breakfast
8:30 a.m.
Land Acknowledgement - Claire Milton, KC, ICD.D
Welcome Honour Song - Raymond Sewell, Assistant Professor of Indigenous Literature and Culture, Saint Mary's University
8:45 a.m.
Presidents Panel: Leading through Disruption - Protests; Anarchy; Existential Crisis
Moderator – Dr. Jessica Riddell, Professor of Early Modern Literature, Bishops University
President – Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, Saint Mary's University
President – Dr. Vivek Goel, University of Waterloo
President – Dr. Wendy Rogers, University of Prince Edward Island
President – Dr. Graham Carr, Concordia University
10:00 a.m.
Break
10:15 a.m.
Indigenous-led Governance – Lessons from Labrador
Dr. Ashlee Cunsolo, Provost and Vice-President Academic and Research, Acadia University
11:45 a.m.
Lunch
1:00 p.m.
Measuring Success in a University – Reshaping Accountability in a Distressed World
Katrina Beach, FCPA, Partner, Doane Grant Thorton
Dr. Natalia Kochetova, PhD, FCPA, FCMA, Professor of Accounting, Saint Mary's University
2:15 p.m.
Break
2:30 p.m.
Break Out Group
Board Members: The Chair-President Relationship – Maintaining Trust in Disruption
More presenters to be announced
Simon Chan and Deborah MacLatchey, Wilfred Laurier University
Alan Abraham and Robert Summerby-Murray, Saint Mary's University
Julian Demkiw, University Secretary and Chief Governance Officer, University of Saskatchewan
Facilitator: Catherine Woodman, ICD.D, KBRS
Break Out Group
Governance Professionals: The Bridge Over Troubled Waters
More presenters to be announced
Sheree Drummond, Secretary of the Governing Council, University of Toronto
Claire Milton, University Secretary and General Counsel, Saint Mary’s University
Facilitator: Kate Fagan Taylor, GrowthPoints
4:00 p.m.
Closing remarks
5:15 p.m.
Commute to East Coast Kitchen Party – Meet in Hotel Lobby
5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
East Coast Kitchen Party – Lobster Dinner at The Cable Wharf – Featuring Big Fish
6: 45 a.m.
Morning Activity
7:30 a.m.
Breakfast
8:30 a.m.
Land Acknowledgement and Welcome
Mark Gosine, Board Vice-Chair, Saint Mary's University
8:35 a.m.
Invitation to CUBA 2026 University of Waterloo
8:45 a.m.
Purpose Governance - Reclaiming the Role of Higher Education in Saving the World
Coro Strandberg, President, Strandberg Consulting
10: 00 a.m.
Closing Keynote: Hope Circuits 2.0 - Blueprints for Governance and Leadership
Dr. Jessica Riddell, Founder, Hope Circuits Institute, Professor of Early Modern Literature, Bishops University
11:00 a.m.
Break
11:20 a.m.
CUBA Annual General Meeting
12:30 p.m.
Boxed lunch to-go
1:30 p.m.
Optional: Post-Conference Intensive 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
Meet our Presenters
More presenters to be announced Click presenter card to read more
Accommodations
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
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
Travel to Halifax
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.
Travel to Halifax
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.
Halifax Restaurants and Attractions
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.
Halifax Restaurants and Attractions
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.