Current Membership

2023-24 U of A Senators
2023-24 University of Alberta Senators

Last updated - September 2023

Learn About Becoming a Senator

Term end dates indicated in parenthesis.

Ex Officio (7)

  • Chancellor - Ms. Peggy Garritty - 4-Year Term (June 2024)
    • Independent communications and brand consultant, former Chief Reputation and Brand Officer at ATB Financial, and avid board volunteer.
  • President & Vice-Chancellor - Mr. Bill Flanagan
    • A transformational and entrepreneurial leader committed to the long-term academic and financial success of the U of A.
  • Interim Provost & Vice-President (Academic) - Dr. Verna Yiu
    • An accomplished and servient leader in the academic and healthcare sectors, former President and CEO of Alberta Health Services, and practicing pediatric nephrologist.
  • Vice-Provost and Dean of Students - Dr. Ravina Sanghera 
    • Dean of Students, commiteed to uplifting our students and serving our entire campus community.
  • Associate Vice-President, Online and Continuing Education (Extension Senior Representative) - Ms. Jessica Butts Scott
    • Passionate about enabling accessible, online learning and development for all who have a drive to earn an education.
  • Alumni Association President - Mrs. Ashton Rudanec (May 2026)
    • A sustainable investing professional and proud U of A BCom and MBA alumna. 
  • Alumni Association Past President - Mr. Tyler Hanson (May 2024)
    • COO & President of Know Company Inc. a group of companies focused on advertising technology.

Appointed (25)

From the Public by the Minister of Advanced Education (9)
  • Mr. Darren Andruko - Edmonton - 1st 3-Year Term (July 2024)
    • Retired energy/finance executive, full time volunteer. Board member/finance director Rugby Alberta.
  • Mr. Dennis Banks - Calgary - 1st 3-Year Term (July 2024)
    • Louisiana State University 1992 Chemical Engineering graduate and current senior leader with Suncor.
  • Mr. Gary Kalynchuk - Edmonton - 1st 3-Year Term (July 2024)
    • Conservative, business owner, and advocate.
  • Mr. Chinedu Ogbonna - Edmonton - 1st 3-Year Term (July 2024)
    • Global trade leader with extensive experience in animal feeds and pharmaceuticals,o a board member, regulatory affairs expert, educator, and a Chartered Director with a background in microbiology and laboratory sciences.
  • Dr. Svetlana Pavlenko - Edmonton - 1st 3-Year Term (July 2024)
    • Holding an MBA, a PhD, and a MA in leadership, she builds connections and inspires others.
  • Ms. Christine Rapp - Edmonton - 2nd 3-Year Term (July 2024)
    • Retired lawyer (Field Law) and active volunteer.
  • Mr. James (Bill) Sears - Camrose - 2nd 3-Year Term (July 2024)
    • Retired farmer with a history of community service.
  • Mrs. Barbara Walker - Edmonton - 2nd 3-Year Term (July 2024)
    • An educator for many years, a not for profit volunteer, and a well connected community member.
  • Vacancy
From the Board of Governors (2)
  • Mr. Chris Ashdown - 1st 3-Year Term (July 2025)
    • Retired, Catholic Deacon, President of Edmonton Streetcars, and worked in healthcare and U of A.
  • Mr. Sett Policicchio - 2st 3-Year Term (September 2026)
    • Involved on several non-profit agencies and boards, family business boards and public boards.
From General Faculties Council (3)
  • Miss. Jency Chhaiya - 1st 1-Year Term (April 2024)
    • Second year student pursuing a BSc in Immunology and Infections.
  • Dr. Christopher Lupke - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2025)
    • Professor of Chinese Cultural Studies with specializations in modern and contemporary literature and cinema studies.
  • Dr. Nikolai Malykhin - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2026)
    • Full professor of psychiatry and neuroscience at the University of Alberta.
From Deans' Council (2)
  • Dr. Demetres Tryphonopoulos, Dean - Augustana Campus -1st 2-year term (June 2024)
    • Advocate focused on U of A’s exceptional teaching and cutting-edge research.
  • Vacancy
By the Graduate Students' Association (1)
  • Mrs. Ola Mabrouk - 2nd 1-Year Term (June 2024)
    • PhD student, Master's degree in Analytical Chemistry.
By the Students' Union (4)
  • Mr. Thomas Banks - 1st 1-Year Term (June 2024)
    • Law student at the University of Alberta, poised to graduate with a Juris Doctor. 
  • Mr. Christopher Beasley - 1st 1-Year Term (June 2024)
    • Vice President External of the UASU and Chair of the Council of Alberta University Students.
  • Ms. Janine Chew - 1st 1-Year Term (June 2024)
    • Third year student in the Faculty of Business.
  • Ms. Julia Villoso - 1st 1-Year Term (June 2024)
    • Anthropology student with a Double Minor in Psychology and Women & Gender Studies at the U of A.
From the non-academic staff by the Non-Academic Staff Association (2)
  • Mr. Gavin Palmer - 1st 1-Year Term (June 2024)
  • Mr. Patrick von Hauff - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2026)
    • Designer and design educator working in health professions education.
By the Alumni Association (2)
  • Mr. Ali Damani -1st 3-Year Term (June 2025)
    • Pharmacist, healthcare advocate, and hotelier.
  • Mrs. Christine Westerlund - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2025)
    • Graduate from the University of Alberta with a BScN and a MSc in Health Promotion. 

Elected by the Senate from Public Applications (30)

  • Ms. Carole Anctil-Michalyshyn - Edmonton - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2026)
    • BA, LLB, (UofA), ICD-GEP, practicing part-time lawyer specializing in legal research, and avid volunteer.
  • Dr. Greg Bott - Eckville - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2025)
    • Holds four degrees, is an entrepreneur, university instructor, and governance expert.
  • Ms. Christy Ciezki - Sherwood Park - 2nd 3-Year Term (June 2026)
    • A management consultant with WMC and holds a B.Sc. and M.Ed., both from the U of A. 
  • Ms. Linda Cook - Edmonton - 2nd 3-Year Term (June 2026)
    • Retired CEO of Edmonton Public Libraries.
  • Ms. Joan Cowling - Edmonton - 2nd 3-Year Term (June 2025)
    • Looking forward to working on the goals for the University of Tomorrow.
  • Mrs. Shannon Dunfield - Grande Prairie - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2024)
    •  Focused on reconciliation and passionate about Indigenous youth in sport. 
  • Mr. Colin Gagnon - Peace River - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2024)
    • Lawyer and managing partner for the law firm Mathieu Hryniuk LLP in Peace River.
  • Mr. Gord Gilroy - Edmonton - 2nd 3-Year Term (June 2025)
    • Recognizes the importance of Albertans' understanding of the impact and value of the U of A in tangible terms.
  • Dr. Ange Kadima - Edmonton - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2024)
    • Technology consultant, community leader, and advocate of ethnocultural and francophone groups issues.
  • Ms. Catherine Keill - Edmonton - 2nd 3-Year Term (June 2024)
    • Seasoned strategic communications professional with more than 25 years of experience.
  • Dr. Masoud Khademi - Calgary - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2024)
    • Business technology manager at EY, energy research professional, and retired student leader.
  • Ms. Leigh Makarewicz - Edmonton - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2026)
    • Plays an active role bridging connections in her public service endeavors and local networks. 
  • Ms. Nancy Manchak - Calgary - 2nd 3-Year Term (June 2026)
    • Professional engineer, women in STEM advocate, and community builder.
  • Dr. Alvina Mardhani-Bayne - Edmonton - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2026)
    • An educator who supports students in finding a path to post-secondary through Shad Canada.
  • Dr. Brian McPherson - Edmonton - 2nd 3-Year Term (June 2024)
    • Retired dentist from Edmonton who now enjoys the time to travel and play sports.
  • Mr. Scott Montgomery - Sherwood Park - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2026)
    • Native Albertan, businessman, and community volunteer.
  • Mr. Gordon Naylor - Leduc - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2026) 
    • Proud member of the Muskoday First Nation and avid support of Indigenous education.
  • Mr. Denes Nemeth - St. Albert - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2026)
    • Purpose-driven corporate affairs executive inspired by the power of story-telling and community.
  • Ms. Michelle Okere - Edmonton - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2026)
    • Certified fund raising executive and inclusion practitioner.
  • Dr. Odell Olson - Camrose - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2026)
    • Retired physician/healthcare administrator with 33 years experience in small towns in Alberta & B.C.
  • Mr. Chris Peacocke - Edmonton - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2025)
    • Grew up in Edmonton, completed his BA, BEd/Ad & MEd at the U of A, and was a varsity athlete.
  • Mrs. Aisha Rauf - Edmonton - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2025)
    • Recipient of Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal, PhD in English Linguistics, and public speaker.
  • Ms. Margot Ross-Graham - Edmonton - 2nd3-Year Term (June 2024)
    • Born and raised in Edmonton and a proud U of A grad and Panda Soccer alumni. 
  • Mr. Dave Rumbold - Edmonton - 2nd 3-Year Term (June 2025)
    • Actively involved in community, civic, cultural, technical and political boards over the years.
  • Ms. Daphne Sander - Lethbridge - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2026)
    • Lives in Lethbridge, AB where she works in public education.
  • Mr. Jim Saunderson - Edmonton - 2nd 3-Year Term (June 2026)
    • A retired federal public servant and rotarian who enjoys contributing to the U of A's success.
  • Dr. Dunsi Strohschein - Edmonton - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2024)
    • PhD in Public Health and passionate about merging community voices with policymakers.
  • Ms. Michele Vincent - Edmonton - 1st 3-Year Term (June 2025)
    •  Lawyer in social services and an active volunteer in the Edmonton and Francophone community.
  • Mr. Murray Whitby - Edmonton - 2nd 3-Year Term (June 2025)
    • Founder and president of POLICY PROTEC.
  • Ms. Sharlene Yanitski - Edmonton - 2nd 3-Year Term (June 2025)
    •  University of Alberta, BA 1984, LL.B. 1987. 

What We Do

Senate Strategic Plan

Chancellor's Forum
Committees
Task Forces
Honorary Degrees
Book the Senate Chamber
Emil Skarin Fund
Representatives, Liaisons & Lay Observers

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Contact Us

Office of the Chancellor & Senate
322 Arts & Convocation Hall
University of Alberta
Edmonton, AB     T6G 2E6

senate@ualberta.ca
780.492.2268

Senate Staff Contacts