University governance is an important and hot topic, I look forward to presenting, speaking and continuing the discussion.
CHERYL’S UPCOMING EVENTS
April 23, 2026
PUBLIC SECTOR & NOT FOR PROFIT GOVERNANCE,
Odgers Berndtson Workshop
Cheryl is invited to present on Best Practices at this workshop designed to provide key information for C Suite executives including CFOs, COOs, and General Counsels new to working with boards and/or Governance board committee members or committee chairs, or directors interested in evolving governance committee issues and practices in these sectors.regarding the unique and different elements and mandates of public sector and Not For Profit Boards. The various modules will feature experts advising on the differences in board governance in the public sector including higher education, healthcare, federal/provincial and municipal government, recent developments in international development, D&O insurance considerations and trends, and compensation issues in the NFP and Public Sector.
April 28, 2026
The Leadership Paradox: Why Universities Struggle to Find and Develop Their Next Leaders
As a follow-on to the January 23rd presentation, Cheryl is invited by the Talentwise Collective to participate on a panel of distinguished experts to expand on and continue the conversation to address the growing instability across all senior academic and administrative roles, including Provosts, VPs, and Deans. As tenures shorten and early departures become more frequent, Canadian universities face a critical need to rethink how they identify, develop, and retain their executive talent. Expert panelists also include Pamela Cant, Chief Human Resources & Equity Officer, Wilfrid Laurier University, and Alex Verdecchia, Principal, McDermott + Bull and will be moderated by Patricia Polischuk, COO of TalentWise Collective. The core discussion topics include:
- The Stability Crisis: Analyzing why senior leadership tenures are shrinking and the institutional costs of frequent turnover and interim “holding patterns.”
- The Pipeline Paradox: Addressing the lack of systematic leadership development in academia and the cultural barriers that discourage internal candidates from seeking senior roles.
- Governance & Alignment: Clarifying the boundaries between Board oversight and operational leadership to prevent the early-term misalignments that lead to exits.
- Strategic Solutions: Practical shifts for search committees and HR leaders—from prioritizing leadership capability over academic credentials to improving transparency during the hiring process.
CHERYL’S PAST PRESENTATIONS
April 8, 2026
ONTARIO BAR ASSOCIATION Board Series – How to Get on a Board
Cheryl was invited to participate on an expert panel as part of the virtual Board Series which provided information to participants and offered helpful guidance on how to access board opportunities, evaluate the right fit and build a compelling board profile. The Series will explore selection processes, the qualities boards seek in candidates, and how lawyers can leverage their experience to secure and succeed in board roles, including: different types of boards; how board appointments and selection processes work; identifying board opportunities; building your board resume and value proposition; understanding what boards look for in new members; navigating the vetting and nomination process; and questions to ask before saying “yes” to a board seat
January 23, 2026
The Growing Trend of Early Departures: Why Are Presidents of Canadian Universities Increasingly Leaving Before the End of Their Terms?
Cheryl was invited by Talentwise Collective to participate on a panel of distinguished experts including Dr. Deborah MacLatchy, WLU President, and The Rev. Dr. Marc Jerry, President of Renison University College. The panel addressed the following topic/questions: Early departures have significant implications for governance, institutional stability, and long-term strategic planning. Our panel will explore:
- What is driving early departures among Canadian university presidents
- The roles of boards, governance structures, and institutional culture
- The impact on institutional strategy, reputation, and senior leadership team
- Practical steps boards and presidents can take to support sustainable and effective leadership
January 12, 2026
Leadership and Governance
Cheryl spoke at Universities Canada Professional Program for Presidents. Addressing about forty university presidents, Cheryl spoke on a panel moderated by Bonnie Patterson, along with WLU President Deborah MacLatchy, and WLU Board Chair Simon Chan. The panel spoke about issues of leadership and governance: Developing the critical relationship with your board.
November 19, 2025
Governance Workshop
On November 19, 2025, board members and governance professionals from Canadian institutions attended Cheryl’s Governance Workshop 2025. Stay tuned for details coming for the workshop in the fall of 2026.
October 9, 2025
Canadian Legal Summit
Think Tank Discussion: Ethics, civility, and leadership: defending the standard in legal practice
Cheryl was one of four panel members at a think tank discussion at the Canadian Legal Summit, entitled “Ethics, civility, and leadership: defending the standard in legal practice”. As societal divisions deepen and cultural tensions rise, legal workplaces and courtrooms are feeling the impact—from declining civility to challenges around ethics, inclusion, and professional conduct. In this open conversation, panel members and participants examined how the profession can respond with principled leadership.
June 11, 2025
Planning for Financial Crisis Webinar
On June 11, 2025, Cheryl Foy, along with guest Maria Konyukhova (partner in the Stikeman Elliott Litigation & Dispute Resolution Group), hosted a webinar exploring the impact of Bill 59 on post-secondary institutions and the legal options available in the event of a financial crisis.
Participants included Board members, governance professionals and senior administrators from 15 Canadian universities/organizations.
September 12, 2024
Governance Workshop
On September 12, 2024, board members and governance professionals from 11 Canadian institutions attended Cheryl’s Governance Workshop 2024. Stay tuned for details coming for the workshop in the fall of 2025.
April 3, 2024
Cheryl was invited to present to the Academic Colleagues of the Council of Ontario Universities. She presented ‘5 thoughts on University Governance’ and responded to a variety of questions and comments. (Presentation materials restricted to COU Academic Colleagues)
March 21, 2024
Cheryl was invited by the University of Saskatchewan Faculty Association, Committee on Women’s Issues to speak to women faculty about Redefining Leadership: Women’s Involvement in University Governance. (Presentation materials restricted to attendees of the session).
January 19, 2024
Confederation of University Faculty Associations – British Columbia
On January 19, 2024, Cheryl presented at the CUFA-BC national conference in Vancouver. The theme of the conference was: Can Governance Survive? The Future of the University. Her presentation in a facilitated group discussion was on “Building bridges: On facilitating collaboration between senate and board”.
January 31 - Feb 1, 2024
Canadian Association of University Business Officers
CAUBO invited Cheryl back to speak about the role of senior administrators in effective governance at the Canadian Association of University Business Officers (CAUBO) OnBoarding Workshop.
November 8 & 9, 2023
Faculty Bargaining Services (FBS)
On November 8, 2023, Cheryl facilitated and spoke in Montreal at the Faculty Bargaining Services’ Provost’s Summit. She facilitated and presented at the day-long session on topics that included the Canadian university governance context; the shifting concepts in governance and labour relations; a workshop on defining the challenges; and laying the groundwork for change. Cheryl was the opening keynote speaker on November 9, 2023 at the FBS National Conference – her presentation was entitled: Words Matter: Dealing with the appropriation of key governance concepts. FBS 2024 will be held in Toronto from November 6 to the 8. Watch the FBS website for more details.
October 18, 2023
On October 18, Cheryl presented a session on governance and culture as part of the University of Manitoba, Centre for Higher Education Research and Development, University Management Course.
September 7, 2023
Governance Workshop
On September 7, 2023, over 50 board members and governance professionals from 11 Canadian institutions attended Cheryl’s inaugural university board workshop: “Foundations of University Governance”. This will be an annual event with different topics each year and is being offered this year on September 12, 2024.
May 23, 2023
On May 23, 2023, Cheryl participated as a governance expert in the roundtable consultations held by the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, on protecting the public interest when public, post-secondary educational institutions (PSEIs) become insolvent. To get a summary of her key points, download the presentation below.
May 10, 2023
On May 10th, Cheryl spoke to an audience of over 100 attendees at the annual Canadian Association of University Business Officers conference in Toronto. She spoke about Developments in University Governance – Why University Administrators Should Care. The presentation is available to conference attendees only.
December 14th, 2022
On December 14th Cheryl spoke about the intersection of university governance and labour relations.
Watch the Presentation on YouTube
November 18th, 2022
On November 18th, Cheryl was invited to speak with Julia Eastman at the Council of Ontario University Secretaries’ conference. In this one-hour armchair chat, Julia and Cheryl explored the last chapter of Julia’s recent book – and elaborated on those aspects that give rise to particularly relevant advice for university governance professionals as they support more effective university governance at their institutions.
November 15th, 2022
On November 15th, Cheryl was invited back to speak about Governance and Administration at the Canadian Association of University Business Officers (CAUBO) Vice President OnBoarding Conference.
October 18th, 2022
Cheryl was invited to speak at a Faculty Bargaining Services webinar on October 18th about the intersection of governance and labour relations. This webinar was open to FBS members only.
JUNE 16th, 2022
Cheryl was invited by the Council of Ontario Universities (COU) to participate as a panellist at their June 16th conference. The panel presented to COU university board members and presidents about the implications of the recent report of the Auditor General of Ontario on Laurentian University.
May 3-4, 2022
On May 3rd and 4th, 2022 Cheryl spoke in Ottawa at the Canadian Association of University Business Officers (CAUBO) Inaugural Vice President OnBoarding Conference. She delivered a session on “Governance and Administration”, and supported sessions on Academic Culture, University Risk Management, and University Labour Relations.
APRIL 27, 2022
Cheryl spoke at the Senate of Canada on April 27th, 2022 regarding Bill S-215, an Act respecting measures in relation to the financial stability of post-secondary institutions.
APRIL 27, 2022
Cheryl spoke about whether it’s possible to establish a set of nationally-applicable university governance best practices.
University Governance 101- a very brief introduction
Cheryl gave a high-level overview of university governance to Ontario Bar Association Members in the context of a program on Post-Secondary Institutions and Insolvency.