About us
The Board of Governors of Vancouver Island University is empowered by the University Act of British Columbia. The management, administration and control of the property, revenue, business and affairs of the university are vested in the Board. No remuneration is paid to any member of the Board of Governors in respect of their service as a governor. The Board membership is comprised of 15 members as follows:
- the chancellor
- the president
- two faculty members elected by the faculty
- eight persons appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council, two of whom are to be appointed from among persons nominated by the alumni association
- two students elected by the students, and
- one person elected by and from the employees of the university who are not faculty members
Further information
The Secretariat Office
Email: Board@viu.ca
Phone: 250.740.6681
Board of Governors biographies
Sharon Torgerson, Chair
Sharon Torgerson recently retired as Vice President, People at Island Health, where she led the organization’s people and culture strategy, supporting more than 30,000 employees across Vancouver Island. With over 30 years of senior leadership experience in both public and private sectors, Sharon has developed deep expertise in governance, labour relations, organizational transformation, and workforce strategy. She has a track record of advancing people-focused initiatives that enable organizations to deliver on their strategic goals.
Sharon began her career as a registered nurse specializing in mental health and psychiatry, an experience that shaped her lifelong commitment to supporting people and communities. She is passionate about inclusive workplaces, employee health and safety, and developing future leaders. She is also an active community contributor, serving on several boards with a focus on education, health, and social impact.
Sharon lives in Nanaimo with her husband and enjoys time golfing, gardening, and walking the many beautiful trails of Vancouver Island with their dog Kevin.
Peter Behie, Vice-Chair
Peter Behie, K.C. practiced law for over 30 years. Most of this time was spent in Nanaimo. Peter was the managing partner of one of the largest firms on Vancouver Island. His area of expertise is in business law and corporate governance. Peter is also a trained mediator.
Peter holds a law degree from UVic law and a graduate law degree from the University of California, Berkeley. He was appointed a King’s Counsel in 2008.
Peter has been extensively involved supporting local philanthropy and community organizations. This work was recognized by the Canadian Bar Association when it awarded Peter the Community Service Award in 2006 which is the highest recognition given to a lawyer for volunteer work. Peter was the Chair of the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation from 2000 to2005.
Michael Eso
Michael is a long time labour and community activist with a keen interest in politics and public policy. He is currently a Director for the BC General Employees Union - BCGEU. He is responsible for the BCGEU Offices in both Nanaimo and Victoria.
As well, Michael is the lead negotiator for the 33,000 member BCGEU Public Service Bargaining Unit. He was the negotiator for both the 18th and 19th Public Service agreement with the Government of BC.
In addition, Michael was the elected president of the 25,000 member Victoria Labour Council which is the local voice for organized labour in the capital region for over a decade.
He was also the 2016/17 Co-Chair with Bruce Williams, CTV Vancouver Island of the Campaign Cabinet of the United Way Greater Victoria. Michael is a very proud supporter of the work of the United Way in Greater Victoria as both a fundraiser and funder of vital community services.
In his spare time which is too often in short supply, Michael loves music, gardening and working around the 110 year old home that he owns with his wife Sheri in the beautiful community of Sidney, BC.
Corry Gervais
For nearly two decades Corry Gervais has built her roots as a business leader in Nanaimo. Through a shared vision and passion for community and results, she has worked with hundreds of businesses, leaders of government, organizations, media, and key business associations locally, regionally, and provincially to improve the business landscape. Corry is the former President of the Business Improvement Association of British Columbia and has served on various committees and boards related to economic prosperity. Corry has held management and leadership roles in downtown revitalization, economic development, destination marketing, and event planning. Corry believes that leading organizations, that are deeply involved in the prosperity of the Nanaimo community, is an honour, and takes inspiration from those that volunteer their time to do the same. Corry and her husband have three adult children and four grandchildren. In her spare time, she loves to spend time exploring Vancouver Island, gathering with friends and family, boating and travel.
Krystianna Angelika Hebert
Krystianna Angelika Hebert joined the Vancouver Island University Board of Governors in 2026 as an elected student representative. A full biography will be available soon.
Dennis Johnson, Interim President and Vice-Chancellor
Bringing more than 30 years of experience in post-secondary education across Canada, Dr. Johnson most recently served as president of the College of New Caledonia (CNC) from 2019 to 2023. Since his time at CNC, he has stayed active in higher education and has been providing consulting services, including working with several institutions on finance and organizational improvement projects. Prior to his time at CNC, he held several senior leadership roles at Saskatchewan Polytechnic, including provost and vice-president academic, and vice-president strategy and business development.
He began his academic career as an instructor at Mohawk College and later taught at Okanagan University College and Thompson Rivers University, where he also held leadership positions. Originally from British Columbia, Dr. Johnson is widely respected for his collaborative leadership style and his deep commitment to student success and community engagement.
Dr. Johnson holds a PhD in Educational Administration from the University of Saskatchewan, a Master of Education in Post-Secondary Studies from Memorial University of Newfoundland, a Bachelor of Education in Adult Education from Brock University and a Carpentry Certificate of Qualification and Certificate of Apprenticeship from British Columbia.
Tyler Large
Tyler Large joined the Vancouver Island University Board of Governors in 2026 as a Provincial Government Appointee. A full biography will be available soon.
Hyla McQuaid
Hyla McQuaid joined the Vancouver Island University Board of Governors in 2026 as an elected student representative. A full biography will be available soon.
Kiersten Packham
Kiersten Packham is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) and avid life-long learner. Kiersten moved to Nanaimo in 2021 with her family in her role at Grant Thornton LLP to experience ocean living after 18 years in Nelson, BC. Originally from Calgary, Kiersten received her Bachelor of Commerce in Tourism and Hospitality Management at the University of Calgary and began her career in the hospitality industry with Fairmont and Sheraton Hotels and Resorts after several years traveling through Australia and Great Britain. It is through this early experience in hospitality that her commitment to service was born. After working at Canadian Pacific Railway in procurement, Kiersten and her husband moved to Nelson to raise their two children. Her time in Nelson was full of community involvement as a board and finance committee member with Kootenay Kids Society, the School Council Treasurer for St. Joseph Independent School, and years supporting the soccer and competitive skipping activities of her children.
In 2011, Kiersten began remote learning through Athabasca University to begin the process of achieving her designation as a Chartered Accountant. Through her work with Berg Lehmann Chartered Professional Accountants, she was successfully designated as a CPA, CA in December 2015. Her early experience included work as a municipal and not-for-profit auditor. Kiersten's practice now focuses on supporting small and mid-sized businesses and organizations to grow and thrive in Nanaimo and Duncan. Her interests include yoga, hiking, and traveling as well as being an avid reader and podcast listener. Kiersten is delighted to be part of the Vancouver Island community.
Gara Pruesse
Gara Pruesse joined the Vancouver Island University Board of Governors in 2026 as an elected faculty representative. A full biography will be available soon.
Judith Sayers, Chancellor
Dr. Judith Sayers is a member of the Hupacasath First Nation and mother of two. She was elected as the new president of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council in September 2017. Judith has worked as a Strategic Adviser to First Nations and corporations and is an adjunct professor at the Peter Gustavson School of Business and Environmental Studies at the University of Victoria. She was the elected Chief of the Hupacasath First Nation for 14 years and the Chief Negotiator for 15 years. Judith’s educational background includes a business and law degree and an honourary Doctor of Laws from Queen’s University. She has an extensive background of practicing law for 18 years in both Alberta and British Columbia, working in international forums, lobbying governments and other agencies for the promotion and protection of First Nations rights and title.
Mark Vincent Walsh
Mark Vincent Walsh joined the Vancouver Island University Board of Governors in 2026 as a Provincial Government Appointee. A full biography will be available soon.
Heather Wiebe
Heather Wiebe (she/her) joined VIU in 2020 as a Professor of Chemistry in the Faculty of Science and Technology. A computational chemist by training, she teaches courses in general chemistry, physical chemistry, quantum chemistry and molecular modelling. Heather also leads the externally funded VIU Molecular Modelling Lab, where undergraduate students engage in award-winning research in computational chemistry.
Beyond the classroom and the lab, Heather is an active member of the VIU community. Since 2023, she has served as a Senator representing the Faculty of Science and Technology, and she also sits on several committees including the Planning and Priorities Standing Committee of Senate, the Program Review Oversight Committee, the Student Travel and Research Committee, and the Research Data Management Committee.
As a Faculty representative on the Board of Governors, Heather is committed to advancing VIU’s core academic mission: excellent teaching, meaningful locally-driven research, and transformative student learning, while also balancing fiscal responsibility and good stewardship. Outside of work, Heather loves to rock out with the Nanaimo Rock Choir and plays far too many board games.