Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s (KPU) Board of Governors has elected Shane King as Chair of the Board, and Lisa Skakun as Vice Chair. Both members were elected to their respective positions during a regular board meeting held in early June.
King was first appointed to the board on December 31, 2008 following his nomination by the Kwantlen Alumni Association. He graduated from KPU with a diploma in Financial Management in 1992, earned his designation as a chartered accountant in 1999 and completed the CICA In-Depth Tax Course in 2001. In 2005, he was admitted as a partner of KNV Chartered Accountants LLP, where he has worked since 1993. In 2008, King ‘s accomplishments in the field of accounting were recognized with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of BC Early Achievement Award. He was the recipient of the 2012 KPU Distinguished Alumni Award for Business and Industry.
“I have worked with KPU on various boards for over 10 years, and as an alumnus of KPU, I am very honoured to serve the university as Board Chair,” says King.
Skakun was appointed to the board on July 31, 2012. She is a member of the Senior Executive Team for one of Canada's largest credit unions, holding the position of Coast Capital Savings' first-ever General Counsel. She also serves as corporate secretary, which has allowed her to work closely with the company’s board of directors on a variety of board matters.
Skakun holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of British Columbia, as well as a Master of Laws degree in business law from Osgoode Hall Law School at York University. She is currently a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors, the Association of Women in Finance and the Canadian Society of Corporate Secretaries. In the past, Skakun has co-chaired the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation's "judy&company Leader's Cabinet" and chaired the BC Business Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association. She recently completed a three-year term as a member of the Securities Law Advisory Committee for the BC Securities Commission.
In 2011, Skakun was the recipient of the Association of Women in Finance's PEAK award for "Rising Star" and the National Post Award for "Tomorrow's Leader" at the Western Canada General Counsel Awards.
Both King and Skakun will remain in office until July 31, 2014, and are filling leadership positions vacated by Gord Schoberg and Amrik Virk, respectively. Schoberg led the board through several senior leadership transitions that happened at KPU over the past two years, and was assisted by Virk until Virk’s election as MLA for Surrey-Tynehead this May. The board and KPU express their appreciation to Schoberg and Virk for their leadership.
As of earlier this month, KPU welcomes Harpreet Bhatti as one of the board’s community member representatives.
Appointed this month, Bhatti is a certified general accountant, and is the owner of Harpreet Bhatti & Co., an accounting firm based in Surrey, BC. Her background includes experience in financial management and administrative management services. She currently serves on the board of CGA-BC Surrey/Delta/Langley Chapter and is Treasurer of the Surrey Crime Prevention Society. Previously, Bhatti served on the board of the Real Estate Foundation, and is the Past President of the Surrey Self-Employment and Entrepreneur Development Society. Bhatti’s term of office also expires July 31, 2014.
The board also welcomes two new student representatives: Chris Girodat and Richard Hosein, both of whom will be elected to the board effective September 1, 2013 for a one-year term of office.
Girodat is working on his BA in Policy Studies. He became involved in university and student government in 2011, and has been a vocal defender of students’ rights and interests ever since. He served on the student union executive with the Kwantlen Student Association (KSA) for several years, overseeing expansions to student services, and the introduction of a new – and more accountable – governance structure. Girodat serves on the Board of Governors and the Senate, continuing to push for responsible and student-focused decision making.
Hosein is an active volunteer and organizer in the community, and has been involved in various student-led initiatives and clubs around campus. He is a member of the KPU Environmental Sustainability Committee, and a Research Associate at the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research: Community, Learning and Engagement (CIR:CLE). Hosein is currently in the Policy Studies program at KPU.
For more information about KPU’s Board of Governors, visit: www.kpu.ca/governors, or contact Sandi Klassen, University Secretary, at sandi.klassen@kpu.ca or 604.599.2079.
Kwantlen Polytechnic University has been serving the Metro Vancouver region for 30 years, and has opened doors to success for more than 250,000 people. Four campuses—Richmond, Surrey, Cloverdale and Langley—offer a comprehensive range of sought-after programs, including business, liberal arts, science, design, health, trades and technology, apprenticeships, horticulture, and academic and career advancement. Over 18,000 students annually have a choice from over 200 programs, including bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, diplomas, certificates and citations. Learn more at www.kpu.ca.
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