Upcoming Virtual Panel Discussion: “The Growing Trend of Early Departures: Why Are Presidents of Canadian Universities Increasingly Leaving Before the End of Their Terms?”
Information:
Date: January 23rd, 2026
Time: 12:00–1:00 p.m. EST
Format: Virtual (Zoom), by invitation only
Audience: Presidents, Board Chairs, and senior university leaders
Description:
Across Canada, an increasing number of university presidents and vice-chancellors are leaving their roles before the end of their terms. This trend raises urgent questions about governance, institutional stability, and the sustainability of executive leadership.
This virtual panel, hosted by Patricia Polischuk from TalentWise Collective, is designed for presidents and board chairs, will examine what is driving early departures; how boards, governance structures, and institutional culture shape presidential tenure; and the impact of leadership turnover on strategy, reputation, and senior teams. Panelists will also offer practical steps boards and presidents can take to foster healthy, resilient leadership.
Our Host:
Patricia Polischuk is Co-Founder and Chief Operations Officer at TalentWise Collective Inc., a Canadian firm specializing in coaching and leadership development solutions. She brings more than two decades of experience as a trusted advisor to senior leaders across sectors, with deep expertise in executive coaching and change management.
In higher education, Patricia served on Wilfrid Laurier University’s Board of Governors for nine years, including roles as Vice Chair and Secretary, as well as Chair of the Human Resources, Compensation and Development Committees. In June 2025 she received a Distinguished Governors Award, in recognition of her outstanding service and leadership to the board and significant contributions to the life and development of the university. Her work at the intersection of governance, talent strategy, and leadership succession gives her a unique lens on the growing trend of early departures by university presidents and its implications for institutions, boards, and leadership pipelines.
Our Panelists:
Rev. Dr. Marc Jerry
The Rev. Dr. Jerry is President and Vice-Chancellor of Renison University College at the University of Waterloo, with 25+ years of experience in academia and administration. He holds degrees in economics and theology. Previously, he was President of Luther College at the University of Regina, leading the institution through the pandemic.
Dr. Jerry has taught economics and business at Red Deer Polytechnic and Mount Royal University, where he won the Distinguished Faculty Teaching Award. He also co-chaired the development of Red Deer’s BBA program and established its work-integrated learning program. Dr. Jerry specializes in not-for-profit board governance and holds public sector governance designations from the Institute of Corporate Directors and the Johnson Shoyama School of Governance.
Dr. Deborah MacLatchy
Dr. Deborah MacLatchy has served as president and vice-chancellor of Wilfrid Laurier University since 2017, leading the development of Laurier’s 2019–2024 and 2024–2028 strategic plans. Her leadership has guided the university through major milestones, including its pandemic response and the approval of Laurier’s Milton campus.
Dr. MacLatchy sits on the Board of Universities Canada and chairs the Council of Ontario Universities. She earned the ICD.D designation in 2023, demonstrating her commitment to strong governance, and also serves in leadership roles with community arts organizations and Ontario University Athletics. Before becoming president, she was Laurier’s provost and vice-president: academic and dean of science, and previously held senior academic roles at the University of New Brunswick. An active researcher in ecotoxicology, Dr. MacLatchy holds a PhD in zoology from the University of Manitoba and continues to supervise graduate students.
Cheryl Foy
Cheryl is a governance expert who has advised nearly fifty Canadian universities. She designed and delivered the first senate-approved micro-credential, "Governance in Canadian Universities," through the University of Manitoba. With over 25 years of experience in governance, Cheryl has held executive roles as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary in both public and private sectors, including higher education. A multiple award-winning general counsel, she is recognized for advancing women in law and has spoken at numerous conferences on strategy and governance.
Cheryl has authored An Introduction to University Governance (2021) and holds degrees in Political Studies and Law from Queen’s University. She has served on several national not-for-profit boards, including the Canadian Bar Association and Women General Counsel Canada. Cheryl is also a published writer and serves on the editorial board of Canadian Lawyer Magazine, frequently speaking on university governance, in-house counsel, and legal ethics.