Friday, June 20, 2025

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• EDI-R Office releases 2025 Impact Report
• WatSPEED announces new executive director
• Flourishing through adversity
• Here's what happened at the June Board of Governors meeting

EDI-R Office releases 2025 Impact Report

A message from the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism.

At a time when equity work is increasingly complex—and increasingly vital—the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism (EDI-R) spent the 2024/25 academic year focused on what matters most: building real, lasting change through collaboration, care, and community connection.

The office’s latest annual report highlights key progress across campus. This includes advancing institution-wide initiatives such as the President’s Anti-Racism Taskforce recommendations and the development of the Trans and Non-Binary Equity Strategy. The EDI-R team also launched new educational resources, streamlined support for those who have experienced harm, and introduced a library of infographics that encourage critical reflection.

"Meaningful work doesn't happen in isolation," says Dr. Christopher Taylor, Associate Vice-President, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism. "It happens in collaboration with campus communities—through ongoing dialogue, trust-building, and a shared commitment to doing better."

The past year was not without its challenges. From shifting policies causing financial constraints to a rise in resistance to EDI initiatives, the team continued to navigate a rapidly changing environment with resilience and care.

Looking ahead, the Office of EDI-R is turning its attention to new goals that support the diverse needs of the campus communities we serve in the 2025/26 Strategic Plan. Efforts already in motion include enhancing multi-faith spaces on campus and improving the university’s approach to accommodations related to creed, family status, and other protected grounds—efforts supported through strong collaboration with Campus Wellness and Employee Health and Accommodations.

As the report makes clear, the drive toward an inclusive campus is not about checking boxes or meeting benchmarks—it’s about shaping a campus where everyone feels seen, supported, and empowered to succeed.

That work is ongoing—and it’s work that belongs to all of us.

Read the full report.

WatSPEED announces new executive director

A message from WatSPEED.

The University of Waterloo is pleased to announce the appointment of Aaron Pereira as executive director of WatSPEED, the University’s professional, executive and corporate education arm. 

Pereira assumes the role following a successful tenure as managing director, client partnerships at WatSPEED, where he led the development of high-impact collaborations with industry, government and university partners. His leadership has been instrumental in expanding WatSPEED’s engagement with both Canadian and international organizations and deepening its involvement in national skills development efforts.   

“WatSPEED is uniquely positioned to help shape Canada’s future workforce by connecting academic excellence with real-world skills development,” Pereira says. “It’s a privilege to lead this next chapter alongside a talented team, as we continue to build transformative learning experiences that support professionals and organizations through rapid technological change.” 

With more than 15 years of experience at Waterloo, Pereira brings a wealth of institutional knowledge and cross-sector expertise to this role. His career has spanned research administration, corporate partnerships, and advanced education, with past roles including client manager, corporate research partnerships manager and manager of institutional research in the Office of Research. From managing multi-million-dollar strategic initiatives to facilitating research collaborations in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and data science, Pereira’s contributions have connected cutting-edge research with real-world impact.  

Pereira’s appointment comes at a time of accelerating momentum for WatSPEED, as the unit continues to scale its offerings in emerging areas such as AI, cybersecurity and health technologies. Positioned at the intersection of technology, talent and industry, WatSPEED plays a critical role in advancing Waterloo’s mission to drive innovation and societal impact. 

A message from Aaron Pereira

Leadership for WatSPEED’s next chapter 

Joining Pereira in shaping this next phase is Karina Graf, who has been appointed managing director, marketing, brand and growth. Graf brings a strong track record in strategic marketing, digital engagement and program innovation. In her expanded role, she will lead efforts to amplify learner impact, strengthen the WatSPEED brand and drive institutional growth through high-performance marketing. 

To further strengthen WatSPEED’s engagement with global and corporate partners, Jean-Paul Mouton has assumed the role of associate director, strategic partnerships and global growth. In this expanded role, he will lead efforts to deepen existing relationships, forge new global partnerships, and identify opportunities for international expansion.  

These new appointments complement the continued leadership of Dean Perkins, associate director, systems, finance and operations, whose work ensures the infrastructure, resourcing and operational rigor that support WatSPEED’s mission. 

Together, the team will continue to strengthen WatSPEED’s role in delivering impactful, future-focused learning experiences that support professionals, executives and organizations navigating technological change. 

For more information about WatSPEED and its programs, visit watspeed.uwaterloo.ca. 

Flourishing through adversity

This is the latest article from the 2025 Waterloo Magazine.

Dr. Cornelia (Nel) Wieman’s (BSc ’88, MSc ’91) decision to come to the University of Waterloo after high school was driven by a desire to escape the harsh realities of her formative years. 

“Being a first-year student at Waterloo was the first time I realized that I was smart, capable and could do whatever I wanted to do,” Wieman shares. 

After graduating from Waterloo, she became the first female Indigenous psychiatrist in the country and is now the chief medical officer of the First Nations Health Authority in British Columbia. As a survivor of the Sixties Scoop, Wieman is not only a game-changer, she’s also a source of inspiration.

Read more of Wieman’s story and how she advocates for cultural safety in the healthcare system.

Here's what happened at the June Board of Governors meeting

A message from the Secretariat.

The University of Waterloo Board of Governors is comprised of 36 voting members, including external members (mayors, community at large, and Lieutenant Governor in Council appointments) in addition to faculty, staff and students. This governing body of the institution is the highest authority on corporate matters and meets regularly to discuss topics such as financial well-being, institutional reputation, building and properties and human resource matters. 

At the June 17 meeting, the following items were approved:

• A new Board Chair appointment process and revised Board Chair Position Description
• Temporary delegated authority to the President and Vice-Chancellor to approve leaves and sabbaticals under Policy 3
• Revisions to Policy 40 – The Department Chair or School Director, on the recommendation of Senate
• A new Debt Policy
• Changes to student incidental fees, effective September 1, 2025

Additional updates received by the Board included:

• Update from the President on a range of matters, including community event highlights and post-secondary education sector developments
• An update on implementation of the findings from the following Task Forces:
  • Task Force on Freedom of Expression and Inclusive Engagement (TFOEII)
  • Task Force on Social Responsibility in Investing (TFSRII)
  • Task force on Principles for Institutional Partnerships (TFPIP)
• Updates from Board standing committee chairs
• Update on recent elections to the Board of Governors for terms beginning September 2025
• The Annual Advancement Report, presented by the Vice-President, Advancement & External Relations
• An introduction to a proposed new Signing Authority and Approval policy, which will be presented to the Board for consideration at a future meeting

Please refer to the open session Board meeting agenda package for related material and complete information. The meeting minutes form the official record of the meeting, and will be available following approval at the Board’s next meeting on October 28, 2025.