Deborah Buszard

Elected to First West’s board in 2021 Deborah Buszard served as Principal of UBC Okanagan from 2012 to 2020. During her tenure, she was responsible for long-term strategy for the campus, leading change and growth, and cultivating community partnerships. Prior to this, Deborah held executive roles at McGill and Dalhousie University. She is a Professor of Biology. Deborah’s current committee responsibilities include serving on Audit and Conduct Review, Governance and Nominations, Human Resources, and as a member of the Nominations Task Force.

Today, Deborah serves as chair of the Council of Canadian Academies Expert Panel on Plant Health Risks in Canada and as vice-chair of the Canadian Forces Liaison Council Pacific Region. She is also an executive member of the Okanagan chapter for the Institute of Corporate Directors, a position she has held since 2018.

Deborah brings experience in enterprise strategy, risk management, financial administration and social accountability. A leader in stakeholder engagement, she brings to First West experience in leading complex organizations through periods of rapid change and growth.

Deborah’s key board competencies include business growth and transformation, entrepreneurial leadership, and people and culture.