Capilano University’s Board of Governors welcomes three new board members
News release: Capilano University welcomes three new members to Board of Governors (PDF)
North Vancouver B.C. August 25, 2022 – Capilano University (CapU) is pleased to announce the appointment of Sophia Kara, Sarah Thomas and Troy Abromaitis to its Board of Governors.
“We are pleased to welcome Sophia Kara, Sarah Thomas and Troy Abromaitis to the Board,” says Duncan Brown, chair of the Board of Governors. “I am confident that each one will enrich the Board and contribute to the growth and exciting plans ahead at Capilano University.”
Sophia Kara is a third-year student at Capilano University working towards earning a Bachelor of Communication Studies with a Minor in Psychology. Already a graduate of CapU's Legal Administrative Assistant Certificate, Kara’s studies have included communication studies, psychology, French and legal studies. Prior to her appointment to the Board of Governors, Kara served as orientation leader, digital ambassador, Capilano Students’ Union volunteer and President of the Capilano Communication Association. Outside of CapU, Kara is communications co-chair for the British Columbia chapter of Equal Voice, a national non-profit organization working to inspire more women and non-binary individuals to enter politics.
Sarah Thomas, a member of the Tsleil Waututh Nation, is director of Indigenous and Coastal Community Relations at Clear Seas: Centre for Responsible Marine Shipping. Through her role, she links a western communicator’s lens to her to her traditional knowledge of relationships and oral history through storytelling. Thomas holds a Bachelor of Communication Studies from CapU and a Master of Business Administration with a focus on Indigenous Business and Leadership from Simon Fraser University. In addition to serving on the CapU Board, she is a trustee for the Vancouver Maritime Museum and a director for the Canadian Public Relations Society Vancouver chapter.
Troy Abromaitis, a member of Lytton First Nation, one of the communities of the Nlaka’ parnux Nation, is director of development with the Bucci Group of Companies. Building on his nearly 20-year career in real estate development and management, Abromaitis sits on the board for the Canadian Home Builder’s Association of BC - Fraser Valley and the National Indigenous Affordable Housing Corporation. Currently, he is also president of the Rotary Club of West Vancouver and involved with West Point Grey Community Centre Association and the Sto:lo Business Association.
Student representative Sophia Kara will serve on the Board of Governors June 30, 2022 to June 30, 2023; Sarah Thomas and Troy Abromaitis will serve a term of July 31, 2022 to July 31, 2023.
The Board of Governors directs the affairs of the University and sets policies in accordance with the University Act of British Columbia. The Board is responsible for the management, administration and control of property revenue, business and affairs of the University. The Board is composed of 15 members: the chancellor; president; two faculty members elected by the faculty; eight individuals appointed by the Lieutenant Governor (two of whom are to be appointed from persons nominated by the alumni association); two elected students; and one individual elected by non-faculty members.
About Capilano University
Capilano University is a teaching-focused university based in North Vancouver, with programming serving the Sunshine Coast and the Sea-to-Sky corridor. The University offers 94 programs, including bachelor's degrees, in areas as diverse as film, early childhood education and tourism management. Capilano University is named after Sa7plek (Chief Joe Capilano), an important leader of the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) Nation of the Coast Salish Peoples. We respectfully acknowledge that our campuses are located on the territories of the LíỈwat, xʷməθkʷəỷəm (Musqueam), shíshálh (Sechelt), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and SəỈílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
For more information, or to schedule interviews, please contact:
Linda Munro
Senior Communications Officer
Capilano University
t: 604 220 8937
e: lindamunro@capilanou.ca
www.capilanou.ca
Submitted by: Communications