Athabasca University Board of Governors
Kuzio, Brenda
Ms. Brenda Kuzio has been a sole practitioner lawyer practising almost exclusively in labour and employment law. She has taught in both models of teaching (academic expert with the Student Support Centre and Individualized Study Tutor) at Athabasca University since 2000. She serves on administrative tribunals in the capacity of a panel member on three-person boards, as well as a sole adjudicator, ombudsperson, or mediator. She served on the Alberta Human Services Appeal Panel and is currently a member of a 2nd Level Long Term Disability Income Appeal panel for the Government of Alberta and AUPE. She has volunteered on boards and for many years was involved in the founding of the community-based Alberta Avenue Initiative.
Cleveland-Innes, Martha
Dr. Martha Cleveland-Innes is a Professor of Open, Digital, and Distance Education at Athabasca University. She holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education/Higher Education Administration, a Master of Arts degree in Sociology of Adult Education, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of Calgary. She is Editor-in-Chief of the bilingual Canadian Journal of Learning and Technology and the co-author of open source publications “The Guide to Blended Learning,” “Participant Experience in an Inquiry-Based Massive Open Online Course,” and “Principles of Blended Learning.”
Dr. Cleveland-Innes served as a member of the Advisory Group for Digital Literacy with the B.C. Ministry of Advanced Education from 2021 to 2022 and was the Virtual Educator in Residence at the National University of Singapore in fall 2022. Dr. Cleveland-Innes has also been a Visiting Professor of Pedagogy at Mid-Sweden University since 2018. July, 2024.
Khare, Anshuman
Dr. Anshuman Khare is Professor of Operations Management at the Faculty of Business at Athabasca University. Prior to this position, Dr. Khare worked as a Research Scientist “A” (Management) for the University Grants Commission in India at the Motilal Nehru Institute of Research and Business Administration (MONIRBA), University of Allahabad. He joined Athabasca University in 2000 after finishing his term as a Research Fellow of the Alexander von Humboldt Stiftung at the Johannes Gutenberg Universität in Germany. Dr. Khare completed his first post doctoral research project at Ryukoku University in Japan. Dr. Khare holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree, a Master of Business Administration degree, and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Allahabad in India. Feb, 2025.
Gould, Elena
Ms. Elena Gould is the Director of Education, Culture and Language with Athabasca Tribal Council. She was previously a Manager of Indigenous and Rural Relations with the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, and a Program Analyst with the First Nations Development Fund with Alberta Indigenous Relations. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Native Students from the University of Alberta.
Hobal, Jackie
Ms. Jacqueline Hobal is an educator, administrator, and leader in public education. She is a classroom teacher, consultant, curriculum supervisor, school principal, and author. As an Adjunct Professor at the University of Alberta, she taught in the Faculty of Education. She is a long-serving volunteer with Rotary and has served as President of the Rotary Club of Athabasca and Edmonton West. She holds a Bachelor of Education degree and graduate degrees in Curriculum Development and Design and Curriculum Implementation from the University of Alberta.
Morrill, Roger
Dr. Roger Morrill practices dentistry in the town of Athabasca and operates a family grain farm. He is a former two-term mayor and previous town councillor with the Town of Athabasca. He is a past recipient of the Diamond Jubilee medal for his community service. He holds a Doctor of Dentistry degree and a Bachelor of Science degree (with distinction) from the University of Alberta.
Nelson, Byron Warren
Mr. Bryon Warren Nelson is the Managing Partner with Inns Law. He serves as a member on the Alberta Fatalities Review Board, a director with Food Banks Alberta’s Provincial Board of Directors, and is a longtime volunteer with the Shriners Hospitals for Children. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Calgary, and received his law degree with honours from the University of Wales, Cardiff. He was admitted to the board of the Law Society of Alberta in 1998.
Competencies required for members of The Governors of Athabasca University include the core competencies of leadership and governance, and preferred competencies of finance, human resources, legal, risk management, and/or strategic planning. Mr. Nelson is being directly appointed on the basis of meeting the competencies, skills, and attributes as described above.
Hollett, Brittany
During her time as a student at Athabasca University, Ms. Hollett served as Vice Chair/Faculty of Business Representative on the Athabasca University Graduate Students’ Association Council (2023-25). She also served as a member of the General Faculties Council and sat on several of its committees during that time. Ms. Hollett’s commitment to Athabasca University was very evident during her tenure on the General Faculties Council, and her engagement and contributions to decision-making were valued and appreciated. Ms. Hollett completed her Master of Business Administration degree at Athabasca University in April 2025. She also holds a Graduate Diploma in Management (August 2023) and a Master of Nursing Degree (April 2022), both earned at Athabasca University.
de Bever, Leo
Mr. Leo de Bever is the Chairman of Nauticol Energy and the Chairman of Cachet Energy. He sits on the Board of Directors of Sustainable Development Technology Canada, is a fellow to the Mountain Pacific Group in Seattle, and is a Senior Fellow to C.D. Howe Institute. Mr. de Bever was previously the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of the Alberta Investment Management Company.
Competencies required for members of The Governors of Athabasca University include the core competencies of leadership and governance and the preferred competencies of finance, human resources, legal, risk management, and/or strategic planning. Mr. de Bever is being directly appointed on the basis of meeting the competencies, skills, and attributes as described above.
Lovelace, Terry
Mr. Terry Lovelace is self employed as a Project/Construction Manager. He is a Chartered Professional Accountant and a Project Management Professional, and he holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Accounting and Marketing from the University of Alberta.
Competencies required for members of The Governors of Athabasca University include the core competencies of leadership and governance and the preferred competencies of finance, human resources, legal, risk management, and/or strategic planning. Mr. Lovelace is being directly appointed on the basis of meeting the competencies, skills, and attributes as described above.
Van Rooijen, Lori
Ms. Lori Van Rooijen is the President of Larkspur Group. She has held senior leadership positions at the University of Calgary, Athabasca University, and was Vice President of Engagement at the Alberta University of the Arts (formerly Alberta College of Art and Design). She currently serves as a Chair of the Glenbow Board of Governors, and previously was the Chair on the Southern and Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium Board and YW Calgary Board. She has been a director on the boards of the Kelowna Art Gallery, Reynolds-Alberta Museum, and the Alberta Museums Association. Ms. Van Rooijen holds an M.L.I.S. from the University of Alberta, and a B.Ed. and a B.A. from Western University.
Competencies required for members of The Governors of Athabasca University include the core competencies of leadership and governance and the preferred competencies of finance, human resources, legal, risk management, and/or strategic planning. Ms. Van Rooijen is being directly appointed on the basis of meeting the competencies, skills, and attributes as described above.
Willier, Wilfred
Mr. Will Willier is a lawyer with Willier and Company, where he practices in Aboriginal law, business law, criminal law, family law, and civil litigation. He has previously been General Counsel for Enoch Cree Nation, as well as house counsel with Siksika Nation. He holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Calgary and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Augustana University College.
Competencies required for members of The Governors of Athabasca University include the core competencies of leadership and governance and the preferred competencies of finance, human resources, legal, risk management, and/or strategic planning. Mr. Willier is being directly appointed on the basis of meeting the competencies, skills, and attributes as described above.
Rieder, Jim
Keshavarz, Gelareh
Ms. Gelareh Keshavarz is an Accredited Change Professional (ACP) with over two decades of experience in program leadership, faculty development, and organizational change across Canada, the UK, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Rwanda. Her work includes steering large-scale curriculum initiatives, contributing to institutional strategy and higher education policy, and leading a faculty development program funded by the Mastercard Foundation which supported more than 200 educators at the University of Rwanda. A Hewlett OER Fellow and recipient of both the OISE Award of Excellence and the TRIEC Award for Excellence in Mentorship, she brings to the board a deep commitment to equity in post-secondary education and a practitioner’s insight into the opportunities and challenges facing distance and open learning institutions. Ms. Keshavarz is a doctoral candidate in Distance Education at Athabasca University.
Griffin, Carmen
Ms. Carmen Griffin is a senior project management and operations leader with experience delivering complex infrastructure and transformation initiatives across government. She is Manager of Facilities, Fleet and Business Continuity with the BC Wildfire Service, where she leads strategic planning, financial oversight, and organizational transformation efforts. She also serves as Equity, Belonging and Reconciliation Councillor with the Athabasca University Students’ Union. Ms. Griffin has led major projects, including the Tli?cho All-Season Road, recognized as a Global Best Project, and brings experience in stakeholder engagement, governance, and cross-sector collaboration. She is currently completing a Bachelor of Business Administration.
Core competencies required for members of The Governors of Athabasca University include leadership, governance, accounting/financial acumen, human resources, legal/regulatory understanding, strategic planning, and risk management. Ms. Griffin was directly appointed on the basis of meeting one or more of the competencies, skills, and attributes as described above.
Miller, Kelly
Ms. Kelly Miller is an administrative and project professional with experience across municipal government, law enforcement, nonprofit organizations, and crisis-response environments. She has expertise in database management, reporting, documentation compliance, and administrative support, with a strong focus on accuracy, efficiency, and confidentiality. Ms. Miller has contributed to public engagement initiatives with the City of Edmonton and the Edmonton Police Service and has supported program coordination, case management, and operational systems across multiple sectors. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science at Athabasca University.
Core competencies required for members of The Governors of Athabasca University include leadership, governance, accounting/financial acumen, human resources, legal/regulatory understanding, strategic planning, and risk management. Ms. Miller was directly appointed on the basis of meeting one or more of the competencies, skills, and attributes as described above.
Ponto, Jason
Dr. Jason Ponto is the Director of Academic Services at Athabasca University, providing leadership for learning resource services, course materials, and copyright operations. He supports initiatives focused on student success, affordability, and institutional sustainability. An experienced senior administrator, he has contributed to academic support, budget planning, and strategic operations, helping reduce the university’s course materials deficit by more than $3 million annually while maintaining accessible services. Dr. Ponto brings experience across academic and administrative units, informed by his teaching and research. He holds a PhD in Sociology from University of Calgary, an MA in Interdisciplinary Studies from Athabasca University, and a BSc in Physics from the University of Alberta.
Core competencies required for members of The Governors of Athabasca University include leadership, governance, accounting/financial acumen, human resources, legal/regulatory understanding, strategic planning, and risk management. Dr. Ponto was directly appointed on the basis of meeting one or more of the competencies, skills, and attributes as described above.