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.
Ramirez, Diana
Ms. Diana Ramirez is a student enrolled in the Bachelor of Professional Arts with a Major in Human Services at Athabasca University. She currently serves as Vice President Finance and Administration of the Athabasca University Students Union. She is an undergraduate student majoring in human services at Athabasca University. Ms. Ramirez also volunteers as a community organizer for the Latin American community. She works closely with migrant workers with precarious status and their families. Advocating for marginalized communities is a passion of hers that is driving her to pursue law school. Ms. Ramirez holds a Settlement Studies diploma from NorQuest College.
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.
Lehmann, Jan
Mrs. Jan Lehmann currently serves as President of the Athabasca University Students’ Union (AUSU) and is the primary delegate to the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA) where she also serves as Vice Chair of the Governance and Internal Review Committee (GIRC) and Secretary of the Federal Policy Committee (FPC). She is a student enrolled in the Bachelor of Science degree program with a Major in Biological Sciences and a Minor in Psychology. She is a mother of four and an entrepreneur with a deep commitment to community engagement and driving positive change. She serves as Vice-President of her local Chamber of Commerce and Vice-Chairperson with the Crisis Association of Vegreville. Through her various roles added to a background in health and wellness and business administration management that is continuously enhanced with various courses and certifications, she has developed skills in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging; inclusive team leadership; trauma-informed care; strategic collaboration; policy writing and analysis; and high proficiency in time management and organisational skills.
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.
Roy, Dave
Mr. Dave Roy is currently enrolled in the Master of Education program in Open, Digital, and Distance Education at the Athabasca University. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Laurentian University. Mr. Roy currently serves as Chair of the Athabasca University Graduate Students’ Association. He has also served as a Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Council Member of Athabasca University Graduate Students’ Association. May 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.