SFU Board of Governors appoints new chair, elects new deputy chair

The SFU Board of Governors has appointed Angie Hall as its new chair and has elected Paula Martin as its new deputy chair.

The SFU board oversees the administration of the university, including finances, property and policies. The chair and deputy chair terms run through January 2023.

“It’s a tremendous honour to serve as the chair of SFU’s Board of Governors,” says Hall, an SFU alumnus and head of sustainable finance, commercial banking at HSBC Bank Canada. “I look forward to working with my fellow board members to help guide the university during this challenging time.”

Hall was elected as deputy board chair a year ago. She was first appointed to the board by order-in-council in 2018 and was reappointed in 2021.

“We’re thrilled to have Angie Hall head the SFU Board of Governors for 2022,” says SFU President Joy Johnson. “It’s an exciting time for us at Simon Fraser University. As we continue to navigate the global COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges it poses to our students, faculty and staff, it’s good to know that we have Angie’s steady hand at the helm.”

An SFU alumnus who completed a Bachelor of Arts in international security and conflict and a Master of Arts in international development, Hall previously served as an elected student representative on the board for one year. She also sat on the SFU Alumni Association Board, with stints as vice president and as treasurer.

In her role at HSBC Bank Canada, Hall is responsible for executing on HSBC’s global commitment to provide at least $750 billion U.S. in sustainable finance by 2030. Under her leadership, HSBC has developed the largest sustainable finance product suite in Canada and ensures businesses of all sizes are able to access the capital they require to thrive in a low-carbon economy. Hall has served as a member of the education and finance committees for Ocean Wise and in 2019 was selected as one of the Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada by the Women’s Executive Network.

President Johnson also thanked outgoing chair James B. Stewart.

“I want to sincerely thank James for his many contributions to SFU over the years as well as his inspired leadership during his six years on the board, in particular this past year as board chair.”

Stewart, a senior commercial partner at the law firm of Hamilton, Duncan, Armstrong & Stewart, has practised law in Surrey since 1980 and has served on numerous boards, including president or chair of Make-A-Wish Canada, the Centre for Child Development and the Surrey Board of Trade. He was appointed to the SFU board in 2016.

Incoming deputy chair, Paula Martin works in governance and business advisory roles to advance organizational leadership for social and environmental benefit. She was appointed to the board in 2020 and re-appointed in 2021. Her former executive roles include advisor to the CEO at Vancity, Canada’s largest community credit union, where she built networks and engagement to advance values-based banking, including with the Global Alliance for Banking on Values where she served as senior advisor and other organizations focused on sustainable business. In addition to serving on the board at SFU, Martin also sits on the British Columbia Arts Council and the board of an impact investment firm.