ALISON BLAIR BEGINS TRANSITION TO RETIREMENT

After serving the university for over 10 years as the Associate Vice President, Finance within the Vice President Finance and Administration portfolio, Alison Blair recently announced that she will retire from her position at the end of January 2023.

"I would like to thank Alison for her unwavering professionalism and devotion to SFU during her time with us," said Martin Pochurko, Vice President of Finance & Administration. "Alison's knowledge and financial expertise have been highly valuable to SFU, helping us move forward as an institution on several fronts. “Working alongside her all these years has been a privilege. Personally, I will miss her candor and exceptionally high standards for getting the job done. I wish her all the best in retirement."

Alison assumed the role of AVP Finance in 2013, having previously managed the Budget Department from 1993 to 2002.

Alison has made a massive impact in the role and will leave behind a wonderful legacy of delivering the financial completion of several significant SFU capital projects, including Phase I and II student residences; the Downtown student residence; CORIX Biomass Plant; the new stadium; and the student union building. Alison has also positioned SFU as a leader in social procurement and responsible investing, setting the university up for success to deliver on the goals of being fully divested of fossil fuel investments by 2025. Instrumental in maintaining SFU's financial health during the instability and unknowns of the pandemic, Alison has made a difference that will be felt across SFU for years to come.

Alison handed over the reins to Karamjeet Heer, our newly appointed AVP Finance, in November 2022. While we say goodbye to Alison as the AVP of Finance, she isn’t quite finished yet with SFU. She will be co-leading the University Secretariat until the position is filled permanently in spring 2023.

Please join us in wishing Alison all the best in her future plans.