By Denise Paglinawan
Ryerson University appointed financial services expert Janice Fukakusa as its new chancellor Oct. 10—the first woman to ever hold the university’s ceremonial head position.
Fukakusa, who was officially installed during the fall 2018 convocation ceremonies, will serve as Ryerson’s fifth chancellor.
For her three-year term, she will act as the university’s ambassador on local, national and international levels. She will also preside all convocations and approve university degrees.
“I look forward to continue driving the positive educational and societal changes for which the university has become known,” Fukakusa said in a press release.
Between 2013 and her latest appointment, Fukakusa served as chair of the Ryerson Board of Governors, where she oversaw strategic planning, risk management and the financial management of the university. Mitch Frazer will now hold the position as chair.
She was inducted into Canada’s Most Powerful Women Hall of Fame in 2007 and was named one of the 25 Most Powerful Women in Banking by American Banker magazine for the fourth consecutive year in 2016.
Fukakusa obtained a bachelor of arts from the University of Toronto and a master of business administration from Schulich School of Business at York University. She was awarded an honorary doctorate of laws from York in 2016.
She also served as the chief administrative officer and chief financial officer at Royal Bank of Canada, where she retired in 2017 after a three-decade career.
“We are leading the charge on so many important issues, including innovation and leadership diversity,” said Fukakusa. “I look forward to working with students, faculty and staff to advance the impressive progress that has already been made,” she said.
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