Biographies

Keynote Speaker

Michael McEvoy

Information and Privacy Commissioner, Province of British Columbia

MICHAEL MCEVOY was appointed to a six-year term as BC’s Information and Privacy Commissioner by unanimous motion of the Legislative Assembly in 2018.

Immediately prior to his appointment he helped lead the Information Commissioner’s Office of the United Kingdom’s investigation into Cambridge Analytica and Facebook.

Since his appointment, Commissioner McEvoy has led a series of investigations aimed at strengthening access to information and protection of privacy, ranging from a ground-breaking report on how BC’s political parties collect and use the personal information of BC voters to an examination of the massive health data breach by LifeLabs. He also oversees the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner’s (OIPC) intensive efforts to educate BC organizations about their privacy obligations under the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA), including the PrivacyRight program.

Commissioner McEvoy is recognized as a national and international leader in the privacy authority community. With the global flow of trade and data requiring privacy regulators to closely cooperate, Commissioner McEvoy chairs the governing committee of the Asia Pacific Privacy Authorities (APPA), which brings privacy and data protection regulators together across the Asia Pacific region.

Commissioner McEvoy joined the OIPC in 2007, adjudicating more than 50 inquiries under provincial access and privacy law before his appointment as Deputy Commissioner in 2013. He was a public school trustee for 12 years, a role that included two terms as President of the British Columbia School Trustees' Association and one as President of the Canadian School Boards' Association. He has chaired Greater Victoria’s United Way campaign and presently serves on the board of the Victoria Conservatory of Music.

Commissioner McEvoy earned a Juris Doctorate from the University of Manitoba in 1985 and a Bachelor of Arts in 1980 from the University of Winnipeg. He has been a member of the Law Society of British Columbia since 1986. He is married with two daughters and is a charter member of the Victoria Grey Leafs' old-timer hockey team.

Keynote Speaker

Gabriel Archie

Élksmens re Xqweltén es Tsetsét.s (Language Coordinator), 

Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc, is deeply committed to preserving and revitalizing the Secwépemc language while also incorporating modern technology to facilitate its growth. Gabriel's passion for language and culture preservation has guided his journey for many years.

Notably, Gabriel has explored innovative approaches to bring the Secwépemc language into the digital age. His work includes the development of language resources and online platforms that make the language more accessible and engaging for the community. By combining traditional methods with technology, he has helped bridge generational gaps and ensure the language continues to thrive.

Gabriel's role as Language Coordinator showcases his dedication to preserving the Secwépemc culture while adapting to the evolving world. His efforts have earned him recognition as a forward-thinking advocate for language revitalization, earning respect and appreciation from his community and fellow language preservation enthusiasts. Gabriel Archie's work exemplifies the harmonious blend of tradition and technology in preserving the Secwépemc language.

Keynote Speakers - Keeping Research Open: Privacy and Cybersecurity at UBC ARC 

Jessica Galo, Sensitive Research Security Analyst:

Jessica Galo is a Sensitive Research Security Analyst with the UBC Advanced Research Computing (ARC). She has extensive experience facilitating clinical and administrative data research and providing consultation to researchers across Canada to ensure that their projects meet privacy, data transfer, and governing body policy requirements. At ARC, Jessica is involved in threat intelligence as well as cybersecurity and privacy analysis, consultation and education. Jessica completed the Information Access and Protection of Privacy Certificate Program at the University of Alberta and has a Canadian Institute of Access and Privacy Professionals (CIAPP) - Professional designation.

Scott Baker, Manager Sensitive Research:

Scott Baker is the Manager, Sensitive Research at UBC Advanced Research Computing. He leads a group of privacy and security professionals focused on helping researchers find balanced solutions for their research projects. He is a member of the Digital Research Alliance of Canada national security council, and has over 25 years of experience managing people, projects, and IT systems.

President

Brett Fairbairn

President and Vice-Chancellor, Thompson Rivers University

Brett Fairbairn joined TRU in December 2018, becoming the university’s fourth president and vice-chancellor. He holds a D.Phil. and a B.A. Honours (First Class) from the University of Oxford, United Kingdom, where he attended as a Rhodes scholar. He is also a fellow of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, most recently as a visiting researcher at the Humboldt University in Berlin, Germany. Brett became involved in university leadership during his lengthy faculty career at University of Saskatchewan, and was Provost and Vice-President Academic from 2008 to 2014. For his last five years at USask, he was a professor at the Johnson Shoyama School of Public Policy, teaching about ethical leadership in democracy and public service, social economy, and co-operatives in the new economy. He is a strong believer in community-based research, active citizenship, and has a history of serving in community voluntary leadership roles.

Vice-President Administration and Finance

Matt Milovick

Vice-President, Administration and Finance, Thompson Rivers University

Matt Milovick was appointed the Vice-President, Administration & Finance on July 22, 2013. Along with his extensive post-secondary administration experience, he has two undergraduate degrees, BSc (University of Guelph) and BAS (York University), a MEd (Memorial University of Newfoundland) in post-secondary administration and a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation.

Mr. Milovick has held senior and executive positions with various post-secondary institutions including Vice-President, Finance and Administration at the Ontario College of Art and Design University, Chief Financial Officer (Interim) and Vice-President, Operations and Strategic Development at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT). He has also held diverse senior roles at Saint John’s College (University of New Brunswick Saint John) and York University.

While at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, in 2011, Mr. Milovick received the annual CMA Creative Leadership Award for his role in the transformation of Oshawa’s downtown core through the development of a full-service campus for the University. He was also one of 40 selected executives in Canada to participate in KPMG’s Community Shift leadership development program in 2012. 

Elder

Joanne Brown

Cheslatta/Dakelh Kamloops Campus

Joanne Brown is a member of the Cheslatta Carrier Nation, L’silu clan, born and raised in her home territory near Burns Lake, British Columbia. She moved to Secwépemc’ulucw from Prince George in 1996. Joanne’s previous work with Employment and Immigration Canada, as well as her studies in geography and anthropology (TRU) made a natural fit with an occupation in Indigenous post-secondary education. She is grateful for her amazing community, especially working with neighbours and friends.

Joanne strives to make sure that everyone is welcomed and ensures they feel special in a way that is unique and unforgettable. In her free time Joanne kayaks, gardens, cooks, and loves spending time with her precious friends and family.