Media Releases

Thursday, May 9, 2019 (Halifax, NS) -- Dalhousie University’s Board of Governors is pleased to announce it has elected Candace Thomas to be its new board chair, effective July 1, 2019. 

Ms. Thomas has been an Order in Council Appointee on the Board since 2011 and has served in a number of roles. Currently, she is the vice-chair of the Board of Governors, a member of the Executive Committee, and Chair of the Governance and Human Resources Committee.

“Candace is an inspiring community leader, a passionate advocate for Dalhousie and its students, and a devoted member of our Board of Governors,” says Lawrence Stordy, QC, the board’s current chair. “Dalhousie has benefitted greatly from her leadership to date, and will continue to do so with her as chair. As Candace is the first woman to hold the post, it’s a historic milestone in the school’s 200-year history.”

Since 1999, Ms. Thomas has practised with the law firm of Stewart McKelvey, where she is a partner. She is also Co-Chair of Stewart McKelvey’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Ms. Thomas received her Queen’s Counsel designation in February 2017 and is a member of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society, the Law Society of Ontario and the Canadian Bar Association.

In addition to serving on the Board of Governors at Dalhousie University, Ms. Thomas gives back to her community in a number of ways. In addition to committee roles with the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society, she’s a member of the Board of Directors of the East Preston Empowerment Academy Society, and a member of the International Women’s Forum.

She’s a past director and vice-chair of the Black Business Initiative Society and co-chaired last year’s local engagement committee for the East Coast Music Awards. She also co-chaired the successful inaugural capital campaign for the Halifax Central Library. In recognition of her volunteer commitment, Candace received the 2017 Community Service Award from the Canadian Bar Association – Nova Scotia Branch.

“Higher education, literacy and lifelong learning are deeply important to me, and I am humbled to have been chosen by my fellow board members to be the next chair as Dalhousie heads into its third century,” says Ms. Thomas. “Dalhousie has a tradition of strong board leadership which demonstrates how competing priorities and demands are managed while maintaining a high-functioning, engaged board. I’m looking forward to stepping into this role and will strive to continue the great work already underway.”

The Board of Governors of Dalhousie University is responsible for the overall conduct, management, administration and control of the property, revenue, business and affairs of the university. The basic responsibility of the board is to represent the interests of the university in directing its affairs and to do so within the statutes relating to Dalhousie University. 

The board carries out its responsibility through a stewardship role, and delegates the day-to-day management of the university to the president and the senior administration. The board also respects the responsibility of the university’s Senate to adopt policies on academic matters subject to board approval. More information on the Board of Governors can be found at the University Secretariat website. 

-30-

Media Contact:

Sarah Dawson
Dalhousie University 
sarah.dawson@dal.ca
902-266-7449