UBC president Arvind Gupta announced today a cross-functional executive leadership team to enhance university-wide support for the UBC Thunderbirds. The team, led by VP Students Louise Cowin, will now also include VP Development and Alumni Engagement Barbara Miles and VP External Relations and Communications (currently under recruitment).

"The Thunderbirds are integral to UBC's proud past and bright future," said Gupta. "This unified team leadership model harnesses the formidable talents and complementary skills of three key executive team members. Each brings a unique area of expertise, enabling a deeper and more comprehensive integration of support for UBC Athletics.  The new leadership structure recognizes the importance of the Thunderbirds to our students, alumni and community, and demonstrates our collective commitment to ensuring their success."

"I would like to thank Louise Cowin for her strong leadership in developing this integrated, university-wide approach to Varsity Athletics with our executive team.  Working together with staff, coaches, students, alumni, donors and other campus and community stakeholders, we will continue to put UBC Athletics on a path to greater excellence," Gupta added.

The executive leadership team will act on a shared vision for varsity: building excellence on and off the field; engaging students, alumni and the broader community; and inspiring UBC pride and affiliation. Each of the executives will leverage the strengths of their respective portfolios, while jointly holding responsibility for the achievement of the Thunderbird vision:
·      VP Development and Alumni Engagement will ensure alumni continue to be core members of the Thunderbirds family.
·      VP External Relations and Communications will focus on external marketing, media relations, external community engagement and developing partnerships to enhance the Thunderbirds.
·      In addition to leading the executive team, the VP Students will provide leadership on student engagement with the Thunderbirds, building a sense of community and UBC pride, as well as support for student athletes' success off the field.

Louise Cowin will also be executive leader of the Department of Athletics & Recreation.

"I am excited to begin working with my fellow executives to continue the positive momentum of UBC Athletics," said Cowin. "The new executive team approach will boost athletic excellence, school spirit, and community participation."

An interim operational oversight group for Athletics will be formed to support the Thunderbirds through the 2015-16 season, and to discuss and prioritize opportunities and challenges for the executive leadership's consideration. The group will have eight members from Athletics, Development and Alumni Engagement, Facilities, Marketing, Community Engagement and Partnerships, Finance, and two varsity coaches.  Pending an organizational review by the executive team, a permanent leadership model will be developed.