Myself with President Elizabeth Cannon and Board Chair Bonnie DuPont during my installation ceremony last November.
The University of Calgary has many boards, committees and councils. The highest level board is the Board of Governors. This Board is responsible for the stewardship of the university on behalf of the people of the Province of Alberta. It has ultimate oversight of major issues of the university.This year the Board has had to deal with some weighty matters such as tuition fee increases, succession planning and performance review of the president.
I sit on this Board along with a dedicated group of people from the university and the city. By design, the members represent a diverse skill set. We come from the corporate, government, academic and non-profit sectors. The work of a Board member entails more than just showing up for the meetings. Effective board members get engaged in our institution at several levels and roll up our sleeves between meetings. Membership is a significant commitment of time and energy.
Bonnie DuPont is the glue that holds this eclectic membership together. She is our chairperson. Bonnie is an amazing woman who has had a successful career in the grain and energy industries. Prior to retirement (Ha! That is a word that doesn’t apply to Bonnie), she was group vice-president with Enbridge Inc. She has done as much or more than anyone to shatter the glass ceiling above executive and boardroom tables.
It’s a pleasure to serve on a board chaired by Bonnie. Although she makes it seem easy, it is clearly evident that Bonnie prepares thoroughly for each meeting. I met Bonnie for breakfast this morning. We discussed the University of Calgary and upcoming board matters. Between Board of Governors meetings, Bonnie meets regularly with each board member one-on-one to get to know us and to discuss issues in a candid, informal setting.
Another thing that Bonnie does right is solicit everyone’s opinion. An issue at a meeting hasn’t been fully discussed in Bonnie’s mind until all members have expressed their views. There can be many reasons (e.g. tight agenda) for some members to not speak up. However, Bonnie invites thoughts and opinions from each member before calling for a motion. Diversity in counsel contributes to the strength of the University of Calgary.
Board governance is a skill that comes with experience. Bonnie has plenty of it. She has sat, and continues to sit on many corporate and nonprofit boards. We can all take lessons from Bonnie on how to chair a board. I certainly regard her as a mentor.
Bonnie’s peers at the Institute of Corporate Directors also have high regard for her. Bonnie DuPont and University of Calgary Chancellor Emeritus Jim Dinning will receive the Institute’s prestigious Fellowship Award at this year’s annual awards gala. In fact, two of the five awards will go to Calgarians – not a bad batting average for our city! The Award is elite and recognizes excellence and leadership in the boardroom as well as accountability, contributions to governance and effectiveness.
Bonnie and Jim will be inaugurated as Fellows on June 4th in Toronto. I’ll be at the gala with other University of Calgary colleagues beaming with pride and cheering them on.
Bonnie DuPont is one of those rare persons we count on to do things right as well as to do the right things. The University of Calgary is grateful to have such a capable person at the helm of our Board.
