Board Leadership Update

As we reflect on a busy year now drawing to a close, the Vanier Institute of the Family wishes to extend our deepest gratitude to our outgoing Chair of the Board of Directors, Dr. Norah Keating.

Dr. Keating is a distinguished family studies scholar, holding positions as Honorary Professor, Ageing and Dementia, University of Stirling, UK; Co-Director of Research on Aging, Policies and Practice, University of Alberta; and Extraordinary Professor, North-West University, South Africa. She has dedicated her career to studying and supporting families across the life course, exploring generational relations, family care, and aging.

Throughout her tenure on the Board, Norah has been an active and inspiring presence. She has provided exceptional leadership and valuable guidance, represented the Institute internationally, and played a key role in developing the Family Diversities and Wellbeing Framework. Beyond her academic and strategic contributions, she fostered meaningful collaboration and cohesion between staff and board members, creating a strong and unified team to further the Institute’s vision and mission.

“Norah has been instrumental in helping to advance the mission of the Vanier Institute. Through her innovative thinking, mentorship, and unwavering support, we have oriented our programs to better address the diversity of families in Canada,” said Executive Director Margo Hilbrecht. “As Chair, she helped forge deeper, more meaningful relationships with academic institutions, Statistics Canada, and other key organizations. We wish her continued success and the very best in her future personal and professional endeavours.”

As we bid farewell to Norah, we are also pleased to announce that Steeven (Steevie) Pedneault has been appointed as the new Chair of the Board of Directors. Steeven brings a decade of experience as a queer social designer, having worked with Présâges to address challenges around aging and the demographic transition through social innovation. They have led an innovation lab and their work involves housing, food security, social participation, mental health, and more. Having already been an active and valued member of our Board, we look forward to Steeven’s continued leadership in this new role as Chair, guiding the Institute’s vision and future direction.