Vice-President, Administration and Finance
Kathy Pozihun
A Lakehead University graduate and lifelong Thunder Bay resident, Kathy Pozihun is passionate about her hometown and giving back to the community. Kathy earned an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1992 (Accounting Major) before obtaining her Chartered Professional Accountant, Certified General Accountant designation in 1996. Kathy’s over 20-year career in the public sector began with Thunder Bay’s Hogarth-Westmount Hospital before serving as Director of Finance, Systems, and Property at Community Living Thunder Bay. In 2005, Kathy moved to the Lakehead District School Board as Manager of Finance before becoming the Board’s Senior Business Official and then Board Superintendent of Business and Treasurer.
In 2012, Kathy was appointed Lakehead’s Vice-President Administration & Finance. She is committed to lifelong learning and is a graduate of the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management’s Ontario Supervisory Officer Executive Program and the Senior University Administrators Course through the Centre of Higher Education Research and Development, University of Manitoba. In September 2016, Kathy was renewed for a second term as Lakehead’s Vice-President (Administration & Finance).
Position Overview
As the University’s Chief Financial Officer, the Administration & Finance Vice-President ensures that Lakehead remains financially sustainable and poised for growth. The VP puts sound financial policies in place to protect the financial integrity of the University, ensure compliance on all financial matters, maximize operational and capital funds, and maintain a balanced budget. Managing and developing separate and distinct profit centers that offer exceptional service to the University community such as residence and food services further contributes to the University’s financial sustainability.
This portfolio encompasses the following administrative units of the University: Financial Services, Human Resources, Technology Services, Physical Plant, Risk Management, Security Services, Residence & Conference Services, Food Services, Athletics, Human Rights & Equity, Bookstores, Campus Tech, Parking, and Switchboard operations. Together with the Provost, the VP Administration & Finance builds an infrastructure that supports excellence in administration, teaching, learning, and research by setting physical facilities and information technology priorities.
Leading capital and infrastructure planning and projects, including the development of the multi-year capital plan and maintaining the integrity and security of a physical plant on two distinct campuses (37 buildings across 371 hectares), is a core responsibility of this position.
In addition, the Administration & Finance Vice-President oversees human resources policy and organization development initiatives, safeguards the financial stability of two pension plans, and oversees eight collective agreements, two non-union employee groups, and all associated benefit plans. The VP is the executive lead in grievance and arbitration matters and oversees all human rights, harassment, discrimination, and sexual violence concerns.