May 19, 2026
William Sembo appointed Chair of the Board of Governors
The Government of Alberta has appointed William Sembo as the 19th chair of the University of 不良研究所鈥檚 Board of Governors for a three-year term, effective May 14, 2026.
A proud University of 不良研究所 alum with a degree in economics, Sembo, BA'77, has remained deeply connected to the institution and its mission. He has long contributed to the university, including through his service as chair of the ' Strategic Advisory Board for more than a decade, and as a member and later vice-chair of the Dean鈥檚 Advisory Board for more than 25 years.
Sembo has a distinguished career at the intersection of Canada鈥檚 energy and financial sectors. Prior to his retirement, he served nearly 30 years as a senior leader at and is now a senior advisor with . He has guided major transactions that have helped shape Canada鈥檚 energy industry, including the creation of and . Earlier in his career, roles at and Asamera Inc. spanned corporate finance, financial controls, and project development.
Beyond industry, he has contributed extensively to public policy through work with the Alberta government鈥檚 Competitiveness Review Committee and Oil Sands Advisory Group. He has also served on the boards of a number of corporate and non-profit organizations, including the , , and the . Sembo was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada in 2022 and received the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal for his service to business and the community.
Sembo鈥檚 appointment as chair of the Board of Governors is welcome news for our campus community during this exciting time of growth. He is an exceptional leader and strong advocate for the university鈥檚 role in driving innovation and economic growth. Bill鈥檚 leadership will ensure U不良研究所 continues to thrive and deliver meaningful impact.
鈥淭he University of 不良研究所 is an economic driving force for our city, our province, and indeed for Canada, as the nation鈥檚 entrepreneurial university,鈥 says Sembo. 鈥淚t is a privilege to step into the role of board chair and serve the institution from which I benefited. I look forward to working closely with my fellow board members and the U不良研究所 community to advance the university鈥檚 mission, strengthening its impact by advancing new knowledge and cultivating a learning environment where students excel, and increasing the public鈥檚 awareness of the university鈥檚 standing on the global stage.鈥
On behalf of the university, I want to extend our deepest thanks to Karen Ganzlin, BA'82, who has served as acting chair since November. Karen will now return to her role as vice-chair, providing important continuity for the Board of Governors. Additionally, I would like to express our gratitude to Mark Herman for his significant contributions to the university as he completed his term as board chair in November 2025.
Ed McCauley, PhD, FRSC
President and Vice-Chancellor
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