UPEI Board of Governors announces new members
The University of Prince Edward Island Board of Governors welcomes three new members for a three-year term: Kristi Kelly; Donald K. MacKenzie; and Dr. Ajay Sahajpal. These appointments were selected using a skills matrix after a public call for expressions of interest took place this fall. With the five members announced by the Government of Prince Edward Island in October, these members now fill the remaining vacancies for 2023–2024.
“I am grateful and excited to have this group of individuals join the UPEI Board of Governors and bring their unique talents, expertise, and perspectives to support the University on its path forward. Having these new, additional voices will enhance our ability to guide the University, ensuring it offers students quality education and a productive learning environment for which UPEI is known,” said Shannon MacDonald, chair of UPEI Board of Governors.
Kristi Kelly has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Prince Edward Island, and Master of Business Administration and Master of Public Administration degrees from Dalhousie University. She started her career in management consulting in 2009, focused primarily on public sector strategy and transformation, including large-scale program development and delivery. Over the last decade, she has taken on various leadership roles in government departments and agencies and now leads the National Relationships Office at Deloitte Canada.
Donald K. MacKenzie, KC, has a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Prince Edward Island and a Bachelor of Laws degree from Dalhousie Law School. He spent 15 years in the private practice of law, focusing primarily on litigation matters. For the past 17 years, he has worked for the Prince Edward Island Mi’kmaq First Nations, including roles as the Executive Director and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs for the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI. He now serves as Legal Counsel for L’nuey (the PEI Mi’kmaq Rights Initiative). He has served on several boards, including the Canadian Bar Association, Charlottetown Harbour Authority Inc., the UPEI Sports Hall of Fame, and the Federation of Law Societies of Canada. He has undertaken extensive volunteer work, both inside and outside of the legal profession.
Dr. Ajay Sahajpal has a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Prince Edward Island. He is a multiorgan transplant and hepatobiliary surgeon with Advocate Health in Milwaukee/Chicago. He holds various professional leadership and board appointments within the organization. He is a Presidential Leadership Scholar and is passionate about serving his community, particularly around underserved populations and access to education and health equity.
The UPEI Board of Governors consists of 26 members appointed by the Province, the UPEI Board of Governors, the UPEI Alumni Association, as well as the Senate, faculty, and student body of the University.
