About the President

Deborah MacLatchy was appointed president and vice-chancellor of Wilfrid Laurier University on July 1, 2017. In 2021, the Board approved Dr. MacLatchy for a second five-year term. As president of Laurier, Dr. MacLatchy spearheaded the development of the Laurier Strategy, 2019-2024, focusing the university’s direction on two interconnected themes: thriving community and future readiness. This plan has recently been updated as the Laurier Strategic Action Plan, 2024-2028. During her tenure at Laurier, as president and previously as provost and dean in the Faculty of Science, she has championed innovation in undergraduate and graduate academic programs, multi-campus development and governance, student success, research growth, Indigeneity, and equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives. She successfully led the university’s pandemic response and the opening of Laurier’s Milton campus in 2024.

Dr. MacLatchy joined Laurier in 2007 as dean of the Faculty of Science and in 2009 was appointed provost and vice-president: academic. She is an active researcher and graduate student supervisor focusing on ecotoxicology. Prior to Laurier, she served in senior roles at the University of New Brunswick, including dean of Science, Applied Science and Engineering. She holds an honours BSc in biology from Acadia University and a PhD in zoology from the University of Manitoba.

Dr. MacLatchy is chair of the Board of the Council of Ontario Universities (COU), a member of the Board of Universities Canada and a former chair of its Governance Committee, and president (chair) of the Board of the community not-for-profit THEMUSEUM. In late 2024, Dr. MacLatchy returned as vice-chair to the Board of Ontario University Athletics (OUA), where she previously served as vice-chair and chair. Dr. MacLatchy holds her ICD.D designation through the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) Rotman Directors Education Program and is a member of the ICD Southwest Ontario Chapter Executive Committee, reflecting a commitment to excellence in governance.

Dr. MacLatchy has been recognized for her many achievements, including the J.P. Loosemore Award from the OUA for excellence in administration in university sport in 2023, an honorary doctorate from Acadia University in 2016, and the 2015 Recognition Award from the Senior Women Academic Administrators of Canada. She was named one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women for 2012 in a Top 100 list compiled by the Women’s Executive Network.