The Leonard and Kathleen O'Brien Foundation is guided by a dedicated Board of Directors whose members bring extensive experience from academia, business, and professional practice. Their collective experience provides continuity, thoughtful stewardship, and a shared commitment to supporting excellence in advanced study and research. Together, they oversee the Foundation's governance and uphold its mission.
The Foundation's Selection Committee is composed of distinguished academic leaders representing a broad range of disciplines, institutions, and linguistic communities across New Brunswick. Drawing on their expertise and commitment to academic excellence, committee members review applications, interview prospective Fellows, and recommend recipients through a rigorous and impartial selection process
Our Leadership
The Board and Staff
Chair Emeritus of the Foundation
J. Gordon Thomson
Chartered Professional Accountant
Calgary, Alberta
Chair of the Foundation
G. Brian Trenholm
Chartered Professional Accountant, Chartered Accountant
Fredericton, New Brunswick
Vice Chair of the Foundation
Richard Hornsby
Director
Centre for Musical Arts
University of New Brunswick
Fredericton, New Brunswick
Chair of the Finance Committee
Dr. Faith Matchett
Chartered Professional Accountant, Chartered Accountant
Fredericton, New Brunswick
Chair of the Selection Committee
Dr. André Loiselle
Dean of Humanities
Professor of Film Studies
St. Thomas University
Fredericton, New Brunswick
Board Members
Dr. Basile Roussel
Professeur de linguistique et de français (EN: Professor, French and Linguistics)
Université de Moncton
Shippagan, New Brunswick
Dr. Nancy Black
Full Professor
Faculty of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering
Université de Moncton
Moncton, New Brunswick
Executive Director
Christiana Myers
O’Brien Foundation
(Former O’Brien Fellow)
Saint John, New Brunswick
Selection Committee
Dr. André Loiselle
Dean of Humanities
Professor of Film Studies
St. Thomas University
Fredericton, New Brunswick
Dr. Joshua Leon
Dean of the Faculty of Engineering
Interim Assistant Vice President - Information Technology Services
University of New Brunswick
Fredericton, New Brunswick
Dr. Mélanie LeBlanc
Associate Professor
Secteur Sciences humaines
Université de Moncton - Campus d'Edmundston
Edmundston, New Brunswick
Dr. Basile Roussel
Assistant Professor
Secteur Administration, arts et sciences humaines
Université de Moncton - Campus Shippagan
Shippagan, New Brunswick
Dr. Jonathan Wilbiks
Assistant Professor
Department of Psychology
University of New Brunswick
Saint John, New Brunswick
Dr. Mario Levesque
Professor
Department of Politics and International Relations
Mount Allison University
Sackville, New Brunswick
Dr. Ben Newling
Professor of Physics
Department of Physics
University of New Brunswick
Federicton, New Brunswick