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

Chair Emeritus of the Foundation

J. Gordon Thomson
Chartered Professional Accountant
Calgary, Alberta

Chair of the Foundation

Richard Hornsby

Director
Centre for Musical Arts

University of New Brunswick

Fredericton, New Brunswick

Vice Chair of the Foundation


Dr. Nancy Black

Full Professor

Faculty of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering

Université de Moncton

Moncton, New Brunswick

Past Chair


G. Brian Trenholm

Chartered Professional Accountant, Chartered Accountant
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

Executive Director


Christiana Myers

O’Brien Foundation
(Former O’Brien Fellow)
Saint John, New Brunswick

Dr. André Loiselle

Dean of Humanities
Professor of Film Studies
St. Thomas University
Fredericton, New Brunswick

Dr. Basile Roussel

Assistant Professor
Secteur Administration, arts et sciences humaines
Université de Moncton - Campus Shippagan
Shippagan, New Brunswick

Dr. Sandra Byers

Professor Emerita
Department of Psychology
University of New Brunswick
Fredericton, New Brunswick

Dr. Mario Levesque

Professor
Department of Politics and International Relations
Mount Allison University
Sackville, 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. Ben Newling

Professor of Physics
Department of Physics
University of New Brunswick
Fredericton, New Brunswick

Dr. Jonathan Wilbiks

Assistant Professor
Department of Psychology
University of New Brunswick
Saint John, New Brunswick