Executive Leadership

As provost & vice-president, academic, St. Pierre serves as the university's senior academic leader, providing strategic leadership for teaching, learning, research and academic planning. Her career reflects a commitment to academic excellence, creative inquiry and student-centred leadership, informed by her experience as both an accomplished educator and internationally respected performing artist. 

Prior to joining Capilano University, St. Pierre served as dean of arts at Mount Allison University and previously as interim provost and vice-president, academic and research. Throughout her career, she has championed academic excellence, student success, interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation in teaching and learning while providing strategic leadership for academic planning, research, enrolment, budgeting and faculty affairs. 

St. Pierre joined Mount Allison's Department of Music in 2015 after earning a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in Vocal Performance from the University of Toronto. As an educator, she taught voice, opera workshop, vocal pedagogy and diction, while mentoring emerging musicians and contributing to curriculum development and student recruitment. 

In parallel with her academic career, St. Pierre has built an international reputation as a contralto and specialist in early music. She has performed with leading orchestras and ensembles across Canada, the United States and Europe, including Tafelmusik, Early Music Vancouver, the Academy of Ancient Music, Les Violons du Roy and the Portland Baroque Orchestra. She continues to contribute to the music community as a performer, adjudicator, guest lecturer and speaker at national and international conferences. 

St. Pierre served as chair of the Canadian Association of Fine Arts Deans, reflecting her ongoing commitment to advancing arts education and academic leadership across Canada. 

This executive leadership role oversees financial planning and reporting, corporate services, facilities and capital projects, policy, privacy and governance and information technology for the University, and contributes strategic thinking and analysis to the University's momentum and progress towards 2030.

As chief financial officer, Bains will serve as the corporate secretary to the Board of Governors and act to ensure the current and long-term effectiveness and sustainability of all financial functions of the University and its Foundation.

Bains stepped into this position from her previous role as director, financial services, which she held since 2017.

She brings over 25 years of professional and progressive leadership experience in the public sector and has been instrumental in leading large-scale projects, including creating finance functions for new organizations, mergers, systems implementation projects, change management initiatives and business process redesigns.

Bains has held several leadership positions in her career – most notably with the First Nations Health Authority as the chief financial officer, Community Living BC as the director of accounting and contract management and Provincial Health Services Authority as a decision support consultant.

As a Chartered Professional Accountant with a Master of Business Administration in Executive Management and Leadership, Bains has also served on the boards of the Surrey Foundation and the Fort Langley Canoe Club.

With a proven track record in creating work environments that support collaborative team-based approaches that build trust, enable creativity and encourage possibilities, Bains has successfully developed a solid financial framework for the institution to ensure accountability and stewardship of resources.

Over the last five years, she has transformed the finance department into a strategic partner that supports the organization in informed decision making and effective allocation of financial resources.

CONTACT TALLY

Kari Wharton joined Capilano University in June 2012 as manager, development & alumni relations. Most recently, she held the position of director, university relations & capital campaigns, leading the $5-million capital campaign in support of the University's Centre for Childhood Studies. She has been the lead on several key projects, including project manager for CapU's 50th anniversary program; project lead in the restructuring of the University's communications and marketing & digital experience service areas; and the University's first asset inventory and naming framework.

In her role, Wharton will provide strategic direction to raise the University's profile, secure support for its priorities and strengthen University relationships.

Wharton is a senior executive with over 30 years of experience in government and post-secondary education. Her previous roles include director, North American operations, Golden Key International Honour Society (10 years); manager, undergraduate recruitment (domestic), UBC; and communications officer, youth and student programs, BC Yukon, HRDC (federal government). Prior to joining CapU, she also worked in corporate development for five years in the advancement portfolio of UBC.

As a volunteer for many years, her community service focused on the volunteer board of the North Shore Royal Canadian Army Cadets, 2573 6 Engineer Squadron, as well as several other North Shore grade school committees, fundraising events and UBC alumni activities.

Wharton is a graduate of UBC, with a bachelor's degree in arts, majoring in economics. She continued her lifelong learning through UBC's Sauder School of Business Executive Education program, taking courses focused on financial management, labour law and strategic planning.

Contact Kari