Chancellor Janice Fukakusa to proudly serve in second term

Congratulations to Janice Fukakusa, who has been reappointed chancellor of Ryerson University for a second consecutive term.

“I’m so proud and honoured to continue in this incredible role,” said Ms. Fukakusa, a multiple award-winning corporate director with extensive banking and financial services experience, who is also an ex-officio member of Ryerson’s Board of Governors, which she previously chaired. 

The announcement means Ms. Fukakusa, who began in the role in 2018, will continue as ceremonial head of the university, and an ambassador for Ryerson on the local, national and international stage. 

She will also preside at convocations and confer university degrees. Her second term will conclude in 2024.

Ryerson University President and Vice-Chancellor Mohamed Lachemi says the institution is grateful to have such an accomplished and inspiring figure in the role.

"Chancellor Fukakusa has long been an important leader and ambassador in the Ryerson community," he said. "Her commitment to relevant and widely accessible education and to issues of equity, identity and race reflect her dedication to creating a better future for our province. It has been my honour to work with her as our chancellor, and I look forward to our continued work together."

Proud of students’ strength

Just as Ms. Fukakusa is praised for inspiring others - she says what she’s most enjoyed during her time at Ryerson has been how much students have inspired her.

“From engaging with engineering students presenting their year-end capstone case competition projects, to engaging in a virtual diversity and inclusion conversation with Community Services students, and individually mentoring science students through the roll-out of our inaugural mentorship program in science, these interactions have confirmed the resilience and strength of our students to adapt and continue to pursue their dreams, despite these unprecedented times,” she said.

“I consider myself a representative of the students, and I am so proud of their commitment to education as an enabler for their future growth and success,” she continued.

Ms. Fukakusa also recognized faculties, staff, student advisers, volunteers, help and outreach centres who have worked tirelessly to support students to “help ensure they can realize their dreams, all while constantly pivoting to address the frequent changes in our environment due to the pandemic,” she said.

Accomplished career 

Ms. Fukakusa previously served as RBC’s chief administrative officer and chief financial officer, and was a member of RBC’s Group Executive responsible for setting the overall strategic direction of RBC. She retired from this role in January 2017 following a distinguished 31-year career.

In 2007, Ms. Fukakusa was inducted into Canada's Most Powerful Women Hall of Fame, and in 2016 was named one of the 25 Most Powerful Women in Banking by American Banker magazine for the fourth consecutive year. She was also selected as Canada's CFO of the Year by Financial Executives Canada, PwC and Robert Half in 2014.

Advice for students

As Ms. Fukakusa looks to her next term as chancellor, she shares advice below for students as they continue to persevere in the pandemic.

She says, “To adapt to any environment, even one as severe as the pandemic, you must stay focused on the following:

• Continue to be curious - pursue knowledge, learn and ask questions - keep your mind engaged, despite all the distractions.
  

• Be determined. When you set out on any project or new endeavour, set a goal or an accomplishment - and follow through. You will be very satisfied at the end- this could be learning a new skill, sticking to an exercise program, reading, or finishing a course.
  

• Continue to increase your resilience. We are all trying very hard, and should be proud of what we each have accomplished in learning to live in our very new ‘virtual’ environment.
  

• Be kind to one another. Especially now - with very little in-person interaction, we need to ensure that we take the time to be kind to those around us, those we interface with during our virtual studies or our work. Take the time to ask ‘how are you doing’  - and listen. Support is very important.”

Message to BIPOC community

Ms. Fukakusa also recognizes that in addition to challenges posed by the pandemic, this past year has been particularly difficult for members of the BIPOC community. 

“Given the very volatile environment around the BIPOC communities and lack of face-to-face contact, my advice is - stay the course. We have never been in a better place to have our voices heard,” she said.

“We must also remember that this is a long-term agenda. While it is hard to think long-term when we are all reacting to the short-term environment of incidents, conflicts, and the media attention, please remember that the solution to reducing and eliminating unconscious systemic biases is through engaging all communities in learning about all of our different cultures, languages, roles and contributions,” she continued.

Between June 21-24, Ms. Fukakusa will preside at Ryerson’s Spring 2021 virtual convocation, conferring degrees to about 8,200 students.

Related stories:

• Bio: Chancellor Janice Fukakusa
• $1M gift from Ryerson's chancellor establishes Racial Justice Scholar-in-Residence
• June 2021 Virtual Convocation Ceremonies