Office of the Vice-President (Administration)

Ms. Andrew is known for her thoughtful, collaborative leadership style and plays a key role in institutional governance. She is the chair of the university’s Trust Investment Committee and the Pension Committee, a member of the Executive Budget Committee, and a board member of the UM Properties Board that guides the development of Southwood Circle.

She is actively involved in the higher education sector and regularly contributes to national discussions on university administration. Ms. Andrew holds the position of vice-chair at Faculty Bargaining Services, affiliated with the Canadian Association of University Business Officers (CAUBO), an organization focused on academic labor relations in Canadian universities. 

Ms. Andrew’s leadership is guided by the university’s strategic plan MomentUM: Leading Change Together. She supports the goals of creating knowledge that matters, empowering learners, and reimaging engagement, with a focus on people, service excellence, integrity, stewardship and sustainability. She is a strong believer in collaboration and transparent, two-way communication that allows her to forge meaningful and productive relationships both within her team and with external partners.

Raman Dhaliwal (pronouns: she/her) is a seasoned higher education administrator and a visionary leader with a keen sense for strategy and forward thinking. She has ten years of experience in leading, designing, developing and implementing administrative structures and advancing critical projects and priorities that have shaped the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences and the University of Manitoba (UM).

• Learn more about the Office of the Associate Vice-President (Administration)

Mario Lebar joined the University of Manitoba in April 2012 and was appointed Chief Information Officer in November 2015. Mario has varied work experience across several sectors. At CN Rail for 5 years, The Canadian Wheat Board for 12 years, and for the past 10 years at the University of Manitoba. While he has worked on the business side, Mario has spent most of the past 22 years in information technology. Mr. Lebar’s education includes a B.A. (economics), LL.B., and M.B.A. all from the University of Manitoba.

As unit head for the central information and technology services unit, Mario leads a team of 190 FTE as they deliver a full suite of information technology support services. Mario is co-chair of the University Information Technology Advisory Committee which helps ensure information technology investments meet the ongoing needs of the university community. Mario sits on two Senate committees including the Senate Committee for Academic Computing and The Senate Committee on Curriculum and Course Changes. External to UM, Mario sits on the Canadian Shared Services Operations Center (CanSSOC) Research Intensive Group of Universities Committee that provides direction on the development of cyber protection solutions. 

Mr. Mike Emslie was appointed Chief Financial Officer/Comptroller of the University of Manitoba effective May 31, 2021.

Mr. Emslie joint the University of Manitoba from the University of Winnipeg where he most recently held the position of Vice President, Finance and Administration at the University of Winnipeg (2016 – 2021). Prior to this position, Mr. Emslie held a variety of positions at the UW since 2007. Prior to joining the UW, Mr. Emslie held a variety of accounting and auditing roles including two years as a Senior Audit Consultant with the University of Manitoba.

Mr. Emslie’s education and professional designations include Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), Chartered Accountant (CA), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), and Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and Bachelor of Commerce – Honors, University of Manitoba.

As Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Comptroller Mike works to coordinate the activities of Financial Services, the Financial Planning and Budgeting office, and Treasury Services to support the priorities of the University. The CFO and Comptroller is also responsible for the operations of the Pension Office, and Ancillary Services, including Housing, Food Services and Parking.

Janice Martin was appointed the Director of Audit Services at the University of Manitoba effective August 7, 2012. Prior to her appointment at the University, she performed internal audit and consulting services in the public sector and worked at a “Big Four” accounting firm where she performed external audits for several large clients.

Martin’s committee experience includes being a Board of Governors appointed member on the University’s Pension Committees. She is also a former board member and Treasurer of the Winnipeg Chapter of the Institute of Internal Auditors. Martin holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) degree from the University of Manitoba, she is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA), a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and holds a Certificate in Risk Management Assurance (CRMA). She also has Certificates in Foundations of Trust Management Standards and Advanced Trust Management Standards.

Martin’s expertise lies in governance, risk management and control, and focuses her work on promoting ethical conduct in the workplace.

Janesca Kydd was appointed General Counsel on June 28, 2021. As lead of the Office of Legal Counsel, she oversees approximately 15 lawyers and staff members who work closely together in supporting the University’s efforts in meeting its legal obligations and strategic priorities and in ensuring a fair and respectful work and learning environment.

Janesca joined the University as legal counsel in 2013 and has served as the primary legal advisor for the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, including the Colleges of Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy and Rehabilitation Sciences. Prior to joining the University, Janesca worked with the Manitoba Government in health policy and regulatory development and for a large Winnipeg private law firm.

During her time with the University, Janesca has actively engaged in a number of committees and working groups such as those relating to governance, accreditation and equity, diversity and inclusion. She is dedicated to assisting the University with its efforts in student recruitment, retention, engagement and Indigenous reconciliation.

Janesca is committed to continuous learning and professional development. In 2021 she completed the Business Leadership Program for In-House Counsel with the Rotman School of Management and Canadian Corporate Counsel Association, as well as the Leadership Intensive Program offered by the Asper School of Business.

Meghan Menzies (she/her) has served as the Human Rights and Conflict Management Officer since 2020, overseeing a team dedicated to fostering a respectful, equitable, and diverse environment at the University of Manitoba (UM). Her office works at both the individual and systemic level to provide resources and supports for addressing discrimination, harassment, sexual violence and conflict within the UM community.

Meghan earned her Juris Doctor with Honours from Robson Hall’s Faculty of Law in 2012 and was called to the bar in 2013. She practiced human rights and environmental law before joining UM in 2016. She has served on numerous committees, including having held the roles of Vice-President of Community Living Manitoba and Co-Chair of both the Manitoba Bar Association’s Equality Issues Section and Constitutional and Human Rights Section. In 2021, Meghan completed her Master of Laws with a focus on access to justice.

Meghan is committed to relationship building both within the UM and externally, believing it to be foundational to advancing reconciliation, meaningful learning, and cultural transformation.

Bio coming soon.

Sonya Penner was appointed Director of Strategic Initiatives & Communications effective August 12, 2024. She brings over 20 years of leadership experience in higher education. She held leadership positions with the Province of Manitoba and University of Manitoba, including responsibility for advancing key initiatives for the post-secondary education system and international education, and leading large-scale and complex change management and communications plans. Sonya is an alumna of the University of Manitoba, where she completed a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) with a double major in English and Religion. She furthered her education with a Master of Arts in Global Justice, Religion and Culture from Wilfrid Laurier University, and holds a certificate in Prosci Change Management.

As Director of Special Initiatives & Communications, Sonya is responsible for leading, managing and implementing strategic communication activities related to initiatives within the Office of the Vice-President (Administration) and across the VPA portfolio that support the priorities of the University of Manitoba. She will closely liaison with the university's central communications office and be actively involved in several university-wide committees and initiatives. 

Tanjit K. Nagra (she/her) was appointed Director, Office of the Vice-President (Administration) at the University of Manitoba effective May 1, 2024. She is a two-time alumna of the University of Manitoba, holding a Bachelor of Arts in Political Studies and a Master of Business Administration with a double major in Leadership and Organizations and Sustainability. She also holds a Chartered Professional of Human Resources (CPHR) designation.

Tanjit brings a wealth of experience from her previous roles, including her tenure as Chief Executive Officer of Pharmacists Manitoba, where she was responsible for advising the Board of Directors, managing day-to-day operations, and advancing the pharmacy profession within the province. She has also previously served as Government Relations Officer at the University of Manitoba and held leadership positions in various not-for-profit organizations, including President of the University of Manitoba Students’ Union (UMSU) and Vice-President (Academic) of the University of Manitoba Graduate Students’ Association (UMGSA).

In addition to her professional achievements, Tanjit is an active volunteer, serving on boards for several charitable organizations, including the TELUS Future Friendly Foundation Manitoba and Saskatchewan Community Board and the Sexuality Education Resource Centre – MB.