Trinity Western University welcomes the appointment of a new chair and vice-chair to its Board of Governors.
The Board of Governors is delighted to announce that Matthew St. John has been elected as chair, effective immediately. Matthew has served on the Board since 2011, most recently in the role of vice-chair.
Fred Fleming is completing his term as chair, having provided extraordinary leadership to the University. Fred has served on the Board of Governors since early 2014, first in the role of board treasurer for six years before taking up the position of chair in June 2020.
Matthew St. John’s commitment to higher education, intelligence, and leadership led the Evangelical Free Church of America to identify him as their delegate to the TWU Board of Governors. Matthew St. John is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary (ThM; DMin) and King University (BA). As the senior pastor of New Hope Church in Minneapolis, MN, Matthew is widely recognized as a gifted, engaging, and effective Christian leader, whose commitment to Christ, Scripture, and the witness of the Gospel has allowed him to build meaningful and lasting bridges in areas such as racial reconciliation.
Matthew remarks, “I love this university very much and am honoured to serve as chair of the Board of Governors. Throughout my years of board leadership, I have witnessed the incredible growth and development of TWU as a global Christian university. I absolutely believe that TWU will continue to shine the light of Jesus Christ to our societies through the lives of our faithful graduates, faculty, staff, and supporters.”
At the same time, the Board of Governors is excited to announce that Carissa Youssef has been elected as the new vice-chair, effective immediately. Carissa is an accomplished leader and distinguished alumna who completed both a degree in communication and an MBA at Trinity Western. She is currently the executive director of One Day's Wages, a grassroots poverty-alleviation organization based in Seattle, WA. Carissa joined TWU’s board in early 2023, bringing with her many years of leadership experiences from holding multiple strategic roles in business and non-profit leadership.
Carissa affirms, “I am honoured to assume the role of board vice-chair. I look forward to serving in this capacity alongside other gifted board members, university leaders, and members of our campus community. Trinity Western University has a bright future ahead as we begin to implement the new strategic plan. I am excited to see the University move forward in pursuing its mission and vision.”
President Mark Husbands expresses his pleasure at the two new board appointments, conveying, “I am thrilled that Matthew has been elected as board chair and Carissa as vice-chair."
"Carissa, a distinguished alumna of Trinity Western University, exemplifies the profound impact of a Trinity Western education through her character, Christian commitment, and professional achievements. She brings to this significant leadership position a wealth of strategic insight and experience from leading teams in both philanthropic and business spheres. I am grateful for her willingness to offer her considerable wisdom, experience, and dedication, especially as she assumes new responsibilities as vice-chair of the TWU Board of Governors.”
President Husbands continues, “Having worked closely with Matthew St. John since the beginning of my term as president, I am confident that he will make an extraordinary board chair. His commitment to the significance and value of Christian university education is steadfast, as is his desire for everyone at Trinity Western to flourish in light of the truth, grace, and beauty of the Gospel. The depth of Matthew’s understanding and commitment to our mission, core values, and vision is remarkable. His intelligence, wisdom, and genuine concern for all, align perfectly with the integrity and abiding Christian commitment required for this pivotal leadership position."
“It is a great comfort and privilege to be able to serve Trinity Western University alongside these two remarkably inspiring individuals.”
TWU’s Board of Governors is comprised of distinguished Christian leaders from across Canada and the United States. Its members include leaders in non-profit, business, education, church ministry, and healthcare. Several board members are TWU parents, donors, and alumni.
About Trinity Western University
Founded in 1962, Trinity Western University is a global Christian liberal arts university. We are dedicated to equipping students to discover meaningful connections between career, life, and the needs of the world. Drawing upon the riches of the Christian tradition, seeking to unite faith and reason through teaching and scholarship, Trinity Western University is a degree-granting research institution offering liberal arts and sciences as well as professional schools in business, nursing, education, human kinetics, graduate studies, and arts, media, and culture. It has campuses in Canada in Langley, Richmond, and Ottawa. Learn more at www.twu.ca or follow us on Instagram @trinitywestern, Twitter @TrinityWestern, on Facebook and LinkedIn.