ELAINE WILLIAMSON

Elaine Williamson has served in leadership roles in higher education and the nonprofit sector for over twenty-five years. She is an award-winning Adjunct Professor at the UBC Sauder School of Business and teaches in the Ch’nook Aboriginal Management Program and the Faculty of Forestry. A former Director of the Diploma in Marketing and Sales Management program, she has held senior academic leadership roles across UBC. As a co-founder of the Sauder Sales Mentorship Program, she created a career development platform connecting students with industry professionals to develop career-ready skills and secure employment.

Elaine is currently pursuing a PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies at UBC, focusing on Indigenous tourism and reconciliation-based business models. She also holds a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (SFU) with a focus on Indigenous Studies, an MBA from the UBC Sauder School of Business, and a Diploma in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education.

As an experienced community leader, Elaine has served on numerous nonprofit boards, including BC Women’s Health Foundation and Dress for Success Vancouver. She currently serves on the national board of the Canadian Women’s Foundation, Canada’s public foundation for gender justice and equality, which supports grassroots feminist action and works to ensure that every woman, girl, and gender-diverse person has the power, safety, support, and rights to thrive.

Elaine is passionate about helping individuals advance their academic and career goals and addressing systemic barriers to economic empowerment. She lives in the Southern Gulf Islands with her husband and dog, Archie and has four wonderful, adult daughters.