Lesa Lacey named chair of UFV Board of Governors
Lesa Lacey of Mission has been elected as the chair of the Board of Governors at the University of the Fraser Valley.
UFV’s Board of Governors governs the management, administration, and control of the property, revenue, and business of the university. It is comprised of volunteer members appointed by government and elected faculty, staff, and students. The UFV president and chancellor are also members by virtue of their office.
Lesa’s term runs from August 1, 2026, to July 31, 2027.
Lesa brings a strong combination of governance experience, industry leadership, and community commitment to this role. Through her first three years on the board, she has consistently demonstrated her dedication to UFV’s mission and to the students and communities the university serves.
Lesa’s connection to UFV began through the trades and construction sector — an area where she has built a respected reputation across the Fraser Valley and the province. As co-owner of Lacey Construction, a company recognized as a seven-time Custom Home Builder of the Year by the CHBA Fraser Valley, Lesa has led award-winning work in custom homes, renovations, and commercial projects. Her leadership in the construction industry includes serving as past president of CHBA BC and past chair of the BC Construction Safety Alliance, roles in which she championed safety, professional excellence, and the development of future trades talent.
“When I first connected with UFV through the trades programs offered through the Faculty of Applied and Technical Studies, I was inspired how hard the team worked to support our apprentices,” she notes. “Joining the board has given me the opportunity to see more sides of the university. Everyone I’ve worked with has been so welcoming, open, and willing to share the excellent work they do every day on behalf of students and our community. I am honoured to be part of the governance of this university — learning daily from the UFV team and students — and learning to help lead alongside UFV administration. It is a true privilege, and I look forward to learning more through my term as chair.”
Her commitment to students and community is equally strong. Since 2012, Lesa has supported Mission Public School District students through the Isthmus Canada weekend food program, helping ensure children have access to nutritious food outside of school hours. She is also the founder of the CHBA Fraser Valley Boot Bank, which provides steel-toed footwear to students across the region so they can safely participate in trades field trips and explore careers in construction. Lesa volunteers in corrections, supporting individuals who are exploring pathways into the construction sector, and since 2019 she has helped host regional First Nations Housing Forums, strengthening relationships and advancing conversations around housing, training, and community capacity building.
Lesa brings all this experience to her role as Board Chair. She is also a proud mom to two young men, grounding her leadership in both professional expertise and personal understanding of the importance of accessible, high-quality education.
UFV President James Mandigo thanked outgoing board chair Cristen Gleeson for her years of service to UFV.
“Cristen has been an outstanding board chair and a thoughtful and committed leader for UFV. She has brought a strong sense of community, strategic perspective, and genuine care for our university to her role. Her leadership has helped guide UFV through an important period of transformation, and I’m grateful for the time, energy, and wisdom she has shared with the UFV Board of Goversonrs and with me. On behalf of UFV, I thank Cristen for her dedicated service and for the lasting contribution she has made to our university.”
He also welcomed Leasa to her new role as board chair.
“I’m delighted to welcome Lesa Lacey as UFV’s new board chair. Lesa brings valuable experience, thoughtful leadership, and a deep connection to the Fraser Valley. I look forward to working closely with Lesa and the Board of Governors as we continue to advance UFV’s priorities and strengthen our role as a university of changemakers — one that is committed to creating positive impact for our students, our communities, and the region.”
Lesa is the 16th chair of the UFV Board, and fourth woman to serve in this role. The others were Betty Meagher from 1979 to 1982, Phyllis Stenson from 1999 to 2002, and Cristen Gleeson from 2025 to 2026.
By Anne Russell – anne.russell@ufv.ca
