We are excited to announce the appointment of Jennifer Lawrence, MAL, as the new Chief Executive Officer and Registrar of the British Columbia Institute of Agrologists, effective October 7th, 2024.
With a strong background in regulatory, governance and operational excellence, Jennifer brings a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record of values-based leadership driving innovation and growth.
Jennifer has served in a number of executive leadership roles, where she demonstrated excellence in strategic planning, culture and people development, fiscal management, board governance, legislative relations, and policy analysis. As Registrar/CEO of the College of Dental Hygienists of BC for 15 years, Jennifer notably led the College through a period of extensive growth and successful transformation.
Jennifer holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Victoria, Masters of Arts degree in Executive Leadership from Royal Roads University and a certificate in Strategic Management of Regulatory and Enforcement Agencies from the Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education. In her spare time, Jennifer enjoys hiking and exploring the outdoors with her family and rescue dog.
In this new role, Jennifer will be instrumental in leading BCIA’s strategic direction and continuing our mission and duty as a regulatory body.
“I am honoured to be joining the BCIA at such a transformative time and being able to contribute through my leadership purpose that envisions new possibilities and empowers a team to achieve that vision through values that include adaptability, enthusiasm, integrity, balance, collaboration, and innovation”.
We look forward to the exciting journey ahead under Jennifer’s leadership and are confident that her expertise will have a positive impact on BCIA as we fulfill our purpose to regulate the profession in the public interest.
Please join us in welcoming Jennifer to the BCIA team!
Organizational Changes
We would also like to take this opportunity to express our deepest gratitude and thanks to Jane Kerner, PAg, Interim CEO, and Ryan O’Grady, PAg, PEng, Registrar who will both be moving on to new endeavors. Both have provided great support and leadership as BCIA continued to chart its new course forward as a regulator acting in the public interest. We wish them the very best in their future opportunities.
As the BCIA board considers its strategic and operational needs as a regulator acting in the public interest, we have made the decision to combine the roles of CEO and Registrar. This approach is consistent with a regulatory organization and we feel that will further support the transformative work ahead.
As Jennifer begins her role, one of her top priorities will be to establish an organizational and staffing structure to support the core work of BCIA. This will include creating a new role of Deputy Registrar, with the requirement of a P.Ag designation and practice. The Board and Jennifer agree that it is vital to have the expertise and perspective of a registrant of the profession in a leadership position on the staff team. More details on this position will be provided in the coming weeks.