[Originally published July 19, 2022. Revised November 16, 2022]
Orla Cousineau, Executive Director, Pensions retired in August 2022. Orla joined the UBC Pension Administration Office in 2015 and has made many contributions to the UBC Staff Pension Plan (SPP). Orla led all activities related to the administrative operations of the Plan and greatly supported the leadership team of the UBC Pension Administration Office. She provided strategic advice and guidance to the SPP Board on administrative, regulatory, and governance activities, including helping to bring a deeper focus onto the Plan’s commitment to responsible investing.
In 2020, Orla helped the Plan transition to mandatory enrolment for UBC staff members upon eligibility, and saw the Plan become a signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment. As well, Orla’s calm and reassuring demeanor was essential during the recent COVID-19 pandemic; she took care to reassure all Plan members with video messaging, interactive info sessions and SPP Update presentations that their pension plan continues to be stable, well-managed and in a healthy, well-funded position.
The SPP Board would like to thank Orla for her seven years with the SPP and wish her the very best in her retirement.
Derrick Johnstone is the new Executive Director, Pensions and began his role in July 2022. Derrick has over 25 years of experience in financial services and pension management, which includes management of public and private sector pension plans. Since 2013, Derrick was the Chief Executive Officer for the IWA-Forest Industry Pension and LTD Plans, where he worked closely with the Board of Trustees, and was responsible for the pension administration of over 70,000 members.
Learn more about Derrick: Listen to the Pension Airwaves podcast, Episode 5 below.
Listen to more podcast episodes on the Pension Airwaves podcast page.