If you’re involved in governance – especially in the post-secondary or not-for-profit sectors, Paul Wilton is someone you may know. As University Secretary at King’s University College, Paul is deeply immersed in the daily complexities of both academic and board governance. His experience is hands-on, strategic, and informed by years of thoughtful leadership.
Fred Galloway shares “Paul is keen observer of sound governance practices and evolving governance perspectives in the post-secondary academic space. His hands on direct experience with Kings governance development and evolution, and his successful doctorate work on post-secondary institution governance provide a unique vantage point in helping others learn about and develop effective governance models, practices and outcomes.”
You may already know Paul through The Governance Guys, the blog and podcast he’s co-hosted for the past five years with fellow Capacity Canada Executive in Residence, Andrew Jardine. But what you might not know is how Paul’s recent PhD research could fundamentally reshape the way we think about governance. His doctoral work focused on the board’s oversight of the financial crisis at Laurentian University in Sudbury, a post-secondary institution serving the North, with a unique bilingual and tricultural mission.
In February 2021, Laurentian became the first in Canada to declare insolvency using a piece of legislation designed for private companies to seek protection from their creditor. This decision led to widespread layoffs and the elimination of academic programs, contravening established university governance norms with painful impacts on the Sudbury community.
Through his research, Paul explored the root causes and consequences of this governance failure and was able to pose critical questions that continue to shape the dialogue on institutional accountability and community trust:
- How did the Board and Administration understand the Board’s oversight role?
- How did governors oversee the university’s finances?
- How did Laurentian’s board handle governor recruitment?
- How did the Board exercise its oversight role in a time of sustained financial challenges?
Paul shares, “Capacity Canada is a trusted organization with a strong reputation for advancing good governance across the country. I’ve had the opportunity to learn from their Executives in Residence (EIR), whose insights have deepened my own interest in governance.”
Paul’s passion for governance has been a consistent thread throughout his career. He began by volunteering with nonprofit organizations and eventually progressed to serving on a board of directors. His commitment to continuous learning and knowledge-sharing led him to co-host a podcast focused on governance, where he explores the experiences and perspectives of others in the field.
Paul Wilton’s journey reflects a deep and evolving commitment to strengthening governance in the post-secondary and nonprofit sectors. From his hands-on leadership at King’s University College to his in-depth research on the Laurentian University crisis, Paul brings a rare combination of practical insight and academic reflection.
To learn more about governance and Paul’s thesis reach out to him at: [email protected]