Mark Douglas Appointed Interim Vice-President, Finance + Administration

Emily Carr University of Art + Design (ECU) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Douglas as the Interim Vice-President of Finance and Administration. This key executive role provides strategic financial leadership and guidance to the university, oversees deficit mitigation strategies, and promotes excellence in planning, operations, and oversight throughout ECU’s facilities and financial services.

“I am confident in Mark’s ability to guide ECU toward a brighter financial future, especially with his commitment to transparency and collaboration,” states Dr. Trish Kelly, President and Vice-Chancellor. “Mark’s extensive experience in the post-secondary sector will be instrumental as we continue navigating challenging times and ensuring we become a more resilient and financially sustainable institution.”

As a long-term member of the ECU community, Mark has held many roles within the university, beginning as a Senior Accountant in 2006 and moving into subsequent positions including Manager, Budgets + Financial Reporting from 2016-2018, Controller from 2018-2019, and the Executive Director, Financial Services since 2019.

Mark received his Chartered Professional Accountant designation in 2012, which he achieved as a Certified General Accountant, and holds a BA from the University of Victoria (2002). He also led the development and implementation of ECU’s Enterprise Risk Management Framework, the first of its kind at ECU, in collaboration with university leaders.

“My goal is to ensure transparency in university finances and enhance communication with the ECU community,” says Mark. “I have contributed to the development and presentation of the Money Matter sessions in recent years and continually seek ways to improve information sharing."

He is particularly proud of his work in collaboration with the Academic Affairs team to develop a robust program costing model to understand the performance of ECU programs. With a deep understanding of ECU’s operations and a strong commitment to institutional accountability, Mark is poised to bring steady leadership to this vital role during a pivotal time for the university.

The university will engage an executive search firm in the coming months to support the recruitment of a permanent Vice-President, Finance + Administration for ECU.