McDermott + Bull has successfully placed Shannon Dunn as Associate Vice-President, Student Housing + Community Services at the University of British Columbia. Reporting to the Vice-President, Students, Shannon will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight to one of the largest portfolios of its kind in Canada that includes housing, food services, conferences and accommodations, bookstore operations, parking, child care services, and campus mail. She will oversee an annual ancillary operating budget of approximately $335 million, as well as the renewal and stewardship of more than 418,000 square metres of facilities across 85 acres, representing an asset value of $1.9 billion. Shannon will also lead long-term planning, financial performance, and service innovation across this expansive portfolio advancing sustainability, equity, and a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.
Shannon is an accomplished operations and business leader with more than two decades of experience in higher education administration and ancillary services management. She most recently served as Director, Business Operations at the University of British Columbia Okanagan, where she oversaw student housing, food services, parking, and childcare services while leading a team of more than 400 employees and generating over $40 million in annual revenue. Prior to this, Shannon served as Director, Capital Planning at the University of British Columbia Okanagan and earlier as Director, Housing and Conferences, where she led significant housing expansion initiatives and operational transformation projects. Earlier in her career, Shannon held leadership roles with Okanagan University College and Coast Hotels and Resorts. Shannon earned a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of British Columbia and a Bachelor of Commerce from Toronto Metropolitan University.
The University of British Columbia is a global leader in research, teaching, and innovation consistently ranked among the top public universities worldwide. With campuses in Vancouver and the Okanagan, UBC is home to more than 70,000 students and a vibrant academic community committed to excellence, sustainability, and social impact, grounded in values of equity, Indigenous reconciliation, and inclusive excellence.
This executive search was completed by McDermott + Bull Principal Alex Verdecchia and Consultant Corey Paquette.