Governance
The TRU Community Trust is structured like other well-established university property trusts. It is governed by its own Board of Directors which meets throughout the year to advise on corporate operations, plan development sites, and make decisions to create a healthy future for the Trust.
The Board of Directors includes the TRU President and VP Administration and Finance, a representative from the TRU Board of Governors, and a TRU Faculty and TRU Student representative. There are also six external community leaders who bring valuable development industry and financial experience to the Board. All Directors share the vision of developing university lands to support the Campus Master Plan and work together to make sound decisions for the benefit of Thompson Rivers University and the TRU Foundation.
Airini – TRU President
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Matt Milovick – Vice-President, Administration & Finance, Thompson Rivers University
Matt Milovick has been the Vice-President, Administration & Finance since 2013. Along with 3 decades of post-secondary administration experience, he has two undergraduate degrees, BSc (University of Guelph) and BAS (York University), a MEd (Memorial University of Newfoundland) in post-secondary administration and is a Certified Professional Accountant (CPA, CMA). Matt currently serves as the Chair of the BCNet Board and is an active ground search and rescue volunteer with Kamloops Search and Rescue.
Bob Holden - Board Chair
Bob Holden, CPA, CA, is a Senior Investment Advisor with Bank of Montreal Nesbit Burns. His career includes serving as a partner at KPMG LLP’s Kamloops office and as Chief Financial Officer for Pinnacle Renewable Energy Ltd. Bob’s volunteer activities have extended to many community organizations in the Kamloops area, including TRU, where he helped establish the Alumni Association, raised money for a successful capital campaign to upgrade the University’s library and sat on the Board of Governors from December 2011 to December 2015.
Fiona Chan - Vice-Chair
Fiona Chan retired from Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) where she was AVP Credit Risk Management. Her involvement with TRU has spanned over 30 years, beginning with her various roles at UCC Foundation of which she was chair for 2 years. Fiona was also Chair of the TRU Board of Governors for two years during her appointment to the Board between 2008 and 2014. Fiona continues to be involved with the TRU community at large, including serving as co-chair of the Limitless Campaign and has mentored a number of students along the way. Fiona was bestowed an Honorary Doctorate of Letters by TRU in June 2025 for her service to TRU and the Kamloops Community.
Norman Daley – Finance Committee Chair
Norman, has provided the community with decades of service as a volunteer to Kamloops sports and arts organizations. He has previously been named the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce’s Businessperson of the Year, is a recipient of the Pioneer Spirit Award from the City of Kamloops and the Kaizen Award for innovative leadership from Sport BC. In his working career, Norman was a Chartered Professional Accountant was elected to Fellowship in CPABC. From his involvement in the community, he has also received an Honourary Doctorate from Thompson Rivers University.
Jim Hamilton – TRU Board of Governors Representative
Jim Hamilton was President of Okanagan College from 2004 until April 2021. Previously, Mr. Hamilton served as a Regional Principal for Okanagan University College and has ten years of experience as a faculty member. His background also includes eight years as an administrator with School District 22 and several years working as a market research and communications consultant.
Bud Smith – Director at Large
Bud Smith was born and raised in the Kamloops area. He is married to Hon. Daphne Smith, KC. They have three adult children. He earned a BA at UVIC and a law degree at UBC. Mr. Smith served as the last Chancellor of the Diocese of Cariboo, is a lay Canon, and was granted the Primate’s Award of Merit by Archbishop Fred Hiltz.
During his work career Mr. Smith has practiced law, owned and operated businesses in the field of travel, home construction, and secondary lending; was a Partner in a mid-sized engineering consultancy; Chaired the Boards of Prince Rupert Port Authority, Ridley Terminals Inc, the BC Lottery Corporation; and has been a Director of several companies, charitable status community involved societies, and Alongside Hope.
Mr. Smith has served as an elected MLA, a member of the Executive Council, and as Principal Secretary to the Premier of BC.
Raisa Dewan – Director at Large
Raisa Dewan is a Master of Architecture student at UBC. During her time at TRU, she completed a BBA with the top GPA in the program, earning 12 academic scholarships and research awards, and worked as an administrative assistant supporting the Dean of the Bob Gaglardi School of Business.
Mohammad Mahbodi – Faculty Representative
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Chai Chin Chen – Student Representative
Chai Chin Chen is an MBA candidate and a fifth-generation Chinese student born and raised in Mumbai, India. She serves as Co-Chair of the Student Success Committee and as an elected student representative, gaining practical experience in governance, policy development, and stakeholder engagement. Chai Chin is committed to contributing to TRU’s long-term growth and values transparency, inclusion, and responsible stewardship, principles that align strongly with the mandate of the TRU Community Trust.