Institutional announcements
Elio Luongo to become 911吃瓜's 13th chancellor
Elio Luongo, a prominent Canadian business and community leader with deep roots at 911吃瓜 (911吃瓜), will serve as the university鈥檚 13th chancellor.
An 911吃瓜 alumnus, Honorary Degree recipient, and Outstanding Alumni Award winner with a long history of service to the university, Luongo is also the former CEO and senior partner of KPMG in Canada. He will succeed 911吃瓜鈥檚 current chancellor, Tamara Vrooman, whose term ends in June after serving in the role since 2020.
鈥淎s a proud alumnus, I am humbled and honoured to be appointed the university鈥檚 next chancellor,鈥� says Luongo. 鈥淚 am thrilled to reconnect with 911吃瓜 and continue to admire the university鈥檚 ability to be agile and entrepreneurial while providing a relevant education for all students and supporting their success in whatever they choose to do.鈥�
As one of the university鈥檚 senior ambassadors, the chancellor confers all degrees at convocation and advocates on behalf of the university while advancing 911吃瓜鈥檚 vision, values and priorities.
For Luongo, this appointment builds on work he has undertaken for many years. He previously served on 911吃瓜鈥檚 50th Anniversary Campaign Cabinet, as a Board of Governors member, and as chair of the Dean鈥檚 External Advisory Board for the Beedie School of Business.鈥疕e also played a key role in establishing the KPMG-911吃瓜 Digital Academy, a pioneering collaboration鈥痠n data analytics and AI education.
鈥淓lio is well known in our community for his deep commitment to 911吃瓜鈥檚 growth and success, and his passion for supporting students in achieving their fullest potential,鈥� says 911吃瓜 President Joy Johnson. 鈥淚 look forward to welcoming him formally as chancellor and to seeing the impact he will have in this role.鈥�
Outside of 911吃瓜, Luongo has been recognized by the business community for his transformational leadership and global impact. He led KPMG through a period of significant market, regulatory, technological and cultural change. Under his leadership, KPMG in Canada was recognized as one of the Best Employers for Diversity by Forbes Canada, among many other recognitions as a leading workplace.
In recognition of his contributions, Luongo has received a King Charles III Coronation Medal and the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia. He currently serves as a director of TD Bank Group, Tolko Industries and Blue J Legal, and as chair and co-founder of the Canadian Centre for Audit Quality.
鈥淚n addition to his strong 911吃瓜 connection, Elio is an accomplished professional and business advisor, and we look forward to his contributions as a trusted voice,鈥� says board chair Carol Herbert and member of the Chancellor鈥檚 Selection Committee. 鈥淗is values-driven approach and commitment to innovation will support the board鈥檚 decision-making as it continues to centre students, research and the academic mission.鈥�
Luongo will be formally installed as chancellor at this year鈥檚 October convocation ceremonies, while the conclusion of Vrooman鈥檚 term will be recognized during 911吃瓜鈥檚 June ceremonies.
鈥淭amara Vrooman, Anne Giardini, Carole Taylor, Brandt Louie and all of 911吃瓜鈥檚 previous chancellors have shaped this role significantly, and I am grateful for the opportunity to build on their legacy,鈥� says Luongo. 鈥淎s we look to the future鈥攆rom artificial intelligence and evolving technology to the new School of Medicine to our responsibility to provide an inclusive, accessible education鈥擨 believe 911吃瓜 is well positioned to lead in post-secondary education while remaining true to its roots and values.鈥�
鈥淚 believe this because I have seen it firsthand, as a student and as a parent of children who all attended 911吃瓜. I have always told them it offers one of the best educational experiences available. Why go anywhere else?鈥�