From General Counsel to Governance Leader: Cheryl Foy’s Higher Ed Consulting Journey
Cheryl Foy’s career evolution offers a compelling case study in the intersection of legal expertise and strategic governance within Canadian universities. Her experience underscores the complexity of university governance and the critical role of legal counsel in shaping effective, compliant, and responsive institutional frameworks.
Early Roles and Experience
Foy began her legal career practicing litigation in Ottawa and quickly moved into leadership roles, holding senior legal and governance positions at several institutions. Notably, she served as General Counsel and University Secretary at Carleton University and later took on a similar role at Ontario Tech University (formerly UOIT). In these positions, she was the senior advisor on both governance and legal issues, supporting the Board of Governors, Academic Council, and their various committees. She also provided legal counsel at the executive level, managed major intellectual property portfolios, and served as Chief Privacy Officer.
Navigating University Governance
During her tenure at Ontario Tech University, Foy operated at the confluence of legal services and institutional governance. Her responsibilities spanned legal advice, risk management, building compliance frameworks, and leading governance for both the university’s board and its academic council. This included dealing with wide-ranging policies, privacy concerns, intellectual property matters, and even nuclear import/export compliance.
Through this work, Foy recognized a significant challenge: a widespread misunderstanding of governance across the institution, not just among board members but also within the university community itself. She observed that universities, with their bicameral governance structures, cultural silos, and sometimes competing mandates, are far more complex than typical corporate clients.
Foy advocates strongly against separating legal and governance functions—a common but, in her view, misguided practice in higher education settings.
“There continues to be… board members [who] really struggle, but what I didn’t fully appreciate was that folks inside the university also struggle with understanding university governance,” Foy notes.
Expanding Influence: Consulting and Thought Leadership
After years immersed in university operations, Foy transitioned to consulting, aiming to help academic institutions achieve more strategic and effective governance. She quickly found her services in demand, with universities seeking advice on building better governance frameworks and fostering understanding among both board members and internal stakeholders.
Foy is also a published author and frequent speaker on topics of governance and higher education, writing for publications such as Canadian Lawyer InHouse and University Affairs. Her book and consulting practice stem from her observations and problem-solving experience within the university system.
Advice for In-House Counsel
For other in-house lawyers considering a shift into consulting or broader governance roles, Foy advises: focus on the unique insights your experience offers and consider who else could benefit from this perspective. Her career demonstrates the value of leveraging in-house legal expertise to drive institutional change and support effective governance in complex organizations.
Summary Table: Cheryl Foy’s Career Highlights
| Role/Title | Institution/Organization | Key Responsibilities |
|---|---|---|
| General Counsel & Univ. Secretary | Ontario Tech University | Legal operations, governance leadership, compliance, policy, privacy, intellectual property |
| General Counsel & Univ. Secretary | Carleton University | Legal counsel, board/advisory support, chief privacy officer |
| VP, General Counsel & Corp. Sec’y | Tundra Semiconductor Corporation | Legal affairs, corporate governance |
| Consultant, Governance Leader | Strategic Governance Consulting | Advising universities on governance frameworks, speaking, writing |
| Author & Speaker | Various (Canadian Lawyer, etc.) | Writing and lecturing on governance, policy, higher education |
Conclusion
Cheryl Foy’s career is a testament to the transformative impact of in-house legal expertise in driving institutional change. From her pivotal roles as General Counsel and University Secretary at Ontario Tech University and Carleton University to her transition into consulting and thought leadership, Foy has consistently demonstrated the value of strategic governance. Her work as an author, speaker, and consultant underscores the importance of leveraging legal knowledge to foster effective governance frameworks in higher education. Foy’s journey serves as inspiration for in-house counsel seeking to expand their influence beyond traditional roles, highlighting the potential to drive meaningful change in complex organizations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cheryl Foy’s current role?
Cheryl Foy currently works as a Consultant and Governance Leader at Strategic Governance Consulting, where she advises academic institutions on governance frameworks.
What are Cheryl Foy’s key achievements?
Cheryl Foy has served as General Counsel and University Secretary at Ontario Tech University and Carleton University, and as VP, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary at Tundra Semiconductor Corporation. She is also a published author and frequent speaker on governance and higher education topics.
What advice does Cheryl Foy offer to in-house counsel?
Foy advises in-house lawyers to focus on the unique insights their experience offers and consider how others might benefit from this perspective. She emphasizes leveraging in-house legal expertise to drive institutional change and support effective governance.
What publications has Cheryl Foy written for?
Cheryl Foy has written for publications such as Canadian Lawyer InHouse and University Affairs. She is also the author of a book on governance in higher education.
Why is governance important in higher education?
Governance is crucial in higher education as it ensures effective decision-making, compliance with regulations, and the alignment of institutional goals with stakeholder expectations. Effective governance frameworks help academic institutions navigate complex challenges and achieve strategic objectives.
