Saint Mary’s University’s Board of Governors is proud to announce the appointment of Janis Sobey-Hames as the university’s next Chancellor, the first woman to hold the role in Saint Mary’s nearly 225-year history.
The appointment is effective on September 1, 2026.
A graduate of Mount Saint Vincent University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Sobey-Hames began her career in health care before building a distinguished record as a philanthropic and governance leader. She currently serves as Chair of the David & Faye Sobey Foundation and as a Trustee of both The Sobey Foundation and The Sobey Art Foundation. Across these roles, she has helped advance initiatives in health care, higher education, the arts, conservation and community development throughout Atlantic Canada.