An accomplished academic leader, professor and research scientist, Dr. Lesley Rigg has served as Brock University’s President and Vice-Chancellor since November 2022.

Previously a biogeographer/forest ecologist, Rigg led the research enterprise at Western University as the institution’s Vice-President, Research. Prior to arriving at Western, she served as Dean of the Faculty of Science and Professor, Biological Sciences at the University of Calgary, where she led one of the largest Faculties on campus spanning six departments and five multidisciplinary programs.

Her experience also includes holding significant leadership positions at Northern Illinois University. There, she served as Vice-President for Research and Innovation Partnerships and other roles including Associate Dean Research and Graduate Affairs in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

She is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society of Canada, a former executive committee member of the Ontario Council on University Research (OCUR) and the recipient of many honours, including the Alberta SHEInnovator Award and the Women of Inspiration, Vision Builder Award for Western Canada. She has spoken extensively and published works on forest dynamics, biogeography, and women in science.

Rigg earned her bachelor’s degree in geography and environmental studies from York University in Toronto, a master’s degree in geography from the University of Colorado and a PhD in geography and environmental studies at Australia’s University of Melbourne.