Meet Your Directors

President

Whitney Barrett

Acting Ombudsperson, Office of the Ombudsperson

Whitney has been employed at Western over 15 years in various positions. She started as a temporary staff with the Faculty of Education and Advancement Services where she gained an appreciation and understanding of support for students and the University.  Her first University contract, and subsequent permanent position, was in a support role in Alumni Relations. Whitney moved into the Faculty of Engineering in support of graduate students, gaining a promotion to the role of Graduate Officer in 2012 which began her involvement with the PMA. She moved to her current role as Associate Ombudsperson in July 2020.

Aside from her involvement in the PMA, Whitney engages with external professional organizations to continue her professional growth and network. She was previously the Chair of the Graduate Standing Committee for the Ontario University Registrar’s Association (OURA) and is an active member on the executive of the Association of Canadian College and University Ombuds (ACCUO).

Whitney shares her life with her partner, Brian, and their two children. She is an avid learner and in Fall 2023 began study at York University towards a Master of Education degree.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whitneybarrett

PMA Volunteer Experience: Acting Vice-President, Co-Chair Professional Development, Co-Chair Support Committee

Vice-President

Jess Bechard

Project Manager (Process, Systems and Brand Standards), Hospitality Services

After beginning his career in higher education in the United States, Jess came to Western in 2007 as a communications specialist in support of graduate student recruitment. In 2010 he moved to the Faculty of Health Sciences and worked in progressively senior positions, taking on the role of Manager of Communications and Technology in 2016. In that role, Jess worked closely with colleagues from across campus on projects related to strategic communications, student recruitment, issues management and launching new teaching and learning technologies.

In 2023, he began a new chapter in his career at Western when he joined the Division of Housing and Ancillary Services as a Project Manager within Hospitality Services. In support of senior leaders, he contributes to the planning and execution of strategic plans for a variety of projects, launching new technologies to enhance efficiencies and service delivery and contributing to the unit’s commitment to addressing food insecurity concerns and implementing sustainable practices.

He is passionate about incorporating wellness into the workplace and was part of the working group that launched the Living Well @ Western initiative to support employee health and wellbeing.

An avid curler, he and his wife Brooke are the devoted parents of Ally, a beagle whose siblings are show dogs, but who prefers her shows on Apple TV or Disney+.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-bechard-008a1a1b0

PMA Volunteer Experience: Acting Second Vice-President, Co-Chair Personnel Policies, Co-Chair Support Committee

Second Vice-President

Lisa Dale

Manager, Undergraduate Medical Education at Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry

Lisa has been with Western University since 2013.  Currently, she serves at the Manager of Undergraduate Medical Education at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry.  In this role, Lisa oversees the administrative support for the Doctor of Medicine (MD) curriculum, specifically providing leadership for the Clinical Education and Curriculum Support divisions.  Prior to Schulich, Lisa spent 10 years as a Community Engaged Learning Coordinator within Student Experience, collaborating with faculty across campus to embed Experiential Learning practices into existing curriculum.   Lisa is passionate about higher education and committed to providing learners with a transformational educational experience.

Outside of Western, Lisa is a mom to two little girls, Emma and Annie, and her fur-baby, Ladybug.  She serves as the Vice-President for the Whitehills Childcare Association where she dedicates time to improving young children’s early education experiences.  When she isn’t with her family,  you might find her on the golf course or the tennis court.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-dale-84600b35/

PMA Volunteer Experience: Co-Chair Membership Engagement Committee

Secretary – Treasurer

Maar Qazi

Marketing Strategist, Faculty of Health Science

A proud alum of Western University, Maar began her career in the digital realm through a transformative internship, where she ascended to the position of Editorial Manager at a leading startup, honing her skills in digital media and strategy.

Seeking to blend her technical acumen with a passion for health and education, Maar recently transitioned to the Faculty of Health Sciences at Western University. In this role, she is dedicated to developing impactful digital strategies that bridge her extensive tech experience with innovative education marketing practices.

Outside the office, Maar is an avid long-distance runner and weightlifter. She also dedicates time to training her reactive, yet endearing rescue dog, Suji (AKA Bougie Suji). 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maar-qazi/

Past President

Janelle Pritchard

Associate Director, Basic Medical Sciences, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry

Janelle has been working in a service related role for 20 years at Western University. She started in the Office of the Registrar, working various roles such as OSAP Co-ordinator, Admissions Assistant, Financial Help Line Manager and Accommodated Exams Manager.  She moved onto her current role and assisted the Dean’s in the Basic Medical Sciences as Manager, Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies at Schulich.  More recently Janelle took on the role of Associate Director, Basic Medical Sciences and added the Undergraduate portfolio as well.  With over 1,500 students in both portfolios, work is busy, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

She is a proud mother of 3 fabulous children; Tim, Avery, and Elspeth, and in her spare time you may see her volunteering her time coaching softball or volleyball.  Giving back to the community this way brings her so much joy; she says the kids teach her way more than she could ever give back to them. 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janelle-pritchard-2895a137/

Past PMA Volunteer Experience: President, Vice-President, Second Vice-President, Co-Chair Marketing and Communications Committee, Chair, Support & Equity Committee