Effective Jan. 1, 2027, following Len Goerke’s retirement
The Justice Institute of British Columbia’s (JIBC’s) Board of Governors is pleased to name Colleen Vaughan, Vice-President, Academic, as Interim President and CEO effective Jan. 1, 2027.
Vaughan will succeed Len Goerke, who announced his retirement effective Dec. 31, 2026, after serving JIBC for seven years, including five years as a Governor before his appointment as President and CEO in 2024.
Vaughan previously served as Interim President and CEO for several months in 2024, prior to Goerke’s appointment.
“Colleen brings a deep understanding of JIBC's mandate, priorities, and operations, along with longstanding relationships with government and key external partners,” said JIBC Board Chair Jim Wishlove. “Her experience and leadership will provide important continuity and stability as JIBC begins the search for its next President and CEO.”
Vaughan joined JIBC in 1991 as a Corrections & Community Justice instructor and advanced through leadership roles to become Dean of the School of Public Safety in 2013 and Vice-President, Academic, in 2017. She holds a Master of Education from the University of British Columbia and has supported emergency and disaster response efforts in British Columbia and the state of Georgia.
Her contributions have been recognized through several honours, including JIBC Instructor of the Year, the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Excellence Award for Teaching from the University of Texas, and nomination for the YWCA Women of Distinction Awards.
Vaughan will support the transition of leadership to JIBC’s next President and CEO before her planned retirement in 2027, marking the close of more than 35 years of service to JIBC. The Institute will conduct a search to permanently fill the VP Academic role.
“On behalf of the Board of Governors, I want to express our sincere appreciation to Colleen for her taking on this important leadership responsibility as Interim President and CEO as she approaches her own retirement,” Wishlove said. “Her continued commitment to JIBC and its future is deeply valued.”