From: Trevor Rodgers, Chief Financial Officer
Date: February 3, 2022
Re: Retirement Announcement – Pierre Piché

I am writing to let you know that Dr. Pierre Piché has announced his intention to retire from the University effective August 31, 2023. Although his departure will be a big loss for the University, I hope you will join me in congratulating him on his well-earned retirement. To facilitate a smooth transition, Pierre will be stepping down from the role of Controller and Director of Financial Services effective July 15, 2022. He will then serve in the role of Special Advisor to the Chief Financial Officer from that date until his retirement in August 2023. Pierre will continue to provide support, advice, and expertise to the work of the department, while assisting with the recruitment and onboarding of his successor.

Pierre joined the University of Toronto in 1994 and has served as the Controller and Director of Financial Services since 2005. In this capacity he has been responsible for overseeing the University’s financial services; establishing and monitoring accounting policies and procedures; ensuring that accurate financial controls are in place; and producing financial reports and analysis. Pierre co-led the University of Toronto’s inaugural debenture issue in 2001, setting the stage for a period of significant growth and expansion of the University’s capital assets over the last 20 years. He has proactively pursued accounting policy changes and introduced several new financial reporting processes to enhance the University’s accountability to its campus community and to the public. In 2021, Pierre served as Interim Chief Financial Officer, ensuring stability and continuity of the University’s financial management during the transition period following Sheila Brown’s retirement.

While managing the demands of his challenging role, Pierre pursued graduate studies in Higher Education, earning his PhD from the University of Toronto in 2014. His academic research in the area of finance has garnered him The Canadian Society for the Study of Higher Education’s Edward F. Sheffield Award in recognition of his article (co-authored with Professor Glen Jones) in the Canadian Journal of Higher Education, deemed by the editors to be the best of the preceding year (2016). Pierre was also a winner in the 2014 Ontario Graduate Policy Research Challenge awarded by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities which is designed to reward high-quality graduate student research that is relevant to postsecondary education, training and labour market policies in Ontario.

Pierre has had a far-reaching impact both within and outside the University of Toronto, establishing accounting precedent for the Canadian university sector; contributing to the establishment of a jointly sponsored pension plan for Ontario universities; and working through university associations and peer networks to advance knowledge sharing and professional development opportunities for public sector financial staff.

He is widely considered an expert in all university financial reporting issues. Pierre’s influence on the provincial and national stage is regularly acknowledged by his peers, who have benefited from his early analysis and evaluation of any new financial instruments or regulations, and from his research, which he quickly and willingly shares with colleagues and peers across the Canadian university finance sector.

My own relationship with Pierre dates to my first days at UofT and I know that I speak for many across the institution when I state that his wise counsel, spirit of mentorship, generosity of spirit and, perhaps above all, sense of humour will be greatly missed.

Regards,