Dear Colleagues,
As many of you saw late last year, it was announced that Mark Vernon was retiring from his position of CEO & Registrar of the AIBC after more than a decade of service at the Institute.
On behalf of the Board, we thank Mark for the incredible service and hard work he has dedicated to the AIBC. He has led the organization through significant regulatory changes, and in doing so, the Institute has continued to be a highly regarded provincial, national, and international thought-leader in architectural regulation. We wish Mark all the very best as he enters his next chapter.
Over the past several months, the Board has been working on the CEO & Registrar search. We completed a holistic review of current and future needs of the Institute, and retained PFM Executive Search, who provided expert guidance in leading the recruitment efforts and reach to a large pool of high-quality local and international candidates.
After an extensive search, multiple rounds of interviews, and lengthy discussions including that of strategy and alignment of values, the Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Anita Handregan as CEO & Registrar of the Architectural Institute of British Columbia, effective April 15, 2026.
Anita is joining us from the BC Financial Services Authority (BCFSA), where she was the Vice President of Regulatory Services. She has significant leadership experience in both the public and private sectors, with a focus on education, assessment, accreditation, and strategic partnerships. Anita holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of British Columbia, as well as a Master’s degree in Adult Education and Human Resources from Colorado State University.
The Board looks forward to the strong alignment of Anita’s complementary skillsets that scaffold those that already exist at the AIBC.
Anita is delighted to join the team, noting:
“I am honored to take on this role at the AIBC, an organization that plays a vital part in maintaining trust in the architectural profession and regulating in the public interest. I look forward to working with our team members, Registrants, and partners to continue upholding high standards, strengthening collaboration, and advancing our shared commitment to accountability and transparency as we evolve in step with a changing environment.”
This is not a radical change of direction. This is part of an evolution of the Institute, and will be a smooth continuity of leadership. The Board and Anita are focused on maintaining the AIBC’s stability and momentum, as well as daily operations and commitments.
We look forward to working with Anita and all of the incredibly gifted staff at the AIBC as the regulatory world continues to evolve.
Sincerely,
Sean F. Rodrigues Architect AIBC, FRAIC
AIBC Board Chair