July 16, 2025 – The Verna J. Kirkness Education Foundation (VJKF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Antonieta (Mar-y-paz) Rivera as its new Executive Director. 

Dr. Rivera is an accomplished Indigenous scholar of Zapotec ancestry who has lived most of her adult life on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəyəm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ Nations. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture and Urban Planning, as well as two degrees from the University of British Columbia (UBC): a Master’s in Advanced Studies in Architecture and an Interdisciplinary PhD in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Urban Planning. She has worked to strengthen Indigenous educational pathways, particularly in STEM disciplines, across Canada, New Zealand, and Mexico. 

Throughout her academic and professional roles, Dr. Rivera has upheld the Four R’s of Respect, Relevance, Reciprocity, and Responsibility. She has held leadership positions at UBC, Simon Fraser University (SFU), and most recently at ARCH•EDUC Consulting, where she focused on initiatives and partnerships that promote access to higher education for underrepresented students. 

Dr. Rivera's longstanding relationship with VJKF was deepened through her presentation at the 2025 AISES in Canada National Gathering, where she along with VJKF’s Program Director, Morgan Laboucan, introduced Indigenous youth to the foundation’s program and other Indigenous-led post-secondary initiatives. Having witnessed firsthand the transformative power of immersive, research-based programming in helping Indigenous students to realize their futures in applied science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), Dr. Rivera is passionate about this work. Her experience working with faculty, administration, and Indigenous community members has ensured their programs remained academically rigorous and culturally grounded. 

The appointment of Dr. Rivera marks an exciting new chapter for the Foundation—guided by its Honorary Chair Dr. Verna J. Kirkness and a national non-profit Board of Directors, rooted in cultural values, grounded in community, and focused on empowering the next generation of Indigenous scholars to enrol in STEM post-secondary programs across Canada. 

Dr. Verna Kirkness and the Board believe that Dr. Rivera’s passion and commitment will assist VJKF in continuing their goal to directly support the important themes in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. Under her guidance, VJKF continues to strive toward a future where the number of Indigenous students graduating from STEM programs at Canadian universities will be at least proportionate to Canada’s overall population. 

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Media Contact: 
DeDe DeRose Chair of the VJKF Board of Directors 
The Verna J. Kirkness Education Foundation dede@vjkf.org 
www.vernajkirkness.org

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