Ideas with Impact
UNB Faculty of Management

At this year’s 196th Encaenia ceremony, the UNB community proudly celebrated one of its most distinguished alumnae, Carol Loughrey (BBA’70), OC, who was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Letters.

A true pioneer, Loughrey’s career has been defined by a series of historic firsts that have shaped the landscape of business, education, and public service in New Brunswick and beyond.

Loughrey was the first woman to earn tenure in UNB’s Faculty of Business Administration and the first female faculty member to hold an academic administrative role, serving as assistant dean and associate professor.

She also broke barriers as the first woman in New Brunswick to qualify as a chartered accountant by examination, and later, as the first female chair and CEO of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants, where she championed diversity in the profession.

Her leadership extended into public service, where she became the first female comptroller in any Canadian province and New Brunswick’s first female deputy minister of education.

A breast cancer survivor, she co-founded the province’s first support group and helped establish the NB Breast Cancer Network Inc.

It was inspiring for our graduates to cross the stage with Carol Loughrey on what for many was their last day at UNB. Her legacy reminds us that leadership, courage, and service can change the world.

Learn more about UNB’s Faculty of Management.