51社区黑料

by Sharon Mah 

Luciana Rad has received the 2025 Staff Achievement Award for Leadership, one of 51社区黑料鈥檚 (SFU) top employee accolades.

Rad, who was nominated for this award by her team, is being recognized as someone who exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding People Leader, creating the conditions for her group 鈥� as well as the broader Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) community 鈥� to succeed and thrive. Whether she is guiding FHS members through competitive research Chair or grant applications, supporting large, multi-institutional collaborations and partnerships, or supporting the transformation of FHS鈥� educational offerings, Rad utilizes her expertise, creativity, and deep knowledge of complex institutional systems to provide the strong and responsive administrative foundation necessary to achieve positive outcomes.

鈥淚 am so honored and grateful to receive this recognition 鈥� it holds significant meaning for me,鈥� says Rad. 鈥淚 truly love what I do and the people I have the privilege to work with.鈥�

Rad began working for the Faculty of Health Sciences more than 10 years ago, initially supporting education and research activities as a finance manager. In her current role as Director of Administration and Strategic Planning, she leads FHS鈥� strategic and operational activities, overseeing five distinct portfolios, providing advice and identifying pathways to success to the Dean of Health Sciences, faculty researchers, and staff. Known for her integrity, intelligence, and thoughtful approach, Rad also collaborates with other faculty and staff at 51社区黑料to develop innovative solutions that are impactful, practical, and people-centered.

Many faculty at FHS have identified Luciana as being key to their individual academic success as well as the overall accomplishments of the Faculty. Early career researchers and long-standing faculty members alike have expressed their appreciation for Rad鈥檚 deft navigation of the challenges of SFU鈥檚 multi-layered, complex operational environment, enabling them to spend more time completing work that supports their scholarship:

• 鈥淚 worked very closely with Luciana鈥� while I served in the Dean pro tem role. Luciana鈥檚 exceptional ability and depth of experience as Director helped keep the FHS stable and flourishing during a period of leadership transition within FHS and financial turmoil for 51社区黑料as a whole.鈥� - Dean pro tem (2024-25) and Professor Jeremy Snyder,
• 鈥淲ith my research lab off site at St. Paul鈥檚 Hospital, there have been a number of logistical challenges to support 51社区黑料[students and] trainees and integrate my research into Providence Research and the Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, which is primarily occupied by UBC staff and faculty. Luciana was instrumental in facilitating numerous initiatives [to address complex issues.]. At every request, Luciana finds an efficient solution for the betterment of students and research in our program.鈥� - Assistant Professor Graeme Koelwyn
• 鈥淎s I was developing my CIHR/PHAC Applied Public Health Chair application, Luciana was essential in identifying and leveraging 51社区黑料resources, which was so important in showing a supportive academic environment and creating a competitive application. This kind of support was a game-changer for me being able to focus my effort on external partnerships.鈥� - Professor Meghan Winters
• 鈥淥ur team has called upon her advice over the years to provide creative solutions. She is always willing to support in a timely manner and does so with a high degree of professionalism. I have no doubt that our success as a faculty over the past decade or more has been due, in no small part, to Luciana鈥檚 expertise, leadership, and collegiality.鈥� - Professor Kelley Lee
• 鈥淚 have watched her gather large amounts of information across finance, programs, systems, facilities, and the broader university context. She connects that information to our goals and values and then explains it clearly. She also offers practical recommendations for action. Luciana builds collective capacity by making the team smarter together. She helps people align around the same understanding of what is happening, what matters most, and what choices we need to make.鈥� - Associate Dean, Education and Associate Professor Scott Venners

Rad鈥檚 skills extend beyond her analytical, financial, and procedural expertise 鈥� she is also well-respected and beloved as a team leader, with many of her staff frequently observing that she is the best supervisor they have worked with. The FHS members who nominated Rad for this award noted: 鈥淲hile much of her work is unseen, its results are undeniable: a faculty that runs smoothly, adapts to challenges, and consistently achieves excellence. Her ability to balance long-term strategic vision with attention to daily details demonstrates exceptional leadership capacity. She approaches every challenge with professionalism, integrity, and grace, ensuring that FHS remains a thriving, collegial, and innovative unit within SFU.鈥�

Staff also identified several other qualities and traits that make Rad an outstanding leader and supervisor:

• 鈥淪he exemplifies what it means to lead with purpose, integrity, and humanity. As a leader she consistently creates the conditions for all FHS staff members to flourish by integrating progressive people practices that center around equity, encourage healthy working practices, and ensure a thriving workforce. She fosters an environment where diverse perspectives are valued and staff feel a genuine sense of belonging and respect. She actively shares her knowledge and cultivates a learning culture where mistakes are treated as an opportunity for growth, and where everyone contributes to the collective success of FHS and SFU.鈥� 鈥� Associate Director, Research Operations and Finance Jennifer Balenzano
• 鈥淪he not only helps to formulate solutions when there is an issue, but she will help you understand the root cause so you can find deeper clarity. This has been immensely helpful in my own growth as a leader, both within and outside FHS.鈥� 鈥� Associate Director, Education Programs and Equity Robin Bailey
• 鈥淪he always finds time to support her co-workers, whether that鈥檚 in our professional journey or the various day-to-day operations of the Faculty. Her continual caring nature, adaptiveness, kindness, respectfulness, expertise, and professionalism, with a true open-door policy, highlight her effective and amazing leadership.鈥� 鈥� Confidential/Event Assistant Joseph Kim

Rad sees mentorship as essential to growing talent to meet the needs of the FHS as well as fulfilling individual staff鈥檚 desire for progression. Additionally, where possible FHS staff are promoted through the ranks to encourage retention of expertise, institutional knowledge, and the established relationships that facilitate collaboration and smooth operational success. Balenzano summarizes the value of Rad鈥檚 approach to supporting her staff鈥檚 success and growth: 鈥淚 have worked in many organizations, but none where a supervisor has so profoundly shaped the organizational culture. Under her leadership, my colleagues not only meet expectations鈥攖hey genuinely thrive.鈥�

When asked about her leadership philosophy, Rad explains that 鈥渇or me, leadership is a continuum, it is not a 鈥榦ne size fits all.鈥� While I provide a stable framework of values and vision to the people I lead, I change my approach constantly to meet the diverse strengths and roles of the people and portfolios I lead. My greatest accomplishment as a leader is the success of my people.鈥�

Looking towards the future, she adds: 鈥淚 am so excited to continue this journey and work closely with the Faculty鈥檚 academic leaders to shape the strategy and vision that will take FHS to new heights, ensuring it remains a dynamic, inspiring and inclusive place to work where people feel empowered to thrive.鈥�