Deborah Brown, the chief administrative officer at the University of Toronto Mississauga, is stepping down, the campus announced on Monday, Jan. 19. Her last day in the role will be March 6, 2026.

The news came in a message to staff and faculty from Alexandra Gillespie, UTM's vice-president and principal, who said she was sharing it with regret. The announcement did not give a reason for the departure.

Gillespie called Brown "an amazing leader and wonderful person" and credited her professionalism, generosity and insight with making the university better.

Four years at the campus

Brown joined the university in early 2022. As chief administrative officer, she has overseen the administrative operations of the Mississauga campus.

In her message, Gillespie pointed to a list of projects completed or advanced during Brown's time at UTM:

  • Four balanced budgets in a row during a period of financial strain across the post-secondary sector, with $323 million in operational and cost-avoidance savings.

  • A 28 per cent increase in spending on academic departments and a 62 per cent increase in student financial aid.

  • The campus climate positive plan, including Project SHIFT, an effort to move the campus away from fossil fuels.

  • The opening of UTM's science building, which won a 2025 sustainability award from Canada's Pharmaceutical Sciences Group and is described as one of the most energy-efficient chemical lab facilities in North America.

  • A new 400-bed residence, now with its roof and walls in place, the campus's first residence project in nearly 20 years.

  • A new campus farm and a new food service provider offering local menu options.

  • Results at or above university-wide averages in cybersecurity areas of U of T's data asset inventory and information risk self-assessment.

Gillespie also noted that planning is moving ahead on other major capital projects, including an Indigenous build and a second central utilities plant on the campus.

What happens next

Brown will work with the principal over the coming weeks to hand off key projects, according to the announcement. UTM said it will share details of its leadership continuity plan soon and plans to hold a celebration to recognize her service.