Redeemer University has appointed Heidi de Vries ’05 as legal counsel and vice president, strategic initiatives.

De Vries brings over a decade of legal and strategic leadership experience from her time in municipal government administration. She holds a juris doctor (JD) from Queen’s University and a bachelor of arts from Redeemer.

“Heidi’s experience as legal counsel as well as in leadership of a large, diverse municipal portfolio has given her a unique mix of legal expertise and strategic insight,” says president Dr. David Zietsma. “I am excited that she will be bringing her gifts and her passion for Redeemer’s mission to the university as a member of the senior leadership team.”

Coming to Redeemer from the City of Brantford, she began her career there as assistant city solicitor. She was the first female city solicitor appointed at the municipality and most recently was responsible for two merged commissions. In leading a number of strategic projects for the City, Heidi completed one of the largest real estate transactions in the City’s history contributing to the revitalization of the City’s downtown core, and also acted as the City’s liaison on a matter that involves the intersection of Indigenous rights and interests and mandated development.

Heidi’s experience as legal counsel as well as in leadership of a large, diverse municipal portfolio has given her a unique mix of legal expertise and strategic insight.

“My family and I are genuinely excited to be a part of the Redeemer community in a more significant way,” says de Vries. “I look forward to working with the staff, faculty and incredibly gifted leadership team at Redeemer as we, together, seek to build upon the vision for Christ-centered higher education that Redeemer’s founders were given over 40 years ago. It is my prayer that God will continue to give us the wisdom and courage we need to carry this vision forward for the next generation of Christian scholars and leaders.”  

De Vries was recognized for her accomplishments in 2022 as the recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award.