News

Vaughan Dowie appointed Executive Head of Public Affairs

Published: 8 December 2008

Statement from Heather Munroe-Blum, Principal and Vice-Chancellor:

 

I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Vaughan Dowie as Executive Head of Public Affairs, effective immediately. In this position, he will report directly to the Principal and Vice-Chancellor and will serve as a member of the University’s senior team.

 

Given the strengthening of our Public Affairs team and several of the executive portfolios over recent months in the areas of government relations and communications, and considering the financial circumstances we are confronting, I have decided to eliminate the position of Vice-Principal (Public Affairs) and reorganize the related functions, assigning those in a co-ordinated way to the Office of Public Affairs and to key team members in other portfolios.

 

Mr. Dowie, who has served since July as interim Vice-Principal (Public Affairs), and, before that for nearly a year as Assistant Vice-Principal (Public Affairs) and Managing Director (Public Affairs), will be responsible for overseeing the University’s relations with federal, provincial and municipal governments as well as its communications portfolios and relationships with a number of other institutions. He will work with various members and parts of the McGill community to support and/or co-ordinate governmental, communications and inter-institutional activities.

 

The Media Relations Office and the Communication Services Department will continue to report to Mr. Dowie.

 

A Montréal native, who attended Sir George Williams University and McGill, Mr. Dowie came to work at McGill in August 2007 after spending time as a senior public servant in the Government of British Columbia.

 

He has more than 30 years of experience as a senior manager in public sector and community organizations in Québec and British Columbia, including such roles as President of the Commission de Protection des Droits de la Jeunesse, Executive Director Batshaw Youth and Family Centres and Assistant Deputy Minister in three different ministries for the Government of British Columbia.

 

I welcome Vaughan to this new position and know he can count on all members of the McGill community for help and support.

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