Dear members of the McGill community,
I would like to share appointment and term renewal news relating to some senior leadership positions.
Dominique Bérubé appointed Vice-President (Research and Innovation)
It is my pleasure to announce the appointment of Professor Dominique Bérubé as the next Vice-President (Research and Innovation). Professor Bérubé’s five-year renewable term will begin on July 1, 2024.
The Advisory Committee for the Selection of the Vice-President (Research and Innovation) conducted an extensive search within Canada and internationally, which benefitted from regular input from the McGill community. The Board of Governors accepted the Committee’s recommendation at its meeting on December 14, 2023.
Professor Bérubé moves to McGill from Concordia University, where she has served since September 2022 as Vice-President of Research and Graduate Studies and as Professor within the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering at the Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science. Prior to her Concordia role, she had served since 2015 as Vice-President of Research at the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) where she led the vision for core research funding and tri-agency programs, integrated principles of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) into the evaluation of research, and oversaw SSHRC’s Indigenous Strategy. During her time at SSHRC, she also worked to foster interdisciplinarity, eliminate systemic barriers to research funding, and champion high-risk, high-impact research.
Through her years of leadership experience, Professor Bérubé has developed extensive knowledge of the research and innovation landscape, also serving as Associate Vice-President of Research at the Université de Montréal where she led key strategic initiatives to promote and advance research across its expansive healthcare network.
A member of the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec, Professor Bérubé holds a PhD in environmental sciences from the Université du Québec à Montréal, as well as Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the École Polytechnique de Montréal in the field of metallurgical and materials science.
Please join me in congratulating Professor Bérubé on her appointment. I also take this opportunity to thank Professor Martha Crago for her dedicated service and important contributions while serving in this role since 2017. Finally, thanks are due to the members of the Advisory Committee and to everyone in the community who shared their comments and advice during the search process.
Marc Weinstein reappointed Vice-President (University Advancement)
I am also delighted to share that the Board has approved the reappointment of Marc Weinstein as Vice-President (University Advancement). His new term begins July 1, 2024, and ends on June 30, 2031.
The reappointment process was informed by, among other considerations, a review of Mr. Weinstein’s leadership and performance to date, comments received from the community, and an evaluation of future University priorities and objectives over the next several years.
Please join me in congratulating Mr. Weinstein on his reappointment, and in thanking the members of the Advisory Committees for their dedication and hard work, as well as the members of the McGill community who shared their comments and advice during the reappointment process.
Christopher Manfredi extended as Provost and Executive Vice-President (Academic)
I am pleased to announce that the Board of Governors has approved a one-year extension to Professor Manfredi’s term as Provost, so that he may complete a full second term following his service as Interim Principal in 2022-2023. The additional year will run from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. The title of the position has also been slightly adjusted to “Provost and Executive Vice-President (Academic)” to reflect the senior nature of the role as the University’s chief academic and budget officer.
Please join me in congratulating Professor Manfredi.
Anja Geitmann appointed Interim Vice-President (Global Engagement)
I am delighted to announce the appointment of Professor Anja Geitmann as Interim Vice-President (Global Engagement). Her one-year special assignment will begin on January 1, 2024, and end on December 31, 2024.
Reporting directly to the President & Vice-Chancellor, this new role replaces the vacant position of Director, Global Engagement – an elevation in responsibility that reflects the critical need to further enhance McGill’s global engagement, partnerships, and profile in light of current challenges facing the University. In this position, Professor Geitmann will work closely with McGill’s executive team to explore new opportunities for collaboration with peer institutions, augment the effectiveness and reach of international activities led by various McGill Faculties and units, oversee broad internal and external consultations to enhance McGill’s international strategy, and advance the University’s vision for global academic leadership.
Professor Geitmann has been Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and Associate Vice-Principal (Macdonald Campus) since 2015, when she moved to McGill from her role as Professor of Biological Sciences at the Université de Montréal. She was awarded a Canada Research Chair (Tier 1) in Biomechanics of Plant Development in 2016 and has served as President of the Microscopical Society of Canada, the Canadian Society of Plant Biologists, and the International Association of Plant Reproduction Research. Professor Geitmann obtained her PhD in Environmental Biology from the University of Siena (Italy), following undergraduate and graduate studies in biology at the University of Konstanz (Germany), Oregon State University (USA), and Stockholm University (Sweden).
Professor Valerie Orsat is appointed Acting Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Professor Petra Rohrbach is appointed Acting Associate Vice-President (Macdonald Campus), both starting on January 1, 2024, for the duration of Professor Geitmann’s interim appointment. Professor Orsat is a Professor in the Department of Bioresource Engineering, Associate Dean for Student Affairs in the Faculty, and a James McGill Professor. Professor Rohrbach is an Associate Professor in the Institute of Parasitology, and an Associate Member in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology.
Please join me in congratulating Professors Geitmann, Orsat, and Rohrbach on their new roles.