Trent University is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Julie Davis as the new vice-president External Relations and Advancement, who began her five-year renewable term on October 31, 2011.

Ms. Davis previously served the Peterborough Regional Health Centre Foundation as President and CEO, and before that was a management executive with Quaker Oats Company of Canada in Peterborough. Earlier experience included several progressively-responsible positions in marketing and communications with Unilever Canada, and she began her career on a research assignment with the British Columbia Ministry of Communications and Culture. She has held responsible leadership positions with several volunteer organizations here and elsewhere, and studied at University of Technology in Sydney, Australia, graduating in 1988 with a B.Bus. (Marketing) degree. She continued her education with additional studies in public and media relations taken at Ryerson University over the past decade. 

“Ms. Davis has government, not-for-profit and private sector experience and brings an international-level understanding and capacity to lead on issues related to management, administration and leadership in alumni relations, marketing, communications, government relations and fund-raising,” said Dr. Steven E. Franklin, President and Vice-Chancellor. “She has outstanding local experience and, importantly, is recognized and widely admired in the community as an inspiring and visionary leader. The Search Committee is to be congratulated for their dedication and thoughtful approach throughout the search process leading to the unanimous recommendation of Ms. Davis.”

Trent University Board Chair Ms. Anne Wright, who also served on the Search Committee, noted that “Ms. Davis’ leadership will emphasize transparency and collaboration, and result in increasingly effective communications, marketing, and external relations that focus on telling Trent’s multiple stories of success and community impacts. Her clear strategic focus on reputation management will help Trent’s image and build the brand and positioning as part of Trent’s First Integrated Plan.” 

In accepting the position Ms. Davis commented that “in my interactions over the years with Trent students, alumni, faculty, staff and volunteers, I have been impressed by their passion for the University and their belief that the institution plays a special role in the sector and in the community. I look forward to building on Trent’s distinguished history to ensure continuing success and vitality.”

The Office of the Vice-President External Relations and Advancement will continue to be located in Mackenzie House initially, and the longer term intention is to identify appropriate office space in an area of the Bata Library adjacent to the President's Office in the coming year.

For more information about the search and the mandate for the Vice-President External Relations and Advancement, please visit http://www.trentu.ca/vperasearch/.