Connell is currently Executive Director of the
United Way of
London & Middlesex, a position she has held since 2000.
Connell's appointment follows a four-month national search
that was conducted with the assistance of an external executive search firm.
The announcement of the appointment was made by Western's Vice-President
(External), Ted Garrard.
“We are delighted to share this news," says Garrard.
"Helen has an impressive track record of leadership and community
involvement -- at the
United Way,
as a former Editor of the London Free Press and as a volunteer with the London
Health Sciences Centre, London Public Library, Big Sisters, and Western Ontario
Youth Services. She also has an impressive knowledge of the post-secondary
education system in
Ontario
and a passion for Western that makes her perfectly suited for this senior
leadership role."
Connell has served as a member of Western's Board of
Governors since 2001 and as its Chair since January 2006. She has resigned from
the Board, effective immediately.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at
United Way and as difficult as the
decision was to leave, I am a long-time advocate of Western and the critical
importance of higher education to the future prosperity of our community," says
Connell. “Western is also very supportive of United Way's work and being able
to delay my starting date will enable me to ensure the success of the 2007
Campaign and advance some of the major community initiatives in which United
Way is involved."
Connell will assume her new responsibilities at Western no
later than January 1, 2008 to allow the United Way's annual campaign to proceed
under her direction and so that the United Way Board of Directors may conduct a
search for a new Executive Director.
Western President Paul Davenport offered his
congratulations to Connell.
“I am tremendously grateful for the leadership Helen has
shown on our Board of Governors," says
Davenport. "Her contributions have and
will continue to impact on our university and the role it plays in
London and around the
world. I look forward to working with her in this new, key role at
Western."
As Associate Vice-President of Communications and Public
Affairs, Connell will oversee Western's community and media relations, employee
and fundraising communications, Western News and the Western Alumni Gazette
magazine, and all university-wide marketing and advertising programs.
Jim Etherington, a Past President and current member of
Western's Alumni Association Board of Directors, was a member of the search committee
that selected Connell.
“Helen has shown outstanding leadership as a volunteer
member of the Board of Governors," says Etherington. “With her decision to take
on a management role with the university, she brings a wealth of experience
that will benefit Western, its Communications Department and the city. It's
also a plus that she is an alumna of Western."
Prior to joining the
United Way, Connell had a 20-year career
at the London Free Press and served as Editor from 1997 to 2000. She received
her MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business in 1996.
The position of Associate Vice-Chair of Communications at
Western has been vacant since March, when David Estok left the university to
take over as Editor-in-Chief of the Hamilton Spectator.
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