Please join me in congratulating Michelle Plouffe, vice-president and general counsel, on her appointment as the City Solicitor for the City of Edmonton as well as Sharilee Fossum, vice-president, Finance and Administration & CFO, who has accepted an opportunity in the private sector. They will take on their new positions starting in September.

While we are saddened to see Michelle and Sharilee leave, we truly appreciate the impact that they had during their time at MacEwan University.

Over the past nine years, Michelle has helped to strengthen many of MacEwan’s programs particularly around equity, diversity and inclusion, human rights, and sexual violence prevention, education and response. As our general counsel, Michelle’s tireless efforts have ensured solid footing for the university. I am certain that Michelle’s experience at MacEwan will be an asset in her new role as City Solicitor, where she will be responsible for planning, organizing and leading the work of the Legal Services Branch in alignment with the overall corporate direction and vision of the City of Edmonton.

Sharilee helped build the 2021/22 budget that sets MacEwan on a growth path and positions us well to contribute to the provincial Alberta 2030 strategy in a way that reflects MacEwan’s strengths in the post-secondary ecosystem. She has worked to strengthen her leadership team and I am confident that her portfolio is in a solid position for us to build on. 

I am grateful for the passion and expertise that these leaders brought to MacEwan University and know that they will advance that energy to their new positions. Both positioned MacEwan well for a strong future and I thank them for their leadership and contributions.

I would like to acknowledge those who are taking on additional roles in the interim: Barry Horan, associate vice-president, Internal Audit and Risk Management, as acting vice-president; Ian Hanson, legal counsel, as acting general counsel; Helen Ngan-Paré, associate vice-president, Human Resources as acting vice-president, Finance and Administration; and Cheryl Earle, associate vice-president, Financial Services, as acting CFO.

As MacEwan looks to the future and welcomes the start of our academic year, I see the hope and optimism that COVID is behind us providing a sense of renewal as we approach the fall term and celebrate our 50th anniversary this year.

Sincerely,

Dr. Annette Trimbee
President and Vice-Chancellor

Originally sent via GlobalMail on July 23