U of A names Peggy Garritty as next chancellor

Starting in June of this year, University of Alberta alumna Peggy Garritty will assume the role of chancellor.

Garritty was elected by the U of A Senate, upon recommendation from the chancellor search committee, to become the 22nd chancellor. She will be the fourth woman to serve within the voluntary role.

As chancellor, Garritty will be the honourary head of the U of A. She will also serve on the U of A’s Board of Governors — the highest decision-making body at the university. As well, Garritty will chair the university’s Senate, which advises the university and assesses its relationship with the community. Garritty will succeed current Chancellor Doug Stollery.

Garritty was officially introduced to the public on March 6 by Stollery.

“After an extensive nomination and elections process, today the U of A Senate has chosen my successor,” Stollery said.

“Peggy Garritty is a proud alumna of the University of Alberta, and over a long career in communications and with a deep history of community engagement has demonstrated outstanding community leadership.”

Garritty holds two degrees from the U of A, including a bachelor of arts (honours) and a masters of arts degree in sociology. In 2013 she was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal.

She revealed that she found out only two hours before that she would assume the role of chancellor.

“I’m still a little bit shaky… but I am absolutely thrilled,” Garritty said. “[The U of A] is a place I love.”

“This university has formed a lot of things about my life, personally and my children,” she added. “I am just thrilled to be able to play a role for this university.”

She will begin her four-year non-renewable term officially on June 18, 2020 in a ceremony after the last spring convocation.

For over ten years, Garritty served as chief reputation and brand officer at ATB Financial, where she helped the company grow its marketing. Additionally, Garritty owns and operates her own business as a strategic communications consultant where she helped write numerous provincial and national reports in finance, health, and education.

She is the past chair of the board for the Winspear Centre and Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, chairs the board for the Edmonton Screen Industries Office, is a member of the board for the Art Gallery of Alberta and national retail swimwear company Swimco. Further, Garritty is an executive fellow for the School of Public Policy at the University of Calgary. In the past, she served as a member of the Advisory Board for the Children’s Wish Foundation and the Alberta Mental Health Foundation. In addition, she helped found the St. Albert Community Foundation.

Garritty said she is most excited about being a bridge to the community for the university and help work with students and faculty.

“It is a tremendous honour. I don’t think I would have ever envisioned ever being in this position.”

“I think there are tremendous opportunities to be that bridge, that connector to really understand the tremendous opportunities and potential that this university holds.”