OTTAWA, March 1, 2017 — Gabriel Miller, an experienced not-for-profit leader with an extensive track record in member relations, advocacy, stakeholder engagement and public policy development, has been named Executive Director of the Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences of Canada.
Mr. Miller, currently Vice-President of Public Issues, Policy and Cancer Information at the Canadian Cancer Society, will begin a five-year term as the Federation’s Executive Director on May 1. In his current position, he oversees a 21-person nationwide team and has spearheaded a successful strategy to increase the Cancer Society’s reach and influence as an advocacy organization.
“Gabriel Miller is a remarkable leader with a passion for the humanities and social sciences,” said Stephen Toope, President of the Board of Directors of the Federation and Director of the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs. “Mr. Miller is articulate and engaging, and the Board was unanimous that he will provide strong dynamic leadership for the Federation in the years to come.”
Mr. Miller has directed successful grassroots national campaigns and been a leader in highly-effective coalitions, including one that led to the federal ban on asbestos announced in 2016. His strategies expanded public dialogue on complex issues such as end-of-life and palliative care. Prior to joining the Cancer Society, he was government and media relations director for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, whose members include big city mayors and municipal governments from across the country.
Mr. Miller was named one of Canada’s “top 100 lobbyists” by The Hill Times in 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017
“Gabriel Miller brings to the Federation an exceptional combination of talents in all aspects of association management,” said Guy Laforest, President-Elect of the Federation and a professor of political science at Université Laval. “What impressed the search committee greatly was his ability to listen carefully to the needs of members, and to communicate in fresh and compelling ways the excitement and potential of the social sciences and humanities.”
In addition to Professor Toope and Dr. Laforest, members of the search committee were Lisa Philipps, professor of law at York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School, and Lisa Young, vice-provost and dean of the faculty of graduate studies at the University of Calgary.
“I could not be more honoured or excited to join the Federation and go to work on behalf of a membership that contributes so much to life in Canada and around the world” said Mr. Miller. “This community, through its teachings, discoveries, and its commitment to informed debate, is indispensable to our future, and I’m grateful for the chance to serve it.“
Gabriel Miller holds a bachelor of arts from Queen’s University in philosophy, and has served as a member of not-for-profit boards as well as the Government of Canada’s Diamond Jubilee Advisory Committee.
Mr. Miller will succeed Christine Tausig Ford, who has served as interim executive director of the Federation since mid-October 2016.
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About the Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences
The Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences promotes research and teaching for the advancement of an inclusive, democratic and prosperous society. With a membership now comprising over 160 universities, colleges and scholarly associations, the Federation represents a diverse community of 91,000 researchers and graduate students across Canada. The Federation organizes Canada’s largest academic gathering, the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, bringing together more than 8,000 participants each year. For more information about the Federation, visit www.ideas-idees.ca.
For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Nicola Katz
Manager of Communications | Gestionnaire des communications
Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences | Fédération des sciences humaines
300 - 275 Bank, Ottawa, ON K2P 2L6
T: 613-238-6112 ext/poste 351
C: 613-282-3489
nkatz@ideas-idees.ca
www.ideas-idees.ca