President's Cabinet

Cabinet is a standing committee responsible to the President, composed of Vice Presidents and Directors who have full budget authority for their respective programs and departments and who have significant leadership and planning responsibilities. Cabinet works within the context of AUArts’ mandate to advance all priority directions with respect to business related matters and the academic experience at the university.

Terms of reference

AUArts Organizational Chart

Current President's Cabinet Members

• Dr. Janis Goldie, President and CEO
• Scott Powell, Vice-President, Finance and Operations
• Dr. Dawn Johnston, Vice-President, Academic
• Nicole Hamilton, Dean, Innovation, Learning and Development
• Wendy Harding, Executive Director, People and Culture
• Jessica O’Connell, Executive Director, External Relations
• Cherie Tutt, University Secretary

President's Cabinet Members Bios

Scott Powell, Vice-President Finance and Operations

Scott brings over 20 years’ experience in finance and business management to this role. He obtained his Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Calgary and is a member of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Alberta (CPA).  Highly regarded for business acumen and specialized excellence in finance and operations, Scott has worked with multiple federal and provincial ministries and brings a wealth of knowledge from positions in the private, not-for-profit, and public sectors including industries such as the performing arts, Indigenous healthcare, and power and utilities.
 
Scott is a strong and collaborative leader with a track record of mentoring and developing employees, creating operational efficiencies, and bridging cross-functional priorities. Scott passionately contributes to the community and has supported various organizations through Board work.

Dr. Dawn Johnston, Vice-President, Academic

Dr. Dawn Johnston is an award-winning postsecondary leader, bringing excellence in faculty and university-wide initiatives in teaching, learning and student engagement, national and international scholarly recognition, and a values-driven approach to leadership and community building.

Prior to joining AUArts, Dawn most recently served as Associate Dean (Teaching, Learning and Student Engagement) in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Calgary, a position she held for almost ten years, and Professor (Teaching) in UCalgary’s Department of Communication, Media and Film. Throughout her time in the Dean’s Office, she was committed to expanding curricular experiential and work-integrated learning opportunities, including developing and encouraging flexible offerings, first in family and Indigenous student opportunities. She is an award-winning leader recognized for her teaching and learning acumen, including receiving the 2022 University of Calgary Award for Educational Leadership. As a nationally and internationally recognized scholar, Johnston has published and presented at venues such as the International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning and the World Association of Cooperative Education International Research Symposium. Dawn self-describes as a values-driven leader, for whom centering student learning experiences and promoting a thriving environment for faculty and staff is paramount to success.

Nicole Hamilton, Dean, Innovation, Learning and Development

Nicole Hamilton has 20 years experience in higher education.  She has served as a National Vice President Academics and Board Chair for the Canadian Institute of Management, and in several executive roles and directorships in private and entrepreneurial education,  trades and apprenticeship, and at one of the country’s oldest mid-western comprehensive universities, the University of Manitoba.   As a seasoned senior leader, Nicole has launched a variety of strategic initiatives aimed at growth and innovation including the development of centres for teaching and learning, program development and innovation, and internationalization. She has successfully secured more than $2 million in funding for one-of-a-kind proposals that have won unanimous approvals with funders.  Nicole is passionate about setting expectations that obligates quality assurance at a provincial and institutional level.    Nicole has a Bachelor of Arts, a  Masters’ in Business with “summa cum laude” distinction, and a Master’s in Education earned with distinction.  She is currently working on her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership at the University of Calgary.

Wendy Harding, Executive Director, People and Culture

As the Executive Director, People and Culture, Wendy provides leadership, strategic direction, and overall management of the areas of HR Services, Payroll, and Legal. Her role is responsible for advancing and championing Equity, Diversity and Inclusion for faculty and staff.

Wendy joined AUArts in 2019 and has over 17 years of experience in human resources from the University of British Columbia and City of Calgary. The specialty areas of her professional practice include labour relations, leadership coaching and advisory services. She is an alumnus of the University of British Columbia and is a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) and a SHRM - Senior Certified Professional.

Jessica O'Connell, Executive Director, External Relations

Jessica stewards AUArts’ external relations and engagement functions, bringing over a decade of experience across non-profit, public sector, international development and private sectors. As Executive Director, Jessica’s portfolio includes government relations, fund development, alumni engagement, marketing and communications, supporting institutional events and community engagement. Jessica holds a Master of Science in Global Development from the University of Edinburgh and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Calgary.

Jessica utilizes a systems-level approach to strategy and planning, focused on empowering shared and sustainable success with a commitment to principles of community engagement. Her community-driven approach has informed initiatives in public and private partnerships, social innovation, experiential and work-integrated learning, data and evaluation, risk and issues management, government and privately funded projects and volunteer engagement.

Cherie Tutt, University Secretary

Cherie brings over a decade of post-secondary experience which includes in-depth governance knowledge and leadership and has worked at universities both in Canada and the United Kingdom. As University Secretary, Cherie provides a link between the governing bodies of the University to ensure a healthy governance culture. In addition to her oversight of the Board and the General Faculties Council, Cherie oversees policy development and is the privacy officer for the university. She is a source of information, advice, and guidance on matters of jurisdiction, strategy, policy and process to all members of the university.

She is an alumnus of Durham University and Royal Roads University and holds the Governance Professional of Canada Designation.