McMaster President and Vice-chancellor Susan Tighe has seconded Nancy McKenzie to her team for a two-year appointment as Director, Strategic Planning.

McKenzie, who currently serves as associate director, Academic Projects and Reviews, in the Provost’s Office, is set to join the Office of the President on Sept 2. She will coordinate the development and initial implementation of a new strategic plan for McMaster, a complex, multi-stage process that will include broad consultation across the university.

Developing a strategic plan is a key priority for Tighe and will give shape to the university’s priorities through an inclusive, inspiring process involving all areas of the university community.

“I’m very pleased Nancy will be joining us. Developing a new strategic plan is critically important, and she will help us set clear and ambitious goals at this time of change and renewal,” says Tighe.

“Nancy’s experience and strong performance in a broad range of roles are well-suited to this project and to helping implement the plan once it’s established.”

McKenzie’s experience in the Office of the Provost has included managing multiple time-sensitive university-wide projects, overseeing policy development, leading external reviews of key university departments and managing the selection committees for numerous senior leadership roles.

Previously she served as program manager for McMaster’s Biomedical Discovery and Commercialization Program and as an assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology.

McKenzie is a double McMaster graduate, with an Honours Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry co-op and a PhD in Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences and she has completed the Governance in Practice Education Program from the Governance Professionals of Canada.