[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/buckler_sandra.jpg” caption=”Sandra Buckler”]Two graduates of McMaster University have been named to key positions in Stephen Harper's new government.

Kevin Lynch (PhD '80) was appointed Clerk of the Privy Council yesterday. Lynch, who studied economics at McMaster, was former deputy minister in the Department of Finance and executive director for Canada at the International Monetary Fund. He takes up his new position on March 6.

Sandra Buckler (BA '95) is Harper's new director of communications. A native of Hamilton, Buckler previously worked as a lobbyist for De Beers Canada, Rogers Wireless, and Coca-Cola, and as communications advisor to Preston Manning, Kim Campbell and Tom Long. She has been a long-time strategist in Conservative backrooms at both the federal and provincial level.