Reappointment of David Palmer, Vice-President, Advancement

Memorandum to: Governing Council
Academic Board
Business Board
University Affairs Board
Principals, Deans, Academic Directors and Chairs
Professionals, Managers and Confidential Staff
President of UTFA
Presidents of Employee Unions
Presidents of APUS, GSU, SAC/UTSU, SCSU and UTMSU

From: David Naylor
President
Date: September 17, 2012

Re: Reappointment of David Palmer, Vice-President, Advancement
I am very pleased to announce that at its meeting on September 6, 2012, the Governing Council approved the reappointment of David Palmer, Vice-President, Advancement, effective immediately.

The recommendation for re-appointment was based on a review undertaken by President Paul Gooch of Victoria University in the University of Toronto, Dean Meric Gertler of the Division of Arts and Science, and this author. The team’s review included consultations and interviews, as well as a careful review of internal documentation and benchmark data from peer institutions.

First appointed as our chief advancement officer in 2007, David Palmer has enhanced the focus on and service to our more than 500,000 alumni in 175 countries around the world; and as our most senior fundraiser, he has been tireless in seeking support for key academic priorities. In particular, Mr. Palmer has led the Division of Advancement and University community through the planning and implementation of the Boundless campaign, a major University-wide effort aimed at raising $2 billion—the largest campaign goal in Canadian history. Since its successful launch on November 20, 2011, the Boundless Campaign has generated more than $150 million in new commitments, bringing the campaign total above $1.1 billion overall as of this writing.

The campaign planning was marked by a highly consultative process that engaged all divisions, while an inspiring campaign theme has helped rally internal and external constituents around a common vision for U of T’s role and aspirations. We are confident that under his leadership, the campaign will continue to meet its objectives for outreach and for support of critically important institutional goals.

Prior to assuming the role of Vice-President, Advancement, David Palmer served as President of the Royal Ontario Board of Governors. He is a senior fellow of Massey College, a member of the Executive Committee of the National Council of Foundation Executives, and a Director of Earth Rangers—a children’s environmental education charity. He is a graduate of Western and Princeton Universities, and a proud father of one U of T graduate and two currently enrolled U of T students.

As has been the case with other Vice-Presidents’ extensions, the continuation of Mr Palmer’s term will extend partway into the term of the next President. These extensions have been staggered to enable vice-presidential incumbents and my successor to make a mutual determination about further extensions on an orderly basis.
Please join me in congratulating David Palmer on his reappointment and thanking him for his continuing and dedicated service to the University of Toronto.