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Concordia appoints Graham Carr as president and vice-chancellor

Helen Antoniou is named the university’s new chair of the Board of Governors
December 12, 2019
Graham Carr steps from his interim position into a five-year term as president and vice-chancellor.
Graham Carr steps from his interim position into a five-year term as president and vice-chancellor.

Graham Carr has been appointed Concordia’s president and vice-chancellor for a five-year term beginning December 12. The university’s Board of Governors ratified the move at its meeting on December 11.

At the same meeting, the Board’s vice-chair, Helen Antoniou, was chosen to succeed current chair Norman Hébert Jr. (BComm 77) on July 1, 2020, at the end of his term.

“Graham emerged from the international search process as the Board’s overwhelming top choice,” Hébert Jr. says.

“His knowledge of the higher education landscape is extensive. His talent for getting things done in both strategic and operational roles is impressive. Graham comes from Concordia and is already beloved within our community. He brings that knowledge and those existing ties as well as his constant drive, imagination and curiosity to the position.”

Concordia Chancellor Jonathan Wener (BComm 71) adds, "Graham has played a major role in the university’s recent success — its strong enrolment numbers, research funding, and fundraising. He is responsible in no small part for Concordia’s ranking by QS as the top North American university under 50 for a second straight year."

Graham Carr: ‘Experimentation, innovation and creativity are truly valued’

Carr has been the university’s interim president and vice-chancellor since July 1 and succeeds Alan Shepard. Carr has helped shape Concordia’s present and future: he has been instrumental in realizing key university initiatives such as the Indigenous Directions Action Plan, the award-winning District 3 entrepreneurship incubator, the Campaign for Concordia and the Strategic Directions that continue to guide the institution’s development.

“Concordia is a young, forward-looking university. It’s a unique place where experimentation, innovation and creativity are truly valued. Our community of students, faculty, staff and alumni all contribute to our momentum as Canada’s next-gen university,” Carr says.

“As president, I plan to continue broadening that circle, pursuing collaborations with industry, government and community stakeholders to further demonstrate how Concordia makes a positive difference for the people and economies of Canada and the world.”

A Quebec native, Carr has held several leadership roles at Concordia since joining the university’s Department of History in 1983 after earning his PhD from the University of Maine. The positions include provost and vice-president, Academic, vice-president of Research and Graduate Studies, and dean of Graduate Studies.

Helen Antoniou, Concordia’s next chair of the Board of Governors Helen Antoniou, Concordia’s next chair of the Board of Governors.

Helen Antoniou: ‘I’m honoured to have the opportunity to further Concordia’s mission’

Helen Antoniou, Concordia’s next chair of the Board of Governors, has been a Board member since 2015 and its vice-chair since July 2019.

“In my time working with Helen Antoniou she has proven herself to be extremely insightful and easy to work with — a great fit for Concordia,” Hébert Jr. says. “After eight years as board chair at my alma mater — an exciting period of growth and strong results — I am pleased to pass the torch into such capable hands.”

Wener says Antoniou brings broad experience and a valuable perspective to our board table. "I couldn’t be happier with the board’s choices of Graham and Helen as our community’s next leaders. I look forward to working closely with Graham and Helen in the years ahead."

Antoniou holds civil and common law degrees from McGill University and a master’s in law from France’s top law school, Université Paris II Panthéon-Assas. She also holds a master’s in public health from Harvard University.

An extremely capable leader, she has held key positions at law firm Stikeman Elliott, IT consulting company Cap Gemini Ernst & Young, Bombardier Aerospace and the McGill University Health Centre.

“Since joining Concordia’s board in 2015, I’ve enjoyed the stimulating discussions, commitment to transparency and collegial atmosphere Norman Hébert Jr. has fostered,” says Antoniou.

“Deeply rooted in Montreal, Quebec and Canada, Concordia plays an important role in advancing our society. I’m honoured to have the opportunity to further that mission alongside Graham and the other leaders of this vibrant community.”

Antoniou is currently an executive coach for corporate leadership teams and family business owners and their successors.


Learn more about Concordia’s Office of the President and Vice-Chancellor and Board of Governors.
 



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