Architecture Canada | RAIC is pleased to announce Jim McKee has been named Executive Director, effective July 19.
Mr. McKee comes to the Institute with experience heading the Coalition for Cultural Diversity (CCD) where he was responsible for all aspects of its operations, including governance, strategic planning, budgeting and fundraising, policy development, government relations, communications, and staffing.
With the CCD he was instrumental in mobilizing cultural organizations in Canada and around the world to secure widespread political support for an international treaty affirming the right of countries to apply cultural policies.
The treaty—the UNESCO Convention on the Diversity of Cultural Expressions—entered into force in 2007 and to date has been ratified by 110 countries. It is now being implemented. It was the result of a two-pronged strategy – a domestic government relations program in Canada and an international advocacy campaign abroad. A common position for the treaty was established through extensive international missions, in which he played a lead role building a network of coalitions representing more than 600 cultural organizations from 42 countries.
Mr. McKee served as CCD’s official representative at international meetings and conferences: at UNESCO, annual meetings of the International Network on Cultural Policy culture ministers’ network, and in meetings with the Prime Minister of Canada, the Minister of Canadian Heritage, the Minister of Culture and Communications of Quebec, and the Minister of Culture of Ontario.
His previous experience includes working for the Writers Guild of Canada as Director of Policy and Communications, and prior to that, positions with Transport Canada, First City Trust and Deloitte & Touche.
“Jim McKee’s management experience with Canadian and international organizations which are focused on the cultural and creative agenda, and his close working relationship with Canadian public sectors are expected to help advance the mandate of Architecture Canada | RAIC,” said Randy Dhar, FRAIC, RAIC President.
“I’m excited and honoured by the opportunity to work on behalf of a membership whose work contributes in such a major way to the quality of life of Canadians, and who figure prominently in addressing one of the major challenges of our time by continuing to innovate new approaches to sustainable building,” said Jim McKee.
Mr. McKee begins his tenure in July and will be on hand to meet members at the RAIC – SAA Festival of Architecture being held from June 23 – 26, 2010 in Saskatoon. He replaces Jon Hobbs, FRAIC who is retiring at the end of June after 14 years with the RAIC.
Architecture Canada | RAIC
The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada is a voluntary national association established in 1907 as the voice for architecture and its practice in Canada. Representing close to 4,200 architects, the RAIC is the leading voice of architecture in Canada whose mission is:
- To affirm that architecture matters;
- To celebrate the richness and diversity of architecture in Canada; and
- To support architects in achieving excellence.