To the MSVU community,
I am pleased to introduce you to Chris Hattie who is the successful candidate in the university’s search for an Associate Vice-President of People and Culture.
For many, this will be a re-introduction as Chris worked at MSVU from 2016 to 2017 as Manager of Academic Relations, from 2010 to 2014 as Manager of Human Resources and from 2009 to 2010 as Faculty Relations Officer. In 2017, he joined the Human Resources senior leadership team at Dalhousie University as Director of Employee Relations. Since then, he has served both as the Acting Assistant Vice-President of Human Resources for Dalhousie, as well as their Director of Employee Experience.
In his current role at Dalhousie, Chris is one of two leads for the Inclusive Excellence pillar of the university’s strategic plan, with a focus on building institutional capacity to achieve Dalhousie’s vision in equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility (EDIA). Chris has also led the expansion of Dalhousie’s recruitment program with a focus on designated positions in both academic and administrative recruitment streams, and emphasized employee retention and development with programming prioritizing support for employees from equity-denied groups. Chris also serves as co-chair of Dalhousie’s Accessibility Advisory Committee and has been particularly involved in advancing the university’s employment accessibility objectives, which included helping to establish an accessible employment unit within human resources.
Chris holds a number of volunteer roles too, including with the Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace, and Security; Solutions for Kids in Pain; and the Atlantic University & College Human Resources Association.
As MSVU’s first AVP of People and Culture, Chris will focus on supporting the university’s most valuable resource – its people – which includes promoting a culture that upholds the university’s strong commitment to EDIA. The introduction of this role reflects an expanded view of human resources as encompassing not just the people, but also the culture in which our people work. Equally, this change aims to coordinate and amplify the important work of MSVU’s EDIA program leads. Direct reports will include the head of Human Resources, the Harassment and Discrimination Advisor, the EDIA Advisor, and the Special Advisor on Indigenous Affairs.
“MSVU is an institution that is incredibly important to me, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to contribute to the university in a role that aligns with my passions for organizational development, EDIA, and strategic human resources,” said Chris. “I believe that at the core of any people and culture portfolio is a focus on achieving the ambitious goal of creating a university culture where EDIA is at the forefront of all we do and I look forward to supporting this focus at MSVU. I strongly believe in fostering a people-centred culture where all members of our community feel included, and engaged in, our collective mission.”
Sincere thanks to the Search Committee for their commitment to the search process.
Chris will begin at MSVU on August 12. Please join me in welcoming him back to the university.
Isabelle
Isabelle Nault
Vice-President, Administration
Mount Saint Vincent University
Search Committee members:
Scott Daniels
Tamara Franz-Odendaal
Jacqueline Gahagan
Randy Headley
Keltie Jones
Alexia Major
Isabelle Nault