The University of Toronto's Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering has announced that alumna Claire Kennedy will begin her term as Chair of the University's Governing Council on July 1, 2017. Claire was elected as Chair and the Governing Council oversees the academic, business and student affairs of the U of T.

"The importance of Claire's role as Chair of the University of Toronto's Governing Council cannot be overstated," says Hugh MacKinnon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Bennett Jones LLP. "The U of T is the largest university in Canada with an enrollment of 80,000 students and Claire will have a significant responsibility ensuring its continued success. This shows remarkable commitment on her part to her community and the future academic success of Canadians."

Claire has served on the Governing Council since 2012 as a Lieutenant-Governor-in-Council appointed member. She is current chair of the Business Board, a member of the Executive Committee and past chair of the Pension Committee. She has been deeply involved at U of T's Faculty of Engineering as a member of the Dean's Strategic Development Council and Campaign Cabinet Executive, past Chair of the Advisory Board Department of Chemical Engineering and past President of the Engineering Alumni Association.

Claire is founder and chair of the Faculty's most successful alumni outreach program, BizSkule, a networking and C-suite speaker series for engineers in entrepreneurship and management. It started as a one-off speaker night and is now run in Toronto, Calgary and Palo Alto. Claire was presented with the Malcolm McGrath Alumni Achievement Award in 2013 and an Arbor Award in 2007 for her volunteer contributions to U of T. In addition, Claire is a member of the Dean's Advisory Committee at the Rotman School of Management.

The Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering's news release on Claire's upcoming term as Chair of the Governing Council is at http://news.engineering.utoronto.ca/u-t-engineerings-claire-kennedy-elected-chair-governing-council/.

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