Eleanor McMahon to begin term on March 4, 2024
The University today named Eleanor McMahon, CEO of Trans Canada Trail and former MPP for Burlington, as Vice-President, University Relations.
“Eleanor is a passionate advocate, skilled communicator and consensus-builder who brings key experience as a Cabinet Minister to the University Relations portfolio,” said Vivek Goel, President and Vice-Chancellor. “I’m pleased to welcome Eleanor to our senior leadership team and look forward to working with her to support our goals to expand our outreach, deepen our public impact and proactively develop and sustain partnerships all to the benefit of the University community.”
McMahon joins Waterloo from Trans Canada Trail, the national not-for-profit that stewards Canada’s national trail. As CEO since 2019, Eleanor led the development of a new long-term vision for the organization, secured $55 million in federal funding, revitalized the trail’s brand and digital strategy and led the development of Canada’s first national Trails Tourism strategy.
Eleanor spent the early years of her career on Parliament Hill, including as press secretary to the Rt. Honourable Jean Chrétien. She also served as Director of Public Affairs at the Canadian Advisory Council on the Status of Women, Vice-President at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and Vice-President at United Way Ottawa.
She was elected the MPP for Burlington from 2014 to 2018, and served in Cabinet as Ontario’s Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, as well as President of the Treasury Board and Minister Responsible for Digital Government.
Eleanor has a Bachelor of Arts (French Language and Literature Honours) degree from the University of Windsor, and participated in the University of Waterloo’s Third Year Abroad program in Nantes, France. She is bilingual.
A passionate advocate for the safety of cyclists, Eleanor founded the Share the Road Cycling Coalition in 2007, following the death of her husband, OPP Sergeant Greg Stobbart who was killed while on a training ride on his bicycle. Under her leadership, this grassroots organization united cycling groups across Ontario to make communities more bicycle-friendly, and pressed the Ontario government to toughen the law regarding individuals who drive while suspended. That legislative change, Greg’s Law, passed in 2009.
“I am thrilled to be joining the University of Waterloo, and I look forward to working with an incredible team of talented individuals in support of a highly regarded brand that is recognized globally for its innovative approach to education and research,” McMahon said.
McMahon’s term as Vice-President, University Relations begins on March 4, 2024. She succeeds Sandra G. Banks who left the position in July 2023.
