June 7, 2021, Victoria, BC – The Peter B. Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria will welcome Senator Jim Munson as a new executive in residence and special advisor to the Victoria Forum in July.
Gustavson faculty and students, as well as the global community who engage with the Victoria Forum, will benefit from Munson’s invaluable experience and perspective. His role will be two-fold: to act as a research and teaching resource for faculty members, and to advise on ways to further develop the Victoria Forum’s impact and engagement.
“We are proud to welcome Senator Munson to both of his new roles at the school,” says Saul Klein, dean of the Gustavson School of Business. “His deep expertise in government, communications and international relations makes him an incredible asset to the Victoria Forum, and our learning and research environment more generally.
The Victoria Forum, which will be held next on April 20-22, 2022 and themed Turf, Truth & Trust, brings together policy makers, business leaders, academics, youth and leaders of civil society. Participants will discuss ideas to bridge global divisions of identity, territory, religion, race, economic status, culture and politics, culminating in policy recommendation for political leaders.
“This is a new chapter in my life,” says Munson. “I know I will learn so much. I hope to share my knowledge and experience with everyone in the UVic community.”
Best known to Canadians as a trusted journalist and communications advisor, Munson has reported on current affairs for more than thirty years. His reporting has touched upon events around the globe, including the First Gulf War, the assassination of Indira Gandhi and the Tiananmen Square Massacre.
In 2001, Munson joined the Prime Minister’s Office as a communications advisor and was made director of communications the following year. He was called to the Senate on December 10, 2003 and served as Whip of the Senate Liberal Caucus from 2008 to 2016.
Munson has been a champion of diversity and inclusion in all aspects of our society, specifically the Special Olympics Canada. He is a vocal advocate for individuals on the autism spectrum disorder and his leadership in Parliament led to the adoption of An Act respecting World Autism Awareness Day and the landmark Senate report Pay Now or Pay Later: Autism Families in Crisis. He recently sponsored a bill which has become law, recognizing Kindness Week in Canada.
Munson, who will finish his term on the Senate next month, will start his new roles at Gustavson on July 16, 2021.
Contact:
Sasha Milam, Gustavson Communications, (250) 516-2611 or bizcomm@uvic.ca