President's Cabinet

The AUArts President’s Cabinet is the strategic leadership body of Alberta University of the Arts advising the President + CEO on all issues related to delivering academic excellence.

Cabinet is a standing committee responsible to the President, composed of Vice Presidents and Directors who have full budget authority for their respective programs and departments and who have significant leadership and planning responsibilities. Cabinet works within the context of AUArts’s mandate to advance all priority directions with respect to business related matters and the academic experience at the university.

Terms of reference

AUArts Organizational Chart

Current President's Cabinet Members

  • Dr. Daniel Doz, President and CEO
  • Dr. Janis Goldie, Dean, Academic Programs
  • Jamie Leong-Huxley, Vice President Advancement
  • Scott Powell, Vice President Finance and Operations
  • Nicole Hamilton, Dean, Innovation, Learning and Development
  • Dr. Pablo Ortiz- Hernández, Dean of Students
  • Wendy Harding, Executive Director, People and Culture
  • Cherie Tutt, University Secretary

President's Cabinet Members Bios

Dr. Janis Goldie, Dean, Academic Programs

As Dean, Academic Programs, Dr. Goldie brings over ten years of experience in strategic and operational leadership as well as a proven track record of building post-secondary programs and institutional synergies from Huntington University. As former Chair and Professor of Communication Studies, she has extensive experience in university academic program development and community relations. She developed and implemented applied and experiential academic pathways such as Work-Integrated-Learning and articulation/transfer agreements with academic partners. Dr. Goldie’s university and community governance experience includes chairing the University Senate and Research Ethics Boards, leading internal and external institutional quality program reviews, developing campus EDI initiatives and participating on numerous university committees and community organizations as a Director.

Dr. Goldie has demonstrated passion for creating an exceptional and inclusive experience for diverse learners and team members. She was awarded the Edward J. Conroy Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching, was co-director of the Lougheed Teaching and Learning Centre at Huntington University and has taught over 20 unique courses in various modes of delivery. Her scholarly research applies critical communication analysis to a range of discursive mediums. Recent books published include ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’: Teaching Dystopia, Feminism, and Resistance across Disciplines and Borders (2019, Rowan and Littlefield) and New Perspectives on the War Film (2019, Palgrave).

Jamie Leong-Huxley, Vice President Advancement

As Vice President, Advancement, Jamie contributes to the success of AUArts as a member of the President’s Cabinet, academic leadership (GFC, Deans’ Council) and university management. She provides leadership and overall direction of the functions of communication, marketing, fund development, and relationships with alumni, community and government.

Prior to joining AUArts in 2018, Jamie worked for Zinc Ventures on the creation of a new regional innovation centre designed to advance Calgary in the digital age and build a better ecosystem for innovation. With the same company, she helped with legislative changes and education that made payday loans less harmful.   

She has had a career filled with a wealth of experiences in corporations, non-profits and consulting firms, having worked in almost every sector including innovation, technology, energy, agriculture and travel.

Jamie has made significant community contributions. She is a member of the Board of Directors of Calgary Foundation, one of Canada’s largest community foundations with assets of $1.3 billion.

Jamie was a member of the Tomorrow’s Chinatown Advisory Committee, a municipal government appointment to develop the first cultural plan for a community in Calgary. Appointed by the provincial government, Jamie served as a member of the Board of Directors of Alberta Foundation of the Arts (AFA). She was a founding board member of the National Music Centre, and was a founding partner of Social Venture Partners that brought venture philanthropy to our community. 

Jamie is the recipient of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal, holds an MBA from Queen’s University, and a Diploma in Public Relations and Certificate in Gerontology, both from Mount Royal University. She has professional designations in advertising (CAAP), public relations (APR), and is just one of 123 Canadians to achieve a Fellow of the Canadian Public Relations Society. She has received international, national and local awards for her work, and was a Top 40 Under 40.

She/her, Jamie is a fourth-generation western Canadian residing in Mohkinstsis and born on the traditional territories of the Musqueam.

Scott Powell, Vice President Finance and Operations

Scott brings over 20 years’ experience in finance and business management to this role. He obtained his Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Calgary and is a member of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Alberta (CPA).  Highly regarded for business acumen and specialized excellence in finance and operations, Scott has worked with multiple federal and provincial ministries and brings a wealth of knowledge from positions in the private, not-for-profit, and public sectors including industries such as the performing arts, Indigenous healthcare, and power and utilities.
 
Scott is a strong and collaborative leader with a track record of mentoring and developing employees, creating operational efficiencies, and bridging cross-functional priorities. Scott passionately contributes to the community and has supported various organizations through Board work.

Nicole Hamilton, Dean, Innovation, Learning and Development

Nicole Hamilton has 20 years experience in higher education.  She has served as a National Vice President Academics and Board Chair for the Canadian Institute of Management, and in several executive roles and directorships in private and entrepreneurial education,  trades and apprenticeship, and at one of the country’s oldest mid-western comprehensive universities, the University of Manitoba.   As a seasoned senior leader, Nicole has launched a variety of strategic initiatives aimed at growth and innovation including the development of centres for teaching and learning, program development and innovation, and internationalization. She has successfully secured more than $2 million in funding for one-of-a-kind proposals that have won unanimous approvals with funders.  Nicole is passionate about setting expectations that obligates quality assurance at a provincial and institutional level.    Nicole has a Bachelor of Arts, a  Masters’ in Business with “summa cum laude” distinction, and a Master’s in Education earned with distinction.  She is currently working on her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership at the University of Calgary.

Dr. Pablo Ortiz- Hernández, Dean of Students

Dr. Pablo Ortiz brings 20 years of experience as a passionate scholar, educator, and leader in the areas of student affairs, Strategic Enrolment Management (SEM), and international education. Pablo holds a PhD in Latin American Literature from the University of Calgary where he was also a faculty member in the Department of French, Italian and Spanish for several years. Pablo is a poet, and his work has been published in Canada, Mexico, and Spain. His research focuses on contemporary poetry and eastern religions (Buddhism, Tantrism, Zen). His doctoral dissertation was published in Germany in 2014. On the leadership path, he spearheaded the International Department at Olds College of Agriculture and Technology from 2013 to 2018. Most recently, Pablo served as Director of Student Affairs for St. Mary’s University where he led several portfolios ranging from Student Success and Accessibility, International Development, Experiential and Work Integrated Learning (EL-WIL), Indigenous Initiatives, as well as the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.

Wendy Harding, Executive Director, People and Culture

As the Executive Director, People and Culture, Wendy provides leadership, strategic direction, and overall management of the areas of HR Services, Payroll, and Legal. Her role is responsible for advancing and championing Equity, Diversity and Inclusion for faculty and staff.

Wendy joined AUArts in 2019 and has over 17 years of experience in human resources from the University of British Columbia and City of Calgary. The specialty areas of her professional practice include labour relations, leadership coaching and advisory services. She is an alumnus of the University of British Columbia and is a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) and a SHRM - Senior Certified Professional.

Cherie Tutt, University Secretary

Cherie brings over a decade of post-secondary experience which includes in-depth governance knowledge and leadership and has worked at universities both in Canada and the United Kingdom. As University Secretary, Cherie provides a link between the governing bodies of the University to ensure a healthy governance culture. In addition to her oversight of the Board and the General Faculties Council, Cherie oversees policy development and is the privacy officer for the university. She is a source of information, advice, and guidance on matters of jurisdiction, strategy, policy and process to all members of the university.

She is an alumnus of Durham University and Royal Roads University and holds the Governance Professional of Canada Designation.