ANNOUNCEMENT

Banff, ALBERTA – The Banff Centre Board of Governors has announced that Dr. Graeme McDonald is stepping down as president and CEO of The Banff Centre. Dr. McDonald has been on medical leave since March 2000 and continues to receive treatment for health issues related to Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Margot Kitchen, chair of the Board of Governors says, "The past year has been a challenging one for Graeme, and his wife, Susan, and their families and friends. Given the situation, Graeme has decided to leave his position."

As his health permits, Graeme will maintain a relationship with the Centre as counsellor to the Board of Governors. "We are very grateful to Graeme for his inspired leadership to The Banff Centre over the past eight years, and we are pleased that he will continue to be affiliated with us as a most valued resource."

Mary E. Hofstetter, acting president and CEO of The Banff Centre for the past 14 months, was unanimously appointed president and CEO by the Board, effective immediately. "I am extremely happy that Mary will take over the role of president and CEO. Recruiting her to work at the Centre has been my crowning achievement," says McDonald.

Dr. Graeme D. McDonald was born in Edmonton and raised in Provost and Westlock, Alberta. He graduated from the University of Alberta with the Governor General's Gold Medal in Arts in 1965, and received a BA (Honours) in Political Science from the University of Alberta, as well as a MA Regional Studies, East Asia and a PhD History: Modern China from Harvard University. Graeme McDonald was named a member of the Order of Canada by the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada, in the fall of 2000.

In 1993, Dr. McDonald was appointed president and CEO of The Banff Centre. He and his wife Susan Lynch McDonald arrived in Banff with an ambitious financial vision and a relentless drive for program excellence -- characteristics that helped the Centre navigate through the financially challenging times of the 90s, while still managing to develop leading-edge programs.

As a team, Graeme and Susan consciously chose to live their lives immersed in The Banff Centre experience, both giving their very best to advance the goals of the Centre. They attended almost every performance and event, entertained artists and leaders from around the world in their home, and always had an interest in the many young staff who worked at the Centre. Graeme’s leadership style motivated and challenged employees. He encouraged individuals to be champions in their respective areas and to appreciate personal and organizational potential. His drive was strategic, exhaustive, complex, and at the same time invigorating. A favourite Somerset Maugham quote, "It’s a funny thing about life, that if you refuse to accept anything but the very best, you will very often get it," speaks to his true essence.

In 1994, Graeme McDonald initiated and led the successful Creative Edge fund raising campaign, a program designed to generate the revenue needed to attain his vision for the Centre. The plan was to establish a competitive conference business as a means of achieving a high level of financial self-sufficiency to support programming at the Centre. This entrepreneurial model for a post-secondary institution was based on the principle that a learning centre could be operated like a business. The Creative Edge campaign raised $17 million to develop the infrastructure and facilities needed to establish a viable conference business, which now attracts over 30,000 delegates annually and continues to generate essential operating revenue. The Centre has realized a new level of financial stability and is one of the most self-reliant post secondary institutions in Canada, generating almost 75% of revenues from internal sources.

The Creative Edge campaign also supported the development of a new facility for the Music & Sound program. The Music & Sound Building features studios for musicians, administrative offices, and the Rolston Recital Hall. During construction of the Hall, McDonald astutely realized that an inspirational view of the mountains was as essential to the performers as it was to the audience. As a result, Rolston Hall features dramatic windows at both the front and back of the hall, offering outstanding views of the mountains.

Graeme and Susan developed a true appreciation for the mountains and the national park while in Banff, and the creation of the Banff Centre for Mountain Culture (CMC) is personally regarded as one of their most important achievements. The Centre for Mountain Culture celebrates and recognizes the importance of the Centre’s role within, and commitment to, Banff National Park. The CMC provides a forum for mountain enthusiasts to explore mountain related natural and cultural issues; the success of this program area has surpassed all expectations.

During his eight year tenure, Graeme McDonald’s innovative and supportive leadership inspired and influenced the development of many significant programs, including the Canadian Arts Summit, the New Media Institute, the development of many new works in the Centre for the Arts, the Mountain Book Festival, and the Best of the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour. He also encouraged the growth of existing programs including the Banff International String Quartet Competition, The Banff Centre Press, the Banff Mountain Film Festival, and programs within the Centre for Management. Under his tenure, in 1999, the Centre received the designation of National Training Institute by the Department of Canadian Heritage. This designation acknowledges the leadership role the Centre plays across the county and marked the first time in history that the federal government formally recognized the Centre as a national organization.

Dr. McDonald leaves the Centre well positioned for the future. He will be remembered fondly by employees for leading the process to develop The Banff Centre Values and Principles Statement, for his keen sense of humour, quick wit, and his fondness for mental jousting -- on any topic! A true leader, McDonald allowed himself to dream in difficult times, and encouraged his employees to believe in their abilities and to always pursue excellence.

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Visit our Web site for bios, photos, and background information at www.banffcentre.ca/pres

Contact:
Connie MacDonald, Director, Communications, The Banff Centre.
Ph: ( 403) 762-6154 or (403) 762-0932

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