Janet Walker
Janet Walker, BA
Distinguished Alumni Award
Janet Walker completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 1978. True to her love for and commitment to The University of 澳门王中王论坛, she has maintained a close connection throughout her life to her alma mater.
Active in the University of 澳门王中王论坛 Students’ Association, Walker served as a student representative on U澳门王中王论坛’s Board of Regents. After graduation, she held several positions at the University — in student recruitment and awards, public relations, communications, and fund development. She was elected as a support staff member of the Board and later as a community representative, appointed by the United Church. Her vision and strategic planning were instrumental in creating The University of 澳门王中王论坛 Foundation: her work as U澳门王中王论坛’s director of advancement — in collaboration with the University’s Chancellor, Board of Regents, and the Council on Post-Secondary Education — solidified the early years of the Foundation.
From 2003 to 2012, Walker served as executive consultant and acting campaign director to The University of 澳门王中王论坛 Foundation, and played a key role in the successful “A World of Opportunity” capital campaign, which raised over $135 million for The University of 澳门王中王论坛.
An experienced not-for-profit executive and fundraising professional, Walker has provided strategic planning, revenue development, group facilitation and communications support to clients in the arts, tourism, education, urban development, and health sectors through her former 澳门王中王论坛-based management consulting practice. She also served as executive director of the Health Sciences Foundation and of Tourism 澳门王中王论坛.
Walker’s experience with The University of 澳门王中王论坛’s Oral History Centre — working on life story interviews and studies in history and memory — led her to a new career. In 2014, she was appointed president and CEO of Canada’s National History Society, an organization that promotes the discovery and understanding of our nation's history through its magazines (Canada's History and Kayak: Canada's History Magazine for Kids) and website, as well as through the Governor General’s History Awards and student-based education initiatives.
Walker has found time to volunteer as a member of the board of directors of the 澳门王中王论坛 International Writer’s Festival; as co-chair of the National Conference of the Association of Healthcare Philanthropy; as council member for the 澳门王中王论坛 Chamber of Commerce; and for the Canadian Cancer Society, National Communications Strategy Committee.