From: Melanie A. Woodin, President
To: University of Toronto community
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Kelly Hannah-Moffat as Presidential Advisor on People Strategy and Leadership Transition for a one-year term, effective July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. In this role, Professor Hannah-Moffat will serve as a strategic advisor to me and to the Vice-President, People, Finance and Digital Services during an important leadership transition period for the University.
Kelly brings extraordinary experience, institutional knowledge, and principled leadership to this role. Since joining the University of Toronto in 1999, she has held a number of senior academic and administrative appointments, including Vice-President, People Strategy, Equity and Culture; Vice-President, Human Resources and Equity; Interim Dean and Vice-Principal Academic at U of T Mississauga; Vice-Dean, Undergraduate; Chair of Sociology; and Director of the Centre for Criminology & Sociolegal Studies.
Over the course of her leadership at U of T, Kelly has played a pivotal role in advancing institutional priorities related to equity, inclusion, workplace culture, leadership development, labour relations, and organizational transformation. She has championed initiatives to strengthen equity-informed hiring and leadership practices, expand support for affinity groups and Indigenous communities, and modernize institutional approaches to people strategy and workforce development. Her leadership was especially significant during the COVID-19 pandemic, when she helped guide the University’s response across human resources, labour relations, crisis management, and employee support functions.
As Presidential Advisor on People Strategy and Leadership Transition, Kelly will continue to serve as the University’s senior administrative contact for matters related to the University Pension Plan and fulfill her responsibilities as one of the University’s appointed Employer Sponsor Committee members. She will also provide insight, mentorship, and support to the new Executive Director, Labour Relations and team in relation to collective bargaining, while supporting the transition of Human Resources, Labour Relations, Indigenous Initiatives, Institutional Equity, and Safety and High-Risk operations to new leadership. Please join me in congratulating Kelly on this appointment and in thanking her for her continued leadership and service to the University of Toronto.