Robbie Shaw appointed as advisor at Faculty of Management

Robbie Shaw has been appointed Executive Advisor to the Dean for Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Management. The new position was created to advance the Faculty’s efforts in developing relationships in the business community and in fundraising.

“We are extremely fortunate to have Robbie join our team as an advisor. His career spans a wide range of senior management roles in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors, in each of which he has applied himself with integrity and the utmost professionalism. He exemplifies the kind of graduates we strive to produce with all of our undergraduate and graduate management programs in our schools of business, public administration, resource and environmental studies and information management. Robbie will be invaluable in furthering our Faculty’s involvement in the life of our region’s business community, government, and non-profit sectors,” said Peggy Cunningham, Dean, Faculty of Management.

Mr. Shaw’s most recent role was as president and CEO of the IWK Health Foundation. In that position, he was recognized as one of the Top 50 CEOs in Atlantic Canada according to Atlantic Business magazine in each of the last three years. At 69, most people would be well into their retirement, but Mr. Shaw is delighted to be working in this three-day-per-week position.

“I have a history of staying at jobs for five years; this is my tenth in 45 years. Nothing in me says I should retire to drink coffee and read the paper; it’s not in my DNA,” he said.

“Dalhousie University has been an integral part of my life. I am a Dal grad, past-president of the student union, and was the first student to serve on the Board of Governors (under Henry Hicks). I tended bar at many receptions at Henry Hicks’ house, which helped pay my way through law school. In the 80s I was VP of Finance and Administration and in the early 90s I was Vice-Chair of the capital campaign. It has been a lifelong relationship and joining the Faculty of Management is an exciting way to cap off that relationship,” said Shaw.

Commenting on his new boss and role, Mr. Shaw said, “I’ve gotten to know Peggy over the last 18 months and have come to admire her vision for the Faculty of Management. She brings superb leadership skills, a wealth of experience and significant academic achievement to her role. She is the kind of person I like to work with. I will try to develop more intimate relationships between the Faculty and the maritime business community as I have done in past positions. Plus, I will be doing a fair amount of public sector relationship development and helping out with major gift fundraising.”