MacEwan University announced that Lara McClelland has been appointed as vice-president, University Relations.

“I’m really excited to welcome Lara to MacEwan,” said Dr. Annette Trimbee, president and vice-chancellor. “The breadth and depth of her leadership experience will be a tremendous asset to the University Relations portfolio, and also our wider university community.”

McClelland will be responsible for the strategic leadership and management of the university’s government and community relations, alumni and development, marketing and communications, and website functions.

“MacEwan is growing, and we have a roadmap to guide us on our ongoing journey of Teaching Greatness. Lara will be a great help as we continue to build on our role as Edmonton’s premier undergraduate university,” added Dr. Trimbee.

McClelland brings a depth of leadership experience and knowledge as a leader in the post-secondary education and public sectors.  With over 25 years of progressive leadership experience, she has held executive positions with the Government of Alberta and NAIT and, most recently, the University of Alberta. These positions focused on strategy, strategic and operational planning, capital and facilities oversight, financial operations, policy and analytics. 

Born in Edmonton, McClelland grew up in southern Alberta and returned to the province's capital in 1999. She holds an MSc (Sports Medicine) from the University of Calgary, an executive MBA from Athabasca University, a fellowship in health system improvement from the U of A and is a certified mediator. 

She is passionate about her local community and has served on boards of numerous organizations including her local community league, Boyle McCauley Health Centre and Edmonton West Primary Care Network. She is currently a board member for the City of Edmonton’s Office of the Councillors Budget Review Task Force.

McClelland is the mother of two teenage daughters: one who is enrolled in nursing at MacEwan and the one who is beginning her studies at the U of A this fall. In her free time, McClelland loves being with family, travelling, hiking and almost all outdoor activities.