The University of British Columbia has selected Kari Grist to be Managing Director of the newly created Department of Communications & Marketing. She will join the portfolio of incoming Vice President of Communications and Community Partnership, Pascal Spothelfer.
Kari Grist comes to UBC after serving as Senior Vice president, Marketing and Client Engagement with Offsetters, Canada’s first and leading provider of carbon management solutions.
Prior career highlights include VP Marketing for Vancity where she led the brand marketing revitalization, and 17 years in aviation including at Canadian Airlines, where she helped define the oneworld brand and customer experience.
Kari Grist has been widely recognized by the industry, winning a string of awards for her innovative and creative work, including a Clio for Offsetters’ Olympic activation campaign. She was named BC Marketer of the Year in 2005 for her work with Vancity.
“We are very fortunate to be able to benefit from Kari’s talent and vision,” said Pascal Spothelfer. “I look very much forward to working with her in getting UBC more widely recognized as the world leader it truly is.” Pascal Spothelfer joins UBC on May 28th, replacing outgoing VP External, Legal and Community Relations Stephen Owen.
In her new position, Kari will provide strategic leadership for the university’s internal and external communications and marketing, including the further development of the UBC brand.
“I am delighted to have the opportunity to shape and guide a world class brand such as UBC,” said Kari. “It will be a pleasure to work in close cooperation with Pascal’s team and with the President’s Office.”
Kari Grist will lead the current Public Affairs department’s design, web and brand teams, while the Public Affairs department will focus on media relations and issues management. Kari starts in her role at the University on July 2nd, 2012.
