New Chief of Staff Appointed At University of Guelph
Leslie Muñoz, a policy and intergovernmental relations expert who played a key information-gathering and advocacy role for the City of Guelph during the COVID-19 pandemic, has been named chief of staff to the president of the University of Guelph.
Muñoz will start Feb. 6.
The appointment was announced by U of G president Dr. Charlotte Yates, who also thanked interim chief of staff Scott Hickey for his service during the past several months.
“I’m delighted that Leslie Muñoz will join the University of Guelph,” said Yates.
“They bring a wealth of policy and advisory experience at all levels of government. This experience will prove invaluable to us at U of G as we look to implement our new strategic plan, seize opportunities for continued growth and distinction in our teaching and research, and navigate various challenges facing our University and the post-secondary sector.”
Dr. Charlotte Yates, president
Well-regarded in various Guelph civic and volunteer circles, Muñoz was recently manager of policy and intergovernmental relations for the City of Guelph’s chief administrative officer.
Besides providing policy advice and government relations support to Council and senior leaders, Muñoz led the development and implementation of the City’s intergovernmental strategy, worked with varied stakeholders to promote City interests and helped lead development of policy positions.
They secured significant funding from senior government levels, supported Mayor Cam Guthrie’s tenure as chair of Ontario’s Big City Mayors and established a framework for City engagement with Indigenous governments.
Muñoz is just finishing their time as an Action Canada Fellow with the Public Policy Forum of Canada, and earlier was a policy adviser with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario. They are also an Ontario Legislature Internship Program alum.
They have volunteered with the Guelph Arts Council, Lutherwood Employment Services in Guelph and the Hispanic Canadian Heritage Council in Toronto.
Muñoz holds an MA in political economy and a bachelor of public affairs and policy management (specializing in human rights), both from Carleton University.