From Dr. Sean Riley:

“Mary Coyle Completes Her Term as Leader at the Coady International Institute”

Ms. Mary Coyle has been Director of the Coady International Institute since 1997, and also a University Vice President at St. Francis Xavier University since 2003.  Mary Coyle will be completing her term in July 2010.

Dr. Sean Riley, StFX President, issued a statement congratulating Mary Coyle on her success and completion of the longest tenure as Director in the 50- year history of the Coady International Institute:

“Mary Coyle has left an indelible mark on the history of the Coady International Institute. She, together with the entire Coady staff, has expanded the work of the Institute and positioned it even more strongly as Canada’s center for education of development professionals and innovation in development practice. The Coady International Institute now has 5000 graduates working in over 130 countries. Over the past 13 years, Mary Coyle has been an inspiration to this world-wide network. She has also broadened the financial support and active engagement of Canadians across the country.  In 2009, this work culminated in the opening of a vastly expanded home for the Institute in the historic heart of the StFX campus and in the highly successful 50th anniversary celebrations of the Institute.

Mary’s decision not to extend her contract comes at a time when there is every reason to be confident that recent achievements will continue to bear fruit on into the future.  We are pleased as well that Mary will continue in an advisory role for a time after stepping down as director.
On behalf of the Board of Governors and the entire StFX community, I extend thanks and best wishes to Mary for the future.
 
Mr. Gordon Cunningham, currently Coady’s Assistant Director, and longtime senior staff member, has agreed to serve as interim Director.  A national and international search for a Director will be launched in the near future.

Below is a letter from Mary.
 

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Dear Friends and Colleagues,

After 13 and a half rewarding years, I will be concluding my term as Director, Coady International Institute and Vice President, St. Francis Xavier University on July 31.  I have made a decision to take some time out for family, study and consideration of the next stage of my career.  I have gladly agreed to stay on in an advisory role for a period of transition.

For me, the time here at St. Francis Xavier University has been profoundly rewarding.  It has been a genuine honour to have been entrusted with this leadership opportunity at such an historic period in the evolution of the Coady International Institute.

I have had the privilege and pleasure to work with a dynamic, talented and globally experienced staff team.  Together we have focused our efforts on expanding and improving the Coady Institute’s leadership education, research and youth programs.  We have grown our innovation partnerships and our vibrant alumni networks around the world.  We have also successfully built linkages here in Canada with our Extension and XEDC colleagues.

I take great pride in the achievements of our graduates and partners.  They are putting their Coady education into action in order to further human development.  It has been inspiring to meet and work with so many committed leaders over the years.  Our Coady Youth Associates have never failed to impress me with their dynamism and dedication.

I would like to thank Dr. Riley in particular.  He encouraged me to take on this role 13 years ago and his understanding of the role and importance of Coady to the fabric of the University has allowed Coady to flourish.  I value greatly the support I have received from my colleagues in senior administration, StFX academic leadership, all faculty and staff.  StFX is a very special place to work.

I appreciate having had the guidance of the StFX Board of Governors and also as a governor myself, participating in many key university decisions.  The Coady Advisory Board has become an invaluable resource providing me and the Institute with wise strategic insight.

An incredibly generous and informed group of local, national and international supporters joined us to build a beautiful and functional new home on campus, extend our programming reach and establish a stronger financial base.  This expanded Coady “community” believes in the value and impact of our work and will be an important part of the successes experienced by Coady under the next Director and Vice President.

As this stage of my relationship with StFX and the Coady Institute comes to a close, I feel confident in our people, our strong institutional foundation and the high impact strategy that are in place.

Coady has a 50 year legacy of excellence in leadership education and an exciting future ahead.  I personally look forward to a continuing, long association with the Institute and St FX, as a resident of Antigonish and through any opportunities to contribute further professionally.

I want to thank everyone I have worked with for your generosity, support and understanding.

With great affection and respect,

Mary Coyle