Lynn Kilabuk will succeed Morley Hanson as executive director of the Ottawa-based Inuit college preparation and certificate program Nunavut Sivuniksavut (NS).
The appointment by the NS board of directors was announced on Friday. Kilabuk officially begins to transition into the role on March 15.
Hanson, a stalwart who has been part of the program since 1988, plans to retire as of June.
Kilabuk's background includes senior management positions with Larga Baffin, Qikiqtaaluk Corporation, the NCC Investment Group, Kakivak Association, and Qikiqtani Inuit Association.
"She is well known throughout Nunavut, is respected in working with Inuit and Inuit priorities through her various roles in each organization, and is well-placed to lead NS into its next era," the news release states.
"The NS board of directors is excited to welcome Lynn to our organization. We feel a great deal of gratitude that Lynn has decided to take on the leadership role at NS. We are eager to begin working with her and continue to give opportunities to Inuit who want to advance their education and career endeavours," said Kevin Kablutsiak, chair of NS board of directors. "And as we prepare to bid farewell to Morley Hanson, we are forever indebted to him for dedicating 30-plus years of his life to supporting Nunavut Inuit youth through NS. It's hard to imagine NS without Morley but we will wish him and his family the best."
Kilabuk said, “I am very excited to begin this role with Nunavut Sivuniksavut, as the foundation has been set and as Inuit we can work together for the future.”
NS, which launched with a dozen participants in 1985 under the Tunngavik Federation of Nunavut, now welcomes up to 55 students per year. The program offers certificates in Inuit Studies, and Advanced Inuit Studies in partnership with Algonquin College.
“I’m excited to welcome Lynn into NS and work with her through this transition period to June," Hanson stated. "It’s the beginning of a new phase and new possibilities for NS. NS has been an incredible journey, one for which I will be eternally grateful, for so many reasons. I’m now beginning to think of what life after NS might be like, having more time for family and special projects.”