The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) Board of Governors announced today the appointment of Dr. Marie Bountrogianni as its new President and Executive Director, beginning on November 1, 2007. Dr. Bountrogianni was a Member of the Provincial Parliament of Ontario from June 1999 to October, 2007, representing the riding of Hamilton-Mountain. Since June, 2005, Dr. Bountrogianni served as Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs for Ontario, and Minister, Democratic Renewal. Previously, she served as Minister of Children and Youth Services and Minister of Citizenship and Immigration for Ontario.
“The ROM Governors are delighted to welcome a woman of such diverse experience and depth of commitment to public endeavours,” said James Temerty, Chair of the ROM Governors Board. “Dr. Bountrogianni brings evident passion for the ROM to her role, and we anticipate with pleasure working with her to build on the ROM’s capacities and mission in the years ahead.”
The ROM Governors are responsible for the museum’s philanthropic, sponsorship and membership programs, including the Renaissance ROM Capital Campaign under the Chair of the Hon. Hilary M. Weston. The Renaissance ROM Campaign, one of the largest fundraising initiatives in Canadian cultural history, supports the restoration of the Royal Ontario Museum’s heritage buildings and galleries, the addition of the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal – a remarkable landmark building to Toronto’s vibrant cityscape – and the transformation of the Museum into a major international destination in cultures and natural history for Toronto and Canada.
“For many years, culture and the arts have been my passion" said Dr. Bountrogianni. "The opportunity to engage diverse communities from across the province – and across the country – in generating support for a remarkable institution like the ROM is truly exciting. I look forward to working with this outstanding group of volunteers, donors and supporters to build upon their tremendous efforts to date."
Dr. Bountrogianni holds a Doctorate in Education from the University of Toronto. Before entering the Provincial Parliament in 1999, she was Chief Psychologist, Hamilton Wentworth District School Board, and was active in education in various capacities. She has also served on the board of St. Peter’s Hospital in Hamilton, among other community involvements. During her term as the Minister of Children and Youth Services, Dr. Bountrogianni unveiled the Best Start Plan, a substantial expansion of child care across Ontario. As Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, she helped to negotiate equitable funding for Ontario's new Canadians, raising federal support from approximately $800 dollars per newcomer to $3,800 per newcomer by 2009-2010. Dr. Bountrogianni cites the passage of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act as her proudest accomplishment during her tenure at Queen’s Park. She did not contest the election of Oct. 10, 2007.
The Royal Ontario Museum is an agency of the Government of Ontario with a Board of Trustees and under the leadership of William Thorsell, Director and CEO. The ROM Board of Governors is a private-sector board made up of 31 diverse business and civic leaders primarily from communities across Ontario, but with national representation. The ROM Governors are entrusted with the long-term financial health of the ROM, and with shaping the future of the Museum in conjunction with the ROM Board of Trustees. A full list of Board members and more information about the Governors are available at www.rom.on.ca
Renaissance ROM has raised nearly $230 million in support of the museum’s capital renovation and expansion, including $157.4 million from the private sector and $72 million from the public. In addition, $35.6 million has been raised for priorities related to the Renaissance ROM project, bringing the total raised to date during this Campaign to $265 million.
Last June, the ROM opened the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal, designed by Daniel Libeskind, as the latest phase in its 10-year capital development plan. Permanent galleries in the Lee-Chin Crystal will begin opening with the James and Louise Temerty Galleries of the Age of Dinosaurs on December 15, 2007, and will be completed by early April, 2008. A further phase of renovated galleries will be installed within the ROM’s historic buildings by 2010.