October 9, 2014, Toronto, ON -The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) Board of Governors announced today the appointment of Susan Horvath as its new President & CEO, beginning on Monday, December 1, 2014.
Susan is a seasoned philanthropic executive with diverse leadership experience in the healthcare, education and research industries. Most recently, she served as Vice President, Philanthropy for the Canadian Cancer Society from 2011 to 2014, where she was responsible for establishing the first national comprehensive campaign to realize new levels of investments to help eradicate cancer and enhance the quality of life for people living with cancer. Prior to joining the Canadian Cancer Society, Susan was President of the Mount Sinai Hospital Foundation from 2007 to 2010, inspiring philanthropic support for medical research and leading the completion of a $416 million fundraising campaign called The Best Medicine Campaign.
"The ROM Governors are pleased to welcome a new leader with such a wealth of knowledge and passion for the Museum," said Robert Pierce, Chair of the ROM Board of Governors. "We are looking forward to working with Susan to engage the community during our Centennial and plan exciting philanthropic initiatives to celebrate Canada's 150th anniversary in a meaningful way."
The ROM Governors office is committed to the long-term financial health of the Museum, raising and directing funds for its highest priorities and fostering sustainable relationship s of exceptional value both to the institution and its donors. The ROM Governors office is also accountable for a variety of the Museum 's philanthropic, sponsorship and patron programs. The ROM Board of Governors is a private-sector philanthropic board made up of 28 diverse business and civic leaders primarily from communities across Ontario.
"I am very excited to be joining the ROM family at an iconic Canadian cultural institution and world-leading museum, as it aims to inspire greater philanthropic support in the years ahead," said Susan Horvath. "I believe in the value of the ROM to shape, educate and enrich lives and the significant role it plays in our community."
Susan's fundraising career was preceded by a decade as an academic on faculty at Brescia University College at the University of Western Ontario, where she taught and researched clothing, textiles and historic costume. She credits the ROM for sparking an early passion in world cultures and inspiring her to pursue an education in textiles and historic costume.
Recognized with the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation in 1995,Susan received the SIRIUS Award for Fund Raising Excellence from the London & Region Fund Raising Executives in 1997. The Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education honoured Susan for her leadership in 2002. In 2012, Susan was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Carmelle Murphy Alumnae Award of Distinction from Brescia University College. Susan 's commitment to philanthropy is exemplified i n her current role as the Past-President of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) for the Greater Toronto Chapter.