News release details

The Canadian Museum for Human Rights' senior management, from left to right : Patrick O'Reilly, Chief Operating Officer; Susanne Robertson, Chief Financial Officer; Stuart Murray, President and Chief Executive Officer, Victoria Dickenson, Chief Knowledge Officer and Arni Thorsteinson, Chair of the Museum's Board of Trustees.

"Mr. Murray is a proud Manitoban who has worked throughout his career to promote the province and harness the skills of its many talented people and diverse resources for the benefit of all Manitobans. He has been a supporter of the Museum for a number of years and recognizes the important economic and social benefits it will bring to the city, province, and country," said Arni Thorsteinson, Chair of the CMHR Board. "With his successful business background and experience, he will provide tremendous leadership to the Museum's team as they work towards opening in 2012." 

"The Canadian Museum for Human Rights project has been close to my heart, and the hearts of Manitobans for a number of years," said Mr. Stuart Murray, who will officially assume the role of Chief Executive Officer in November 2009. "The positive impact it will have on Manitoba's arts, cultural, educational, tourism, and technology sectors, will be both an important legacy and exciting challenge to our citizens. I am honoured to be invited to lead the CMHR, as it continues to break new ground in the months and years to come."

With this appointment, the Museum's senior leadership team is now in place. Officers include Mr. Patrick O'Reilly, Chief Operating Officer, Mrs. Susanne Robertson, Chief Financial Officer, and Dr. Victoria Dickenson, Chief Knowledge Officer. The breadth of experience and diversity of this team will ensure that the Museum will become a national and international destination and centre for learning, housed in an iconic structure and featuring world‐class exhibits. 

"On behalf of the Museum's Board of Trustees, I would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to Mr. Patrick O'Reilly who has served as the interim CEO, in addition to his responsibilities as Chief Operating Officer, over the past 13 months. His commitment to this project has been remarkable and we thank him for leading the Museum through its successful first year."

Mr. Murray has served as President and CEO of the St. Boniface Hospital and Research Foundation since 2006. He became Leader of the PC party of Manitoba in 2000 and resigned in 2006. Stuart also worked as President & CEO of DOMO Gasoline Corporation Ltd. from 1989 to 1999. His past positions include working with the Prime Minister of Canada from 1985–1989, Media Director and fundraiser for the Canadian Opera Company as well as Road Manager for the rock band Blood, Sweat & Tears. Stuart has also been very active in the community. As volunteer Chairman of the 1999 World Junior Hockey Championship in Winnipeg, Stuart and his team organized what was the most successful tournament in its 20‐year history. He was also Manitoba Co‐Chair of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet (RWB) Sustaining Applause Campaign, raising in excess of 10 million dollars.

Located in Winnipeg, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights was established as a federal Crown corporation on August 10, 2008 by the Government of Canada as Canada's fifth national museum, the first new Canadian national museum established since Canada's Centennial celebrations in 1967, and the first national museum to be built outside of the National Capital Region. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of human rights, to promote respect for others and to encourage reflection and dialogue.

Angela J. Cassie
Director, Communications and Public Engagement| Directeur, Communications et Mobilisation du public
Canadian Museum for Human Rights | Musée canadien des droits de la personne
269 rue Main Street
Winnipeg (Manitoba)
R3C 1B3
T: (204) 289‑2006
F: (204) 289‑2001

Chief Operating Officer, Patrick O'Reilly
Mr. Patrick O'Reilly was appointed Chief Operating Officer of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in September 2008. Patrick has held numerous executive roles in federal government departments and with the Privy Council Office, including Secretary to the Committee of Deputy Ministers on National Security, Justice and Human Rights, tackling difficult policy issues relating to national security and individual rights, Director of Portfolio Affairs in the Department of Canadian Heritage and most recently Director General, Transition, facilitating the creation of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights on behalf of the federal government. He has previously served as a Governor of Carleton University in Ottawa and is an active community volunteer.

Chief Financial Officer, Susanne Robertson. C.A.
Ms. Susanne Robertson has many years of experience in senior financial roles in the construction, property management and printing industries with Shelter Canadian Properties Limited and Datamark Systems, Inc. In addition, Susanne has held senior leadership roles in not for profit organizations, most recently as National Chair of The Arthritis Society.

Chief Knowledge Officer, Dr. Victoria Dickenson, FCMA
Dr. Victoria Dickenson came to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights from the McCord Museum of Canadian History in Montreal, where she served as Executive Director in August 2009. She holds a Masters degree from the Museum Studies program at the University of Toronto and obtained her PhD in Canadian history from Carleton University (1995). Victoria is an Adjunct Research Professor in the History departments at both McGill and Concordia, and is the recipient of numerous academic awards, prizes and distinctions, including Fellow, Canadian Museums Association (2005) and the Commemorative Medal for the Golden Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (2003). Her experience spans over 35 years in the Canadian and international museum communities, in diverse roles including curator, public programs director, exhibition planner, information technology advisor and interpretive consultant. Throughout her career she has been a proponent of public access to historical information and has taken particular interest in using new media applications to this end.