StrategyCorp’s David MacNaughton to become Canada’s next Ambassador to the United States
Canadian business leader, David MacNaughton, selected to become Canada’s next Ambassador to the United States
MacNaughton to leave his post as Chairman at StrategyCorp, a public affairs, communications, and management consulting firm, at the end of February 2016
January 16, 2016 – Toronto – David MacNaughton will be appointed by the Governor General of Canada to become Canada’s next Ambassador to the United States, succeeding former Manitoba Premier Gary Doer. MacNaughton assumes this post after a 35-year career as a business executive and public affairs consultant.
“I’m honoured to become Canada’s diplomatic representative with our most important economic and national security partner,” said David MacNaughton, Chairman of StrategyCorp. “The relationship between Canada and the United States is as important today as it has ever been. I look forward to serving Prime Minister Trudeau, the Government of Canada, and the Canadian people to ensure we expand and deepen our productive and constructive relationship with our closest ally and neighbour.”
MacNaughton departs StrategyCorp after serving as its Chairman for the past decade. During his 35-year career in business and politics, he has been credited with shaping the public affairs industry in Canada.
In the 1980s, MacNaughton transformed the industry by building an organization that, for the first time, comprised government relations, public opinion research and public relations. After selling his business in 1989, David became President of Canada’s largest government and public relations firm and subsequently North American President of the world’s largest public relations firm.
MacNaughton’s public sector experience includes work at both the federal and provincial levels of government. At the federal level he served for six years as a senior advisor to the Hon. Don Jamieson, successively Minister for the Departments of Transport, Industry and Foreign Affairs.
A long-time political strategist, MacNaughton has been involved federally in numerous election and political campaigns. In 2015, MacNaughton served as Ontario co-chair for the federal Liberal campaign that was successful in electing Justin Trudeau as Prime Minister.
“I’ll certainly miss my colleagues at StrategyCorp, but I’m leaving the firm in good hands with the strongest cohort of professionals the firm has ever fielded – making it the best in the business,” added MacNaughton.
MacNaughton will be departing the firm after a brief transition period in order to assume his new role as Canada’s Ambassador to the United States.
NOTE: The Globe and Mail made reference to Leslie Noble as having some role in assisting MacNaughton in fulfilling his responsibilities. This is inaccurate. Ms. Noble will not be taking up any role in Washington and will remain at StrategyCorp to continue to build her strategy and reputation management practice at the firm she co-founded 20 years ago.
About StrategyCorp
StrategyCorp integrates public affairs, communications, and management consulting to create the conditions our clients need to succeed. We master the substance and politics of each project to manage challenges and capitalize on opportunities in the areas of business, public policy, and reputation. Learn more about StrategyCorp at www.strategycorp.com.
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