Maureen Duncan

Chancellor's Community Recognition Award

Fall 2010 Convocation

Maureen Duncan is the former chief executive officer of the United Way of Greater Victoria. Credited with helping transform the organization into a more inclusive community model, she began her career there as a bookkeeper in 1983. She worked her way through the ranks to CEO in 1996 before retiring from that role in March 2010.A results-oriented senior professional, Maureen Duncan has more than 35 years of progressive experience in the private and not-for-profit sectors. She has combined that accumulated expertise with a formal education in business administration, demonstrating time and again a commitment to leadership, partnership and community.

Born in England, Maureen Duncan came to Canada with her first husband in 1965. After a year in Prince George, the young couple moved to Vancouver where they began raising a family. Their two sons now live in Victoria and their daughter lives in Vancouver. Divorced in the late seventies, Maureen Duncan spent several years raising the children alone and working before meeting her second husband Jerry. They have been married 25 years and have three grandchildren.

Maureen Duncan's remarkable energy, enthusiasm and ongoing commitment to capacity-building provided the United Way of Greater Victoria with a solid foundation for effective participation in growth and community development. She is a sought-after resource - known for solid planning and organizational skills and ability to deliver results in a high-pressure, multi-task environment. While Maureen Duncan was CEO, the United Way of Greater Victoria not only raised $64-million; it opened new funding channels to all social services and began working more with non-profits, governments, businesses and citizens to improve the quality of life of local people.

In her role as CEO, Maureen Duncan was involved in the Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness, the Downtown Service Providers Committee, the Interlock Employee and Family Assistance Corporation of Canada, the United Way B.C. Steering Committee, the United Way of Canada President's Advisory Committee and the B.C. Government/Non Profit Steering Committee. She has also served as president of Harbourside Rotary and continues her connection as a member of the Harbourside Foundation Board. Maureen Duncan continues to serve as well as co-chair of the University of Victoria's Office of Community Based Research Steering Committee.

A strong community leader and role model with exceptional strategic and analytical skills, Maureen Duncan was the 2010 recipient of the CFAX Community Leader of the Year Award.

Maureen Duncan knows how to connect a community to the services it needs. From professional appointments to volunteer work, she has a reputation for delivering with class and skill.

She began her career as a bookkeeper for the United Way of Greater Victoria in 1983. It wasn't long though before she worked her way up the ranks to chief executive officer in 1996. Her enthusiasm, energy and insight led the organization to a more inclusive community model. New funding channels were opened to all social services in the area and $64 million was raised in her 14 years leading the organization. That was her legacy when she retired in March 2010.

Maureen Duncan was born in Nottingham, England. Her father was a manager at an armaments factory where he served during the Second World War until his retirement. Her mother was a progressive woman who worked outside the home, maintaining a strong sense of independence.

Maureen Duncan moved to Canada in 1965, settling first in Prince George before moving to Vancouver to start a family. She is the mother of three children - two sons and a daughter.

With more than 35 years of experience in the private and not-for-profit sectors, she combines an education in business administration with an enthusiastic approach to connecting people. Her strong strategic and analytical skills have helped her strengthen community partnerships and find real solutions to improve the quality of life for everyone involved. Her extensive list of community contacts speaks to the level of respect she has earned.

In her role as chief executive officer for the United Way she was involved in several organizations, including the Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness, Downtown Service Providers Committee, United Way BC Steering Committee, United Way of Canada President's Advisory Committee, BC Government/Non-Profit Steering Committee and co-chair of the Office of Community Based Research Steering Committee.

Her volunteer affiliations are extensive and include chair or co-chair roles with organizations such as Interlock Employee and Family Assistance Corporation of Canada, the University of Victoria Office of Community-Based Research Steering Committee, and the Mayor's Task Force on Breaking the Cycle of Mental Illness, Additions and Homelessness.

She was a 2010 recipient of the C-FAX Community Leader of the Year Award.

For her unwavering commitment to the community, Royal Roads University is honoured to present Maureen Duncan with the Chancellor's Community Recognition Award.