Media Release - For Immediate Release
July 9 2010
Prominent Financial Leader Appointed as Chancellor
Robert (Bob) Kelly |
1975 Graduate Bob Kelly to Succeed Dr. David Sobey
One of North America's leading financiers has agreed to serve as Chancellor for Saint Mary's University.
Bob Kelly, Chairman/CEO of BNY Mellon, agreed to take on the role late last month. Michele Wood-Tweel, Chair of the University Board of Governors, said the Board unanimously approved the move on June 28th. As Chancellor he will act as a key ambassador and advocate for the University, and also sit as an ex-officio member on its Board of Governors.
“Mr. Kelly has been a friend of the university for many years. He has returned to campus frequently to speak to our students and participate in our events. We are delighted he has agreed to take on this new role,” said Wood-Tweel.
Born in Nova Scotia, Kelly is a graduate of Saint Mary’s (BComm ’75) and received an Honorary Doctorate (‘97) from Cass Business School, City University, London (MBA). He is also a Fellow Chartered Accountant and a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nova Scotia .
“I was proud to follow my father’s footsteps (Class of 1939) and carry on a family tradition by attending Saint Mary’s, where I received a solid foundation in fundamental business skills and leadership – both of which are so important to succeed in any industry,” Kelly said. “At Saint Mary's students receive a world-class education that prepares them for today’s extremely competitive environments, whether that is business, government or any other profession.”
Following graduation, he spent 19 years with TD Bank, rising to the position of Vice Chairman. He moved to Wachovia Corporation in 2000 where he served as CFO. He then was Chairman, President and CEO of Mellon Financial from February 2006 until its July 2007 merger with The Bank of New York.
BNY Mellon has 49,000 employees and is a worldwide leader in asset management and securities servicing. It has $22.4 trillion in assets under custody and administration, $1.1 trillion in assets under management, services $11.8 trillion in outstanding debt and processes global payments averaging $1.5 trillion per day.
Institutional Investor magazine named Kelly one of America’s best CFOs in 2004, 2005 and 2006 and one of America's Best CEO's in 2009. He was also listed as a top 10 financial CEO by U.S. Banker magazine in 2006 and 2007. He is Chairman of the Financial Services Forum, President of the Federal Advisory Council of the Federal Reserve Board, a member of the Board of Directors of the Financial Services Roundtable and the Institute of International Finance (IIF) as well as a member of the Board of Trustees of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City, and Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh.
University President J. Colin Dodds said Kelly is also noted for his community service work. Earlier this year he was named the 2010 recipient of the gold medal from the American Irish Historical Society. The prize recognizes his role in establishing his company’s community partnership program, an initiative that has raised more than US$26 million and seen BNY Mellon volunteers log more than 45,000 hours helping 3,000 non-profit organizations.
“We look forward to working with Bob to take the Saint Mary's message into the community and to students aspiring to his level of success in business or other disciplines. He is a great role model,” Dr. Dodds said.
Kelly’s term begins immediately and he takes up this position from Dr. David Sobey, who has served with distinction as the first lay Chancellor of the University since 2008.
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For More Information:
Steve Proctor
External Affairs
Saint Mary's University
(902) 420.5513
E-mail: steve.proctor@smu.ca
www.smu.ca
This page last modified Monday, 10-Jan-2011 15:35:38 AST