University of Manitoba elects Dave Angus as its next Chancellor
David Angus [BComm/82], a passionate Manitoban, respected business leader, dedicated volunteer, and advocate for the people and communities of Manitoba, will become the 15th Chancellor of the University of Manitoba on June 1, 2025.
The announcement was made today by UM President and Vice-Chancellor, Michael Benarroch, at the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, State of the City luncheon.
The University’s Committee of Election – a joint session of the University’s Board of Governors and Senate – approved the unanimous recommendation of the Chancellor Search Committee that Dave Angus be elected as the next Chancellor for a three-year term. He will succeed the current Chancellor, Anne Mahon, who has served in this volunteer role with distinction since 2019.
“With decades of dedicated service to our province as a business leader, community builder, and advocate for Manitoba and its people, Dave Angus is exceptionally well-suited to serve as Chancellor of the University of Manitoba. He brings a unique combination of experience, insight, and energy, and will work with both the University community and the broader public to promote and celebrate the University of Manitoba, helping to shape an even stronger university for the future,” says Lynette Magnus [BComm/91], Chair of the Board of Governors and Chair of the Chancellor Search Committee.
The Chancellor is the ceremonial head of the University, responsible for conferring all degrees and diplomas. The Chancellor Search Committee identified the capacity to serve as a strong ambassador for the University within the broader community and to contribute meaningfully to its governance as key criteria for selection.
“Through my involvement in the community, particularly the Chamber of Commerce, I saw how impactful the University of Manitoba is and developed a deep appreciation for its stature among universities across Canada, and internationally,” says Dave Angus. “There are so many layers to the impact of this university and if I can play a role in spreading that message and bringing people to the University through partnerships, then that’s a role I am honoured to play.”
Since graduating from the Asper School of Business in 1982, Angus has dedicated himself to strengthening Manitoba’s business community and supporting local organizations. His leadership excellence was recognized in 2012 when he was named Canada’s top chamber of commerce executive. Before becoming President of Johnston Group, a leading employee benefits company, Angus was President and CEO of The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce for 17 years.
A member of the Order of Manitoba, he volunteers extensively, sitting on the United Way Campaign Cabinet for eight of its annual drives and serving as campaign chair in 2020. He is Chair of the Friends of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, a member of the museum’s Audit and Finance Committee, its Governance, Nominating, and Board Development Committee, and is actively involved in fundraising for the museum’s Digital Learning Centre project.
Through his involvement with the United Way, Angus is rallying local businesses in furthering their adoption of the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action, specifically Call to Action #92, which focuses on youth employment. He conceived and championed an Employer Consortium model that supports business-to-business learning, helping local employers learn from each other, scale up their efforts, and collectively respond to Call to Action #92.
“Dave Angus is someone who leads by example,” says Benarroch. “He embodies an entrepreneurial spirit we want to impart into more students—this idea of looking at the challenges that surround us and saying, ‘OK, what can I do to solve this, and who else can help?’ He brings people together to make this community better. I’m excited for him to bring this passion to our campus and advise us on how we can engage and partner with even more people.”
Dave Angus has served our community in many roles, including: Past-chair and sitting member of the Joint Public Advisory Committee of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation; Co-chair of the Board of the World Trade Centre Winnipeg; Co-chair of the Winnipeg Poverty Reduction Council; board member of the Manitoba Museum; board member of Winnipeg’s Downtown Council; Canadian representative on the Board of Directors of the American Chamber of Commerce Executives; Co-chair of the Council of International Trade; member of the City of Winnipeg’s Red Tape Commission; member of the Mayor’s Trade Council; Board Chair of the Prairie Theatre Exchange; and board member of the YM/YWCA.