Former Canadian Heritage policy advisor Kelly Wilhelm has been named as the CMF’s first-ever chief strategy officer.

In the newly created role the bilingual strategist will contribute to the future trajectory of the CMF, “with a specific focus on innovation through the lens of industry-wide disruption and opportunities for growth,” the organization said in a release.

Reporting to CMF president and CEO Valerie Creighton, Wilhelm will be based in Ottawa. Her first day on the job is Aug. 19.

Wilhelm’s resume includes more than 20 years of experience in Canada’s creative industries, as well as extensive experience in both stakeholder and government relations.

Most recently, Wilhelm served as an independent strategist for organizations like the City of Toronto, the National Gallery of Canada, the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity and the National Arts Centre. Prior to this, from May 2016 to July 2018, she worked on files in the television, digital media, broadcasting, film and news media sector as part of her role as senior policy advisor to the Minister of Canadian Heritage.

She also worked at the Canada Council for the Arts for over 10 years, joining the team as partnership and networks coordinator in 2005, before moving up the ranks to head, policy, planning and partnership and finally, director of policy, planning and strategic foresight at the organization in 2015. Early on in her career, she also worked for the Canadian Museums Association and the Privy Council Office.

The announcement comes two months after the CMF reorganized its executive team, upping Sandra Collins to COO, Rodd Butler to director, program and policy and Svitlana Levit to director, finance and administration.