Vice-President, External Relations

Michael den Haan

headshot of Michael den Haan, Vice President, External Relations

Michael den Haan brings over 25 years of executive and board experience in fundraising, campaigns, alumni and volunteer engagement, communications, governance, and external relations in the education, health, and environmental sectors. Previous to joining Lakehead, den Haan served as Vice President, Advancement and Alumni Engagement at Simon Fraser University. Michael is also a Director with Ecology Project International and a Beedie Luminaries mentor to university students. Michael earned a Master’s in History from Queen’s University (Kingston) and is a certified fundraising professional (CFRE).

Position Overview

As a member of Lakehead’s Executive Team, the Vice-President, External Relations (VPER) provides a comprehensive, integrated approach to communications, marketing and web development, advancement and philanthropy, alumni engagement, and in close collaboration with government relations.

The VPER is responsible for fulfilling the mandate of Lakehead University by building public understanding and support for Lakehead’s mission and vision. The VPER helps ensure that Lakehead is reaching philanthropic revenue goals and offering exceptional experiences for individuals (alumni and friends) and organizations (companies, foundations, granting agencies, etc.) who engage with Lakehead University.