OTTAWA, ON, July 27, 2022 – The Canadian Marine Careers Foundation (“CMCF”) announced today the appointment of Julia Fields as Executive Director effective August 22, 2022.

Julia joins the CMCF with more than 20 years’ experience in communications and journalism in Canada, the U.S. and the UK, including most recently as the Communications Director with the Chamber of Marine Commerce.

During her 12-years at the Chamber of Marine Commerce, she has built, in collaboration with industry partners, a binational awareness program from scratch that has significantly elevated the profile of Great Lakes-St. Lawrence shipping and its priorities amongst its public, government, and political stakeholders. Her work has taken her aboard ships, to ports and locks, to gain first-hand knowledge of marine working environments and workforce-related challenges and opportunities.

For the past two years, Julia has acted as an advisor to the CMCF working closely with the team, and providing strategic direction and support for the CMCF’s communication activities.

Prior to her role at CMC, Julia developed national publicity strategies for the UK’s highest-rated current affairs programme and held various journalist roles at national newspapers in Scotland, covering high-profile business stories across the country, in Europe and Asia.

“The board of directors is proud to see the CMCF's team grow with the addition of an Executive Director. Julia's success-oriented work ethic, as well as her extensive experience in Canada's marine sector, will help us confidently steer the CMCF in the years to come,” said Stéphanie Aubourg, Chair of the Board of the Canadian Marine Careers Foundation and Chief Human Resources Officer with The CSL Group Inc.

In her role as Executive Director, Julia will implement the vision and mandate of the CMCF, providing leadership in identifying priorities and objectives, directing staff, overseeing program delivery, supporting committees, and ensuring the CMCF’s financial and organizational viability.

“With more than 40% of Canadian mariners expected to retire over the next 10 years, and many more in our shoreside positions, attracting and retaining new talent will be essential to the success of our sector. I’m excited to work with the Foundation team and our industry, government and educational partners to build effective programs that will help ensure marine has a future-ready, inclusive and diverse workforce going forward,” said Julia Fields.

Julia officially joins the CMCF on August 22nd, 2022 and can be reached at jfields@imagine-marine.ca.