Mary Van Buren Starts as CCA President

OTTAWA, Monday October 16, 2017 — Mary Van Buren, a bilingual marketing, strategy and digital expert, started as the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) president today.

Mary Van Buren

Mary has worked in the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors and has held executive roles at leading associations and not-for-profits, including the Canadian Medical Association’s subsidiary, MD Financial Management, and Export Development Canada. In her most recent role as vice-president of marketing and IT at the Canadian Real Estate Association, Mary led a team of 60 to grow its premier services, REALTOR.ca and WEBForms® in the double digits.

Mary holds an MBA in international business from McGill and a B. Com from the University of Ottawa and is a Certified Association Executive.

Marketing Expertise and Bilingualism Assets

CCA is celebrating its centennial in 2018 and currently going through a strategic planning exercise. “Mary’s background in strategy and marketing will be an asset shaping the plan for the next five years and communicating our new priorities and initiatives to our partner associations and members,” said Chris McNally, CCA chair.

Most construction associations in Quebec are now CCA partner associations. CCA’s materials and newsletters are published in both official languages and simultaneous translation has been added for the board meetings and some conference sessions. “Having a bilingual president will further strengthen our capabilities and ties with the Quebec-based partner associations,” remarked Chris.

I’m Thrilled and Honored

“It’s an exciting time to join CCA and the construction industry. I’m thrilled and honored to work with our executive committee, CCA board and our partner associations to improve the value of the association and to advance the interests of the construction industry, a cornerstone of the Canadian economy,” said Mary.

Thanking Retiring President Michael Atkinson

Michael Atkinson, who first joined CCA in 1981, has held CCA president’s position since 1993. “Michael has been absolutely instrumental to CCA’s success for several decades,” said Chris. “We all wish him happy retirement.”

Additional Information

Mary Van Buren’s bio

Contact

Kirsi O’Connor
Director, Communications
613-236-9455, ext. 417
koconnor@cca-acc.com