Robert Wyatt was awarded the degree of Doctor of Laws, honouris causa, at the 2:00 p.m. ceremony on Tuesday, June 13, “in recognition of his thoughtful leadership in philanthropic innovation and careful custodianship of volunteer agencies.”
He joined The Muttart Foundation as executive director in 1989, after a career in journalism, public relations and government relations. For more than 20 years, he has worked on issues related to the regulation of charities. He has initiated processes by which the sector and government are able to use problem-solving techniques to resolve issues of mutual concern.
He served as co-chair of the Joint Regulatory Table, a part of the unique Voluntary Sector Initiative created by the federal government.
He has served on the boards of a number of organizations, including Philanthropic Foundations Canada and Imagine Canada.
He was co-editor of a just-launched book examining charity regulation in five common-law countries. He has been honoured with the Alberta Centennial Medal and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal.