Krista Larson Appointed as King's Vice-President, External and Advancement
King's University College has appointed Krista Larson as Vice-President, External and Advancement, effective November 9, 2026. The appointment was approved by the Board of Directors on the recommendation of President Dr. Robert Ventresca.
Larson brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in strategic enrolment management, marketing and communications, brand strategy, student engagement, and external relations. She has held senior leadership roles at Ivey Business School at Western University, the Schulich School of Business at York University, and the Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Simon Fraser University and a Master's Certificate in Marketing and Communications Leadership from the Schulich School of Business.
Most recently, as Executive Director, Marketing and Communications at Ivey, Larson helped advance the school's brand, reputation, recruitment, and strategic priorities. Her work contributed to record program enrolments and supported Ivey's substantial fundraising campaign.
Her experience is particularly well aligned with King's strategic priorities. She has led strategic enrolment initiatives that connect recruitment, marketing, student experience, and institutional reputation, experience that will be important as King's advances its Strategic Enrolment Management Plan. She has also led work to improve the student journey through better service design and digital systems, supporting King's commitment to making student services easier to navigate and better coordinated.
"Krista is a collaborative and relationship-focused leader. Her familiarity with Western and experience working across complex university environments will provide a strong foundation as she joins the King's community," says Dr. Ventresca.
Larson says she looks forward to learning more about the King's community and contributing to the university's future.
"I'm honoured to join King's," says Larson. "I'm passionate about higher education and excited for the opportunity to enhance the student journey at a liberal arts institution committed to educating the whole person and building community. I'll listen first and build relationships to learn what makes King's distinctive, because the best work happens together."
The appointment follows a rigorous search and consultation process that informed the Search Advisory Committee's careful deliberations.
"The Committee's deliberations were rigorous and collegial, guided by the needs of the portfolio and King's strategic direction. I have great confidence in its recommendation," says Thomas Gray, Registrar and a member of the Search Advisory Committee.
King's thanks the members of the Search Advisory Committee for the considerable time and care they brought to the process, as well as members of the King's community who contributed their perspectives.
We look forward to welcoming Larson to the King's community when she begins her new role on November 9.