School of Cities / People / Staff
Ben Liu headshot

Ben Liu

Executive Director

As the administrative lead, working with the School of Cities’ senior leadership team, he provides leadership and strategic direction for the overall mission of the School, including programming and outreach, revenue generation and business administration activities, and ensures the efficient and effective management of the School’s resources. Administrative oversight includes finance, human resources, communications and branding, IT, facility operations and services, space management, capital and renovation project management, governance, as well as risk management. He brings over 24 years of experience across a range of higher education functions.

Prior to joining the School, Ben was the Director of the Office of Professional Development & Career Strategies at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, and the founding Coordinator for Academic Service-Learning & Faculty Development at the University of Toronto’s Centre for Community Partnerships.

Ben is also actively engaged in campus and community governance. He has served on many university committees and working groups, including the Academic Board, Committee on Academic Policy and Programs, Planning and Budget Committee, University Affairs Board, and the Service Ancillary Review Group of the Governing Council. As the vice-president of the board of directors of the then-Central Toronto Community Health Centres, he led the board accreditation process, board development and was the liaison to the Association of Ontario Health Centres. He has served on the boards of the Toronto Centre for Community Learning & Development and the Regent Park Community Health Centre. He is currently the Vice-Chair of the Faculty of Arts & Science Council and a board director for Arts Etobicoke.