David Estok, who has been serving McMaster as a presidential advisor since May, will serve an additional six months with the Communications, Marketing and Public Affairs team as the department prepares for permanent new leadership.
Estok, an experienced communications leader and former journalism executive, originally joined McMaster on a contract basis to lead the department through the end of 2025, following the announcement that CMPA lead Andrea Farquhar would be retiring.
Estok first reported to President David Farrar, and since July 1 has reported to President Susan Tighe.
“David has been such a valuable leader, particularly in this time of major change at McMaster and in the broader sector,” Tighe says. “I value his wisdom and experience, and I’m pleased he will be with us through the end of June.”
Estok had served as vice-president, Communications, at the University of Toronto before retiring from that role. He later became a communications and marketing consultant in the post-secondary sector.
“McMaster is a great Canadian university with a strong story to tell,” Estok says.
“I strongly believe McMaster will grow substantially under Susan Tighe’s leadership and I’m honored to have the opportunity to continue working with her and the talented CMPA team.”
Estok, a Hamilton native and former editor-in-chief of the Hamilton Spectator, has guided CMPA through an external review process and advised on its ongoing operations.
He will continue reporting to Tighe as the university prepares to receive the external reviewers’ report and will help CMPA through the transition to permanent new leadership.
Before joining the University of Toronto, Estok had also served SickKids Foundation as vice-president, Brand Marketing and Communications, and Western University as its associate vice-president of Communications.