The University of North Florida has appointed Heather Duncan as its new vice president for Governmental Affairs. She begins her new position in November.
“I’m confident that with Heather’s extensive experience as well as leadership in government and legislative affairs, she will advance the University to the next level,” said UNF President David Szymanski.
Duncan, a Southside resident, will manage the University’s governmental affairs program, serve as a member/leader with the State University System lobbyist team and as a liaison for governmental affairs with elected officials, municipal/county governments, the Florida State Legislature, the Duval Delegation and community groups.
Additionally, she will serve as the University’s representative on the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce’s Governmental Affairs Board and State Issues Task Force, draft proposed legislation and advise the University president in issues related to federal lobbying initiatives.
Prior to joining UNF, Duncan has been serving as regional director of External and Legislative Affairs for AT&T, where she is responsible for municipal, county and state legislative affairs as well as community affairs for Northeast Florida, including Duval, Nassau, Baker, St. Johns, Clay, Alachua, Flagler, Volusia, Bradford, Union and Columbia counties. Additionally, she served as area marketing director for the organization as well as the regional director of Advertising and Promotion.
Duncan is active in several community leadership roles, including Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce Board of Governors trustee, JAXUSA Partnership Policy Council member, JAXBIZ Board of Directors member, Northeast Florida Leadership Campaign Finance Committee, Gator Bowl Sports trustee Leadership Florida, to name a few.
She has won several awards, including the Girl Scouts of Gateway Council’s 2016 Woman of Distinction and Rotary’s Paul Harris Fellowship Award for Service as well as Jacksonville Business Journal’s 2008 Woman of Influence and 2007 Top Five Executives of Large Companies, to name a few.
Duncan participated in the International Business Policy Masters Course at the University of London and earned her bachelor’s degree in advertising, with minors in marketing, English and theatre from the University of Southern Mississippi.
