Dear Alumni, Colleagues and Friends of the University of Ottawa:
It is my great pleasure to share with you the 2025–2026 annual report of the University of Ottawa Alumni Association. This past year has been one of momentum, growth and transformation as we continued to strengthen the lifelong bond between our alumni, our association and our university.
As is our annual tradition, we celebrated our outstanding alumni and friends through the Alumni Association Awards of Excellence ceremony. Every year, we invite you to nominate classmates, colleagues and leaders in our community and around the world whose accomplishments reflect the very best of the University of Ottawa. This year, we recognized alumni reaching new heights in economics, entrepreneurship, the arts, community service, social impact and philanthropy. The recipients demonstrated the remarkable influence of uOttawa graduates and supporters in Canada and on the world stage. Their achievements remind us that the strength of our uOttawa alumni network lies not only in its size but in its ability to inspire, lead and create positive change.
I was honoured to attend University convocation ceremonies again this year and welcome graduates to the uOttawa alumni family. I could not be prouder to have witnessed so many incredible graduates from multiple faculties take the stage. Seeing the diverse range of talent, dedication and passion across different fields of study was deeply inspiring. It was a joy to celebrate this momentous milestone alongside the leaders of tomorrow. It was also deeply moving to attend the special graduation ceremony for uOttawa Black graduates this year alongside University deans from various faculties. The room was electric with the unwavering passion, resilience and joy of each graduate who crossed the stage. Seeing their hard work culminate in such a culturally rich and supportive celebration was truly unforgettable.
Over the past year, our alumni community had the opportunity to engage with the University’s first female president and vice-chancellor, Marie-Eve Sylvestre, who has now completed more than a year in her role. Alumni in Paris, New York City, Toronto and Montreal warmly welcomed President Sylvestre at special events where she shared her vision for the future of the University. Alumni around the world also heard directly from her through a video address, reinforcing the important connection between the University and its global alumni community. I am looking forward to continuing to work with Sylvestre and her team in the year ahead.
It has also been an absolute privilege to serve as a member of the Board of Governors on behalf of the Alumni Association, alongside such an exceptionally talented group of individuals and visionary leaders. Collaborating with our university leadership has been deeply rewarding, and I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together to advance our institution’s mission.
With the implementation of our new partnership agreement between the University of Ottawa Alumni Engagement Office and the Alumni Association, we are now working to modernize our bylaws to reflect this new reality and ensure our governance framework supports the evolving needs of our organization and our membership. These proposed bylaws will be presented to members for review and consideration in early 2027 at a special meeting of the association membership.
I would like to extend my admiration and gratitude to all the members of the Board of Directors. Giving back as a volunteer takes a great deal of time and commitment. This fall, we bid farewell to a few long-standing members who will be transitioning off of the board. While we will miss these dedicated volunteers, we are also pleased to be welcoming new alumni from a range of backgrounds. It is with the dedication, expertise and thoughtful guidance of our volunteers that we can advance important initiatives by the Alumni Association and deliver on its mandate. These individuals exemplify the spirit of volunteer leadership that keeps our alumni network vibrant, relevant and forward-looking. I am also deeply thankful to our new partner, Emily Aalbers, director, alumni engagement, and all the members of her team for their continued partnership, support and commitment to serving our alumni community. And a special note of appreciation to their leader, Julien Sicard, vice-president, advancement, for his steadfast support of the Alumni Association over the years.
Today, we are proud to count more than 300,000 alumni worldwide. This remarkable milestone reflects not only the growth of our community but also its influence, breadth and impact across every sector and around the globe. Wherever life takes you, chances are quite good you will encounter a fellow Gee-Gee making a difference. As president of the uOttawa Alumni Association, I am humbled by the opportunity to represent such an exceptional alumni community.
As we look ahead, we remain committed to finding innovative ways to engage with you as alumni and strengthen lifelong connections to the University of Ottawa. In the year ahead, my colleagues on the board and I will continue expanding opportunities for networking, professional development, mentorship and meaningful engagement with alumni worldwide. By creating more opportunities for graduates to support one another, share expertise and contribute to the University’s success, we are building an even stronger, more resilient, more forward-looking and more connected global community.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, thank you for your ongoing support, engagement and commitment to the University of Ottawa Alumni Association. Your participation strengthens our community, enriches the student experience and ensures that the legacy of excellence at uOttawa will continue for generations to come. I look forward to all we will accomplish together in the years ahead.
Warm regards,
Josephine A.L. Palumbo, BSocSc ’88, LLB ’91
President
Alumni Association
University of Ottawa