Cafley stood apart during a rigorous selection process that attracted many remarkable candidates, most notably due to her extensive track record as a deeply engaged and creative strategic leader.
The new vice-president will be tasked with bolstering the University of Ottawa’s leadership in the Francophonie and strengthening its partnerships with governments, the private sector, community organizations and academia to enhance the University’s reputation and maximize its impact. The University of Ottawa is ideally positioned to increase its influence as a major bilingual, research-intensive university in the heart of Canada’s capital. Its acknowledged strength in teaching and research, its leadership in the Francophonie, and its uniquely strategic location make it an exceptional platform from which to tackle today’s major challenges and to shape the future.
“Julie Cafley possesses a rare ability to bring together different communities around promising initiatives. Her background in inclusion, public policy and partnership development fully corresponds to our vision of a university that is deeply rooted in the community and engaged in the future of the Francophonie,” said University of Ottawa President and Vice-Chancellor Marie-Eve Sylvestre.
Cafley is known for her leadership, which incorporates inclusion, public policy and governance. As executive director at Catalyst Canada, she advised top Canadian CEOs on the challenges of inclusive leadership, gender equity and organizational transformation. She also advanced the organization’s Francophone portfolio by leading initiatives that highlighted the links between language, sense of belonging, and the key role that inclusion plays in bilingual workplaces.
“I see uOttawa as an anchor institution and an anchor matters only if it holds: present, reliable, and connected to the people and places around it.”
Julie Cafley
— Vice-President, Francophonie and External and Community Relations
As a sought-after speaker and author, Julie Cafley regularly comments on leadership, gender equity and inclusive workplaces. She has represented Canada at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, where she contributed to international discussions on equality and the advancement of women.
“I’m honoured to accept the role of Vice-President, Francophonie and External and Community Relations,” said Julie Cafley. “I see uOttawa as an anchor institution and an anchor matters only if it holds: present, reliable, and connected to the people and places around it. In this mandate, my commitment is to show up, to listen, and to build bridges that turn shared aspirations into measurable progress strengthening community partnerships and Canada’s bilingual advantage in ways people can feel, here in Ottawa and beyond.”
Previous to this appointment, Cafley was successively vice-president of external relations and communications for the Digital Research Alliance of Canada, and executive vice-president at the Public Policy Forum, where she strengthened the organization’s outreach, established strategic partnerships and increased its influence across Canada.
As chief of staff to two University of Ottawa presidents, she worked closely with senior leaders to design and implement major institutional initiatives and contributed to the University’s strategic evolution.
“I was very happy to hear of the appointment of Julie Cafley as vice-president, Francophonie and External and Community Relations,” said Madeleine Meilleur, former Minister for Francophone Affairs and Attorney General of Ontario. “Her extensive professional experience and public policy expertise will consolidate the University’s institutional leadership. I am particularly pleased to learn of her extensive knowledge of the Franco-Ontarian community and Canada’s Francophonie. These are major assets in advancing the University of Ottawa’s reputation and securing its future.”
“Montfort Hospital is happy to hear of this appointment, which testifies to the University of Ottawa’s continuing commitment to the vitality of the Francophonie,” said Montfort Hospital CEO Dominic Giroux. “More than ever, our institutions must work hand in hand to train the next generation of health-care professionals, advance research conducted in French, and strengthen healthy, strong and inclusive Francophone communities. This vital partnership directly assists in improving access to health care and quality services in French for the entire population.”
Julie Cafley holds a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Ottawa. Her thesis focused on leadership and governance in higher education by examining the unachieved goals of Canadian university presidents. She also earned a master’s degree in education, a bachelor’s degree in education and a bachelor’s degree in arts from the University of Ottawa, during which she specialized in the second-language teaching of French and English.
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