A distinguished alumna and long-serving Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Law, Ms. Collenette is widely recognized as a leader whose multifaceted influence spans public service, governance, business, law and academia. She came to the Common Law Section through a non-traditional path after already establishing herself as a political figure and human rights activist. Among her many national contributions, Ms. Collenette is perhaps best known for her transformative role in reforming Canada’s federal appointments process. From 1993 to 1997, she served as Director of Order-in-Council Appointments in the office of Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, where she established what has since been described as the “gold standard” for merit-based, transparent public appointments. Her insistence on openness, integrity, and gender equity fundamentally reshaped the Governor-in-Council appointments process and helped dismantle long-standing barriers to women’s participation in public leadership. During her tenure, nearly 40 per cent of Cabinet appointments went to women – an unprecedented shift that permanently altered Canada’s public service culture.
The University of Ottawa community has benefited directly and profoundly from Ms. Collenette’s expertise, generosity, and mentorship. In 2003, she undertook a role as an Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Law and she served for six years as Executive-in-Residence at the Telfer School of Management. In these roles, she developed and taught innovative courses on ethics, whistleblowing, corporate governance, and international human rights, inspiring generations of law and management students. Known for bridging theory and practice, she brought real-world experience into the classroom and fostered thoughtful, values-driven leadership among her students. She has also been an extraordinary mentor and role model within the University of Ottawa community, particularly for women pursuing careers in law, public service, and business. Her pro bono engagement, public lectures, and sustained involvement in national and international policy conversations reflect her deep belief in universities as engines of democratic renewal and ethical leadership.
Ms. Collenette is also widely known as a public voice on ethics, governance, and human rights. From 2002 to 2004, she was a Senior Fellow at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, where she conducted influential research on corporate governance and accountability. Through prominent media commentary, including regular columns for the Toronto Star and other national media outlets, she has brought complex questions of institutional integrity, transparency, and inclusive governance to a broad national audience.
Ms. Collenette’s appointment to the Order of Canada is a fitting recognition of a career defined by courage, integrity, and public service. The Faculty of Law is honoured to count her among its alumni and faculty, and we extend our warmest congratulations on this well-deserved distinction.