CALGARY, AB November 29, 2017 – The Canada West Foundation is delighted to announce the appointment of veteran public servant Oryssia Lennie as Chair of its Board of Directors. Lennie, former deputy minister for Western Economic Diversification Canada, succeeds Geoff Plant, Chair from 2014 to 2017.
She joined the Foundation board as a Director in July 2010. Lennie’s illustrious career as a civil servant includes more than 25 years working for the Alberta government, where she was Deputy Minister of Federal and Intergovernmental Affairs from 1990 to 1997. She was Deputy Minister of Western Economic Diversification Canada from 1997-2009. Driven by a passion for public service, Lennie has worked throughout her career to improve federal-provincial relations.
“Good public policy – thoughtful, bold and provocative – can challenge the status quo and provide the evidence needed to make good decisions. I have been pleased, as a Board member, to help the Foundation provide those practical solutions that can shape the West, and Canada as a whole, and I am honoured and excited to continue that as Chair,” Lennie said.
“It has been an honour to serve as a Director and Board Chair of the Canada West Foundation. There continues to be an urgent need for pragmatic public policy solutions for the issues we face across western Canada, and the Canada West Foundation has become an increasingly relevant and influential voice in the search for those solutions,” said Plant.
“Thank you to Geoff for his wise counsel, steady hand and passion for good public policy at Canada West Foundation,” said Martha Hall Findlay, President and CEO. “And thank you to Oryssia for agreeing to take the lead as Geoff retires. Oryssia’s clear dedication to a strong West in a strong Canada – and building the relationships necessary to make that happen – will help the Foundation continue its advocacy for good public policy at home and on the global stage,” said Hall Findlay.