Former Treasury Board CFO & Deputy Minister on Public Administration and Canadian Policy Leadership
リアクション
2026年06月29日
Icons of Change International Awards 2026
Kelly Gillis, CPA, ICD·D
Former Deputy Minister, Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada
Former Associate Deputy Minister, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
Former Assistant Secretary and Chief Financial Officer, Treasury Board Secretariat of Canada
Ex-officio Director of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Past President of the Institute of Public Administration of Canada
Board Member, Canadian Mental Health Association
Board Member, Canadian Urban Institute
Board Member, HealthPartners
SDG Focus: Goal 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities
Changemaker for Inclusive Infrastructure Development, Innovative Public Policy, Sustainable Housing Solutions, and Ethical Public Sector Leadership (Canada)
The Woman Behind Transformative Change
Behind every thriving community, resilient city, and forward-looking national policy is a leader who sees the bigger picture — someone who understands that infrastructure is not just about concrete and budgets, but about dignity, opportunity, and a better future for generations.
For Kelly Gillis, CPA, ICD·D, public service has never been about titles alone. It has always been about creating systems that work for people — delivering affordable housing, climate-resilient infrastructure, inclusive innovation, and sustainable communities that allow Canadians from all walks of life to thrive.
A distinguished public sector executive with over 25 years of senior leadership experience, Kelly Gillis has shaped some of Canada’s most important national priorities in finance, innovation, infrastructure, and housing. As a strategic thinker, collaborative leader, and champion of ethical governance, she has consistently turned vision into tangible results that strengthen the fabric of Canadian society.
A Mission Bigger Than Mandates
Great leaders know that true impact is measured by the lives improved and the systems transformed. For Kelly Gillis, the mission has centered on Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
She has worked tirelessly to ensure that economic growth, environmental responsibility, and social inclusion go hand in hand. Whether expanding broadband to connect rural and remote communities, investing in public transit, or addressing housing affordability and homelessness, her leadership has focused on building inclusive prosperity that leaves no one behind.
Kelly recognized early that Canada’s future depends on resilient infrastructure, innovative policy, and cross-sector collaboration. That insight has guided her entire career.
Leadership at the Highest Levels
Kelly Gillis served as Deputy Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada from 2017 to 2024, where she led transformative investments in public transit, climate adaptation, affordable housing initiatives, and community development. Her tenure marked a period of significant advancement in addressing some of Canada’s most pressing urban and rural challenges.
Previously, as Associate Deputy Minister at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), she played a key role in advancing Canada’s Inclusive Innovation Agenda, championing clean growth, digital economy strategies, and the groundbreaking Connect to Innovate program that expanded broadband access across the country. She also contributed to forward-looking telecommunications policy that supports a competitive and inclusive economy.
Her strong financial acumen — as a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) with a Bachelor of Commerce and Graduate Diploma in Public Accounting from McGill University — combined with her Institute of Corporate Directors certification (ICD·D), has enabled her to bring both strategic depth and rigorous governance to every role.
Building Excellence Across Institutions
Kelly’s influence extends well beyond any single department. She has served as ex-officio Director of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (2021–2024), Past President of the Institute of Public Administration of Canada, and as a board member with the Canadian Mental Health Association, Canadian Urban Institute, and HealthPartners.
In each of these roles, she has fostered collaboration across governments, Indigenous partners, municipalities, and the private sector. Her leadership style — inclusive, mentorship-driven, and results-oriented — has strengthened institutions and inspired teams to deliver meaningful outcomes for Canadians.
A Changemaker for Sustainable Development
Through her work, Kelly Gillis has helped position Canada as a leader in sustainable infrastructure and inclusive economic development. She has advanced policies that integrate environmental sustainability with housing affordability, economic opportunity with social equity, and innovation with ethical governance.
#KellyGillis #SustainableCitiesAndCommunities #Canada #IconsOfChange
Kelly Gillis, CPA, ICD·D
Former Deputy Minister, Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada
Former Associate Deputy Minister, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
Former Assistant Secretary and Chief Financial Officer, Treasury Board Secretariat of Canada
Ex-officio Director of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Past President of the Institute of Public Administration of Canada
Board Member, Canadian Mental Health Association
Board Member, Canadian Urban Institute
Board Member, HealthPartners
SDG Focus: Goal 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities
Changemaker for Inclusive Infrastructure Development, Innovative Public Policy, Sustainable Housing Solutions, and Ethical Public Sector Leadership (Canada)
The Woman Behind Transformative Change
Behind every thriving community, resilient city, and forward-looking national policy is a leader who sees the bigger picture — someone who understands that infrastructure is not just about concrete and budgets, but about dignity, opportunity, and a better future for generations.
For Kelly Gillis, CPA, ICD·D, public service has never been about titles alone. It has always been about creating systems that work for people — delivering affordable housing, climate-resilient infrastructure, inclusive innovation, and sustainable communities that allow Canadians from all walks of life to thrive.
A distinguished public sector executive with over 25 years of senior leadership experience, Kelly Gillis has shaped some of Canada’s most important national priorities in finance, innovation, infrastructure, and housing. As a strategic thinker, collaborative leader, and champion of ethical governance, she has consistently turned vision into tangible results that strengthen the fabric of Canadian society.
A Mission Bigger Than Mandates
Great leaders know that true impact is measured by the lives improved and the systems transformed. For Kelly Gillis, the mission has centered on Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
She has worked tirelessly to ensure that economic growth, environmental responsibility, and social inclusion go hand in hand. Whether expanding broadband to connect rural and remote communities, investing in public transit, or addressing housing affordability and homelessness, her leadership has focused on building inclusive prosperity that leaves no one behind.
Kelly recognized early that Canada’s future depends on resilient infrastructure, innovative policy, and cross-sector collaboration. That insight has guided her entire career.
Leadership at the Highest Levels
Kelly Gillis served as Deputy Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada from 2017 to 2024, where she led transformative investments in public transit, climate adaptation, affordable housing initiatives, and community development. Her tenure marked a period of significant advancement in addressing some of Canada’s most pressing urban and rural challenges.
Previously, as Associate Deputy Minister at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), she played a key role in advancing Canada’s Inclusive Innovation Agenda, championing clean growth, digital economy strategies, and the groundbreaking Connect to Innovate program that expanded broadband access across the country. She also contributed to forward-looking telecommunications policy that supports a competitive and inclusive economy.
Her strong financial acumen — as a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) with a Bachelor of Commerce and Graduate Diploma in Public Accounting from McGill University — combined with her Institute of Corporate Directors certification (ICD·D), has enabled her to bring both strategic depth and rigorous governance to every role.
Building Excellence Across Institutions
Kelly’s influence extends well beyond any single department. She has served as ex-officio Director of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (2021–2024), Past President of the Institute of Public Administration of Canada, and as a board member with the Canadian Mental Health Association, Canadian Urban Institute, and HealthPartners.
In each of these roles, she has fostered collaboration across governments, Indigenous partners, municipalities, and the private sector. Her leadership style — inclusive, mentorship-driven, and results-oriented — has strengthened institutions and inspired teams to deliver meaningful outcomes for Canadians.
A Changemaker for Sustainable Development
Through her work, Kelly Gillis has helped position Canada as a leader in sustainable infrastructure and inclusive economic development. She has advanced policies that integrate environmental sustainability with housing affordability, economic opportunity with social equity, and innovation with ethical governance.
#KellyGillis #SustainableCitiesAndCommunities #Canada #IconsOfChange
