Kelly Gillis, an Icon of Change in Canada

Icons of Change

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)  Kelly Gillis, CPA, ICD·D is a distinguished Canadian public sector executive with over 25 years of senior leadership experience in federal finance, innovation, infrastructure, and housing. Renowned for her strategic vision, collaborative leadership, and commitment to inclusive growth, she has played a pivotal role in shaping national policies that deliver tangible benefits to Canadians.  As Deputy Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (2017–2024), Kelly Gillis led transformative investments in public transit, climate-resilient infrastructure, affordable housing, and homelessness initiatives. She previously served as Associate Deputy Minister at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), where she championed Canada’s Inclusive Innovation Agenda, advancing clean growth, digital economy strategies, broadband expansion through Connect to Innovate, and telecommunications policy.  A Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) with a Bachelor of Commerce and Graduate Diploma in Public Accounting from McGill University, Kelly brings deep financial expertise and governance excellence to public service. She is Institute of Corporate Directors certified (ICD·D) and has held numerous board and governance roles, including ex-officio Director of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (2021–2024), Past President of the Institute of Public Administration of Canada, and board positions with the Canadian Mental Health Association, Canadian Urban Institute, and Health Partners.  Her leadership is characterized by strong stakeholder management across provinces, municipalities, Indigenous partners, and the private sector, along with a reputation for inclusive, mentorship-driven, and results-oriented public service.  For her outstanding, sustained leadership in advancing Sustainable Development Goal 11 through strategic infrastructure development, innovative housing solutions, inclusive economic growth, ethical governance, and the creation of sustainable, resilient communities across Canada, Kelly Gillis, CPA, ICD·D is proudly recognised as a 2026 Icon of Change.  #IconsOfChange #IconsOfChange2026 #KellyGillis #SDG11 #SustainableCitiesAndCommunities

Transcript

00:00Hi. Thank you to the Icons of Change International Awards for this incredible honour.

00:06I'm deeply grateful and genuinely humbled by this recognition.

00:11When I look back on my career as a public servant in the Canadian government,

00:15to me, that's really been about leadership, about people,

00:20about creating conditions for communities to thrive,

00:23especially those facing the greatest barriers.

00:25As the Deputy Minister for Housing, Infrastructure, and Communities,

00:30I had the privilege of working alongside incredibly dedicated public servants,

00:35of working with provinces, municipalities, Indigenous partners,

00:39and leaders from across the country, advancing the goals of sustainable development,

00:45particularly those involved in sustainable cities and communities,

00:52resilience, emission reductions, and poverty and inequality reductions.

00:58When I think about housing and infrastructure, it's not about the bricks and mortar.

01:03It's about the opportunity it provides for its use in society,

01:07providing a safe place for someone to call home,

01:11clean drinking water,

01:13public transit for people to get to work or to doctor's appointments.

01:16It's about hope, dignity, opportunities for the future,

01:22being connected with your communities.

01:24And that work continues to guide me today.

01:27As I've now entered this next chapter,

01:29I've had the privilege of focusing my time on volunteering in a number of charities,

01:34and those involved in very, very similar types of functions,

01:39in looking at community well-being,

01:42poverty reduction, homelessness reduction,

01:45mental health,

01:46and being able to make a difference in volunteering my time

01:50to be able to contribute to my community.

01:53And when I think about this particular award,

01:56I don't think about it as an individual award.

01:58I think about it as something that, you know,

02:01the many people who I've been very fortunate to work with over my career

02:04have contributed to.

02:06So I thank you again for this incredible award and recognition.

02:10And I also thank everyone who continues to work

02:14to be able to make a difference in their communities.

02:17Thank you so much.

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