Ottawa, February 28, 2023 – Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) today announced that Denise Amyot, president and CEO, will depart the organization this coming October in what she is calling a non-retirement, reflecting her tireless spirit.
Denise Amyot was appointed CICan’s seventh and first female president and CEO in 2013. Since then, CICan has benefited dramatically from her extensive knowledge and expertise gained through a distinguished career in the not-for-profit and public sectors.
“Denise has been a trusted and visionary leader whose insight has been instrumental in creating a more sustainable, connected and equitable national association,” says Peter Devlin, Board Chair, Colleges and Institute Canada. “On behalf of the board, and the broader college and institute system, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for Denise’s bold and transformative leadership, which will impact the organization’s success for years to come.”
Under Denise’s leadership, CICan has grown significantly, tripling in size and securing a national and international project portfolio of nearly $500 million. The organization was also recently named one of the National Capital Region’s Top Employers, reflecting Denise’s unwavering commitment to creating a safe, inclusive and welcoming work environment that meets the unique needs of CICan’s diverse workforce.
“It has been a great honour and a privilege of a lifetime to have served as CICan’s leader for over a decade,” says CICan President and CEO Denise Amyot. “I am incredibly proud of our achievements and even more proud of the continued hard work and dedication of our staff, members and partners. Not accepting a third mandate has been, without a doubt, the hardest decision of my life. But I look forward to beginning this new personal journey, and I leave with great confidence, knowing Canada’s college and institute system is stronger than ever thanks to the relentless passion and commitment of those within.”
Denise will continue to lead CICan until her successor is named and will assist in the onboarding process before she departs in October. Over the coming weeks, CICan will share more information about its search for a new CEO.
About Colleges and Institutes Canada:
CICan is the national and international voice of Canada’s largest post-secondary education network. It advocates, builds capacity, and drives knowledge to strengthen Canada’s publicly supported colleges, institutes, CEGEPs, and polytechnics. With more than 95% of Canadians living within 50 km of a member institution, and thanks to its extensive reach around the globe, CICan works to future-proof communities in Canada and abroad.
We respectfully acknowledge that CICan’s offices in Ottawa are located on the traditional and unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe Nation.
-30-
For more information:
Leah Jurkovic
Director, Communications
Colleges and Institutes Canada
Email: ljurkovic@collegesinstitutes.ca
Twitter: @CollegeCan