Maureen O'Neil, Background

Maureen O'Neil was appointed to CIGI's Operating Board of Directors in 2010, having served on CIGI's International Board of Governors since 2003. Ms. O'Neil has been president of the Canadian Health Services Research Foundation since 2008. Her previous positions include president of the International Development Research Centre (1997–2008), interim president of the International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development (1996–1997), president of the North-South Institute (1989–1995), and deputy minister of citizenship for the government of Ontario (1987–1989).

Ms. O'Neil chairs the board of trustees of the International Institute for Environment and Development, and is a member of the board of World University Service of Canada and of the International Institute for Sustainable Development. She chairs the International Advisory Group of the Think Tank Initiative (IDRC and Hewlett Foundation) and is a member of the Leadership Council for the School of Public Policy & Administration at Carleton University. Ms. O'Neil is chair of the Advisory Council on Corporate Social Responsibility of Canada's Export Development Corporation.  She is also a fellow of the School of Policy Studies of Queen's University. She has served with several other boards, including as chair and member of the board of governors of Carleton University.  She has also represented Canada on the UN Commission on the Status of Women, on OECD committees, and has been a member of the UN Committee for Development Planning and the board of the UN Research Institute for Social Development.

Ms. O'Neil has a B.A. in sociology from Carleton University and honorary Doctor of Laws degrees from Wilfrid Laurier University, Carleton University and the University of Ottawa.