The Balsillie School is pleased to welcome The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell to discuss her roles as Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and United Nations Environment Programme’s 3rd Executive Director.
The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell served as the 29th Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, the Canadian province’s vice regal representative of Queen Elizabeth II, from 2014 to 2023.
Ms. Dowdeswell served as the Executive Director, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) between 1992 and 1998. Under her leadership, UNEP enhanced its use of technology to better understand environmental issues.
Her work as the founding President and CEO of Canada’s Nuclear Waste Management Organization resulted in a government decision on the long-term management of Canada’s used nuclear fuel. As Assistant Deputy Minister of Environment Canada, Ms. Dowdeswell was responsible for the national weather and atmospheric agency, including negotiating the Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Her early career included terms as Deputy Minister of Culture and Youth for the Province of Saskatchewan, educational consultant, university lecturer and high school teacher.
