Colleges Ontario

(February, 2007) - Colleges Ontario has a new leader. Linda Franklin joined the association as President and CEO in January 2007.

“I’m delighted to have joined Colleges Ontario and look forward to working with college staff, students and industry partners in advancing Ontario’s extraordinary system of colleges,” said Franklin. “Ontario’s economy is depending more and more on highly skilled college graduates to meet the demands of the 21st century. A healthy and well resourced college system is vital to the province’s competitiveness and prosperity.”

Franklin, who came to Colleges Ontario from the Wine Council of Ontario, has a strong and proven record of achievement in both the public and private sectors. For example, under her leadership at the Wine Council, the Ontario wine industry has partnered with the LCBO and the government to develop a 20-year strategic plan, supported by $40 million in government and industry funding.

Prior to joining the Wine Council, Franklin was a writer and communications specialist whose career included time as a consultant, five years as the head of communications for a regulatory body, and heading up a department charged with meeting the communications needs of MPPs at Queen’s Park. She has also served as the chief of staff to an Ontario cabinet minister. Currently, she serves on the board of directors of Ontario Place.

“Linda brings outstanding leadership experience and a passion for the work Ontario colleges do. We’re thrilled with her appointment,” said Barbara Taylor, chair of the colleges’ Committee of Presidents.

“Linda has joined the college system at a vital time in our history,” said Taylor. “Linda has the experience, skills and determination to help us achieve our goal of putting colleges at the forefront of public policy planning in Ontario.”

Colleges Ontario is the voice of Ontario’s 24 colleges, which deliver a vast range of education and training programs to more than 150,000 full-time students.

For more information, contact:

Darrell Neufeld
Senior Communications Officer
416 596-0744, ext. 242