Simon Kennedy

Simon Kennedy Email and Phone Number

Experienced Executive and Board Member @ Ottawa Community Foundation
Simon Kennedy's Location
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Canada
Simon Kennedy's Contact Details
About Simon Kennedy

Simon Kennedy recently announced his retirement from the Government of Canada after a 34-year run. He is taking a short break before pursuing his next adventure.He most recently served as Deputy Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, from September 2019 to September 2024. Most notably, in this role, he galvanized industry to support Canada’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, ramping up domestic production of critical supplies and equipment, and played a key role in the sourcing of vaccines. He led the Government of Canada's strategy to rebuild Canadian bio-manufacturing in the wake of the pandemic and to solidify Canada as a leader in the electric vehicle industry. He also led federal efforts to build Canadian leadership in technologies such as quantum computing and artificial intelligence.Previously, Simon served as Deputy Minister of Health from January 2015. During his tenure at Health Canada, the Department took on a leadership role in responding to the opioids crisis; negotiated agreements with the provinces and territories to allocate $11 billion in funding to home care and mental health services; and launched reforms to pharmaceutical pricing, nutrition labelling, vaping, and tobacco product packaging. Simon also oversaw implementation of the government’s initiative to legalize and regulate cannabis, including passage of the Cannabis Act.Simon Kennedy began his career with the public service in 1990 and served in progressively senior roles in seven different organizations, including in six deputy minister-level appointments at the Privy Council Office, Industry Canada, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, Health Canada, and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. As the Canadian lead on the bi-national Beyond the Border Working Group, he negotiated with the White House the 2011 Action Plan for Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness. He also served as the Prime Minister’s personal representative, or “Sherpa”, to the G-20 from 2012 to 2014. He holds a BPR from Mount Saint Vincent University and a MSc. in Communications Management from Syracuse University, and is a graduate of INSEAD’s Advanced Management Programme. Simon also received his ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors. He has served on the boards of a variety of organizations, most recently including the Ottawa Community Foundation (where he is currently serving a second term), Mental Health Commission of Canada, Canadian Institute for Health Information, and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

Simon Kennedy's Current Company Details
Ottawa Community Foundation

Ottawa Community Foundation

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Experienced Executive and Board Member
Simon Kennedy Work Experience Details
  • Ottawa Community Foundation
    Board Member
    Ottawa Community Foundation Jun 2019 - Present
    Ottawa, On, Ca
    I have been an active member of the board of the Ottawa Community Foundation since 2019. The Foundation is a public, non-profit organization that works with the local community to fulfill impact philanthropy and bring about positive, systemic and sustainable change in the city and beyond. I am also a member of the governance committee and in that capacity supported the search for the Foundation's current CEO.
  • Institute Of Corporate Directors
    Member And Past Co-Chair, Ottawa Chapter Executive Committee
    Institute Of Corporate Directors Sep 2012 - Present
    Toronto, Ontario, Ca
    I stepped down in early 2023 as co-chair of the Ottawa chapter of the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD), but remain a member of the local executive. With more than 13,000 members and a network of 11 regional chapters from coast to coast, including in Ottawa, the ICD is an important resource for Canadian directors and boards.
  • Innovation, Science And Economic Development Canada
    Deputy Minister
    Innovation, Science And Economic Development Canada Sep 2019 - Sep 2024
    Ottawa, On, Ca
    In this role, I was chief executive of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), the federal department responsible for micro-economic and industrial policy; economic regulation in areas such as digital and data, telecommunications, and competition; support to business; as well as science and research funding. With roughly 6,000 staff across Canada and a $4.7-billion annual budget, the department delivered this mandate across roughly five-dozen programs and served five federal cabinet Ministers. During my time at ISED, I oversaw the department's response to the global pandemic, working with Canadian industry to pivot towards the production of medical supplies and to build up Canadian bio-manufacturing capacity, rolling out new programs to aid businesses affected by the pandemic, and partnering with Canadian companies to support innovation and industrial transformation. We also pursued one of the most active legislative agendas in decades, overhauling the Telecommunications Act, Investment Canada Act, and Competition Act, and introducing legislation to modernize Canada's rules for business use of data and to regulate Artificial Intelligence. My period at ISED was also marked by an aggressive industrial policy agenda to build up Canadian supply chains in areas such as life sciences, critical minerals, aerospace and automotive. In particular, I led work with some of the world's largest and innovative automotive and battery materials companies—including Stellantis, Ford, GM, Volkswagen, Northvolt, POSCO and Umicore—to help anchor in Canada an entirely new electric-vehicle battery supply chain.
  • Public Service Management Insurance Plan
    Member Of The Board Of Trustees
    Public Service Management Insurance Plan Apr 2015 - Sep 2024
    I was an active member of the board of trustees of the Public Service Management Insurance Plan (PSMIP) for nine years. The PSMIP provides public service managers with group life insurance as well as long-term disability and other insurance. The Trustees, which administer the PSMIP, are senior government officials appointed by the Treasury Board. A key element of my responsibilities was to review difficult cases brought to the Trustees for adjudication.
  • Mental Health Commission Of Canada
    Board Member
    Mental Health Commission Of Canada Sep 2018 - Aug 2019
    Ottawa, Ontario, Ca
    As a board member of the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC), I worked closely with the Chair and other board members in support of the management team's development and dissemination of innovative programs and tools to support the mental health and wellness of Canadians. I was able to bring a unique perspective to board deliberations, as I was the Deputy Minister of Health Canada at the time and the federal government had placed a significant priority on expansion of mental health services.
  • Health Canada | Santé Canada
    Deputy Minister Of Health
    Health Canada | Santé Canada Jan 2015 - Aug 2019
    Ottawa, Ontario, Ca
    In this role, I was chief executive of Health Canada, responsible for its 9,000 employees and multi-billion-dollar budget; the administration of multiple government programs; and the implementation and enforcement of numerous Acts of Parliament covering everything from consumer products, to cosmetics, to therapeutic drugs and medical devices, to tobacco and controlled substances. I took on a national leadership role in responding to the opioids crisis; negotiated agreements with the provinces and territories to allocate $11 billion in new funding to home care and mental health services; and launched important reforms to pharmaceutical pricing, nutrition labelling, vaping, and tobacco product packaging. We also launched a new Canada's Food Guide. Perhaps most notably, I oversaw Health Canada's successful effort to legalize and regulate cannabis, including passage of the Cannabis Act and development of a new regulated industry for dried cannabis, cannabis oil, and cannabis edibles and topicals.
  • Canadian Institute For Health Information
    Board Member
    Canadian Institute For Health Information Jan 2015 - Aug 2019
    Ottawa, Ontario, Ca
    Established in 1994, the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) is an independent, not-for-profit organization that provides essential information on Canada's health systems and the health of Canadians. CIHI provides comparable and actionable data and information that are used to accelerate improvements in health care, health system performance and population health across Canada.
  • Canadian Institutes Of Health Research | Instituts De Recherche En Santé Du Canada
    Member (Ex Officio) Of The Governing Council
    Canadian Institutes Of Health Research | Instituts De Recherche En Santé Du Canada Jan 2015 - Aug 2019
    Ottawa, Ontario, Ca
    As ex officio member, I brought the federal government’s perspective to the board of this independent Crown agency, which is responsible for federal funding of health research and reports to the Minister of Health. I supported the Governing Council in the advancement of key priorities, such as CIHR’s Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research, and efforts in support of cannabis research. Of particular note, I worked very closely with Council members and the Chair to address emerging research stakeholder concerns about the impact of reforms to CIHR programming. I lead the successful effort to renew the institution’s management, including the installation of an interim president and conclusion of a nation-wide search for a new chief executive.
  • Foreign Affairs And International Trade Canada
    Deputy Minister Of International Trade & G-20 Sherpa For Canada
    Foreign Affairs And International Trade Canada Nov 2012 - Jan 2015
    Ottawa, On, Ca
    In this role, I was responsible for the trade staff and associated budget of the organization, roughly 2,000 employees, including trade commissioners and other personnel posted at more than 200 offices abroad. I oversaw the Trade Portfolio through one of the most productive periods in Canadian trade negotiations. During my tenure, we successfully concluded negotiations for the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement. We also concluded negotiations for the Canada-South Korea Free Trade Agreement, Canada's first free trade agreement in Asia, and took the steps needed to bring the treaty into force. As G-20 Sherpa, I advised and supported the Prime Minister during his participation at the 2013 St. Petersburg Summit and 2014 Brisbane Summit. Working with counterparts from around the world, I helped to shape the outcomes for both summits and ensure Canadian priorities were taken aboard.
  • International Economic Forum Of The Americas
    Board Member
    International Economic Forum Of The Americas Nov 2012 - Jan 2015
    Montreal, Quebec, Ca
  • Industry Canada
    Senior Associate Deputy Minister
    Industry Canada Sep 2010 - Oct 2012
    Ottawa, On, Ca
    In this role, I was de facto second-in-command of Industry Canada and supported the Deputy Minister in the day-to-day running of the organization. My top direct responsibility was to administer the Investment Canada Act, overseeing Canada's foreign investment review process. I notably led the reviews of BHP Billiton's attempted hostile takeover of the Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan and China National Offshore Oil Corporation's purchase of oilsands company Nexxen.
  • Government Of Canada
    Representative Of The Prime Minister, Beyond The Border Working Group
    Government Of Canada Feb 2011 - Dec 2011
    The Prime Minister named me in February of 2011 as Canada's lead representative on the bi-national Canada-U.S. Beyond the Border Working Group, which developed the Action Plan for Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness released by the Prime Minister and President of the United States on December 7, 2011. I negotiated the Action Plan with my White House counterparts named by President Obama and led the cross-Canada consultations with stakeholders. I retained my existing role as the Senior Associate Deputy Minister of Industry during this time, but relinquished most day-to-day departmental responsibilities while the Action Plan was in development; I returned full time to duties at Industry Canada in December of that year. I spent a lot of time working closely with Canadian industry and other border stakeholders to identify and advance improvements to border procedures that would support increased trade and ease the flow of people and goods. Many of the important reforms secured under the Action Plan remain in effect today.
  • Privy Council Office
    Deputy Secretary To The Cabinet, Plans And Consultations
    Privy Council Office Jul 2008 - Sep 2010
    Ottawa, Ca
    Provided advice on strategic policy, macro-economic and fiscal policy and the development of the federal budget, and government-wide communications and consultations activities, to the Clerk of the Privy Council, the Prime Minister, and the Cabinet. Organized and supported, at the direction of the Clerk and Prime Minister, meetings of the Cabinet, the Priorities and Planning Committee of Cabinet, and various other meetings and planning retreats of Ministers and Deputy Ministers.
  • Privy Council Office
    Deputy Secretary To The Cabinet, Operations
    Privy Council Office Mar 2007 - Jul 2008
    Ottawa, Ca
    Provided advice on economic, social, and environmental policy issues to the Clerk of the Privy Council, Prime Minister, and Cabinet; coordinated the work of departments in these areas; and organized and supported meetings of the Cabinet Committees focused on these areas.
  • Privy Council Office
    Assistant Secretary To The Cabinet, Economic And Regional Development Policy
    Privy Council Office Jul 2004 - Mar 2007
    Ottawa, Ca
    Provided advice on economic and regional development policy issues to the Clerk of the Privy Council, Prime Minister, and Cabinet; coordinated the work of departments in these areas; and organized and supported meetings of the Cabinet Committees focused on these areas.
  • Agriculture And Agri-Food Canada
    Director General, International Markets Bureau
    Agriculture And Agri-Food Canada Sep 2003 - Jul 2004
    Ottawa, Ontario, Ca
    I led the Government of Canada's global marketing activities in support of the Canadian agriculture and agri-food sectors. I led missions to key markets such as Japan, China and India, among other activities.
  • Agriculture And Agri-Food Canada
    Director General, Policy Planning And Integration
    Agriculture And Agri-Food Canada Mar 2001 - Sep 2003
    Ottawa, Ontario, Ca
    In this role, I played a central part in the development of a new federal-provincial-territorial agenda for Canadian agriculture. Following intensive negotiations among governments and extensive consultations with farmers and other stakeholders, we concluded the $5.2-billion Agricultural Policy Framework---this was the first of what was to become many such 5-year accords to support the Canadian farm sector through investments in science, environmental stewardship, food safety, and value-added production.
  • Privy Council Office
    Senior Analyst And Then Director Of Operations, Priorities And Planning
    Privy Council Office Oct 1997 - Mar 2001
    Ottawa, Ca
    I joined PCO's Priorities and Planning Secretariat in 1997 as an analyst and was later promoted to the director's position in October of 1999. I was part of a small team that organized Cabinet meetings and developed advice for the Prime Minister to support him in advancing the government's agenda. I took a lead role in the drafting of two speeches from the throne, the document used to establish the government's priorities at the opening of a new Parliament.
  • Transport Canada - Transports Canada
    Various Positions
    Transport Canada - Transports Canada Apr 1990 - Oct 1997
    Ottawa, On, Ca
    I held a variety of roles at Transport Canada's regional office in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, and at the headquarters of both the Canadian Coast Guard and Transport Canada in Ottawa. Notably, I was a member of the Coast Guard's Tanker Safety Implementation Team, which developed the official response to the 1990 report of the Public Review Panel on Tanker Safety and Marine Spills Response Capability, also known as the Brander-Smith Report. In this context, I played a central role in the development of new legislation to help prevent marine oil spills.

Simon Kennedy Skills

Policy Public Policy Government International Relations Policy Analysis Strategic Planning Strategic Communications Strategy Management Leadership Corporate Communications Public Affairs Economics Economic Development Public Relations Research Governance Public Administration Politics Community Development Speech Writing Project Planning Public Speaking Media Relations Diplomacy Program Management Stakeholder Engagement Foreign Policy International Development Corporate Social Responsibility Management Consulting Leadership Development Political Science Fundraising Communications Planning Nonprofits Organizational Development English Crisis Management Proposal Writing Government Relations Crisis Communications French Legislation Non Profits Internal Communications Planning Budgets Marketing Communications Budgeting

Simon Kennedy Education Details

  • Insead
    Insead
    Advanced Management Programme
  • Syracuse University
    Syracuse University
    Communications Management
  • Mount Saint Vincent University
    Mount Saint Vincent University
    Public Relations
  • Institute Of Corporate Directors / Rotman School Of Management, University Of Toronto
    Institute Of Corporate Directors / Rotman School Of Management, University Of Toronto
    Directors Education Program

Frequently Asked Questions about Simon Kennedy

What company does Simon Kennedy work for?

Simon Kennedy works for Ottawa Community Foundation

What is Simon Kennedy's role at the current company?

Simon Kennedy's current role is Experienced Executive and Board Member.

What is Simon Kennedy's email address?

Simon Kennedy's email address is si****@****c.gc.ca

What schools did Simon Kennedy attend?

Simon Kennedy attended Insead, Syracuse University, Mount Saint Vincent University, Institute Of Corporate Directors / Rotman School Of Management, University Of Toronto.

What skills is Simon Kennedy known for?

Simon Kennedy has skills like Policy, Public Policy, Government, International Relations, Policy Analysis, Strategic Planning, Strategic Communications, Strategy, Management, Leadership, Corporate Communications, Public Affairs.

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