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Appointment of Jacqueline Rigg as Executive-in-Residence at Telfer Executive Programs

Jacqueline Rigg, Executive-in-Residence at Telfer Executive Programs

Glen Orsak, Director of Executive Programs at the Telfer Centre for Executive Leadership is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Jacqueline Rigg as Executive-in-Residence at Telfer Executive Programs

Ms. Rigg retired after an extensive 35-year career in senior positions in the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors. Her experience includes serving as the Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Professional Executives of the Public Service of Canada (APEX), Vice-President of the Human Resources Branch at the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), & Director General in a Human Resources capacity at both Canada Border Services Agency and the Department of National Defence. Prior to joining the public service, she was an executive at Bell Canada, where she held senior positions in Finance, Marketing and Communications.

Jacqueline will draw on her credentials, experience, and passion to advise Telfer Executive Programs on initiatives relating to diversity, inclusion, and workplace equity. Her experience in this field includes serving as the Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) Champion at CBSA, participation on Deputy Minister and Departmental D&I working groups for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), authoring a white paper on Inclusion, working with the Black Executive Network and the Black Women’s Executive Network as well as being a guest speaker at events and participating in panel discussions. Her human resources background will inform her work and help Telfer Executive Programs develop innovative learning experiences that advance diversity and inclusion for leaders and organizations in the National Capital Region and beyond.


Jacqueline Rigg on the Evolution of Diversity and Inclusion

“I remember when diversity and inclusion was a novelty.  The understanding and education around it was inconsistent and not comprehensive. Looking to the future, I want to see clarity, a common understanding and acceptance of what Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion truly means.  Before, we had more questions than answers in this space. Now, we need clarity so that everyone is on the same page and understands the positive impact that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion would make to their lives, their organization, and the world.”


Rigg holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree (Honours, Major Finance) from the Telfer School of Management at the University Ottawa and an Executive Leadership Program Certification from Queen’s University. She is also a certified World Customs Organization Coach and a Distinguished Fellow at the Canada School of Public Service.

Jacqueline Rigg on her Plans to Drive Innovation in Diversity & Inclusion at Telfer Executive Programs

“With Telfer Executive Programs, I am prepared to bring innovative solutions based on the challenges that today’s executives are experiencing with D&I. I will leverage my lived experiences to assist and align D&I best practices that are impactful and meaningful to the leadership community. I want leaders to develop their own unique views on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and for them to gain useful insights that will make a difference in their lives as leaders as they contribute to true equality.”

Telfer Executive Programs is part of the Telfer School of Management at the University of Ottawa and is focused on delivering over 30 high-impact, innovative leadership development programs and workshops for executives and senior leaders in its client and partner organizations.  Telfer clients and partners consist of organizations in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors in the National Capital Region, across the country and internationally.