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Pamela Wallin, O.C., S.O.M., is the Senior Advisor on Canada-US relations to the President of the Americas Society and the Council of the Americas in New York. In Canada, she serves on several corporate boards, including CTVglobemedia, Canada’s premier multimedia company with ownership in CTV and The Globe and Mail; Gluskin Sheff & Associates, an investment and wealth management firm; Oilsands Quest, an energy development company; Porter Airlines, Canada's newest air carrier; and Jade Tower, an independent antenna site and tower company. Pamela is also a member of a special Advisory Board for BMO Harris Bank.

 

Pamela was named Chancellor of the University of Guelph in 2007. She is also the co-Chair of the National Strategy Council for the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute. Pamela serves on many volunteer boards, including the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research.

 

Pamela is an Officer of the Order of Canada, Canada’s highest civilian honour and served, at the request of Prime Minister Harper, on the special Independent Panel on Canada’s Future Role in Afghanistan.

 

The career of the Canadian-born journalist, diplomat and entrepreneur has now spanned more than thirty years and several continents. From CBC radio to the Ottawa bureau of the Toronto Star, Pamela was recruited by CTV. There, she hosted Canada AM, went on to become Ottawa bureau chief, and anchored the CTV weekend news. And in 1992, she became the first Canadian woman to co-anchor the nightly national television newscast Prime Time News.

 

In 1995, Pamela founded an independent television company, Pamela Wallin Productions, through which she hosted and produced a live, highly successful nightly interview program. She also hosted the Canadian edition of Who Wants to be a Millionaire, garnering the highest ratings ever for a network production.

 

Although her work as a journalist covered all aspects of domestic and international politics, Pamela has dedicated much of her professional career to coverage of the Canada/U.S. relationship.  Following the events of 9/11, Prime Minister Jean Chrétien appointed Pamela to a four-year term as Consul General of Canada in New York.

 

Pamela has fourteen Honorary Doctorates and among many other honors, she has been named to the Canadian Broadcasting Hall of Fame; she received a national Visionary Award in Canada; and was twice recognized by Queen Elizabeth II for her public service and achievements. In 1995, the citizens of her hometown of Wadena, Saskatchewan dedicated a street in her honor, Pamela Wallin Drive.

 

Pamela is the author of three books, including her best selling autobiography Since You Asked (1998), Speaking of Success (2001), and The Comfort of Cats (2002).

  

 

CURRENT LEADERSHIP POSITIONS:

 

• Board of Directors, Gluskin Sheff & Associates
• Board of Directors, CTVglobemedia
• Board of Directors, Oilsands Quest Inc.
• Board of Directors, Porter Airlines Inc.
• Board of Directors, Jade Tower Inc.
• Advisory Board, BMO Harris Private Banking
• Board of Directors, Canadian American Business Council
• Board of Directors, Canadian Club of Toronto
• Fellow, Centre for the Study of Democracy, Queen’s University
• Advisory Board, Canada Institute at Woodrow Wilson Center
• Council Member, Historica Foundation
• Honorary Patron, Genesis Research Foundation
• President’s Council, Wildlife Trust
• Honorary Chair, The Nature Conservancy of Canada
• Director, US Friends of the National Arts Centre
• National Cabinet, The Banff Centre
• Honorary Co-Chair, Canadian Council of Christians and Jews
• International Advisory Board Member, Institute for United States Policy Studies, University of Alberta (Edmonton)

 

 

HONORARY DEGREES:

 

• 2008   Doctor of Laws, University of Alberta
• 2006   Doctor of Laws, University of Windsor
• 2006   Doctor of Laws, University of Guelph
• 2005   Doctor of Laws, University of Lethbridge
• 2004   Doctor of Letters, Athabasca University
• 2003   Doctor of Laws, University of Waterloo
• 2003   Doctor of Civil Law, Bishop’s University
• 2003   Doctor of Humane Letters, Mount Saint Vincent University
• 2002   Doctor of Laws, University of Regina
• 2002   Doctor of Letters, St. Thomas University
• 2000   Doctor of Laws, University of Western Ontario
• 2000   Doctor of Journalism, Ryerson University
• 1999   Doctor of Letters, Wilfrid Laurier University
• 1996   Applied Arts and Technology, Loyalist College

 

 

 

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:

 

• The Economic Club of New York
• The American Assembly
• The Carnegie Council 
• The Foreign Policy Association
• The Canadian Association of New York
• The Belizean Grove

 

 

AWARDS:

 

• 2008   “Best Buddies” Spirit of Friendship Award
• 2008  Nation Builder Award, Famous 5 Foundation
• 2005  Queen Elizabeth II Centennial Medal
• 2004  OPAS Visionary Award
• 2003  Distinguished Honoree, Canadian Society of New York
• 2003  Lifetime Achievement Award, Canadian Association of Broadcasters
• 2002  Woman of the Year, Canadian Women in Communications
• 2002  Variety Diamond Award for Community Service
• 2002  Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s Golden Jubilee Medal
• 1999  UNIFEM Canada Award, United Nations, inaugural recipient for             outstanding contributions toward the advancement of women
• 1999  Saskatchewan Order of Merit
• 1997  Radio and Television News Directors’ Association President’s Broadcaster of the Year Award
• 1997  Galaxi Award for Best On-Air Performance, Canadian Cable Television Association
• 1997  Outstanding Achievement Award, Women in Film and Television
• 1997  Toronto Life “Women Who Make A Difference” Award in Communications
• 1992  Gordon Sinclair Gemini Award for Best Overall Broadcast Journalist
• 1982  Queen Elizabeth II Outstanding Canadian Achiever

 

 

 

EDUCATION:

 

• 2006   Corporate Board Program, Harvard Business School
• 2003  Arnold Wolfers Fellow, Yale University
• 1992  James Minifie Memorial Lecturer, University of Regina
• 1990  Skelton Clark Fellow, Queen’s University
• 1973  Bachelor of Arts (Honors), Psychology and Political Science, University of Regina

 

 

 

CAREER DETAILS

 

 

2006 to Present

 

Senior Advisor to the President, Americas Society/Council of the Americas

Pamela joined the Americas Society and the Council of the Americas in New

York as a senior advisor on Canada/US Relations in the Fall of 2006. She assists

the Board and elected leadership team on organizational positioning, strategic communications and diplomatic issues.

 

Corporate Director

Pamela serves as a director for several corporations including CTVglobemedia,

the largest media company in Canada; Oilsands Quest, a Calgary based exploration company; Gluskin Sheff and Associates, a wealth management firm with $6 billion under management; Jade Tower, a communications tower management company; and on a special Advisory Board for BMO Harris Bank Private Banking

 

University Chancellor

Pamela is Chancellor of one of Canada’s leading comprehensive universities and research institutions, the University of Guelph

 

 

2002 to 2006

 

CANADIAN CONSULATE

Consul General

The Prime Minister of Canada appointed Pamela to the position of Consul General of Canada, believing that after 9/11 New York was their most important diplomatic post. She served a four year term during some of the most challenging times in the relationship between the two nations.

 

 

1995 to 2002

 

PAMELA WALLIN PRODUCTIONS

President, Pamela Wallin Productions

Started her own production company, and invested in a studio production facility. Created, produced and hosted a live, one hour nightly national interview program (a cross between Charlie Rose and Larry King). Started two Internet projects working in partnership with the national newspaper The Globe and Mail and the largest national book chain. Hosted the Canadian edition of Who Wants to be a Millionaire, gaining the highest ratings ever for a Canadian network production. Authored two books based upon her television career.

 

 

1990 to 1993

 

CBC-TV

In 1992, Pamela became the first Canadian woman to co-anchor the nightly national television newscast, Prime Time News.

 

 

1980 to 1990

 

CTV

Parliamentary Bureau Chief (85-90)

CTV Ottawa Bureau Chief, CTV Week-end News Anchor, Host Question Period,

Chief National Correspondent - as Ottawa Bureau Chief, Pamela ran an operation of 30 reporters and crew, and reported, on air, as the network’s Chief national correspondent, and continued to regularly host the morning show, Canada AM; she also produced and hosted the program Question Period (the Canadian version of Meet the Press) and anchored the week-end national news and co-anchored all election and special network coverage.

 

Co-Host, Canada AM (80-85)

Recruited by the country's largest television network to co-Host the morning show (the equivalent of Good Morning America, Today). In addition, she reported from international hot spots including the Mid-East, Central America, the Falklands War, economic summits, royal visits, etc.).

 

 

1978 to 1980

 

TORONTO STAR

Reporter, Ottawa Bureau

Recruited by the country's largest newspaper for their Parliamentary Bureau, focusing on political coverage and began guesting on CTV's Question Period (see above).

 

 

1974 to 1978

 

CBC RADIO

Host and Producer (75-78)

Regina/Ottawa morning news and current affairs programs;;nightly national

radio show As It Happens and the weekly news program Sunday Morning.

Involved covering federal politics, election and leadership campaigns and

international breaking news. Pamela was senior political producer for As It

Happens - a program concept later borrowed by PBS which they called All Things

Considered. Also served as researcher and producer for Sunday Morning

producing feature interviews and documentaries on leading political and literary

figures. Pamela was first hired by the public broadcaster to host an open-line

radio show . She went on to produce the three hour morning show (singlehandedly)

before moving to the nation's capital to produce the morning show

there. Also did on-air reporting during that time.

 

 

1973 to 1974

 

Human Resources Development Agency

Prince Albert Penitentiary

Social Worker

Recruited out of university to become a government agency social worker in a

maximum security penitentiary working with native prisoners and their families

on work projects enabling inmates to help support families.