Julie Cafley

Julie Cafley is Senior Vice-President of Policy and Partnerships at the Public Policy Forum. She holds a PhD in educational leadership. Her thesis focussed on the unfinished mandates of university presidents in Canada.

Julie leads the partnership strategy for the Public Policy Forum and manages projects in the areas of public sector governance and ​innovation, with a particular focus on education and indigenous relations.

Previously, as the senior staff member to two presidents of the University of Ottawa, Julie Cafley played a key role in enhancing the profile and visibility of the University. As Chief of Staff in the Office of the President at the University of Ottawa, Julie worked closely with the President to develop and implement strategic initiatives. Julie led the student recruitment and liaison office before her time in the President’s office.

In 2012, Julie was chosen as one of the delegates for the Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference. And, in 2010, she was honoured as one of the Ottawa Business Journal's top 40 under forty for her business achievement, expertise, and community involvement.

Julie is passionate about the advancement of women in the workplace and has championed initiatives such as the University's Women and Leadership Series. She sits on the Advisory Board of Informed Opinions and was the inspiration behind the Cafley Committee website, a website designed to encourage the nomination of female leaders for external prizes and recognition.

Deeply committed to the well-being of the community around her, she played a key role in implementing Ottawa's first-ever Project Homeless Connect, a special one-day event that assists the homeless on the road to permanent housing and self-sufficiency and for 20 years, she organized an annual holiday stocking drive for children and families in need. Julie has served on the boards of her sons' school in Chelsea, QC and is an active Board member with the Parkinson’s Canada.