In January 2008, Marie Lemay became chief executive officer (CEO) of the National Capital Commission (NCC), the first to occupy this position since the role of chair and CEO was split into two positions.

As CEO, Ms. Lemay is responsible for ensuring that the NCC fulfills its mandate. She also serves as the NCC’s principal spokesperson, and is poised to lead the organization into a new era of effective community partnership within Canada’s Capital.

Ms. Lemay is a professional engineer: she graduated from the University of Ottawa (1983), is a member of the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec (OIQ) and Professional Engineers Ontario, and a fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering.

As an engineer, she served the City of Gatineau (1986 to 1995), first as a project manager involved in infrastructure and new city developments, and later as chief of the project development division. Ms. Lemay also worked for the Municipality of Chelsea (1995 to 2000), initially as director of technical services and subsequently as director general.

She has gained a national perspective during her career by living, travelling and working in Canada, notably during her seven years as CEO of Engineers Canada, a national organization that represents some 160,000 engineers and 12 provincial and territorial regulatory bodies.

In 2005, Gatineau’s Chamber of Commerce named Ms. Lemay Engineer of the Year and presented her with the Excelor 2005 award for her contribution to the social and economic development of the region. In 2006, the OIQ presented her with the Mérite du Conseil interprofessionnel du Québec to honour her outstanding service as an ambassador for her profession.

Ms. Lemay has also contributed to the community in the Capital region as a volunteer, through engagement in her family’s extracurricular activities, and as president of the University of Ottawa’s Engineering Students’ Society and vice-president of the Association des ingénieurs municipaux du Québec.