François Guimont is currently vice-chair of the Board of Governors and succeeds Jennifer Adams, who has served as chair since 2021.
"I am truly honoured to take on this position. Throughout my career in government, my philanthropic work and my experiences with the University of Ottawa, I have witnessed the vital role this university plays in teaching, research and in community support in this region, this country and around the world."
For more than 34 years, François Guimont served in the federal government, where he held several senior leadership positions, most notably as deputy minister of Public Safety and deputy minister of Public Works and Government Services. He was also president of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and deputy commissioner of the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (now the Canada Revenue Agency). He also served in the Privy Council Office as assistant secretary in the Economic and Regional Development portfolio and at Environment Canada. He began his career in the federal public service at the Ministry of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. When he retired from government service, he joined the Mark Motors Group as the director general for the Audi brand.
A keen supporter of community philanthropy, François Guimont led the Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign. He also served as deputy minister leader for the Government of Canada's National Manager Community and was champion deputy minister for the University of Ottawa as part of the Government of Canada's university relations initiative.
He is a member of several boards, including those of the Institut du Savoir Montfort (at the Montfort Hospital) since 2025, the MacDonald-Laurier Institute, and the Old Ottawa South Community Association. In 2012, he was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and received the Award of Excellence from the University of Ottawa Alumni Association.
The new chair of the Board of Governors holds a BSc in biology from the University of Ottawa and two MSc degrees: one in water sciences from l'Institut national de la recherche scientifique and another in civil engineering from Université Laval.
The University of Ottawa would like to extend its deepest thanks to Jennifer Adams, our outgoing chair, for her skill and professionalism in leading the Board of Governors.
