Six Carleton Community Members Appointed to the Order of Canada
Six Carleton community members, including a former Carleton president, faculty and alumni, have been named to the Order of Canada. These trailblazers have been recognized for their positive impact and exceptional contributions to enriching the lives of others in Canada. The newest Carleton community appointees include leaders in academia, art history, law and human rights, philanthropy, politics and the public service.
Companion
The Honourable Rosalie Silberman Abella, (ALHD/05), was named a Companion of the Order. In 2005, Carleton awarded Abella the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to social and legal policy and human rights.
Abella made history as the first Jewish woman appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada in 2004. Widely regarded as a leading voice on constitutional and human rights law, her opinions often cite foreign and international law. Her landmark constitutional rulings have significantly influenced the advancement of equality and human rights globally.
Officer
Roseann Runte, (Past President and Vice-Chancellor), was promoted to Officer of the Order. Runte served as Carleton’s President and Vice-Chancellor from 2008 to 2017.
A visionary leader in academia and science, Runte led a period of significant academic growth and innovation, strengthening Carleton’s research capacity. She launched more than 28 new academic programs, supported major investments in research infrastructure in areas such as energy, aerospace and health sciences, and advanced the largest fundraising campaign in the university’s history. Runte also championed Carleton’s first sexual violence prevention policy and elevated the university’s national and international profile.
She later strengthened Canada’s research capacity as head of the Canada Foundation for Innovation, securing federal support for research infrastructure across Canadian universities, colleges and research hospitals, and advancing funding mechanisms that strengthened capacity for world-class research and innovation nationwide.
The Honourable Janice Charette, (BComm/84, ALHD/23), was named an Officer of the Order. Charette is an alum of the Sprott School of Business, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in commerce. In 2023, Carleton awarded Charette the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, in recognition of “outstanding dedication and distinguished service to Canadians as clerk of the Privy Council, diplomat and humanitarian.”
A widely respected former public servant and diplomat, Charette’s four-decade career is distinguished by in-depth expertise of government, non-partisan leadership and a commitment to serving Canadians with integrity and dedication. Charette was a speaker at the 2023 Carleton Challenge Conference, where she spoke about leadership’s role in driving systemic and organizational change to address mental health in the federal public service.
Member
Susan Phillips, (MA/81, PhD/90, Professor Emerita), was named a member of the Order. A Carleton alum, Phillips graduated with master’s and doctorate degrees in political science.
She is professor emerita in the School of Public Policy & Administration, in the Faculty of Public and Global Affairs. In 2013, she founded Canada’s only graduate program in philanthropy, which offers the Master of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership, and the Graduate Diploma in Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership.
Phillips’s impactful career has shaped the field of non-profit research, guided hundreds of students and scholars, and influenced key public policy discussions. Her award-winning scholarship and editorial leadership have positioned Carleton as an international leader in non-profit and philanthropic studies.
Penny Dorothy Collenette, (BA/87), was named a member of the Order. Collenette is an alum of the Faculty of Public and Global Affairs, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in law.
Collenette is a prominent Canadian lawyer, educator and public commentator with a career spanning business, academia and politics. An advocate for women in leadership, she has worked to increase their representation in government and corporate sectors. Her expertise in public policy has made her a trusted and influential voice across the country.
Reesa Greenberg, (Adjunct Professor), was named a member of the Order. Greenberg is a former adjunct professor of art history and served as chair of the Carleton University Art Gallery Advisory Committee.
Greenberg’s pioneering work in feminist and exhibition studies has shaped art history and museology in Canada. She has played a pivotal role in advancing the digital documentation of Canadian art and supporting key cultural institutions. Her philanthropic impact includes the restoration of Canada’s Pavilion in Venice, preserving its legacy for future generations.
About the Order of Canada
Established in 1967 by Queen Elizabeth, the Order of Canada is the pillar of the Canadian honours system. Becoming a member recognizes outstanding contributions at the local or regional level or in a special field of activity. The Order of Canada is one of the country’s highest civilian honours with three levels of appointment: companion, officer and member.
On Dec. 31, 2025, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, announced 80 new appointments to the Order of Canada.
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