The Hon. Konrad von Finckenstein
Long-serving Canadian public servant, the Hon. Konrad von Finckenstein joined the Board of Governors in 2018 as a community-at-large member.
A consultant and arbitrator, Konrad has worked in the areas of trade, commercial, competition, communications and immigration, administration and refugee law for nearly 40 years.
Konrad was Chief Commercial Counsel of the Canadian Government for 23 years, the Commissioner of Competition and head of the Competition Bureau for seven years, Justice of the Federal Court for four years and Chairman of the CRTC for five years.
In these roles, Konrad was responsible for the legal aspects of the Canada US free trade negotiations, ensured a competitive marketplace for Canadian businesses and consumers and was instrumental in removing unnecessary regulations in the communications industry allowing the communication industry to react more quickly to market changes in an era of rapid technological advancements.
Now retired, Konrad brings his experience and expertise to Carleton’s Board. But, his journey to campus began long before joining the Board of Governors.
Born in Germany, Konrad immigrated to Canada when he was 17 to begin his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science at Carleton. An experience he thoroughly enjoyed, attending Carleton has now become a family tradition – 10 members are now alumni.
“Attending Carleton was a wonderful experience, I feel indebted to the university,” he explained. “Now 50 years later, I return to campus to give back to the community and to help prepare the next generation for the challenges to come.”
Konrad noted how the university’s strength in interdisciplinary studies is one he benefited from during his time as student as is pleased it is still part of Carleton’s culture.
“Carleton provided me with a very well-rounded education,” he explained. “I was able to take courses in diverse subjects which was a nice way to round out general knowledge background which became very handy later in life.”
Konrad continued his studies at Queen’s University where he received his law degree and then began his extensive government and judicial career.
For Konrad, returning to campus has felt like a homecoming, even with an ever changing landscape.
“I feel very at home on the Board and so far the experience has been very interesting,” he explained. “The changes to campus are significant. Fifty years ago when I graduated the centre of the university were four little buildings around the quad and now that quad is just a tiny piece of the university.”
Konrad hopes students take advantage of the university’s capital and international advantage.
“Carleton provides an intellectual journey of discovery,” he said. “We have students from all walks of life, you can talk to someone from Ghana about economic development and in the same day hear someone from India’s view. This exposure to different ways of thinking and approaching is exactly what university is about.”
Konrad currently serves on the Board’s Finance Committee and is one of the Board representatives on Senate. He was elected to the Board of Governors for a three-year term commencing July 1, 2018, and ending June 30, 2021.
Click here to view the 2019-2020 Board of Governors membership.