Catherine Stewart, Canada’s Ambassador for Climate Change & SPPA Alumna
The School of Public Policy and Administration (SPPA) is delighted to announce that Catherine Stewart, Canada’s Ambassador for Climate Change, is this year’s recipient of the Bissett Alumni Award for Distinctive Contributions to the Public Sector in recognition of her exemplary work around sustainability and international negotiations.
Catherine Stewart was appointed as Canada’s Ambassador for Climate Change in 2022, having served since 2014 in various senior executive positions at Environment and Climate Change Canada including Assistant Deputy Minister of International Affairs and Chief Negotiator for Climate Change.
With over 27 years in the federal government, she has held executive positions in military procurement at Public Works and Government Services Canada and in supporting Cabinet decision-making at the Privy Council Office. She also worked on defence and security policy at the Department of National Defence for over a decade.
Prior to joining government, Catherine worked on a United Nations peacekeeping and electoral mission in Mozambique.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts from McGill University and a Master of Arts in Public Administration from Carleton University.
“We are so proud to recognize the truly significant contributions of our SPPA Alumni with this annual award” says Professor Jennifer Stewart, SPPA Director.
Catherine Stewart will be publicly presented with the Bissett Award at the SPPA Alumni Reception in September, where she will give a keynote address to the in-coming cohort of SPPA students.
Bissett Alumni Award for Distinctive Contributions to the Public Sector
Joe Bissett, Distinguished SPPA Alumni
The Bissett Alumni Award, named in recognition of the contributions to public service of an alumnus of the School of Public Policy and Administration, James (Joe) Bissett. In 1956, Mr. Bissett became one of the first students to graduate from Carleton with a Master of Arts in Public Administration. Joining our earlier graduates from the Diploma in Public Administration, he became part of tradition of dedicated public service that is continued by more than 3000 alumni. James Bissett has had a long and distinguished career in public service in both the Canadian and International contexts, thereby reflecting both the Canadian and International dimensions of our program.