As a driving force in Edmonton’s charitable sector, Elizabeth O’Neill has demonstrated savvy business acumen, sound values, and inspirational leadership.
Elizabeth is the executive director of Boys and Girls Clubs Big Brothers Big Sisters Society of Edmonton & Area. She started in 1979, serving 50 children; today, this organization, after several mergers, has more than 3,000 volunteers and serves more than 5,000 children.
“Her role in bridging the seemingly impossible gap between the non-profit community sector and government policy makers is almost legendary in our city,” says Mike Henry, a School of Business dean at Grant MacEwan University.
Elizabeth has an uncanny ability to sense what community issues are important before policy makers and stakeholders even recognize them. Even more remarkably, she will have a practical solution before others have discovered the problem.
Her insight and entrepreneurial philosophy earned her the title of the 2010 Allard Chair in Business, the YWCA Women of Distinction Award in Social Services, as well as being named a Woman of Vision by Global TV.
Elizabeth is currently co-chair of the Alberta Mentoring Partnership and board member with Edmonton Community Foundation, and the EPCOR and TELUS Community Foundations. As always, she brings inspiration and integrity to the table, continually seeking to serve her community.