Career

Karen Ellis is a seasoned public sector leader and advisor with deep experience in strategic operations, policy, service delivery, and large-scale organizational change. Over a 25-year career in both federal and provincial governments, she led complex organizations and diverse teams through significant transformation and modernization.

In the federal public service, Karen held senior executive roles across multiple departments and agencies. She served as Assistant Deputy Minister at National Defence, the Treasury Board Secretariat, and the Canada Revenue Agency, where she led major initiatives in infrastructure, environmental stewardship, public service renewal, diversity, official languages, and values and ethics.

She later served as Associate Deputy Minister at Natural Resources Canada, President of the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, and Associate Deputy Minister of Veterans Affairs Canada.

Following her federal career, Karen established a consulting practice focused on change leadership before joining the Ontario Public Service, where she served as Deputy Minister of Correctional Services. In this role, she led the modernization of complex operations within Ontario’s justice system. She also served concurrently as a Public Service Commissioner and member of the Executive Development Committee, helping guide senior talent management and leadership development across the Ontario Public Service.

Advisory and Facilitation Services

Karen is an accomplished speaker, facilitator, and advisor who works with senior leaders and management teams navigating major organizational change. Drawing on both formal training and extensive executive experience, she helps leaders translate change theory into practical strategies that engage people and sustain results.

Her work includes keynote presentations, executive advisory services, facilitated leadership discussions, and interactive workshops tailored to the culture and challenges of each organization. Karen is particularly skilled at helping leaders manage complex transformations with clarity, realism, and humanity.

Qualifications/Certifications

​Karen is a Certified Executive Instructor in Change Management (Prosci Canada) and delivered more than 100 change leadership programs for federal departments and agencies. She also served as Program Co-Director of the “Leading People for Results” program at the University of Ottawa’s School of Public Administration.

She is certified to use the Gallup StrengthsFinder assessment with teams and individuals.

Karen holds a Master of Arts in History, an Honours Bachelor of Arts (First Class) from Carleton University, and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Ottawa.