TORONTO - Noella Milne has been named George Brown College’s new Chancellor. Ms. Milne will begin her three-year term at an installation ceremony on Friday, May 3.
As Chancellor, she will play a key role celebrating student success, advocating for the college and engaging with the community. Her appointment succeeds Sally Horsfall Eaton, George Brown’s inaugural Chancellor since 2012 and the first at an Ontario college.
Ms. Milne’s is the kind of success story the college envisions for many of its students.
Now an accomplished real estate lawyer, she came to Canada alone at 17 from Mumbai, India, working days and taking classes at night to earn a college diploma then a university degree. Her hard work would lead her to law school and ultimately senior partner at Borden, Ladner Gervais (BLG). Throughout her career she has been a champion for youth and an active volunteer and mentor.
“Noella’s personal story and her passion for people - especially young people – makes her a tremendous role model to students and the perfect choice for Chancellor,” said Anne Sado, President of George Brown College. “She will be a wonderful representative for us.”
Ms. Milne has a 15-year connection with George Brown, serving consecutive terms on its Board of Governors from 2003-2009 and its Foundation Board from 2010 to 2018. She completed her term as Chair of the Foundation Board last year.
Her passion for George Brown College has found her leading a number of donations, including a scholarship in the name of her late sister, Lorna D’Souza, aimed at single mothers attending George Brown College.
“Perhaps the students will be able to see themselves in me. I’m looking forward to interacting with them as much as possible,” says Milne. “When I walk through the campuses and feel the energy of the very diverse student body, I see the diversity of our wonderful city reflected in the faces of our students.”
Ms. Milne’s contribution to her adopted homeland has been acknowledged throughout her career. She has been appointed to the Order of Ontario, received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal and the RBC Top 25 Immigrant Award, recognizing inspirational immigrants who have achieved success and made a positive difference.
She has also been honoured by the Women's Executive Network (WXN) as one of Canada's Top 100 Most Powerful Women, is a recipient of the YWCA Women of Distinction award, received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Children’s Aid Foundation and an Arbor Award from the University of Toronto.
As a volunteer, she is a member of the Order of Ontario Advisory Council, on the Advisory Board of the Children’s Aid Foundation, former President and Honorary Life Director of the Canadian Club, Immediate Past Chair of UNICEF Canada and a past member of the Board of Directors for St. Michael’s Hospital, the Children’s Aid Society of Toronto and the Ontario Science Centre, among others. She also continues to mentor young lawyers and women through WXN and the Children’s Aid Society.
About George Brown College
Toronto's George Brown College has established a reputation for equipping students with the skills, industry experience and credentials to pursue the careers of their choice. The college offers programs from its three campuses located across the downtown core. George Brown offers 167 full-time programs and 191 continuing education certificates/designations across a wide variety of professions to a student body of over 30,000 (full-time enrolment) students, including 23 per cent international students; and over 68,000 continuing education registrants. Students can earn certificates, diplomas, graduate certificates, apprenticeships and degrees. www.georgebrown.ca
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