Carol MacKay
Community Pillars
Carol MacKay is a dedicated community leader whose volunteer service and organizational leadership have strengthened women’s civic engagement, education, and cultural life in Ottawa. Since moving to Canada’s capital in retirement to be closer to her family, she has devoted her time, experience, and energy to advancing the mission of the Ottawa Women’s Canadian Club (OWCC) and supporting a wide range of community initiatives.
Carol’s involvement with the OWCC began in 2017 after attending a luncheon at the Château Laurier. She joined the Board of Directors in 2018 as Chair of Students, bringing with her extensive prior experience in scholarship and bursary coordination through Soroptimist International in southwestern Ontario. She later served as Chair of Membership and Sponsorship, then Vice President, before assuming the Presidency in 2021 during an unexpected leadership transition at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Her leadership during this period was instrumental in sustaining the OWCC through unprecedented disruption. When in-person gatherings were suspended, Carol guided the Club through a successful transition to virtual programming, ensuring members—many of whom were seniors—remained connected and engaged. Through careful communication, adaptability, and persistence, she helped preserve the continuity of a historic organization that had met in person for more than a century.
Following the pandemic, Carol led the Club through another major transition when long-standing meeting arrangements at the Château Laurier ended. She successfully secured a new home at the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club, ensuring the OWCC could continue its programming in a stable and welcoming environment while maintaining accessibility for members.
Under her leadership, the OWCC has continued to fulfill its mandate of promoting lifelong learning, civic awareness, and women’s leadership. The Club supports scholarships and bursaries for students at the University of Ottawa, Carleton University, Queen’s University, and Algonquin College, contributing more than $1.5 million historically toward post-secondary education. Carol has also helped expand the Club’s community outreach through initiatives supporting Dress for Success, the Ottawa Food Bank, and emerging entrepreneurs through pop-up events. In addition, she has reintroduced cultural and educational outings, including visits to institutions such as the Supreme Court of Canada and Le Cordon Bleu, strengthening members’ engagement with Canadian civic life.
Carol has further reinforced the Club’s historical legacy of service by reinstating participation in Remembrance Day ceremonies at the National War Memorial and supporting initiatives that reflect patriotism, education, and community responsibility.
Beyond the OWCC, Carol brings a lifelong record of service spanning nursing, aviation, entrepreneurship, and community volunteering. Her diverse professional and personal experiences have shaped her practical leadership style and ability to connect with people across generations.
Through her vision, resilience, and commitment to community building, Carol MacKay has ensured the continued vitality of one of Ottawa’s oldest women’s organizations. Her leadership has strengthened women’s networks, expanded educational opportunities, and fostered meaningful civic engagement.
