Let’s Chat: Leading Change and Modernization in Ontario’s Public Service

Michelle E. DiEmanuele, the Secretary of the Cabinet and Head of the Ontario Public Service reflects on leading through change as navigating “whitewater rafting,” balancing technology, AI, and data with a strong focus on people. She emphasizes purpose-driven leadership, clear communication, and building resilience to empower teams. Transformative opportunities lie in foundational modernization—training leaders, improving processes, and deploying AI across ministries—to enable cross-government innovation and more efficient, citizen-focused services.