Carmen Abela

Carmen is the Founder and Managing Director of WindReach Consulting Services Inc., an Ottawa-based consultancy specializing in public sector accountability. For over 25 years, Carmen has been advising senior government leaders on public sector oversight and operational excellence.

Her areas of specialty include governance, risk management, and internal audit. The scope of her career has touched virtually all functions of government, although her professional emphasis is on organizations mandated with the advancement of knowledge and the protection of the public interest.

Carmen is deeply committed to building public trust, which she does through her professional practice and her board work. She is currently a member of the Board for Atomic Energy of Canada, Ltd. (AECL) where she is a member of the Audit Committee and the Chair of the Human Resources and Governance Committee. She is a former elected Public Director of the Board for Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) where she chaired the Audit Committee and the Special Board Committee on High Performance. She is a former member of the Board for Immigrant Women Services Ottawa (IWSO) as well as the past Chair of the National Board for the Institute of Internal Auditors Canada. Carmen is a Chartered Director (C.Dir.), a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree from McGill as well as a Master of Arts Degree in Public Administration from Carleton University.

Carmen and her husband Aaron live in Ottawa and are proud parents of three wonderful children.