Fiona Crean

COO, Indspire and former Toronto Ombudsman

Profile photo of Fiona Crean

Fiona Crean has spent her entire career showing leaders in business and the public sector how to treat people fairly by improving their service to the public. Trained as a teacher, mediator, and investigator, Fiona has broken new ground throughout her career in her quest for equity and fairness. As the City of Toronto’s first Ombudsman, she focused on the accountability, equity, and fairness of municipal services, helping thousands of residents with their problems. As an Assistant Deputy Minister with the Ontario government, she brought significant changes to the organization of the province’s corrections system. Prior to that, she established the Ombudsperson’s Office at York University. She has also been the Chief Operating Officer at the Ontario Ombudsman’s office and earlier in her career, worked as an investigator and mediator at the Ontario Human Rights Commission. Fluent in a number of languages, Fiona has designed and delivered international programs on how to investigate maladministration, human rights and corruption. She has also worked to further the good governance of governments and non-governmental organizations in South America, Eastern Europe and southern Africa. In Canada, Fiona has worked extensively with First Nations and Inuit communities, both as a teacher and advisor in developing good governance. Her accomplishments were recognized in 2015 with the YWCA Woman of Distinction Award, which noted that:

“Fiona is a force in this city, breaking down barriers, opening doors, and building an equitable city for all of us.”