Speaker Charlie Coffee today

Posted by Stephen Rhodes 
 
Throughout his career, Charlie Coffey has made community leadership a priority.he especially enjoys interacting with young people, entrepreneurs and aboriginal peoples, as well as investing time in projects and programs that help make a difference, including a local, national and international "children first" agenda.

Coffey's efforts on behalf of aboriginal peoples extend well beyond the parameters of his various professional associations and activities. Former Grand Chief Phil Fontaine and the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs named Charlie Coffey an Honourary Chief for his support of First Nations and their goals of economic development and self-sufficiency.

Leading in the Workplace
Charlie is a native of Woodstock, New Brunswick where he started his 44-year career with RBC Financial Group.

Coffey is the former executive vice president, government affairs and business development for RBC. Prior to that position, Charlie headed business banking in Canada for five years. He also led three regional headquarters: Manitoba, Metro Toronto and Ontario.

Supporting the Community
Charlie Coffey's leadership, proven record and reputation in private, public and not-for-profit sectors across the country, has resulted in several appointments and special honours:

Charlie is chair, Council for Early Child Development; chair, Canadian Council of Christians and Jews; chair, national advisory council, Canadian Museum for Human Rights; executive committee member, National Aboriginal Economic Development Board; member, National Committee of Aga Khan Foundation Canada; and director of the Arctic Children and Youth Foundation, and Sustainable Development Technology Canada. 

Coffey accepted the Canadian Women's International Business Initiative Award from the Canadian Embassy in the United States for RBC's outstanding support of businesswomen. He received the Award of Distinction from the Public Affairs Association of Canada and the Humanitarian Award for Community Service from Yorktown Family Services (Toronto). ORT Toronto presented Charlie with its first annual "local hero in a global village" award in 2005.  An Honourary Doctor of Laws degree was conferred upon Coffey by Trent University for his "extraordinary contributions to society through community leadership" in 2006.  Charlie Coffey was appointed an Officer to the Order of Canada in 2004.