James McCracken

Mr. McCracken retired as director of education for the Ottawa Catholic School Board after a distinguished career in public education. He was a teacher, department head, vice-principal, principal, supervisory officer, associate director and director of education.

Mr. McCracken has also been an active member on the board of directors of a number of organizations in the Ottawa community and provincially including: Campaign Chairperson, United Way Ottawa; Chairperson, United Way Board of Directors; Chairperson, Success By 6; President of the Catholic Education Foundation of Ottawa; Director, Shepherds of Good Hope; Chair of the Board of Governors, The Ottawa Hospital; Director, University of Ottawa Heart Institute; and Chair of the Board of Directors, Ontario Hospital Association.

Mr. McCracken’s honours include: The EXL Award for exemplary leadership presented by the Canadian Association of School Administrators; The Benemerenti Medal conferred by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI for distinguished service to the Catholic Church and Community; The Distinguished Civic Award for Humanitarianism awarded by the City of Ottawa; May 20, 2010 was proclaimed as James G McCracken Day in the City of Ottawa in recognition of his contributions to education and community service; The Distinguished Leadership Award conferred by The Ontario Catholic Supervisory Officers Association; The Special Award for Distinguished Service to Catholic Education conferred by the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association; The Community Builder of the Year Award, United Way Ottawa; Quality of Life Award, St. Joseph’s Women’s Centre; Lifetime Achievement Award, Volunteer Ottawa; Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers, Governor General of Canada; and Lifetime Membership awarded by Ontario Hospital Association.

Mr. McCracken holds a B.A. (hons) from Carleton University, a B.Ed from the University of Toronto, and a M.Ed. from the University of Ottawa. James McCracken was appointed to the Board of Governors effective September 1, 2019 and appointed Vice Chair of the Governance Committee September 1, 2020.