Biography
Sandra Pupatello, a former provincial politician, is an advocate for Ontario’s economic growth and development and a businesswoman with over 30 years of experience in public service, corporate leadership, and community engagement.
First elected as a Member of Provincial Parliament for Windsor West in 1995, she went on to serve as Minister of Economic Development and Trade, where she led trade delegations around the world. She also held several other cabinet positions, including Education, Women’s Issues, and Community and Social Services, and was Vice-Chair of Ontario’s Treasury Board.
Prior to entering politics, Ms. Pupatello worked and volunteered at various organizations in the non-profit sector, where she continues to be active today. She serves on the Board of Martinrea International and is a board member of the Saint Elizabeth Foundation. In 2012, she founded Canadian International Avenues Ltd, a management consulting firm.
Until her appointment to the Senate, she chaired the Toronto Port Authority Board of Directors and was a Senior Fellow and National Council Member of the C.D. Howe Institute. Previously, she served as Chair of Hydro One, Director of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, Chair of the Pearson Centre for Progressive Policy. Additionally, she was the Founding Vice-Chair of Ontario Global 100 and the first woman President of the Fogolar Furlan Club of Windsor, where she served for 10 years on the Board of Directors. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she co-founded and co-chaired Reshoring Canada to encourage intraprovincial trade.
Ms. Pupatello has received several awards and distinctions. She was named WXN’s Top 100 list of Canada’s Most Powerful Women.
She was named the Businesswoman of the Year Award from the Italian Chamber of Commerce of Ontario, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Windsor-Essex Chamber of Commerce, and the Innovation and Global Growth Award from the Bank of Montréal.
Ms. Pupatello holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Windsor, as well as a Corporate Director Certificate from the University of Toronto.
Sandra Pupatello is married to Jim Bennett from Newfoundland.