York University alumnus Steve Orsini (MES ’86) will head the Ontario Public Service as secretary of the cabinet and clerk of the executive council starting Wednesday. Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne appointed Orsini to the new position effective July 9, when he will succeed Peter Wallace.
Orsini graduated with a master in environmental studies (MES) in economic development from York’s Faculty of Environmental Studies in 1986.
“On behalf of his alma mater, I would like to congratulate Steve Orsini on this distinguished appointment,” said Mamdouh Shoukri, president and vice-chancellor. “We at York University take great pride in his record of public service and ongoing accomplishments. Steve’s work in the Ministry of Finance, where he served alongside our Chancellor Greg Sorbara, and his prior experience in other areas of public policy, will be of tremendous benefit to the province as he exercises leadership from the Office of Secretary of the Cabinet. We look forward to working with him in his new role.”
Orsini has served as the deputy minister of finance and secretary of the Treasury Board since December 2011. He has played a leadership role in supporting the government’s tax, benefits and pension reform agenda over the past few years. Prior to that, he served as the deputy minister of revenue and deputy minister of taxation, agencies and pensions in the Ministry of Finance.
He has also worked in the former Ministry of Treasury and Economics, the Service Sector Secretariat, the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, and the Ontario Development Corporation. In addition, he has held several positions at the Ontario Hospital Association, including vice-president of policy and public affairs.
In addition to his York University education, Orsini has completed the Canadian Securities Course, two years of the CICA In-Depth Tax Course and the Harvard University Health Care Leadership Program.
Some of York’s other prominent alumni include astronaut and quantum physicist Steve MacLean (BSc ’77, PhD ’83, DSc ’93); CTV National News anchor and awarded-winning journalist Sandie Rinaldo (BA ’73); and The Simpsons writer and producer Joel Cohen (MBA ’92).
There are also many York alumni in public service, from the deputy attorney general of Ontario Patrick Monahan (LLB ’80) to the provincial conflict of interest commissioner Derek Lett (BA ’91). The late Jim Flaherty (LLB ’73), former federal minister of finance, was also a York alumnus.