York alumnus Derek Lett (BA Spec. Hons. ’91) has been named the second recipient of the Alumni Recognition Award by York’s School of Public Policy & Administration. The award recognizes Lett for contributions made to public policy and management, and for his role as a mentor to students and new professionals.
When Lett attended York, the Public Policy & Administration Program was part of the Department of Political Science in the Faculty of Arts; it is now housed in the new Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies.
Left: Derek Lett
As the award recipient, Lett will be invited to give a lecture to York students and other members of the academic community in the fall when he will be officially honoured at a reception.
Following his studies at York, Lett completed further graduate studies in public policy and administration and started his career in the Ontario Public Service. Over the past 17 years, he has held a variety of positions, including leadership roles in policy development and program delivery in numerous provincial ministries, including the Ministry of Transportation, the Ministry of the Attorney General and the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal.
Currently, he is the acting director of Diversity Program Design & Delivery with the Ontario Public Service Diversity Office where he plays a key leadership role in shaping strategy to create a diverse and inclusive workplace that is reflective of Ontario’s population.
Since 2006, Lett has been the president of York University’s Organization of Public Policy & Administration Alumni. In this capacity, as well as others, he has increased the profile of York graduates within government and has been a mentor to dozens of York University students through their internship courses