Penny Lee Colbourne
(Elle)

Penny Lee Colbourne is the Economic Development Communications Advisor for the NIEDB. She joined the Secretariat in 2024 after seven rewarding years working as a Communications Advisor with the Canadian Human Rights Commission.

Prior to joining the public service, Penny enjoyed a rewarding 20+ year career in TV and Documentary production as a Director, Producer and Researcher. From filming polar bears in the Arctic and fighter jets in the Middle East to factual TV programs for kids, every production opened a window into a fascinating new world. She has also worked as a Researcher for CBC News and Global Television, and as an Arts Reporter for CTV News in Montreal.

Penny is Red River Métis with deep familial roots in Northern Alberta, and a good portion of her life spent in Montreal. She has lived in multiple towns, cities and provinces across Canada and has spent meaningful time in every province and territory. She believes strongly that this country’s strength lies in its diversity, its respect for equality and human rights for all, and most importantly, in its work towards meaningful reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit and Métis people. She is grateful to live and work on the traditional unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishnaabeg and acknowledges and honours their presence on Turtle Island since time immemorial.