Penny Hartin

Penny Hartin, LLD (Hon), BSc(Hon), BEd

Toronto, ON

Penny Hartin retired as Chief Executive Officer of the World Blind Union (WBU) in 2018.

Prior to joining the WBU in 2006 as its first CEO, she spent more than 27 years at the CNIB in senior management roles, including Executive Director of the provinces of Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick.

Penny has gained extensive board experience as Officer of the World Blind Union and sitting on various WBU committees. At the international level, she served for six years on the first UN Panel of Experts to monitor the Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities, the precursor to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), for which she worked on the program’s development and implementation. She has frequently represented the WBU in the international arena including at the United Nations and its various agencies.

Throughout her career Penny visited more than 50 countries and every continent except Antarctica.

Born with congenital cataracts, Penny has low vision, uses speech and screen magnification access technology and cherishes her guide dog, Chicory.

BOARD MEMBERSHIPS AND COMMITTEE EXPERIENCE

  • Canadian National Institute of the Blind (CNIB)
    • Board Member (2017–present)
    • Chair of Strategy Committee (2023–present)
    • Chair of Governance Committee (2021–2023)
    • Member, CEO Recruitment Committee (2024)
    • Member, Deafblind Community Services Board (2017–2019)
  • World Blind Union (WBU)
    • Member, Regional and International Committees on the Status of Blind Women (1990–present)
    • Chair of Low Vision Committee (2013–2016)
    • President, North America/Caribbean Region (2004–2006)
    • Member, International Officers and Executive Committee (2004–2006)
    • Board Member (2004–2006)
    • WBU Representative, United Nations Panel of Experts on Disability Issues (1993–2000)
    • Member, International Committee on Human Rights (1993–1996)
  • Guide Dog Users of Canada, Board Member (2021–2023)
  • Accessibility Standards Canada
    • Board Member (2019–2023)
    • Governor in Council appointee (2019–2023)
    • Chair of External Relations Committee (2019–2023)
  • Blind Sailing Association of Canada, Treasurer and Board Member (2018–2021)
  • World Braille Foundation, Board Member (2017–2019)
  • Canadian Network on Disability & Development
    • Board Chair (2006–2009)
    • Board Member (2006–2011)

EDUCATION AND CREDENTIALS

  • Executive Leadership Program, Niagara Institute, 2003
  • Honorary Doctorate of Laws (LLD (Hon)), Laurentian University, 2000
  • Master of Business Administration (2/3 completion), University of New Brunswick, 1995
  • Bachelor of Education, Ontario Ministry of Education, 1979
  • Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Language, Laurentian University, 1978

Updated June 9, 2025