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Ontario has named 30 new appointees to the Order of Ontario for 2025, recognizing leaders across arts, media, business and public service. Among them are Tracy Moore, Cameron Bailey and Claudette McGowan, three influential Black Canadian changemakers shaping broadcasting, global cinema and cybersecurity leadership. Their inclusion reflects both individual excellence and the broader, diverse cohort advancing Ontario’s cultural and economic future.

This past week, Ontario announced 30 new appointees to the Order of Ontario for 2025, recognizing leaders whose work has shaped the province across arts, media, business, science, health care and community advocacy. Among this year’s distinguished group are broadcaster Tracy Moore, film executive Cameron Bailey, and technology leader Claudette McGowan.

They are part of a wider circle of changemakers being honoured for sustained excellence and measurable impact. Together, the 2025 cohort reflects Ontario’s evolving identity and the breadth of leadership shaping its future.

Tracy Moore’s influence beyond the studio

As the longtime host of Cityline on Citytv from 2008 to 2024, Tracy Moore has helped redefine lifestyle broadcasting in Canada. Her on-air presence combines accessibility with depth, creating space for conversations on mental health, entrepreneurship, equity and family life that resonate with diverse audiences.

Moore’s leadership extends beyond television. She has used her platform to elevate underrepresented voices and challenge outdated norms in mainstream media. Her visibility as a Black woman leading a nationally syndicated program carries structural significance in an industry where representation shapes opportunity.

Her appointment to the Order of Ontario recognizes a career rooted in public engagement and cultural influence. It acknowledges how media can serve as a vehicle for social dialogue and community affirmation.

Cameron Bailey’s global cultural stewardship

As CEO of the Toronto International Film Festival, Cameron Bailey leads one of the world’s most influential film institutions. TIFF plays a central role in shaping global cinema conversations while reinforcing Toronto’s status as a cultural capital.

Bailey began at TIFF as a programmer, where he championed films from underrepresented regions and filmmakers whose work challenged dominant narratives. Over time, his curatorial approach strengthened the festival’s international scope and deepened its commitment to inclusion.

Under his leadership, TIFF continues to drive tourism, stimulate the creative economy and provide year-round programming that connects artists and audiences. His Order of Ontario appointment affirms cultural leadership as civic leadership.

Claudette McGowan’s impact on technology and equity

Claudette McGowan brings a different but equally vital sphere of influence to this year’s honourees. A cybersecurity executive and advocate for digital transformation, she has been a leading voice in advancing equity within Canada’s technology sector.

McGowan’s work focuses on strengthening cybersecurity frameworks while expanding access and opportunity in STEM fields. She has consistently championed the inclusion of Black professionals in technology leadership roles and boardrooms, positioning innovation as both an economic and social imperative.

Her recognition by the Order of Ontario signals the growing importance of technology governance and digital security in public life. It also highlights how representation in high-growth sectors, such as tech, shapes long-term economic resilience.

Part of a broader class of excellence

While Moore, Bailey and McGowan stand out as community changemakers and for their contributions to media, film and technology, they are among 30 appointees spanning diverse fields. The 2025 class includes leaders in medicine, academia, philanthropy, business innovation and public service.

The Order of Ontario honours individuals whose work has delivered sustained benefit to the province. This year’s cohort demonstrates that progress is collective. Cultural storytellers, festival executives, cybersecurity strategists and community advocates each contribute to Ontario’s social and economic fabric.

A powerful reflection of Ontario today

The 2025 appointments send a clear message about what Ontario values: leadership that builds institutions, expands opportunity and strengthens communities. Tracy Moore shapes national conversations. Cameron Bailey elevates global cinema through a Toronto lens. Claudette McGowan advances digital security and inclusion in one of the country’s most critical industries.

Together, they represent a generation of Black Canadian leaders influencing culture, commerce and technology at the highest levels. Their inclusion within a diverse group of 30 changemakers underscores a broader truth: Ontario’s strength lies in the multiplicity of voices driving it forward.

The Order of Ontario captures that moment in history. This year, it reflects a province shaped by storytellers, innovators and builders working across disciplines to define its future.