2005
Rural Secretariat

Alison Earle is known for her vision of, and contribution to, the public service. As assistant deputy minister with the Rural Secretariat Alison has the exceptional ability to bring together people from diverse areas, identify problems or challenges, and create an environment that supports thoughtful and respectful discussion and fosters solutions and plans. She is one of the foremost advocates and promoters of the use of evidence-based decision-making and accountability within government.

Throughout her 30 years with the public service Alison has demonstrated leadership and innovation. She has forged new and strong partnerships among government departments and better linkages between government and its regional partners and collaborators.

During her tenure at Human Resources and Employment, Alison was an integral part of the social assistance renewal process of the late 1990s. Her appointment to the Strategic Social Plan (SSP) in 2002 marked a turning point of the SSP process that commenced in 1998. Between February 2004 and October 2005, Alison led a process through which the new Rural Secretariat structure was conceptualized, designed and implemented. Her innovative skills continue to support the Rural Secretariat and build on the momentum that it is gathering. Her leadership is helping to improve trust and relationships among government, citizens and regions.

Alison deals easily with concepts and research and makes them accessible to others in practical, down-to-earth ways. She has assembled staff with strong skills in these areas as well, and the fact that their work is in demand both inside and outside of government speaks for itself. Alison draws the best from her staff and others, motivating people with humour, optimism and imagination. She shares the credit for success freely and joyfully with others, a true mark of her leadership ability.