Norma Barrett
University Ombudsperson
Norma was appointed the University Ombudsperson in October 2024. As the Ombudsperson, Norma is responsible to lead the staff of the OUO in fulfilment of its mandate to serve the Â鶹¹ÙÍø's community as an independent, impartial, and confidential resource for members to raise concerns about procedural fairness in university decision-making.
Prior to her appointment, Norma held roles as the Director of the Student Conduct Office (2019-2022) and the Senior Director, Student Conduct and Care (2022-2024). In these roles, Norma actively worked to strengthen processes and procedures for the fair resolution of complaints under the Student Code of Conduct, Harassment and Discrimination Prevention and Response Policy, and the Policy on Sexual Misconduct and Sexual Violence Involving Students. She also served the broader university community as a member of the Ombudsperson Advisory Committee, and as Chair of the Sexual Violence Policy Implementation Working Group.
Prior to joining Â鶹¹ÙÍø's, Norma served as a member of the Canadian Armed Forces as a Logistics Officer, followed by selection for the Military Legal Training Plan and graduation from Â鶹¹ÙÍø's Law in 2011. Norma completed her military career as a military lawyer with responsibilities for oversight of military justice operations in Trenton. During her military career, Norma received recognition for her dedication and commitment to fairness in administrative legal matters.
Outside of her professional responsibilities, Norma enjoys sailing with her dog Pip and her partner, Kevin.
Heather Trojek
Associate University Ombudsperson
As the Associate University Ombudsperson, Heather provides information, confidential and impartial guidance, complaint and conflict resolution, consultation, investigation and diplomacy, to ensure the University community is served effectively.
Over the past twenty years, Heather has worked as a mediator, adjudicator, advocate, prosecutor, investigator, trainer and mentor. During her career, she has worked for all three levels of government practising almost exclusively in administrative law and social justice.
Most recently, Heather was appointed as a Vice Chair at the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal and the Licence Appeal Tribunal of Ontario, where she worked from 2016 until she joined Â鶹¹ÙÍø’s in September 2022. As a Vice Chair, Heather conducted hundreds of mediations, hearings and settlement conferences. Heather is committed to fairness and demonstrates inclusiveness and sensitivity when facilitating agreements between parties from diverse communities and with varying interests or perspectives.
Heather graduated from the University of Western Ontario and is a certified Mediator and Adjudicator. Her certification was obtained through Osgoode Professional Development and the Society of Ontario Adjudicators and Regulators. Heather is also a roster certified mediator with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.
Heather enjoys trying new recipes, traveling and taking long walks with her mini-golden doodle, Millie.