Member of the Order of Canada

• Awarded on: May 7, 2015
• Invested on: May 13, 2016

For her contributions as a community leader and philanthropist who focuses on education and the arts.

Ophelia Lazaridis is an exemplar of community leadership and engaged philanthropy. When the Stratford Festival was struggling with decreased attendance as a result of the economic recession, her patronage ensured that it would not have to reduce performances to meet its budgetary constraints. A graduate of the University of Waterloo, she has also taken an active interest in steering its course as a member of its board of governors. She continues to champion a number of other worthy causes in her region including the Waterloo Public Library and the Warriors Swim Club.