Penny Lee Colbourne
(She/Her)

Penny Lee Colbourne is the Economic Development Communications Advisor for the NIEDB. She joined the team in 2024 after seven rewarding years working with the Canadian Human Rights Commission as a Communications Advisor.

Prior to joining the public service, Penny enjoyed an exciting 20+ year career in TV and Documentary production as a Director, Producer and Researcher. From filming polar bears in the Arctic and fighter jets in the Middle East, to factual TV programs for kids, every production opened a window into a fascinating new world. She has also worked as a Researcher for CBC News and Global Television, and as an Arts Reporter for CTV News in Montreal.

Growing up, Penny lived in multiple towns, cities and provinces across Canada, spending every summer with family in Northern Alberta and finally landing in Montreal as a teenager. She believes strongly that this country’s strength lies in its diversity, its respect for equality and human rights for all, and most importantly, in its work towards meaningful reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit and Métis people. She is grateful to live and work on the traditional unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishnaabeg People and acknowledges and honours their presence on Turtle Island since time immemorial.