Cecile Willert grew up in Markham and has spent most of her life in the Greater Toronto Area, residing in Ajax-Pickering for 16 years. She is a graduate of the University of Toronto with a degree in Civil Engineering and is a licensed Professional Engineer who holds a senior position at with a large, Canadian-based firm of environmental engineers, scientists and consultants. She has worked for 22 years with government and the private sector to promote sustainable development and redevelopment of former industrial sites, and she works closely with the Ontario Ministry of the Environment in approvals processes.

Cecile is an active volunteer with the Ontario Environmental Industry Association, an organization of dedicated professionals working together to improve the business of the environment in Ontario. She co-chairs the Association’s Brownfield Committee, supporting clean-up and redevelopment of abandoned industrial sites, and is an active participant of the Association’s Advocacy Committee, advocating industry and environmental interests with Ontario MPPs, their staff and other government representatives. She previously served on a municipal environmental advisory group.

Cecile, who has five children and stepchildren ranging in age from 14 to adult, has long been involved in local community and youth and family organizations. She actively supports the Pickering Air Cadets Squadron, the Pickering Village United Church and the Ajax-Pickering chapter of the Newcomers Alumni. She also spent several years with local units of the Girl Guides of Canada and Scouts Canada, and has volunteered with local schools, with the Ajax-Pickering One Parent Families Association, and as a coach with the Ajax Soccer Club.