The Canadian Commandery of the Order of Saint Joachim created the Macdonald-Cartier Sub-Commandery in 2021 to better serve its members in the Ottawa area. Its Commander is Dame Elizabeth Sleith Wilfert DCJ.
Dame Wilfert has a varied background in education, politics, and community service. She has served the City of Richmond Hill as a Ward Councillor and as an elected Hydro Commissioner. She served a Public Councillor to College of Dietitians of Ontario from 2006 -15 and as their President 2012-14. She also served as a Public Councillor on the Royal College of Dental Surgeons and was Chair of their Professional Liabilities Program 2016 – 2019.
She has been an active member of the Canadian Federation of University Women – Ottawa Club, serving on as their VP-Communications 2016 – 2020, as their President 2020-2023, and continues to be very active. She has raised funds since 2011 for Afghan women to be awarded scholarships to attend the Gawharshad University in Kabul, Afghanistan, before the Taliban takeover. She has helped organize and co-hosted Gala Fundraising Dinners to create scholarships and bursaries for refugee women at University of Ottawa, Carleton University and Algonquin College.
In 2018, she was pleased to receive the Honour of a Commission as a Kentucky Colonel. In 2019 she received the CFUW–National Centenary Notable Woman Award, and The Rotary Foundation named her a Paul Harris Fellow in 2022, and awarded her the Plus One (Sapphire) in 2023.
She was honoured with the King Charles III Coronation Medal in 2025.
Dame Wilfert succeeded the Chevalier Edward (Ted) McNabb, GCJ, as the Commander of the Macdonald-Cartier Sub-Commandery in 2025. She can be reached at: e.wilfert@rogers.com.
