She/Her
Alicia Bouchard is a labour relations executive who works at the front lines of where economic pressure, public policy, and workforce expectations collide. With more than 15 years of experience across Ontario’s post-secondary and healthcare sectors, she has built a reputation for leading organizations through complex, high-stakes bargaining — particularly in periods of fiscal constraint, political uncertainty, and shifting labour dynamics.
A seasoned chief negotiator, Alicia brings deep expertise in arbitration, dispute resolution, and the financial realities that underpin collective agreements. Her experience includes navigating bargaining in volatile environments, including periods of labour disruption, where competing pressures require both strategic discipline and adaptability.
As Director, Employee and Labour Relations at Algonquin College, Alicia advises executive leadership on collective bargaining, total compensation, and workforce strategy for a large, unionized organization. She oversees programs tied to more than $200 million in annual payroll and benefits and is recognized for her ability to translate complex economic and political forces into clear, actionable bargaining strategies.
Alicia is particularly focused on how external forces — ranging from government policy shifts to global economic pressures and labour market constraints — are redefining what is achievable at the bargaining table. She challenges leaders to think beyond traditional approaches, balancing fiscal accountability with workforce sustainability in an environment where expectations on both sides continue to evolve. Grounded in a pragmatic, data-informed approach, Alicia is also a strong advocate for psychologically safe and equitable workplaces, and for leadership practices that balance accountability with empathy in increasingly polarized environments.
Prior to joining Algonquin College, Alicia held progressively senior roles at The Royal Ottawa Health Care Group, where she led labour relations strategy, occupational health, and French Language Services in a highly regulated healthcare setting.
Alicia holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Psychology from Carleton University and a Management Certificate in Human Resources from the Sprott School of Business. She is a Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL), holds a CHRP designation, and is fully bilingual in English and French.