Brenda Picard, Q.C. has been the Executive Director at the Commission since August 2013. After graduating from Kensington Intermediate Senior High School (1979), Brenda attended Dalhousie University where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts (1982) and Bachelor of Laws (1985) degrees. She was admitted to the Nova Scotia Barrister's Society (1986) and practiced in Stellarton.
Returning to PEI in 1990, Brenda was the first coordinator of Transition and Support Services in Summerside. She returned to the practice of law in 1992 when she was admitted to the Law Society of PEI and co-created the partnership of “The Law Offices of Craig and Picard”. Between 1996 and 2013 Brenda enjoyed a lengthy career at PEI Legal Aid.
Brenda has been a regular volunteer with her church and with many provincial and national organizations relating to family violence prevention, restorative justice and conflict resolution.
In 2018, Brenda’s paper, “Gender Identity: Developments in the Law and Human Rights Protections”, was published in the UNB Law Journal.
Brenda resides in Charlottetown with her partner Rick and her son Micah.
Awards & Recognition:
Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards, 2020, “Human Rights Law Lawyer of the Year”
Dalhousie Law Alumni Association, 2019, Inductee “Bertha Wilson Honor Society”
Queens Counsel, 2007
Law Society of PEI, 2007 “Community Service Award” (Inaugural)
