Lorraine Hughes

Pilon School of Business
Program: Business Administration – Advertising
Year of Graduation: 1976
Year of Induction to Hall of Fame: 2006

President (retired), OMD Canada

As the former head of the largest media buying company in Canada, Lorraine Hughes established a remarkable legacy during her advertising career.

At OMD, she led one of the largest and most successful media operations in the country, winning, Marketing magazine's Media Agency of the Year in 2006. OMD was the most awarded media agency for creativity at the magazine's Media Innovation Awards in 2007. Lorraine herself was named as one of the top 100 executives in the communications industry in Canada by Marketing Magazine in 2005.

Before joining OMD in 2002, Lorraine spent eight years as managing partner at TBWA\Chiat\Day with dual responsibilities as Media Director and Director of Operation. During her time at TBWA, the agency won Media Operation of the Year in 1997. She was named one of the top five Canadian Media Directors of 1999 and again in 2003.

After 35 years in the industry, the last nine of which she spent at the helm of the Omnicom-owned media shop, Lorraine retired in 2011.

Over the years, Lorraine has supported Sheridan students by providing work placements for business students to help them launch their careers. She also established a student scholarship.

For four years, OMD sponsored the Silent Auction for Sheridan's Big Picture Gala, and in 2008, Lorraine was Chair of the Gala's Sponsorship Committee.

"I discovered my niche at Sheridan and never looked back.  There is no doubt that my studies at Sheridan directly contributed to my success.” – Lorraine Hughes