Tides Canada's founder, Carol A. Newell, has been appointed a Member of the Order of Canada by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada. The appointment was announced on February 20, 2007.

The Order of Canada was established in 1967 to recognize outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation. It is Canada’s highest honour for lifetime achievement.

Carol was chosen for this prestigious award in recognition of her pioneering charitable work and social investing. Over the past fifteen years, she has placed over $60 million in organizations, individuals, and businesses working toward sustainable economic development and social and environmental justice throughout Canada.

Organizations founded and/or funded by Carol have played an instrumental role in several environmental and social justice initiatives such as the globally-significant conservation Great Bear Rainforest project and Tides Canada's Social Justice Fund.

In 2003, Carol began an initiative to encourage others with wealth to activate their resources for social change. She speaks publicly to promote new approaches to charitable giving and social investing and co-produces “Play BIG” in Canada and the United States.

Carol is founder of Endswell Foundation and Renewal Partners. She is a strong supporter of Hollyhock, Canada’s leading educational retreat centre, and an active member of the Canadian Women’s Foundation, the Women Donors Network, Investors’ Circle, Social Venture Network, Threshold Foundation and the Wealth & Giving Forum. Carol is also the recipient of the Minerva Foundation for BC Women’s 2006 inaugural award honouring women philanthropists.