Gail Hawley McDonald, BA.

Gail obtained her bachelor’s degree in political science from Bishop’s University. Her career in health and social services began as coordinator and information officer for English services in the Conseil régional de santé et des services sociaux de l’Outaouais, where she developed and implemented the first programme of access to services in English for the English-speaking population of the Outaouais including a regional language training and translation program. Over the course of 18 years, she assumed a number of roles within this administrative body and its various iterations, including Senior Program Officer responsible for Quality and for services to the intellectually and physically challenged and complaints commissioner. She joined the Dialogue McGill team in 2008 as a senior consultant. Her activities have centered on overseeing and advising the language training measures of Dialogue McGill. More recently, she is involved in the project development of Dialogue McGill’s retention program. She has administered and restructured the student bursary program, sparked new initiatives with community network partners, and provides expert counsel on overall Dialogue McGill objectives. In her volunteer life, she is currently President of the Quebec Association for Independent Living (QUAIL) and has served as President of Des Collins Health Foundation and a member of the Des Collines Advisory Committee on matters related to linguistic and cultural adaptation of service. She is a past member of the Provincial Advisory Committee for Access to Health and Social Services in English.