Suzy McDonald '95 Named Next Head of School

 

“During the selection process, our community consultation highlighted the importance of finding a strong, decisive leader with an understanding of the Stanstead community and the boarding school experience,” said Board Chair Dugie Ross in announcing the appointment. “We were also looking for a team builder with a strong financial background. Ms. McDonald possesses all these qualities and more, and we are thrilled that she has accepted this appointment.”

Ms. McDonald is currently Associate Deputy Minister of the Department of Finance Canada, a position she has held since September 2023.

Prior to this role, Ms. McDonald served as Associate Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada from October 2022, where she worked to advance agricultural policy and sustainability initiatives. From 2018 to 2022, she served in senior positions at both Finance Canada and the Treasury Board Secretariat of Canada on files related to social policy, including the pandemic response, early learning and childcare, employment insurance and old age security, indigenous issues as well as federal-provincial relations.

Ms. McDonald’s career in the public service began at Health Canada, where she held diverse roles from 2002 to 2018, addressing key public health challenges such as the opioid response, tobacco control, controlled substances and workplace hazardous materials. She holds a bachelor of arts degree from Smith College and a master of arts in international affairs from Carleton University.

Ms. McDonald attended Stanstead College from 1992 to 1995 as a Stanstead Scholar, a merit-based full-scholarship that has been awarded only 10 times since 1983. During her time, Ms. McDonald excelled academically and athletically. In Grade 11, she was named the top senior female student-athlete, and in her Grade 12 year, she served as head prefect and won the Pitcher Prize, the College’s highest honour.

Ms. McDonald is also a past board member and trustee. She is married with two children.

“Stanstead College and the broader Stanstead community hold deep personal meaning for me,” said Ms. McDonald. “I am grateful to have the opportunity to come back to Stanstead and guide the school through its next chapter.”

Ms. McDonald is only the second head in the school’s 153-year history who is a graduate of the College. The first was Rev. Errol Amaron, Stanstead College’s longest-serving principal (1931-1954).

Ms. McDonald will begin her new role on August 4 but will make her introduction to the Stanstead College community as guest speaker at this year’s Baccalaureate and Prize-Giving Service to be held June 21 at the Pat Burns Arena.