She was born and grew up in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, where she completed her elementary, secondary and tertiary education, graduating in 1966 with a B.Ed.
She became involved with NGOs and enhanced their effectiveness, in particular playing a central role in CUSO (Canadian University Service Overseas).
While at UNIFEM, she established the Noel Foundation Life Award, whose recipients included the late Mother Teresa, Corazon Aquino and Cheng Yen.
[1] From 1994 to 1997, she was Director of Evaluation and Strategic Planning at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
[4] In 1998 she was awarded an honorary doctoral degree from the University of Saskatchewan, and in 2003 was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada.