Shelagh is a long-time international cooperation practitioner who brings decades of hands-on experience to her work with students. Since 2020, she’s been teaching “Development in Practice” (INTD3002) in Dalhousie's IDS department, where she draws on real-world examples and lessons learned from working directly with communities and partners around the world.

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Before joining the department, Shelagh served as Associate Director (Partnerships) at the Coady Institute, where she focused on building equitable partnerships, designing programs, and facilitating practical learning experiences. She led and co-facilitated courses like Re-thinking Partnership and Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD), helping practitioners apply these approaches in their own contexts.

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Her work in the sector spans over 20 years, including roles such as Country Director with WUSC in Sri Lanka and Executive Director of VSO Canada. She’s collaborated with a wide range of grassroots and global organizations on youth leadership, peacebuilding, and volunteer cooperation.

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Shelagh’s approach is rooted in collaboration, and she’s partnered with civil society organizations across South and Southeast Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Caribbean, as well as international agencies like the ILO, UNOCHA, and UNICEF.

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In addition to her global work, she stays closely involved in local and national networks in Canada. She’s contributed her expertise to groups like the Royal Roads University Advisory Council, the GAC COVID-19 Solutions Team, and the Atlantic Council for International Cooperation.

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Shelagh continues to share what she’s learned through writing, speaking, and facilitation—focusing on topics like building equitable partnerships, strengthening leadership through learning, and supporting meaningful community participation in complex environments.