Leslie Dunning has been engaged in governance for a variety of local, provincial and national organizations. She retired from Golf Canada’s Board of Directors in February 2020 after 11 years, including service as volunteer President in 2018. As a not-for-profit organization leader, she has led initiatives on diversity and inclusion, Indigenous engagement and volunteer services. She also serves as an advisor, coach and mentor to both governance and management leaders in the not-for-profit sector.
Leslie volunteered with the Canadian Red Cross as a student. Her roots are in water safety, lifeguarding and first aid, where she achieved the highest levels of certification. As she became aware of the “Potential Years of Life Lost” (PYLL) due to injury, her commitment to the prevention of both unintentional and inflicted injury grew, especially related to young people. After graduation, she joined this international humanitarian organization full-time, serving for more than 36 years in various senior positions. She retired as Director General, Violence and Abuse Prevention for Canada in 2014.
She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Waterloo, where she is honoured as a Distinguished Alumna. She earned her MBA from Queen’s University and she is a Chartered Professional Accountant, Certified Management Accountant. Leslie was Canada’s representative to the World Health Organization (WHO) Travelling Seminar on Injury Prevention, hosted by the Navaho Nation, along with representatives selected from more than 20 countries. She is an alumna of, and engaged with, the Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference. She is an active volunteer, as well as a golf journalist, a tax professional and a bridge teacher.
Leslie and her husband have lived and worked in every region of Canada. They currently reside in Calgary, close to their adult children and grandchildren. They travel to Ontario every summer to spend time with their extended family and friends.