Tracey Donaldson MSW
Photo by Reina Cowan
The heart and soul of what I do
Family, community, neighbours, and friends are central to who I am, and I seek them out at every turn. Like so many in Ottawa, I have had a long and rewarding career of more than a quarter century in the federal public service. Throughout my career I have had the privilege of being able to carefully discern who I work with and the files that I work on.
Whether in my career or volunteer commitments, what drives me is a sense of responsibility to achieving justice, equity and a voice for those who are denied these rights due to structural inequalities that rob our society of its full potential.
I bring this value system, a desire to be of service, and a drive to support human beings to reach their potential to my coaching practice through Attentive Ears.
My history
I was born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario to hard-working parents of Jamaican ancestry. Along with a rich racial and cultural heritage, my parents gave me the gift of a large extended family with whom I’m deeply connected.
I am a long-time resident of Old Ottawa South, near to Carleton University where I earned my Master of Social Work degree.
It was a great neighbourhood to raise our two kids, who are now young adults embarking on their own life paths.
It remains a vibrant and supportive community and I am blessed to have been surrounded by amazing family, neighbours and friends throughout my life.
Photo credit Unsplash
Career
Whether addressing HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and other communicable infections, mental health and addictions, human rights, or settlement and integration services to help immigrants embark on their journey in Canada, I have surrounded myself with colleagues who care and public policy issues that touch my heart.
I have been honoured to work with colleagues, stakeholders and partners who have survived difficult live experiences, including substance use, mental health issues, incarceration, and poverty, and who also have rich identities including, Black, Indigenous and other people of colour, and people from the LGBTQ communities.
I have had the honour of managing teams through transitions, grappling with complex and important files, and serving in executive roles in the federal public service. But for me it has never been about climbing to the highest ranks. It has always been about people, and fostering social change.
Volunteering
My volunteering has been at Centretown Community Health Centre, which cares so attentively to the needs of its community and the diverse populations that comprise it.
I am a longstanding volunteer with the Federal Internship for Newcomers, mentoring recent immigrants and helping them obtain Canadian work experience.
In 2020-21 I served as the co-champion of the Government of Canada Workplace Charitable campaign for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, fostering a spirit of generosity among employees and helping to raise much needed funds for community health and social service organizations.
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