Shelagh (pronounced “Sheila”) Donnelly speaks internationally, inspiring and equipping assistants to thrive and amplify their value. She delivers future-focused training, and does so with a healthy sense of fun. Shelagh’s presentations are grounded in a blend of lived experience, research and extensive governance expertise.
Shelagh walked the walk for almost three decades. . Her own EA career was one of resilience, ambition and adaptability. She’s been a direct report to four CEOs, four board Chairs and other C-level executives. She’s led teams and a department, and chaired a national board of directors. In addition to a decade of responsibility for board operations, Shelagh’s career has spanned economic booms and recessions, a corporate merger, the startup of a new institution and multiple significant changes in how we work.
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How do you pronounce that name?
“Shelagh” is the same name as “Sheila”, but with spelling that reflects Gaelic origins. Want some help remembering how to spell it? As you look at this photo, you may think to yourself, she laughs.
Put She and laugh together. Then pull out the “u”, and you have Shelagh!
You’d like to know more?
Shelagh speaks from experience when it comes to effective business relations and communications. She was responsible for providing governance advice to four board Chairs, and to three of her four CEOs. She began her career in the private sector, with a national corporation. Working alongside the British Columbia COO, she was so effective in creating and leading learning opportunities for the organization’s administrative staff that she was tapped for a role as corporate trainer. A few years later, having relocated with her family to a smaller city, she rebooted her assistant career at the bottom of the ladder.
Long active in American and Canadian professional networks, Shelagh has experience as a mentor and a mentee. Recognized for her governance expertise, having been responsible for board operations in the public sector for a decade before launching a full time training and writing career in 2019, Shelagh also chaired the board of directors of a national professional association.
She’s written weekly business and governance articles for Diligent Corporation, and has written for other clients, including the American Society of Administrative Professionals (ASAP).
An informed, inspirational and impactful trainer
Drawing on both corporate training and higher education in adult learning, Shelagh customizes her presentations to your audience and your event goals. Audiences appreciate that Shelagh brings deep firsthand experience to sessions in which she educates, motivates and challenges them.
Employers and event organizers appreciate Shelagh’s presentations for the same reasons, and because she inspires resilience that supports high performance.
Shelagh and her audience members connect with one another because it’s clear that she understands their world and cares about their wellbeing and success. Pragmatism, empathy and humour are hallmarks of Shelagh’s presentations.
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Professional affiliations
Shelagh’s Canadian and American professional affiliations have included the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) and the National Association of Presidential Assistants in Higher Education (NAPAHE). Through the Association of Governing Boards’ (AGB’s) Board Professionals Leadership Group, she served as a board professional mentor.
She is a member of Governance Professionals of Canada (GPC) and has served as Chair of the Board of Directors of CICan:GPOP (GPOP), a national association affiliated with Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan).