The innovative president of Saint Boniface University since 2003, Raymonde Gagné has significantly contributed to the advancement of French-language post-secondary education in Manitoba and Canada. Under her leadership, the university improved its accountability and governance and expanded its degree programs. She also developed a successful international recruitment strategy from francophone countries and spearheaded an $18 million fundraising campaign which resulted in the opening of the new health sciences building in 2011, Pavillon Marcel-A.-Desautels. As well, Mme Gagné was instrumental to the university forging strong partnerships with francophone institutions across Canada. For example, she was a founding board director of the National Health Training Consortium which she has co-chaired since 2009 and served as president of the Association of Universities of the Canadian Francophonie. She has had and continues to have ties with many boards, organizations, and institutions within Manitoba. This includes as a founding member and vice-chair of the Francophone Chamber of Commerce of St. Boniface. In 2013, Raymonde Gagné was appointed a member of the Advisory Committee to the Minister of Entrepreneurship, Training and Trade (now Jobs and the Economy). She is a recipient of The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.
