Available Photos

View details and
download

The award was presented to Ms. Sullivan Curley by the Honourable Barbara A. Hagerman, Lieutenant Governor, and Keith Hillier, Regional Chair of the Institute of Public Administration at a ceremony at Government House this week.

The award recognizes outstanding contributions to the public sector by employees who exhibit high standards of excellence, dedication and accomplishment, and whose exceptional achievements have shown distinctive leadership in public administration in Prince Edward Island.

“I have had the pleasure of knowing Shauna for a number of years, and I have always admired her dedication, commitment and professionalism,” said Keith Hillier. “I am honoured to recognize Shauna with the 2007 Institute of Public Administration Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration.”

In reading the nomination, Ken MacRae, senior director of Higher Education and Corporate Services at the Department of Education said Ms. Sullivan Curley’s vision for education is based on improving student achievement, making the education system more accountable, and fostering collaborative relationships for learning. He said that since she became Deputy Minister in 2001, many significant initiatives have been implemented that demonstrate her outstanding leadership abilities. These include the development of a new staffing model for the public school system which enables the education system to maintain and add teachers even as enrolments decline.

Among other significant achievements that occurred under Ms. Sullivan Curley’s direction was a doubling of the number of French First Language programs across the Island, the development of multi-year capital funding programs for Education, expansion of post-secondary programs and infrastructure, enhanced trades training, inclusion programs for students with special educational needs, and the development of a multi-year action plan to improve student achievement.

Reading from the citation, Linda Lowther, senior director of Public Education with the Department of Education, commended Ms. Sullivan Curley for making human resources a priority, and playing a lead role in inter-departmental and national initiatives. “Her personal integrity, intellectual ability and her collaborative approach are the cornerstones of great leadership,” said Ms. Lowther. “Although we see the impact of many of Shauna’s accomplishments now, we feel that the true magnitude of her efforts will continue to be seen in the years to come.”

Education Minister Mildred Dover attended the ceremony and congratulated Ms. Sullivan Curley on receiving the award. “Every once in a while, a few of us are fortunate enough to know and work with someone like Shauna,” said the minister. “Her outstanding leadership abilities, professionalism and humanity make her a most deserving recipient of this award.”

Shauna Sullivan Curley grew up in Sydney River, Nova Scotia. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree (cum laude) in 1979 from Dalhousie University in Halifax where she graduated with a Bachelor of Law degree in 1982. In December 2001, she was appointed Queen’s Counsel.

Since 1995, she has been involved in senior management with the Government of Prince Edward Island, having served as Deputy Minister of Provincial Affairs, as Deputy Attorney General, and as Secretary to the Legislative Review Committee and Counsel to Executive Council.

Ms. Sullivan Curley has been active in her community as a home and school volunteer, brownie leader, elder at the Kirk of Saint James, and past chair of the United Way campaign for provincial government employees. She is a volunteer visitor with the Reach to Recovery program of the Canadian Cancer Society.

The Institute of Public Administration (IPAC) is a Canadian nonprofit organization committed to advancing excellence in the public service through learning, networking and celebrating achievement among government, colleges, universities and others interested in public administration.