Alum attributes lifelong learning to Dalhousie experiences

“I come from a small town (Goulds) and wanted to attend a university with a lot of academic options,” she says. “And if I’m being truly honest, I figured if yellow was my favourite colour and the tiger was my favourite animal, maybe it was meant to be.”

Her excitement quickly led to a role on Dalhousie’s debate team, followed by Galarneau becoming one of the first-ever females elected as President of the Dalhousie Student Union. “I saw how much that collaboration of thoughts and ideas was used on a broader scale at Dal—in innovation, in research. Dal was changing the world, by bringing worlds together.”

A commitment to sustainability

Today, her St. John’s office is a friendly reminder of her past time, with her Dalhousie sweatshirt affectionately draped over her desk chair. Currently, she is executive director and board secretary for the Public Utilities Commission of Newfoundland and Labrador. “We’re at the nexus of climate change and I’m really looking at the effects of that,” she says.

And now, with a young son of her own, Galarneau shares that she and her husband do what they can to set the best example possible. “We drive two electric vehicles, we are avid recyclers, and we talk about the long-term affects of pollution,” she says. “We lead by example and he’s starting to really understand the importance of protecting his future.”

Galarneau adds that the greatest threat to our society is waiting for someone else to save the world.

“We can’t wait for the next generation to do the right thing—that time is now, and Dalhousie is helping to build those programs, to find those solutions," she says.

"Today’s students and researchers are thinking about the environment, sustainability, and society, striving to fix the problems the world is facing.”

A path to the DAA

It's that same passion for Dalhousie’s global impact that encourages Galarneau to deepen her roots to her alma mater. In 2019, she joined the Dalhousie Alumni Association (DAA) and later in 2023, assumed the role of vice-president and Board of Governors representative. “The DAA does incredible work to deepen alumni pride, engagement and commitment to support the achievement of Dal’s overall vision,” she says.

In addition to engagement, Galarneau also helps to provide advice on a broad range of issues that are of interest to alumni, while also helping to expand alumni programming, promoting and planning events, and more. “We’re bringing our different perspectives and experiences to the table,” she says. “It’s meaningful, rewarding and purposeful work.”

Galarneau also attributes much of who she is now to her past time as a student at Dal—from her voracious appetite for reading, to her drive to be a life-long learner. “You have to keep challenging the status quo—keep trying to find solutions,” says Galarneau. “Never say things can’t be done. Surround yourself with people with different ideas and don’t be afraid to think differently. It’s important to find solutions, together.”

It’s all thanks to her past and current experiences at Dal—roots she is proud to share with anyone she meets.