Her Excellency Dame
Susan Dougan
GCMG OBE
Dougan in 2019
Governor-General of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Assumed office
1 August 2019
MonarchsElizabeth II
Charles III
Prime MinisterRalph Gonsalves
Preceded byFrederick Ballantyne
Personal details
Born
Susan Dilys Ryan[1][2]

(1955-03-03) 3 March 1955 (age 68)[3]
Colonarie, Saint Vincent, British Windward Islands[1]
(Now Saint Vincent and the Grenadines)
SpouseHugh Dougan
Children3
Alma materUniversity of London
University of Southampton[4]

Dame Susan Dilys Dougan GCMG OBE (née Ryan; born 3 March 1955) is the Governor-General of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines since 1 August 2019.[5][6] She is the first woman to hold the office.[7]

She was appointed Dame Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George on 29 January 2020 [8] and was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen's 2010 Birthday Honour List for services to education and to public administration.[9]

Early life and education

Susan Dilys Dougan was born in the village of Colonarie in Saint Vincent. She holds a MA (ED) in Curriculum and Evaluation from the University of Southampton, Hampshire, England.

Career

Dame Susan Dougan began her career as a non-graduate teacher. Over a 34-year career, Dame Susan rose through the ranks of the teaching service to Headmistress of the St. Vincent Girls High School (2001-2004), and later served as Chief Education Officer from 2004 to 2009. She also served as Cabinet Secretary from October 2009 to September 2013.[10]

Dame Susan has also served in several other national capacities such as Representative to the Organization of American States for St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Representative to the Commonwealth of Learning for St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Chief Shelter Manager for St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

She was appointed as the Governor-General's Deputy in December 2014. Dame Susan was sworn in as the first female Governor-General of St. Vincent and the Grenadines on 1 August 2019. She was administered the oaths of Office and Allegiance by High Court Justice Brian Cottle during a ceremony witnessed by state officials as well as relatives, friends, and the media.[11]

References

  1. ^ a b Profile, rulers.org; accessed 18 July 2020.
  2. ^ "Saint Vincent and the Grenadines". www.worldstatesmen.org. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
  3. ^ "Governor General". Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
  4. ^ "Governor General".
  5. ^ "SVG's First Female Head of State Sworn In". Searchlight.vc. 1 August 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  6. ^ McLeod, Sheri-Kae (1 August 2019). "St. Vincent and the Grenadines Gets First Female Governor-General". Caribbeannationalweekly.com. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  7. ^ "St Vincent and the Grenadines has first female Governor General". Barbadostoday.bb. 1 August 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  8. ^ "CENTRAL CHANCERY OF THE ORDERS OF KNIGHTHOOD". thegazette.co.uk. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
  9. ^ "Page 43 | Supplement 59453, 12 June 2010 | London Gazette | the Gazette".
  10. ^ "About Susan Dougan". Caribbean Elections. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
  11. ^ "SVG gets first female Governor-General on Aug. 1". Retrieved 26 October 2020.
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Government offices Preceded byFrederick Ballantyne Governor-General of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2019–present Incumbent
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