Browser not supportedDonna Dasko is a respected national pollster, media commentator, sociologist, and private sector business leader with considerable public policy experience. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy and a Master of Arts from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from the University of Manitoba.
Dr. Dasko was formerly Senior Vice-President of Environics Research Group Ltd, and built the firm from a small consultancy to one of Canada’s leading research firms. During her career, she led major research studies in areas including the economy, budget priorities, tobacco control, health promotion, national unity, and many others. She was a leader in developing media-sponsored polling including the Globe-Environics Poll and election and special feature polling for the CBC.
As a community volunteer, she served in many roles including President of St. Stephen’s Community House, Director of the United Way of Greater Toronto, Governor of the Canadian Unity Council (devoted to Canadian unity and federalism), Chair of the national CEO Roundtable for the Alzheimer Society, and Advisor to GreenPac (which promotes environmental leadership).
Dr. Dasko’s passion for the promotion of women in politics has guided much of her advocacy. She is a Co-Founder and former National Chair of Equal Voice, a non-partisan organization aimed at electing more women in Canada. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF), which promotes equality rights for women. In 2015, she co-founded the Campaign for an Equal Senate for Canada, an initiative to promote a gender-equal Senate. She works with National Democratic Institute on issues related to women in politics internationally.
She is currently a Fellow at the University of Toronto’s School of Public Policy and Governance and teaches in the Master’s program. She is a member of Statistics Canada’s Advisory Committee on Social Conditions.