Dame Susan Dilys Dougan ( Ryan; born 3 March 1955) is the

Governor-General Governor-general (plural ''governors-general''), or governor general (plural ''governors general''), is the title of an office-holder. In the context of governors-general and former British colonies, governors-general are appointed as viceroy t ...

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Saint Vincent and the Grenadines () is an island country in the Caribbean. It is located in the southeast Windward Islands of the Lesser Antilles, which lie in the West Indies at the southern end of the eastern border of the Caribbean Sea wh ...

since 1 August 2019. She is the first woman to hold the office. She was appointed

Dame Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is a British order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George IV, Prince of Wales, while he was acting as prince regent for his father, King George III. It is named in honour ...

on 29 January 2020 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.

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 , mottoeng = The Heights Yield to Endeavour , type = Public research university , established = 1862 – Hartley Institution1902 – Hartley University College1913 – Southampton University Coll ...

Hampshire, England Hampshire (, ; abbreviated to Hants) is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in western South East England on the coast of the English Channel. Home to two major English cities on its south coast, Southampton and Portsmouth, Hampshire is ...

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. Dame Susan has also served in several other national capacities such as Representative to the

Organization of American States The Organization of American States (OAS; es, Organización de los Estados Americanos, pt, Organização dos Estados Americanos, french: Organisation des États américains; ''OEA'') is an international organization that was founded on 30 April ...

for St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Representative to the

Commonwealth of Learning The Commonwealth of Learning (COL) is an intergovernmental organisation of The Commonwealth headquartered in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Working collaboratively with governmental and nongovernmental organizations and other institu ...

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.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dougan, Susan Living people 1955 births Governors-General of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Officers of the Order of the British Empire Dames Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George Saint Vincent and the Grenadines women in politics