Dawn Charlton (she/her) is returning to the WPL Board after an eventful first term focused on supporting staff throughout the pandemic, opening the Eastside Branch, and transitioning to the new CEO and leadership team. At a time when equitable access to public libraries is critical, she looks forward to continuing to champion WPL’s important contributions to the City of Waterloo.

In 2023 Dawn retired from University of Waterloo as Director, Marketing and Brand following a 35-year marketing and communications career that also included Toronto Public Library, Destination British Columbia (Vancouver), HR MacMillan Space Centre (Vancouver), Canadian Museum of Civilization (Ottawa), and Charlton+Company (Ottawa). She graduated with a degree in communications from Carleton University.

Community service roles have included: Vice-Chair/Member, Waterloo Public Library Board; Board Director, Crieff Hills Retreat Centre; Inclusion Initiatives Team Member, Knox Waterloo Presbyterian Church; Mentor, Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council; and Board Director, Ottawa Food Bank.

As residents of Uptown Waterloo, Dawn and her wife Sue, can be found at WPL’s Main Branch as well as hiking or biking to community activities and locations throughout the region.