Dr. Gale T C Rigobert is a distinguished academic and former government leader with a robust background in education, innovation, and sustainable development. Currently, she serves as the Dean of Academic Affairs at the University of St. Martin (USM) in the Dutch Caribbean. Dr. Rigobert’s career in public service is marked by her tenure as the Minister for Education, Innovation, Gender Relations, and Sustainable Development in Saint Lucia from 2016 to 2021. Before this, she was a parliamentary representative for over nine years, also serving as Leader of the Opposition in 2013—the first woman to hold this position in Saint Lucia.
Dr. Rigobert’s academic journey spans multiple countries and institutions, including The University of the West Indies, the University of Sussex, and the University of York. Her research and advocacy focus on women’s rights, climate change, and sustainable development, particularly within Small Island Developing States (SIDS). She has played a pivotal role in legislative reforms for vulnerable women and girls, both locally and internationally, and is a staunch advocate for data-driven development policies.
In addition to her academic and governmental roles, Dr. Rigobert is the CEO and Principal Consultant of Propel Ltd., leading critical research projects, including a United Nations study on the impact of COVID-19 on education in the Caribbean. As Chair of the External Advisory Board at York University’s Interdisciplinary Global Development Centre, she continues to influence global development discourse.
Born and raised in Saint Lucia, Dr. Rigobert brings a wealth of experience to her role at USM, where her immediate focus is on elevating the institution as a premier center of higher learning, in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) on quality education and poverty eradication. Her extensive experience in public service, education, and international consultancy makes her a visionary leader dedicated to fostering positive social change.
