Marilyn has 30 years of experience in public affairs, government, education, strategic planning, and social justice work. She is a former Deputy General Secretary of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO). Before that, she handled media and government relations for the predecessor Federation of Women Teachers’ Associations of Ontario (FWTAO). From 1992-95, Marilyn was seconded to the Office of the Premier of Ontario as Director of the Public Appointments Secretariat.

Marilyn was a researcher with the New Democratic Party at Queen’s Park from 1973-78, special assistant to Stephen Lewis and Michele Landsberg, and executive assistant to NDP Leader Bob Rae from 1981-85. She was campaign manager in more than 15 provincial and federal elections and party leadership campaigns from 1973-95. Marilyn was a board member and vice-president of the Social Planning Council of Metro Toronto from 1989-92, a member of the national fundraising committee of the Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF), from 1985-92, a member of the Child Poverty Action Group from 1987-92, a director of the Canadian Education Association (CEA) 2003-2008, and a board and executive member of the Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People 2002-2008

Currently, she is a member of the Girls’ Fund Advisory Committee of the Canadian Women’s Foundation (CWF), and a board member and chair of Nominating and Fund Development for LEAF.