Diana Colby led the Communications Office of McGill’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences from 2008 until her retirement in August 2025. We sat down with her to look back on some favourite moments – and a few challenging ones – from her tenure.
What drew you to McGill and the Faculty?
My daughter, who had applied here, first to the Anatomy and Cellular Biology program and then to the Integrated Program in Neurosciences for her master’s degree. And, no, I was not stalking her. I simply wanted to better understand the scientific world in which she lived. Professionally, I also felt it was time to move on from the private to public sector, to be part of something that had more to do with people than profits. McGill, and the Faculty in particular, offered that. I was thrilled to join.
What are some of your favourite moments?
One of my early projects involved the creation of a visual and tagline that synthesized the mission of the Undergraduate Medical Education program, which was challenging because there is so much going on. After many consultations with the leadership team, the words came to me in the early hours one morning, as they often did: Patient at heart, Science in hand. To me, this sums up much of the inspiring work ongoing in the Faculty. It’s why I stayed for close to two decades.
I have, in fact, many favourites, like Convocation and other Faculty events when achievements are celebrated and the positive energy is palpable. I loved every moment working with my talented, creative Comms team and several other close colleagues to bring strategic projects to light. In good times and hard ones, we stayed focused and professional, sharing ideas, laughs and a fun team lunch when we could. I also appreciated being part of the Dean’s Operations Committee, where I could bring communications expertise to bear on difficult decisions. Working with the Campus Outaouais team to help advance the mission in that region was another huge highlight.
What about the challenging times?
There is no question, there were many difficult periods – COVID, probation, global and local tensions, financial crises. They come in waves, it seems – the ups and downs of life and work when you are striving to move forward and do better. I learned a tremendous amount each time. We never stop learning.
Any other thoughts you’d like to share?
McGill is a special place overflowing with many brilliant people who I believe are trying to do better, who care. It is a solid institution, with challenges, but with a strong heartbeat. Having worked in the private sector, oftentimes in very stressful contexts, I can say that, even when the pressure is very high here, it is of a different quality, perhaps because of our mission and the people, my colleagues. I am very thankful to have been a part of it.
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About Diana Colby
Diana Colby joined McGill and the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences in 2008 to lead a nascent Communications team. As manager and then director serving under three VP-Deans, she advised and coached leaders and colleagues to help navigate issues and opportunities. Diana oversaw the Comms team, which grew in time, as did a community of professional communicators at the school and unit levels, all working to help advance the mission. Together they contributed to strategic initiatives from the inauguration of the McGill Life Sciences Complex, student-led Family Medicine Summit, Made by McGill campaign and the launch of Campus Outaouais to the rebrand of the Faculty, three Faculty-level strategic planning exercises and the Our Words Matter campaign in support of equity, diversity and inclusion.