Mary Jean Gallagher

Mary Jean Gallagher is a Canadian educator and system leader known for her work on large-scale education reform, equity, and student achievement. She is the co-author, with Michael Fullan, of The Devil Is in the Details: System Solutions for Equity, Excellence, and Student Well-Being, which examines how different levels of leadership can work together to transform education systems with a focus on equity, excellence, and student well-being.

Gallagher previously served as Chief Student Achievement Officer and Assistant Deputy Minister in the Ontario Ministry of Education, where she led efforts to improve literacy, numeracy, and graduation outcomes across the province’s schools. Before joining the ministry, she was Director of Education (superintendent) for the Greater Essex County District School Board, following earlier roles as a mathematics and computer science teacher, principal, and superintendent. She now leads M.J. Gallagher and Associates and works internationally as a senior lead for system improvement with Michael Fullan and Associates, advising governments and education systems in multiple countries. Her leadership has been recognized with several honors, including an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Windsor and awards such as Canada’s Outstanding Education Leader (2016) from The Learning Partnership.