Mary Pat MacKinnon, Senior Account Director, Public Engagement at Hill + Knowlton Strategies Canada has extensive experience in citizen engagement, public policy and government affairs. . During her five-year tenure at Canadian Policy Research Networks as Director at Civic Engagement, Mary Pat led national citizens' dialogue projects on a variety of challenging public issues and coordinated a multi-year research program on the involvement of citizens in government decision-making and democratic life. Previously, she led the Government Affairs and Public Policy group at the Canadian Co-operative Association. Mary Pat has also worked as an analyst and consultant with the Ottawa Social Planning Council and held positions at the Nova Scotia Department of Development and the former Federal Ministry of State for Urban Affairs.