EP273 Sandy MacDonald | President and CEO Holland College

Join us for a deeply personal and inspiring conversation with Sandy MacDonald, President and CEO of Holland College in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. From growing up in a family of 14 children to leading one of Canada's most respected colleges, Sandy shares his remarkable journey through education, public service, and leadership.

In this episode, Sandy reflects on:
• His upbringing in a tight-knit Island community
• The transformative power of education
• Building a career in psychology, justice, and academia
• His vision for the future of skills-based learning and collaboration
• Why Holland College matters more than ever

Whether you're a student, parent, educator, or leader, this episode offers timeless lessons in humility, resilience, and purpose.

👇 Chapters
Use the timestamps below to jump to sections of interest, from Sandy’s early days to his vision for the future of education.

📍 Filmed on-site at Holland College as part of Gale Force Wins’ mission to capture unscripted, authentic conversations that inspire action.

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Timestamps:
⛰️ Introduction & Setting
00:00 Welcome and introduction at Holland College
00:42 Sandy MacDonald introduces himself

👦 Early Life & Family
01:42 Growing up in Charlottetown with 13 siblings
03:16 Cultural and social divide in Charlottetown
05:24 Darwinian education system and early dropout rates
06:12 Economic migration of Islanders over time
07:46 Family dynamics and early entrepreneurial lessons
11:51 Importance of nicknames and sports in Sandy’s family

🎓 Education & Career
16:03 Academic journey begins – struggles and inspiration
19:54 Career path unfolds: teacher, psychologist, administrator
26:07 The power of mentors and internalising expectations

🎯 Role at Holland College
30:11 Current role and importance of adult education
36:06 Rethinking education systems in PEI
40:57 International partnerships and program innovation
43:04 Collaboration between colleges and universities
47:01 Instructor training and commitment to teaching quality

🚀 Vision for the Future
50:12 Future vision and integration of college-university learning
54:03 Industry-led evaluation and experiential learning
56:12 Permanent skills vs technical skills
58:07 Holland College as a transition point for meaningful careers

🏡 Personal Reflections
63:16 Family support and stories about Sandy’s children
64:01 Final thoughts and Sandy’s advice: Take your work seriously, not yourself

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