 She served as the interim leader of the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party from November 23, 2013 to February 27, 2016.A native of Antigonish, MacDonald graduated in 1979 with a MSW from the Maritime School of Social Work at Dalhousie University.She was employed as a social worker at the Nova Scotia Hospital (Adolescent Services) and later was a faculty member at her alma mater where she taught social policy and community development.