Congratulations to Donna Daae—Recipient of the 2025 Grant Halle Lambda Foundation Award
Donna Daae returned to academia in their 40s to pursue a career in Social Services.
Recently, Donna completed an Honours degree in Indigenous Social Work, with a minor in Gerontology, at Laurentian University in Sudbury. They are currently in the process of applying to a Master’s program in Social Work, aiming to deepen their expertise and expand their ability to drive meaningful change.
Their research centres around the intersection of social work, mental health, and marginalized communities, with a particular focus on the 2SLGBTQIA+ and disability sectors. They are exploring how culturally competent and inclusive social work practices can enhance mental health support and improve access to services for Two-Spirited and transgender individuals.
In addition, their work examines the impact of aging on individuals with disabilities, with the goal of identifying how social services can better support older adults within these populations. A key component of their research involves integrating Indigenous perspectives into social work and advocating for policies and services that are inclusive, accessible, and responsive to the needs of underserved communities.
“As a mother and wife to a large family of 12 children, with the unwavering support of my husband, I have always been driven by the desire to create positive change. Central to my journey is my role as the mother of a Two-Spirited/Transgender child, who came out to our family as a youth. This experience ignited a deep sense of responsibility to advocate for him and for others within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. This personal and professional commitment to advocacy has been a guiding force throughout my academic and career. I am particularly passionate about advocating for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, individuals with disabilities, and those affected by mental health and addiction challenges.”
Currently, they serve on an Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team in their town, where they work directly with individuals facing complex mental health challenges. This role has proven to be both professionally rewarding and deeply motivating, inspiring them to continue learning and growing. Their ultimate goal is to leverage their expertise and advocacy work to influence policy, engage government leaders, and speak in public forums—driving systemic change to improve the lives of marginalized communities.
From the Board of Directors at Lambda, “Congratulations, Donna! You are an inspiration.”
About the Grant Halle Lambda Foundation Award at Laurentian University
The award is given for excellence in graduate and undergraduate research or applied projects in English and French, in any academic or professional field, that foster a deeper understanding of 2SLGBTQ+ individuals and populations in all their diversity, particularly in, but not limited to, northern Canada. The award is open to all qualifying students on the recommendation of their academic or professional programs.
Together, we can build a future where 2SLGBTQIA+ and QTBIPOC individuals thrive through education, research, and meaningful opportunities.
