After studying writing and communications at the Université de Sherbrooke, Marie-Dominique Loignon started her career with the federal government at Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, where she held several positions including Manager, Media Relations and National Spokesperson as well as Specialist, Intergovernmental Relations. During this period, she played a key role in communications on several important issues, including the fishing crisis following the Marshall ruling, the creation of the territory of Nunavut and the historic agreement with the Nisga’as people.

In 2001, she accepted the position of Communications Manager for Climate Change at Environment Canada. In that capacity, she coordinated national and international communications and participated in negotiations surrounding the Kyoto Protocol during the Marrakesh Conference of the Parties to the Convention. It was then that she developed a strong interest in international affairs, and she consequently joined the Canadian International Development Agency. There, as Assistant Communications Manager, she participated in preparations for various international events including G-8 meetings, the World Trade Organization, the World Urban Forum and the Microcredit Summit. In 2006 she coordinated the activities of National Development Week, which comprised over a hundred events across Canada.

Throughout her career, Marie-Dominique Loignon has earned many distinctions and received many awards for excellence within the public service.

In 2007 she met Daniel Germain and was captivated by his vision for the Montréal Millennium Summit, which appeals to several of her interests: international development, social commitment and the management of large-scale projects. He saw her as the ideal person to help him implement his vision. In June, she became the first Director General of the organization.