Former police officer takes on role at Metro's multicultural association

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times & transcript staff

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Lorraine LeClair has always wanted to make a difference in people's lives and she's ready to take that approach with Metro Moncton's growing population of immigrants.

LeClair, who turns 52 today and will celebrate by walking from Magnetic Hill to Shediac, has been named the executive-director of the Multicultural Association of the Greater Moncton Area (MAGMA).

"We have a dynamic organization and we needed someone dynamic to manage it," MAGMA president Jack Haller said yesterday. Dynamic may be an understatement for LeClair, who became the first female officer to serve with the Shediac Police Force nearly 30 years ago. Since leaving that career, she's been involved several crime prevention ventures and was manager for the implementation of the 911 call system in southeastern New Brunswick.

She's also managed boys' and girls' clubs in Fredericton and Cap-Pelé and volunteered with the Special Olympics and Moncton Youth Residences.

LeClair has worked with hotel management for the last decade with a couple of major chains.

"I've got a lot of experience in sales and helping others," she said during an interview yesterday.

"Now, we've got a sales job to do with MAGMA. We've got to be MAGMA's advocate with the corporate world and other partners. If immigrants and refugees are choosing our city to live, we've got to work with all of our partners in order to make their transition to life here a lot smoother."

LeClair begins her work Sept. 25.