Barbara Seal, C.M. enjoys a distinguished career in public and community spheres. She has worked tirelessly on behalf of countless worthy causes ranging from the Arts to cancer research. She served as municipal councillor for the City of Hampstead and was responsible for introducing innovative policies and programs. She has sat on the Board of Directors of Place des Arts, the Arts Council of the Montreal Urban Community, Théâtre Espace Go and the National Forum on climate change.

She was Vice-President in charge of the Canada Day Celebrations for Québec, and Québec President for the Canada Day Poster Challenge. She presently sits on the Board of the National Arts Centre (Ottawa), the Segal Centre for Performing Arts, the Advisory Board at the McGill School of Continuing Studies, for the Governors of Tel Aviv University, and as National President of Canadian Friends of Tel Aviv University.