A native Oregonian, Gail graduated from West Albany (Oegon) High School and studied in Jerusalem, Israel prior to receiving a B.A. (Political Science/International Relations) degree from the University of Oregon in 1980.

Gail's earlier experience includes senior management at the City of Portland, where she pioneered to increase neighborhood livability. Her work received national recognition as a model to assist cities with urban livability concerns. Gail also served as senior staff for US Congressman Jim Weaver (D-OR), on Capitol Hill and in Oregon where she was involved with work on transportation, international relations, and budget issues.

Gail has been a leader in forging progressive public policy for that state. As a three-term state legislator, Gail led successful efforts to improve social justice, extend Light Rail, and strengthen environmental protection in Oregon. Committee memberships included Commerce, Transportation, Ways & Means and Children & Families. Appointed in 1991 to fill a legislative vacancy, Gail overwhelmingly won election in 1992 and 1994, becoming the first openly gay or lesbian legislator in Oregon.

Gail served three terms as an Oregon State Representative, representing the heart of Portland. Twice elected Assistant Democratic Leader by her caucus colleagues, she was recognized as a champion of Oregon's benchmarks, including environmental protection, affordable housing, sustainable development, progressive taxation and civil rights.

In June, 2000 Gail completed a Loeb Fellowship at Harvard University's Graduate School of Design. As a Loeb Fellow she conducted research on integrating design and public policy to strengthen communities.

Gail served as Director of Communications for the Federal Highway Administration, where she oversaw media, industry, political and public relations regarding the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, Livable Communities, air quality conformity and other issues.

In her position within the Clinton-Gore Administration, Gail was the director of Public Affairs for the US Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). In that capacity, she served as a primary advisor to sub-Cabinet officials on industry, political, media and public relations. She was responsible for key internal and external communications regarding FHWA's policies and programs nationwide, including inter-agency coordination of the Vice President's Livable Communities agenda.

She also served as communications director for the City of Portland's Bureau of Traffic Management. There, she led the city's efforts to raise the consciousness of the community about the impact of the automobile, and institutionalized citizen empowerment opportunities to affect their transportation future.

Gail and her partner live in Washington, DC.