A Canadian by birth, Gary N. McLean was raised in London in Ontario, Canada. Attending the University of Western Ontario, after 1 year at Graceland College in Lamoni, Iowa, he received an honors B.A. in business administration and office administration. At Teachers College, Columbia University, where he met and married his wife, McLean earned a master's and doctorate, both in business education. From United Theological Seminary in Minnesota, he received a master's of divinity degree. Though he considers himself a global citizen, he actually holds dual citizenship with the United States and Canada.

McLean has been involved in higher education for 40 years, 36 of them at the University of Minnesota, and has worked as an OD consultant for 35 years, with more than 50 clients (many repeats). A son and a daughter have joined him now, in McLean Global Consulting, Inc. In addition, he is a part owner of HRConnection, an HR company that provides support for small-group sharing among HR professionals, as well as contract and placement services for HR professionals.

As an OD professional, McLean has worked in more than 40 countries; published in excess of 200 articles and book chapters; and authored, coauthored, or edited 22 books. His scholarship has resulted in the awarding of Outstanding Scholar by the Academy of Human Resource Development. His excellence in teaching has been recognized by both the College of Education and Human Development and the University of Minnesota through the awarding of the designation as Morse Alumnia Distinguised Teaching Professor. McLean has been awarded lifetime membership in the Minnesota OD Network in recognition of his service to OD.