From 1981 to 1985, McHale was a senior producer and manager in the audiovisual department at Air Products and Chemicals (now Air Products). Subsequently employed as a public relations specialist, she became the founder and president of Script-Tech Communications, Inc.[4]
A member of the Lehigh County Democratic Committee, she was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives during a special election on May 21, 1991 to complete the remaining 1991 term of her predecessor and husband, Paul McHale, who had resigned due to his military service in the Persian Gulf.[5][6] Sworn in on June 4, 1991, she served one term and decided not to run for reelection in 1992.[7][8]
She was subsequently employed as a communications consultant for the Entigo Corporation. From 2001 to 2004, she was the vice president of marketing and communications for Millennium Cell. She has served as a senior associate for Booz Allen Hamilton since 2004 and has also been a principal consultant with Satori Consulting.[9]
