PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Senior Policy & Strategic Issues Advisor
Toronto Public Health - Strategy

October 2023 - Present

Lead and manage staff, fostering development, equity-focused practice and reflective decision-making
Oversee complex, politically sensitive public health initiatives with a strategic lens
Develop policies, briefings, and reports to guide senior leadership and Board of Health decisions
Build and maintain partnerships with schools, healthcare providers and community organizations to improve population health
Anticipate, analyze and address emerging issues to support health system and community priorities

January 2021 - January 2023

Deliver evidence-based behaviour activation therapy for perinatal depression and anxiety
Document and record consultations as per research study protocol
Complete suicidal-risk assessments and consult with lead psychiatrists and investigators as required
Conduct sessions remotely following procedures to minimize the risk of breach in privacy and confidentiality
Participate and lead peer supervision sessions

March 2017 – October 2023

Lead public health responses and outbreak planning (COVID-19, Monkeypox, Meningococcal-C) with multi-level stakeholders
Manage operations, logistics, and issues to support staff and community health equity initiatives
Develop and translate communications and campaigns on child, preconception, prenatal/postpartum, and population health
Lead staff training, mentoring, and team development to build capacity and promote collaboration
Direct projects implementing mobile health strategies, text messaging pilots, and improved case/contact management systems

September 1999 - March 2017

Co-lead to develop, advocate and promote reproductive health initiatives (policies, standards, guidance, procedures, training) addressing populations in their preconception and early childhood stages
Provide health education to individuals and groups
Conduct home visits to support families with children ages 0 to 6 years old and promote healthy child growth and development
Collaborate with community partners through service coordination to improve access and referral to community programs and resources
Support families and engage in programs and services to promote preconception health, pregnancy, breastfeeding and infant feeding support, perinatal emotional adjustment

Passion for Learning

September 2022 - Present

1994 - 1998

Registered Nurse in Ontario
Community Health Nursing Certification
Emergency First Aid and CPR certified
Occupational Health and Safety Certification 1
Completed Leadership courses and Preparing to Move into Supervision course
Competed Project Management courses (including Concepts, Methodology, Agile, and Change Management)
Completed Leadership-Mentorship course
Cerificate of completion for Performance Management Fundamentals
Conflict Management course
Trained in providing Behaviour Activation Therapy
Certificate in Social Media Marketing