Experience

Ontario Public Health Association

• Canada
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Executive Director

  • Jan 2014 - Mar 2022

  Created in 1949, OPHA is a non-for-profit member-based charitable organization association whose mission is to provide leadership on issues affecting public health and strengthen the impact of people who are active in public and community health throughout Ontario. OPHA provides opportunities for education, knowledge exchange, networking, sharing expertise and advocacy. As Executive Director, some of my accomplishments included: Oversaw design and implementation of provincial communications campaign on health and climate change and multi-stakeholder fall 2019 forum on this topic. Mobilized members’ expertise through multi-sectoral volunteer led workgroups in areas such as environmental health, the built environment and health equity to develop and implement strategies to influence healthy public policy. Testified before Ontario legislative committees, met with elected and unelected senior government officials and used media to influence wide array of public policies (e.g. health equity, climate change). Oversaw design and delivery of capacity building events, including an on line course on planning, public health and designing healthy communities, webinars (e.g. climate change and health equity), workshops and forums that strengthen public health practice. Served as knowledge user on Dr. Manuel study that increased knowledge about impact of health promotion strategies on reducing chronic diseases and health care costs. Oversaw creation of Nutrition Connections, a centre for knowledge exchange and collaboration on healthy eating and nutrition. Co-Chair Ecohealth Ontario, a cross-sector collaborative committed to increasing green spaces and bio-diversity; Former Co-Chair, Ontario Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance. Show less



Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships

• Canada
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Research Director

  • Jun 2011 - Dec 2013

  Designed and implemented research strategy to advance knowledge and best practices. Planned first industry-academic forum to build strategic partnerships and fill knowledge gaps. Oversaw projects to assess public-private partnerships, including case studies. Organizational lead for first strategic and business plan and programs to develop next generation talent. Designed and implemented research strategy to advance knowledge and best practices. Planned first industry-academic forum to build strategic partnerships and fill knowledge gaps. Oversaw projects to assess public-private partnerships, including case studies. Organizational lead for first strategic and business plan and programs to develop next generation talent.



Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion

• Director, Chronic Disease Prevention & Health Promotion/Director, Healthy Communities Project

  • Dec 2005 - Apr 2010

  Oversaw planning, delivery, evaluation of and partnerships for $130 million in health promotion strategies including: Smoke-free Ontario, diabetes, obesity prevention and healthy eating, dental health, workplace health, breast screeening, injury and substance misuse prevention. Secured Minister's approval of renewed Health Promotion Standards for public health. Oversaw planning, delivery, evaluation of and partnerships for $130 million in health promotion strategies including: Smoke-free Ontario, diabetes, obesity prevention and healthy eating, dental health, workplace health, breast screeening, injury and substance misuse prevention. Secured Minister's approval of renewed Health Promotion Standards for public health.



Public Health Agency of Canada

• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• Regional Director, Ontario Region

  • 2003 - 2005

  Directed 60 staff in the design and delivery of $40M in health promotion, chronic and infectious disease prevention programs ranging from child development, Aboriginal Headstart, HIV/AIDS and social inclusion. Directed 60 staff in the design and delivery of $40M in health promotion, chronic and infectious disease prevention programs ranging from child development, Aboriginal Headstart, HIV/AIDS and social inclusion.



Health Canada

• Canada
• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• Director, Pearson Airport SARS Screening Project/Special Advisor to Regional Director General

  • 2002 - 2003

  Sucessfully fast tracked delivery of SARS emergency screeening measures for five million international travelers under intense media scrutiny. Oversaw operations of 180 staff and collaboration with airport authorities, Customs, Transport and Immigration departments, airlines and national colleagues. Sucessfully fast tracked delivery of SARS emergency screeening measures for five million international travelers under intense media scrutiny. Oversaw operations of 180 staff and collaboration with airport authorities, Customs, Transport and Immigration departments, airlines and national colleagues.



YMCA Canada

• Canada
• Non-profit Organization Management
• 700 & Above Employee

• Director, Public Policy

  • 2000 - 2002

  Increased Y's profile as a health promoting charity by creating strategies, positions papers and providing government relations, training and tools. Managed activities of national board's external relations committee. Increased Y's profile as a health promoting charity by creating strategies, positions papers and providing government relations, training and tools. Managed activities of national board's external relations committee.

• Regional Director, Health Promotion Branch, Ontario/Nunavut Region

  • 1994 - 2000

  Oversaw design, delivery and evaluation of $40M in health promotion programs and 60 staff. Co-created new governance model to manage federal children's programs through negotiations with Aboriginal and provincial leaders. Oversaw design, delivery and evaluation of $40M in health promotion programs and 60 staff. Co-created new governance model to manage federal children's programs through negotiations with Aboriginal and provincial leaders.