President, Wisdom2Action Ltd - Current

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Wisdom2Action Ltd, incorporated in February, 2018, supports youth, families, service providers, organizations and governments to increase their use of evidence and evaluation in their work. We also support clients to undertake engagement processes that are youth-engaged and based on social innovation lab principles.

 

Project expertise includes:

 

Youth engagement

• School Mental Health Ontario #HearNowOn project (2019, 2020)

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• Canadian Centre for Substance Use and Addiction

  • #W2A Substance Use event (http://www.wisdom2action.org/event/wisdom2action-engaging-youth-in-services-to-prevent-and-treat-substance-use/) (2017)

  • Youth engagement training and mentoring (2018)

  • Development of social innovation lab in BC on engaging youth in opioid treatment priorities (2019)

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• Public Health Agency of Canada

  • Youth engagement training and mentoring (2017)

  • Youth engagement project – priorities for action on gender-based violence for LGBTQ2S+ youth (2018-2019)

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• Student’s Commission of Canada

  • Youth engagement on Canada’s National Youth Policy and intimate partner violence (2018-2020)

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• Children First Canada

  • Facilitation of National Children’s Day 2017-2019

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Research & Engagement

• Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness

  • Enhancing the capacity of the community sector to support youth mental health in Nova Scotia – research and community engagement (2018-2019)

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• Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund

  • GCERF Forum 2018 (event overview: https://youtu.be/-IBFtKE5CUs & issue synopsis: https://youtu.be/VowdzVKGqts (2018)

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• Healthy Populations Institute, Dalhousie University

  • #W2A Food Matters community engagement event (2018) (http://www.wisdom2action.org/event/food-matters/)

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Knowledge Mobilization

• Pauktuutiit National Inuit Women’s Organization

  • Knowledge mobilization plan on cancer and Inuit women (2018-2019)

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• Solutions for Kids in Pain (2019

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Evaluation

• Public Policy Forum of Canada - Evaluation for Atlantic Revitalization KMb project (2018-2020)

 

 

Executive Director, Wisdom2Action (Formerly Child and Youth in Challenging Contexts Network and Institute)

Dalhousie University, 2013-2018

• Led the start up, acceleration and consolidation of the W2A/CYCC Network (funded through the Networks of Centres of Excellence Knowledge Mobilization Networks) and the CYCC Institute (funded through Dalhousie University’s Strategic Research Investment Fund).

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• Led the development of innovative community-based knowledge mobilization programs

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• Supervised a staff of up to 10 professionals, including staff co-located in regional partner organizations in Ontario, Quebec and Nunavut.

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• Managed an annual budget of over $500 000 for both organizations

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• Worked closely with the Wisdom2ActionYouth Advisory Committee and the CYCC Institute Graduate Student Society to ensure youth-led policies and priorities

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International Development Consultant

Just Governance Group, 2008-2013

• Provide non-profit clients with services based on expertise in child rights, gender equality and international development in the areas of policy development, strategic and operational planning and implementation; Results Based Management; risk management; and budget development.

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• Projects included:

  • Child Protection systems in Fragile States in West Africa project planning (UNICEF)

  • Maternal and Child Health in West Africa project planning (CARE Canada)

  • Tanzania Partnership Program planning and development (Global Health Office, Dalhousie University)

  • Gender Strategy, Justice strengthening project “Sharaka”, Occupied Palestinian Territories (Government of Canada, Department of Justice)

 

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Director (2008-2010) and Senior Advisor (2010-2013), Policy and Planning

Nova Scotia Department of Finance, 2008 – 2013

• Built internal and horizontal policy capacity of Department of Finance, including participation on senior officials’ committees and development of internal policy process

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• Provided analysis and recommendation to NS Deputy Minister’s Committee on medium to long term policy and budget realignment

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• Managed Department’s Information Management program

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• Provided regular analysis and recommendations to the Deputy Minister and Minister of Finance on key provincial and national policy issues

• Managed team of financial and policy analysts

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Various policy positions of increasing responsibility

Canadian International Development Agency, 2000-2008

• Developed and implemented a comprehensive financial risk strategy for the organization

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• Provided leadership and strategic advice to senior management on policy and program issues related the management of the International Assistance Envelope. 

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• Developed policy papers for publication that linked children rights and other sectors, and coordinated international workshops to mobilize these findings.

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• Managed the Child Protection Research Fund ($2 M CDN/5 years) and provided advice on ensuring goals were met in terms of gender equality and child participation.

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• Provided specialist advice on CIDA-sponsored child protection programs, including identification of RBM indicators related to child rights and gender equality.

 

 

Policy Advisor

Privy Council Office (assignment) , 2004

• Provided analysis, advice and recommendations on Indigenous policy and programs to the Clerk of the Privy Council, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Prime Minister.

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• Managed the Issue Brief and Memorandum to Cabinet process, including preparing the official Cabinet records. 

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• Prepared briefing notes and correspondence for PCO senior management, the Clerk of the Privy Council, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Prime Minister.

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Government of Canada Internship

Canadian Consulate General, New York City, 1999

 

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Development Education Program Assistant 

Dalhousie University,1998-1999

 

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Youth program assistant

Various non-governmental organizations that work with street children in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, 1997-1998              

                            

           

Researcher 

Dalhousie School of Law, 1995

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Coordinator 

Dalhousie Women’s Centre, 1994-1995