With an educational background including psychology, law, music therapy and counselling and with an employment history in psychology, law, health policy, mental health advocacy and music therapy, I have gained a wealth of knowledge through a variety of lenses.
I have worked internationally with a variety of organizations and am experienced in Board work. I was the Vice-Chair of the National Board of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Vice-Chair of CMHA Nova Scotia and I am still actively involved on Committees working with CMHA. I am on the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) National Action Plan on Mental Health and Criminal Justice and was previously on their Mental Health Law Advisory Committee. I am actively involved with the Law Society of Scotland's Trauma-Informed Lawyer Certificate course and other Scottish health/justice projects.
I have a passion for sharing knowledge internationally. In 2009 I represented Scotland at the International Initiative for Mental Health Leadership in Brisbane, Australia and in 2019 I attended the same event in Washington, D.C.
Having worked in Scotland, elsewhere in the UK, and Canada and having beeen asked to present at conferences and events worldwide, I value the importance of collaboration with colleagues around the world.
I am passionate about non-profit work and have served my communities in many ways. I have been involved in mental health advocacy organizations for over 20 years and am currently on the CMHA National Council for Persons with Lived Experience.