Meet the team

“I started with CAMH on Phase 1C and then took on Phase 1D Forensic as the Project Director, also leading the infrastructure design. In my current role, I oversee and provide senior support to both Phase 1D Forensic and Phase 1D Research.” 

What have been some of your greatest highlights or learnings from working on CAMH's redevelopment? 
“Some of the highlights include the successful completion of Phase 1C and securing approval for the Phase 1D Forensic project. In terms of learnings, I've grown both technically in my understanding of building design and contractually in navigating the legal and procedural hurdles that arise from time to time.” 

Why do you believe the redevelopment is important for CAMH? How will it impact CAMH’s research and mental health services? 
“The redevelopment has been a change agent for CAMH. These projects have dramatically improved the conditions in which our staff work and in which our patients recover. It creates a safe, secure environment that positively impacts both mental health services and research capacity.” 

What do you enjoy doing outside of work? 
“I’m an avid sports fan and enjoy watching a variety of sports, including rugby, cricket, and motor racing.” 

Is there anything else you'd like to share about the redevelopment project? 
“It’s been the standout accomplishment of my career to be part of the CAMH Queen Street Redevelopment.” 

Can you describe your involvement in CAMH's redevelopment project?  
"I am part of the team responsible for ensuring that the Temerty Discovery Centre is delivered to budget, schedule, and scope, as well as dealing with the day-to-day management of the project. My day-to-day activities vary, and no two days look the same; the activities range from attending meetings and design workshops, reviewing onsite progress, resolving complaints, and more!"

Can you share some of your highlights or greatest learnings from working on CAMH's redevelopment?  
"The Temerty Discovery Centre has set some pretty high energy targets, and it has been interesting to learn about the various aspects of the building that will assist with keeping the organization's energy footprint down. The Temerty Discovery Centre utilizes a Geothermal System that uses the ground's temperature to heat or cool the building, which is pretty cool!" 

Why do you believe the redevelopment is important for CAMH? How will this project affect CAMH's impact from a research and mental health service provider perspective?  
"I believe that mental health has come a long way over the years, and seeing the evolution of the campus' infrastructure catch up with the transformational journey of the organization has been truly spectacular. The campus is now more open and inviting, frequented not only by staff and clients but also by the community. This is a big difference from where this campus started 160 years ago.

Mental health could negatively impact everyone at some point in life, so our work is paramount in ensuring that we, as a community, have the resources to transform people's lives."

What do you enjoy doing outside of work, or what is a fun fact about yourself that others may not know?  
"As someone who did not grow up in Canada, I am still very much exploring the country, whether that is the food spots, the hiking trails or the bars! I also like to travel; prior to moving to Canada, I backpacked through Asia and South East Asia for four months."

What is your favourite part of your role?  
I love the opportunity to help make a difference for our patients, given that historically, forensic facilities looked and felt like correctional institutions. We have the opportunity, in partnership with a visionary forensic leadership team, to put care first, and we are doing that. Our patients' voices are reflected in the vision to support patient choice and autonomy. Our clinical teams ensure we design a safe environment to learn, discover and recover. 

Can you share some of your highlights from working on CAMH's redevelopment? 
It is hard to pick just one! A highlight of the Phase 1D Forensic project is our work with Diane Longboat and the Shkaabe Makwa team. Through their input, we have been able to plan a Ceremony Room inspired by an Indigenous lodge and provide opportunities for smudging, gatherings and celebration throughout the project. 

Our Therapeutic Art program will raise the bar for public art throughout the province. Through the guidance of our CAMH Art Selection Panel and art consultant, we have selected 17 artists for 27 art locations throughout the Secure Care & Recovery building’s interior and exterior. The art will acknowledge the land upon which we sit and will beautify our spaces for patients, families and staff. Many of the artists' work will be reproduced on the inpatient unit corridors to further stimulate feelings of hope and calm and reflect the recovery journey for our patients. I can't wait to see the end results!

Why do you believe the redevelopment is important for CAMH?  
It will be an incredible accomplishment to complete the redevelopment journey and achieve the "urban village" conceptualized in 2002. Our campus today looks very different from 170 years ago when we were on the outskirts of the city in the middle of a farmer’s field. We now have multiple mid-rise buildings, parks and city streets on the campus, making it accessible to the public to bike, walk and discover. In consolidating our original four sites, we have integrated clinical care, research and education to advance efforts to discover the causes and cures of mental illness and end the stigma toward mental illness and addiction. It has been a journey. Over almost 30 years of redevelopment effort, we have learned a lot, and improved our planning, design and implementation. To quote the artwork in Garfinkel Park – "We Belong!"  

What do you enjoy doing outside of work? 
I spend every possible moment by the water, enjoying the peace and tranquility, photographing sunsets and wildlife, and taking dinghy rides on the Bay. 

What is your position at CAMH, and how long have you been working at CAMH?   
Director of Operational Readiness (1D) and the Clinical Lead during the Waverley House Secure Care and Recovery building design stages. As the clinical lead, my role has been to keep the project design vision at the forefront of all of the decisions that are being made, which is to create “a contemporary healthcare environment that enables people to claim a sense of control over their own pathway of secure recovery”. A secure recovery pathway is the balance between risk management and the restoration of a meaningful, satisfying life. Although formal operational readiness activities are still a couple of years away, the forensic service is already anticipating and testing changes to our model of care so that the move into the new building and the associated learning curve won’t be so steep. 

What drew you to CAMH? 
I initially came to CAMH as a social work graduate student to fulfill my final clinical placement, which was on unit 3-1. My first role was with Forensic Outpatient Service as a case manager and I’ve subsequently held various leadership roles within the inpatient, ambulatory clinics and forensic administration portfolios. Twenty-five years later, I’ve spent my entire career with the CAMH forensic service.   

Can you share some of your highlights? 
The Waverley House Secure Care and Recovery Building will be a game changer for the patients, their families and for the staff! Among the many new amenities, the building has been designed to allow natural light to penetrate deep into the patient areas and access to fresh air and physical activity will be readily available on every inpatient unit. I’m anticipating that my favourite space in the new building will be the second floor terrace, which is a large outdoor area with spaces for barbeques and dining, an outdoor theatre for movie and talent nights, a fire pit for traditional First Nations, Inuit and Métis healing ceremonies, all of which will all be connected by walking paths through beautiful gardens. I’ve been referring to it as the CAMH Central Park… 

Why do you believe the redevelopment is important for CAMH?  
Many of the patients ordered by the courts/the Ontario Review Board to be in the care of the forensic service will remain at CAMH for years, if not decades. The forensic model of care and the new Waverley House Secure Care and Recovery Building will give forensic patients new opportunities for healing and to gain the skills they need to safely and successfully reintegrate into the larger society. This new building is another example of CAMH’s commitment to destigmatizing mental health and addiction by fostering greater equity and inclusion. 

What drew you to CAMH?  
With over 15 years of dedicated experience in healthcare, I've focused on tackling the unique challenges seniors face, particularly in the areas of dementia and mental health. It's fascinating to learn that depression and anxiety can raise the risk of dementia as we age. I'm truly excited about the incredible work happening at the Temerty Discovery Centre at CAMH, where innovative research in brain stimulation and cognitive disorders is paving the way for improved mental health treatments. 

What is your favourite part of your role? What is the most challenging part of your role?   
What I appreciate most about being a Project Director is the opportunity to observe a project evolve from its construction documentation to completion. It is profoundly rewarding to witness the tangible outcomes of our team’s dedication and collaborative efforts, knowing that we have created something significant that will have a lasting positive impact. 

One of the compelling aspects of this role is the challenge of addressing unforeseen construction issues, including budget overruns and schedule delays. Such circumstances provide a valuable opportunity to apply our creative problem-solving abilities. By fostering open communication and collaboration with the contractor and the design team, we can ensure continued progress on the project and maintain alignment among all stakeholders. This process enhances the project and allows us to learn and grow collectively in our professional capacities.  

Can you describe your involvement in CAMH's redevelopment project? 
I am thrilled to have taken on such a vital role in the redevelopment project, and I truly take pride in our incredible journey so far! Joining CAMH during the early stages of the project is an exciting opportunity for me, and I look forward to leading the construction management process. Working closely with architects, engineers, and contractors, we tackle challenges head-on, creating a strategic vision to transform the site into a vibrant new space. 

Why do you believe the redevelopment is important for CAMH? How will this project affect CAMH's impact from a research and mental health service provider perspective?  
The redevelopment of CAMH represents a critical advancement in transforming mental health services and research. With the incorporation of state-of-the-art facilities, this initiative seeks to foster innovation, enhance patient care, and affirm CAMH’s position as a global leader in mental health research.  

What do you enjoy doing Outside of work, or what is a fun fact about yourself that others may not know?  
I grew up in a patriarchal joint family of over 50 members, which instilled in me a deep appreciation for community. I am proud to be fluent in three languages! My diverse architectural journey has taken me across three continents, enriched by my travels to over 20 countries. My passion for sports shines through my dedication to table tennis and cricket. I wholeheartedly mentor others through the Profession to Profession program in my spare time. This commitment has earned me recognition from the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC) for over ten years of service. Additionally, I proudly serve as a board member for two nonprofit organizations, Project Humanity and Peel Senior Link, striving to make a positive impact on the lives of others.