Our Team
Shelly Philip LaForest, RN, BN, MN, PhD student, CEO/Founder (BNLI)
Shelly Philip LaForest has been a Registered Nurse for almost 23 years. Originally a diploma-trained nurse, Shelly returned to school to complete a Bachelor of Nursing Degree, a Master of Nursing Degree and she is currently enrolled in an Interdisciplinary Social Research Doctoral degree program. As a bedside nurse at SickKids hospital, Shelly has worked in the Operating Room, on the Burns and Plastics Unit, on the General Surgery unit, the Orthopaedics and Otolaryngology unit and can now be found on the Vascular Access Team. Shelly’s passions are mentoring, education and networking and she has held formal education roles – as a clinical instructor, faculty advisor and professor - with several post-secondary institutions.
Shelly is the Executive Director for the Ontario Black Nurses’ Network [OBNN]. This not-for-profit organization has been instrumental with strengthening the voice of Black Nurses and nursing students in various healthcare forums.
Shelly is also actively involved in community organizations and is a member of the Community Advisory Committee for EpLink (an epilepsy research program), as a Board Member for Epilepsy Ontario, and as a Data Review Committee member for the Ontario Brain Institute.
When she is not wearing her many nursing hats, Shelly can be found reading, baking, and spending time with her family.
Ackeisha Hamilton, RPN, RN, BN, MScHQ, Program Manager and Chief Learning Officer (BNLI)
Ackeisha has been a nurse for 17 years. She began her nursing career in addictions medicine and acute care. She also worked in community, long-term care and agency nursing. Ackeisha transitioned from "bedside" nursing to working in a non-traditional nursing role with the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO). While at the CNO, she continued her nursing education, completing her Bachelor of Nursing to become a Registered Nurse and her Master of Science in Healthcare Quality. During her 11 years with the CNO, she worked in various nursing roles, including as an investigator and Advanced Practice Consultant. Ackeisha has vast experience in Teaching, Management, Leadership, and Quality, Safety and Strategic Direction.
Tricia Adams, RN, BScN
Tricia started her nursing career after earning her BScN from Ryerson University. She worked for several years in various care areas such as Cardiology, Cardiac Catheterization Lab and Arrhythmia Services at Sunnybrook Hospital. She has over 15 years of experience in the medical device industry and has worked as a Clinical Specialist and Consultant for one of the global market leading companies in Cardiac Rhythm Device Management. She has held Marketing roles in orthopedics and in patient monitoring. Currently Tricia is a Senior Marketing Manager global medical device company.
In her spare time Tricia enjoys travelling, swimming and spending time with her family and friends.
Crystal Cox-Richards, RN, BScN, MN
Crystal began her nursing career as a surgical nurse but has delved into correctional nursing as well as other educational and leadership roles and positions. Crystal's current role as an After Hours Manager allows her to not only support the healthcare organization but also support all healthcare personnel, including nurses, on a regular basis.
Odessa Grignon, RN, BScN
Odessa has been a Registered Nurse for 20 years. She has been employed with Sick Kids Hospital since 2002 in various roles that include: PACU, Clinical Technology, and at the bedside. Odessa is currently working on 8C, the inpatient unit for Burns, Plastics, Ophthalmology and Urology patient populations.
Odessa has also worked for different GTA colleges in the classroom and clinical setting. She is currently employed with George Brown College in the role as Faculty Advisor for the Registered Practical Nursing program.
Odessa has also worked for the LHIN (Local Health Integration Network) for 9 years as a Community Care Coordinator.
She is also actively engaged in the community, serving at present as the Executive Secretary for the Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce (PABRT).
Saudia Jadunandan, BScN, RN, MEd, EdD (c)
Saudia is a Doctoral prepared nurse with experience in a multitude of healthcare and educational areas that include critical care, cardiac surgery, simulation and educational leadership. She has advanced certification in critical care nursing, advanced cardiac life support, diabetes education, blood conservation and chemotherapy. Saudia completed her Master’s degree at the University of the West Indies and her doctoral degree at Athabasca University, focusing her research on nursing education and virtual simulation best practices. She has had roles as a clinical instructor, nursing lab specialist, faculty advisor and professor of nursing at various post-secondary institutions across Ontario. In addition, Saudia has published research about pre-operative anemia, asynchronous discussion in distance education, cardiac surgery outcomes and simulation.
Saudia is passionate about seeking ways to identify societal injustices and educational inequities to build stronger communities. Her teaching philosophy is rooted in student-centred learning that recognizes the complexity and uniqueness of individual experiences.”
Petroiya Paterson, RN, MN, DNP-NI
Petroiya is a registered nurse who values accountability, integrity, efficiency, respect, and transparency. She earned a Master's of Nursing focusing on leadership in education and health policy as well as a Doctorate of Nursing specializing in nursing informatics. Throughout her 15 year nursing career she has held practice and informatics leadership roles. She is currently the Director of Education and Training for the Ontario Black Nurses' Network and the Director of Clinical Informatics at Sinai Health System in Toronto.
Phyllis Reid-Jarvis, MPH
Phyllis Reid-Jarvis, a Professional Certified Coach ( PCC), holding a master’s degree in Public Health (MPH), and a Graduate Certificate in Health and Ageing from the University of Manitoba's Community Health Sciences Program. Phyllis is certified as a Psychological Health and Safety Workplace Advisor through the Canadian Mental Health Association, she is also a Certified Meyers-Briggs Personality Type Practitioner (MBTI), with Psychometrics Canada. Phyllis spent the first 15 years of her career working as a dietitian and a diabetes educator in a public health capacity. Phyllis brings over 25 years of combined experience in the fields of health, organizational development, leadership, and professional coaching.
As the founder and CEO at Ultimate Potentials, Phyllis helps leaders use the principles of transformational leadership to create and sustain diverse, psycho-socially safe, and healthy workplaces.
Website: https://www.ultimatepotentials.com/
Joan Taylor-Willis, RN, BScN, MN, NP-PHC
Joan has been teaching, managing, mentoring, and training nurses in the classroom, clinical and lab settings for several years. She is committed to creating a positive and safe learning environment for her students based on respect, inclusivity, equity, and diversity.
Joan is also the owner of All About Caring Inc, which offers compassionate, professional and client-centred healthcare services. Find out more by visiting: aachealth.ca
Lori Zozzolotto, RN, BScN, NSWOC
Lori has been a nurse since 2008 when she began her career as a Registered Practical Nurse. She then attained her Registered Nursing Degree in 2012, and earned a designation as a Nurse Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence (NSWOC) in 2018. Lori has held positions in the ER, clinics, schools and community nursing. She currently works as the Clinical Specialist for a medical devices company where she is able to use my nursing skills. Lori’s background in Journalism allows her to effectively create webinars and educate clinicians, patients and new nurses. Lori is also dedicated to promoting diversity in her workplace and within her volunteer roles with various nursing organizations.