Barb Willet
Barb has a Masters in Health Sciences with a specialty in Health Promotion. During her 20+ years with Health Nexus, she’s held several different positions, primarily in management, and most recently as Program Director. Barb has provided strategic leadership to the effective planning and delivery of a range of programs to public health, community health, social service agencies and health care.
Wendy McAllister - Manager
Wendy manages the diverse, bilingual services of the Best Start Resource Centre. She has worked Extensively on teen pregnancy, advanced maternal age, reproductive health risks in the workplace, health before pregnancy and the effects of tobacco smoke and alcohol during pregnancy. Wendy has presented at many conferences on preconception, prenatal health and healthy childhood development topics in Canada and the United States.
Meghan Boston-McCracken
Meghan oversees the Best Start Resource Centre’s four online networks and writes the Maternal Newborn and Child Health Promotion bulletin. She conducts research and organizes the Best Start Annual Conference. Meghan has a Master’s degree in Social Work and has worked in many areas of health promotion, including family support, child welfare and child development.
Magali Bouhours
Magali joined the Best Start Resource Centre in 2011 where she coordinates the processing and distribution of Best Start resources. Originally from Chartres, France, she has lived in Toronto since 2005. Magali has a strong background in science and worked in scientific and clinical research for many years.
Marie Brisson
Marie has Extensive experience in training development and delivery, and facilitation to respond to the needs of individuals, families or communities. She worked in in numerous public health programs as well as in the private sector. Marie has a degree in Nursing and diplomas in adult education and workplace health and safety.
Louise Choquette
Louise has guided a range of Best Start outreach and social marketing initiatives including newcomer reproductive and child health, physical activity, prenatal education and tobacco control. She has also led projects to engage francophones across Ontario.
Natalie Colaiacovo
Natalie oversees the Best Start Resource Centre’s four online networks and writes the Maternal Newborn and Child Health Promotion bulletin. She conducts research and organizes the Best Start Annual Conference. Natalie has a Master’s degree in Information Studies and has experience managing and surveying maternal and child health information.
Karin Davis
Karin has returned to the organization to manage the development of an online learning module for service providers on healthy weights for children. She has a Masters Certification in Adult Training & Development and is currently working on becoming a Certified Training and Development Professional. Karin has a background in health promotion, non-profit management and community engagement.
Hiltrud Dawson
Hiltrud has Extensive experience in the maternal newborn field as a nurse, midwife, and lactation consultant. Before joining the Best Start team, she led a multidisciplinary team at Hamilton’s St. Joseph’s Healthcare that implemented the Baby-Friendly Initiative and became Ontario's first Baby-Friendly Hospital. Hiltrud has led many of Best Start’s healthy child development initiatives, including the On Track Guide.
Roshni Juttun
Roshni has been with the Best Start Resource Centre since 2009. She provides support in both English and French to the Best Start team. Originally from Mauritius, she has Extensive experience in administration and human resources.
Yolande Lawson
Yolande, who is a Métis woman, is a Registered Nurse and Lactation Consultant has worked many years in maternal-child health and public health in the north. Yolande is committed to providing support and resources to women, children and families as well as to service providers. Yolande has an Honours Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology, an Honours Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing and a Master’s of Public Health Degree (Nursing Specialization).
Céline Levesque
Celine has been working since 2012 with the Best Start Resource Centre, where she coordinates the processing, distribution and administration of resources. She has a diploma in Social Service Work and certificates in General and Medical Administration. Celine brings to Health Nexus four years of project management experience.
Jennifer Menominee
Jennifer Menominee is the current Aboriginal Health Promotions Consultant. Jennifer is Pottawatomi-Ojibway & Mohawk from Wasauksing First Nation. Jennifer has worked in Toronto’s Aboriginal community well over 13 years and has an Extensive background in Aboriginal Children’s program development and evaluation, as well as workshop training and facilitation. A constant “Activator of Change” this mother, artist, and Special Needs advocate continues to be passionate about making positive impacts to address the needs of Aboriginal communities especially in the areas of Aboriginal woman, children and their families.
Matthuschka Sheedy
Matthuschka Sheedy is an RN and ICEA certified childbirth educator who joined Best Start in February 2014 as a Health Promotion Consultant focusing on Prenatal Education. She has Extensive experience in the maternal infant health field as a Labour and Delivery Nurse, childbirth educator and Coordinator of the Prenatal Education Program at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto. She is passionate about providing expectant families with the most current, evidence based information available to ensure they are able to make informed decisions throughout their pregnancy, birth and beyond.
Tina Wadham
Tina Wadham is a Health Promotion Consultant with an education background in Kinesiology and Adult Training and Development. For over ten years, Tina has worked exclusively in the non-profit sector promoting the health and well-being of children, youth and their families. Supporting public health, education and recreation, she has led numerous initiatives, providing resource development, training development and delivery, and project management expertise.
Our Staff 
