Femi Akinsanya
Training, Resource, and Education Centre Supervisor
Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse (CCASA)
Multidisciplinary Experts
Sexual Violence Education Contributors and Learning Series Guests
Bio
Femi Akinsanya (she/her), BSc
Femi is the Training, Resource, and Education Centre Supervisor with CCASA, an OTHM health and social care course instructor, and a public speaker. She is deeply passionate about unearthing communities’ unique experiences regarding gender-based violence, gender equity, and human rights. Femi has an educational background in both psychology and health sciences.
Contact Information and Resources
Lisa Bell
Clinical Nurse Educator
Calgary Sexual Assault Response Team (CSART)
Bio
Lisa Bell (she/her), BScN
Lisa has been a nurse for over 20 years with the majority of her career spent in critical care. She has been working with CSART for over 12 years in various roles, most currently being the clinical nurse educator. She is involved in various provincial and community collaboratives for education and training on sexual violence as well as Emergency Department nursing staff within Calgary and surrounding areas.
Contact Information and Resources
lisa.bell@albertahealthservices.ca
403.955.6030 (Information Line)
Sasha Best
Program Lawyer | Sexual Violence Survivors Legal Advice Program
Calgary Legal Guidance
Bio
Sasha Best (she/her)
Sasha Best currently works as the Program Lawyer for the Sexual Violence Survivors Legal Advice Program at Calgary Legal Guidance. Originally from Newfoundland, Sasha moved to Calgary for law school and has been studying and practicing here since. She is passionate about providing trauma informed legal and non-legal services to survivors of sexual violence.
Contact Information and Resources
https://clg.ab.ca/index.php/programs/sexual-violence-survivors-legal-advice-program/
Cathy Carter-Snell
Professor | School of Nursing and Midwifery
Mount Royal University
Bio
Cathy Carter-Snell (she/her), PhD, RN SANE-A
Dr. Cathy Carter-Snell has a background of almost 40 years of trauma nursing including Emergency, Intensive Care, aeromedical transport and sexual assault/domestic violence teams. She developed the first online sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) course in North America, was the first Canadian to be certified internationally as a SANE-A, and co-founded what is now the Canadian Forensic Nurses' Association. Her research focuses on prevention or early intervention with interpersonal violence, including mental health and injuries.
Contributions include the BALD STEP physical findings guide for trauma assessment, contributing to the IAFN core curriculum for forensic nurses, and an Enhanced Emergency Sexual Assault Services (EESAS) multidisciplinary course for rural communities. She has a background in adult education and curriculum development and years of post-secondary education. Her research now includes examining BN preparation for NCLEX, and nursing student resilience to stress. Teaching interests include adult health, pathophysiology, complex case management and violence prevention.
Contact Information
Kristine Cassie
Chief Executive Officer
Chinook Sexual Assault Centre | Lethbridge, AB
Bio
Kristine Cassie (she/her), MSc, RSW
Kristine has worked in the human services sector for more than 39 years with substantial experience in the areas of youth empowerment, housing, domestic and sexual violence. Skilled at the development of programs, policy development, and risk management, Kristine has been instrumental in a number of community networks including: the Sexual Violence Action Committee; Domestic Violence Action Team; Southern Alberta Network of Children’s Services; Social Housing In Action; Coalition of Municipalities Against Racism and Discrimination; YWCA Canada Atlantic Expansion Project; YWCA Canada Integrating Committee; Provincial Child Advocacy Centre Network, Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters and is a member of the Coaching Association of Canada Task Force on Gender Based Violence and Teen Dating Violence. Kristine continues to sit as Vice Chair of the Board of Governors at Lethbridge College, and currently is the CEO of the Chinook Sexual Assault Centre. Kristine is a registered social worker, holds a master’s in leadership and is a certified community traumatologist.
Patrina Duhaney
Assistant Professor | Faculty of Social Work
University of Calgary
Bio
Patrina Duhaney, H.BA, BSW, MSW, PhD
Dr. Duhaney is a critical race scholar and social work activist in the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Calgary. Her research grapples with issues related to race, racism, the intersections between victimization and criminalization and is informed by critical race theory, critical race feminism and anti-racism. Dr. Duhaney has over 14 years of experience working as a social worker, counsellor and front-line worker with diverse populations including women who experience domestic violence and individuals in conflict with the law. Dr. Duhaney is actively involved in various initiatives within the university and across various communities to help forefront Black people’s experiences and perspectives and confront anti-Black racism.
Mandi Gray
CIHR Health System Impact Fellow | Department of Family Medicine | Cumming School of Medicine
University of Calgary and Alberta Health Services
Bio
Mandi Gray (she/her), PhD
Mandi Gray holds a PhD in sociology. She is currently a CIHR Health System Impact Fellow in the department of family medicine at CSM and Indigenous Wellness Core Scientific Office, AHS. Mandi’s academic work focuses on systemic responses to structural violence. Her forthcoming book titled Liar Lawsuits will be published by UBC Press examines the growing trend of retaliation following a disclosure or report of sexual violence through the use of defamation law.
Pauline Head
Emergency Medicine | Medical Director and Forensic Examiner
Calgary Sexual Assault Response Team (CSART)
Bio
Pauline Head (she/her), MD FRCPC
Pauline is a full-time emergency physician in Calgary since 1985. She is involved with Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse (CCASA), Alberta Health Services, Alberta Justice and Police during the 1990s to create CSART, with 6 MDs in 1996, then RNs in 1997. She has been the medical lead for CSART since 2009 after the team moved to a private clinic with ongoing teaching, forensic exams and court testimony. Pauline is currently working with a province wide strangulation panel to move education about non-fatal strangulation forward in Alberta.
Contact Information and Resources
pauline.head@albertahealthservices.ca
403.955.6030 (Information Line)
Nolan E. Hill
Gay Men’s Health Specialist
Centre for Sexuality
Bio
Nolan E. Hill (he/him), BA
Nolan works to support gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men and their unique health and wellness needs. He has extensive experience working within 2SLGBTQ+ communities, in both the arts and health sectors, with a keen interest in sexual health, including HIV and STBBIs. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Women’s Studies from the University of Calgary.
Contact Information and Resources
Hilary Jahelka
Program Coordinator | Sexual Violence Survivors Legal Advice Program
Calgary Legal Guidance
Bio
Hilary Jahelka (she/they)
Hilary Jahelka has been involved in anti-sexual violence work over the past ten years and is continuing that work at Calgary Legal Guidance as the Sexual Violence Survivors Legal Advice Program Coordinator. Hilary just completed her master’s in social work and is passionate about social justice and advocacy. When not working you can find them hanging out with her partner and four fur babies.
Contact Information and Resources
https://clg.ab.ca/index.php/programs/sexual-violence-survivors-legal-advice-program/
Souheir Jamil
Senior Sexual Violence Educator (Clinical)
Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse (CCASA)
Bio
Souheir Jamil (she/her), PhD
Souheir holds a PhD in psychology from the University of Lyon in France, specializing in sexual violence. Her research specifically focused on the role of parental “imagos” in the personality of incarcerated perpetrators of sexual violence. She is considered an expert in sexual violence and has experience as a university teacher, sexual violence curriculum developer, and therapist in private practice. She also has participated in international congresses across Europe. Souheir is a Senior Sexual Violence educator at CCASA; she delivers workshops and training on sexual violence and well-being self-care. Her expertise and experience in this area make her a valuable resource for anyone looking to understand better and address the complex issue of sexual violence through trauma-informed care and multicultural backgrounds.
Contact Information and Resources
Meg Martin
Registered Psychologist | Manager, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response
University of Calgary
Bio
Meg Martin (she/her), MC
Meg is an experienced facilitator and speaker, with a background as a therapist, educator, and advocate. She is a Registered Psychologist, and was formerly the Director, Education and Training at Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse, where she oversaw a comprehensive program of educational offerings, including violence prevention programming aimed at children, youth and their natural supports. Meg has over a decade of experience working with non-profit agencies in Calgary serving youth and their families experiencing challenges like traumatic grief and loss, addictions, and sexual exploitation. Meg holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science, a Master of Counselling in Educational Psychology, and started her career in student affairs at University of Calgary where she began as a student leader, and served in roles responsible for development, facilitation, and coordination of student supports. Meg is very passionate about youth leadership and education and spent 10 years serving as a volunteer staff member with National Model United Nations in New York.
Contact Information and Resources
https://www.ucalgary.ca/sexual-violence-support/sexual-violence-support
Jenny Ofrim
Program Manager
Association of Communities Against Abuse (ACAA) | Camrose, AB
Bio
Jenny Ofrim (she/her), MSW, RSW
Jenny has had the privilege to work in the field of sexualized violence in a wide variety of roles since completing a Clinical MSW at Wilfrid Laurier University in 2006. Since then, she has had the opportunity to contribute to the field with Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse (CCASA), the Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services (AASAS), the Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre, and presently, as Program Manager at the Association of Communities Against Abuse. Over the years, she has been honoured to counsel survivors, respond to recent assaults on the Calgary Sexual Assault Response Team (CSART), develop and manage programs to support survivors through the Criminal Justice System, and offer public, professional and school based education programs focusing on sexual abuse and assault.
Dori Palmiere
Community Engagement Manager
Centre for Sexuality
Bio
Dori Palmiere (she/her), RSW, MSW
Dori is a registered social worker and obtained her Master of Social Work from the University of Calgary. In her role at the Centre for Sexuality Dori has specialized in assisting organizations across sectors in implementing and sustaining meaningful 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion practices and policies.
Contact Information and Resources
Morgan Parker
Sexual Violence Support Counsellor, Police and Court Education and Support Team (PACES)
Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse (CCASA)
Bio
Morgan Parker (she/her)
Morgan joined the PACES team in August 2022 after completing her BSW at the University of Victoria. Prior to completing her BSW, Morgan worked in housing and harm reduction, which cultivated her passion for anti-oppressive, trauma-informed social work practice.
Contact Information and Resources
Support & Information Line 403.237.5888
Heather Robinson
Supervisor, Police and Court Education and Support Team (PACES)
Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse (CCASA)
Bio
Heather Robinson (she/her)
Heather Robinson is the Clinical Supervisor for the Police and Court Support Program (PACES). Heather holds a BHSc degree in Addictions Counselling from the University of Lethbridge. Throughout her degree Heather worked at multiple Residential Addiction Treatment Centres surrounding Lethbridge and Calgary. While working at YWCA Harbour House and Aventa Centre of Excellence for women, Heather discovered her passion for working and supporting clients in the area of gender-based violence. Heather’s journey at CCASA began in 2018 when she was hired on to the PACES team. Heather’s work with the PACES team has solidified her skills and understanding of the value of providing client-centred, anti-oppressive and trauma-informed care. Since starting on the PACES team, Heather began to cultivate a passion and enthusiasm for supporting not only her clients but her co-workers as well, leading to her move into leadership.
Contact Information and Resources
Support & Information Line 403.237.5888
Paula Russel
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Support Advisor
University of Calgary
Bio
Paula Russel (she/her)
Prior to accepting her role at UCalgary, Paula was the Education Program Supervisor at Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse (CCASA). Paula had been at CCASA for more than 8 years in different education positions. Paula completed a BA in Political Science as well as a Bachelors of Social Work.
Contact Information and Resources
https://www.ucalgary.ca/sexual-violence-support/sexual-violence-support
Heather Sinfield
Community Initiatives Director
Lloydminster Sexual Assault Services | Lloydminster, SK
Bio
Heather Sinfield (she/her), RSW, BSW, MSW Candidate
Heather has been with Lloydminster Sexual Assault Services since 2009 in a variety of roles and responsibilities. Currently overseeing education and awareness initiatives, new program development, and funding grants, Heather is passionate about the field of sexual violence and healing from trauma. She maintains a small caseload of adult survivors and has experience with children, youth, families, and couples. She is in the process of completing her master’s degree in social work at the University of Calgary and is a registered social worker in good standing in both Alberta and Saskatchewan. Heather is a mom of three and owns and supports a fourth-generation grain farm with her husband.
Stephanie Tipple
Doctoral Student in Counselling Psychology
University of Calgary
Bio
Stephanie Tipple (Mi’kmaw), BA (Hons), MSc
Stephanie is a l’nu’skw (mi’kmaw woman) from Newfoundland who is completing her doctorate in Counselling Psychology at the University of Calgary. Stephanie specializes in Indigenous approaches to counselling, with a particular focus on intergenerational and complex trauma. She recently completed her practicum at Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse (CCASA) as a Sexual Violence Therapist.
Contact Information
Diana Wark
Parent Program Coordinator
Centre for Sexuality
Bio
Diana Wark (she/her), RSW
Diana is a social worker who has been working in and around sexual health since the early 1990s. She began focusing on sexuality in 2008 with the Centre for Sexuality as a Sexual Health Educator. Since then she has held many positions at the Centre including Leadership, Training Centre, Counselling and Parent Programs Coordinator.