Faites connaissance avec notre équipe administrative

Installée au Centre administratif de SKIP à Halifax notre équipe travaille en collaboration avec nos centres régionaux, nos établissements affiliés, ainsi que nos partenaires pour soutenir, consolider et agrandir le réseau national de SKIP.

Directrice principale

Ryan Underhill

Ryan brings 15 years of leadership experience in the youth development and health charity sectors. He has a passion for innovation, seeing leadership through the lens of strong collaborations in creating real change in our community. Ryan has been recognized as an outcome-driven leader with success in identifying clear pathways to achieving strategic goals, allowing for better and more impactful mission delivery. As a new father, Ryan has seen firsthand the positive impact that SKIP’s tool and resources can have, not just on kids, but in building confidence in parents to play a part in their kids’ pain management.

Operations Lead

Megan Cook

Megan completed her Bachelor of Business Administration in 2021 as Valedictorian of her class. Also in 2021, Megan won the Frank H. Sobey Award for Excellence in Business Studies and used those funds to start her own business Studentgizor. She developed an app that will help students stay in school – especially those with ADHD and ESL students. The App provides a platform to become organized, informed and complete their studies with confidence and transferable career skills.

Having returned to university later in life, Megan acquired a diverse background in project management, logistics and operational processes when she lived out west for many years.

Megan’s father was injured at a young age and left with a permanent partial disability and severe chronic pain, so she knows firsthand the impact, importance, and need for pain management within Canada. She is honoured to be working towards a future where kids can comfortably manage their pain and parents/caregivers have the knowledge to do so.

Spécialiste en communications

Abi Hodson

B.Des

Abi completed their Bachelor of Design at Toronto Metropolitan University in 2017 and has been working in communications and marketing for local non-profits ever since. In their free time, Abi is the Marketing Coordinator for the Rainbow Refugee Association of Nova Scotia, and maintains a textiles art practice. Abi is passionate about making knowledge accessible and user-friendly.

Project Coordinator

Louise Tunnah

PhD

Louise completed her doctoral degree in Integrative Biology from the University of Guelph and previously worked with the Correlative Studies Program at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto, ON. Louise is thrilled to have the opportunity to bring her skills and experience managing research projects to SKIP, and, as a Project Coordinator, to contribute to SKIP’s meaningful and important work regarding kid’s pain. As someone who is always interested and eager to learn, Louise is delighted to work with SKIP’s broad network of expert partners.

Patient Partnership Advisor

Isabel Jordan

B.Sc.(H)

Isabel Jordan was a founding member of the Rare Disease Foundation. Under her leadership, the organization built partnerships between families and researchers through their Microgrant Program. Isabel is the Strategic Lead in Patient Partnerships in the Chambers Lab at Dalhousie University, a knowledge mobilization network that seeks to bridge the gap between treatment practices and evidence-based solutions for children’s pain in Canadian health institutions. She is the mother of a young man living with a rare disease and has drawn on her lived experience in rare disease and disability to become a strong advocate for patient partnership in research.

Engagement and Impact Coordinator

Pars Atasoy

B.Sc (H)

Pars recently completed an Honours degree in Psychology at Dalhousie University and took the role of a research assistant at Dr. Sherry Stewart’s lab over his Honours year. In his final year at Dalhousie, Pars won the Charles Brimer award for showing the greatest potential for becoming a future researcher in psychology. Pars has extensive experience in interacting with patients and conducting scientific research. He is eager to contribute his education, experiences, and skills to the wonderful SKIP network

Administrative Coordinator

Sarah Preston-Thomas

Bsc

Communications Assistant

Anna Leaper

Anna is currently enrolled at Dalhousie University. She is working towards a B.Sc. focusing on Immunology & Microbiology and Health Studies. She has experience as a social media strategist for science communication platforms as well e-commerce sites. Anna has a passion for making science accessible and interesting for all audiences, while combating misinformation. She is interested in continuing a career in knowledge mobilization or natural wellness. If she’s not working or at school, she can be found enjoying the fabulous nature and food that Halifax has to offer.

Coordonnatrice des communications (parental leave)

Mylène Pinet

BPR

Étudiante en quatrième année au baccalauréat en relations publiques de l’Université Mount Saint Vincent, Mylène se passionne pour les enjeux concernant le développement de communautés de soins de santé et la défense de patients vivant avec la douleur. En dehors de ses activités professionnelles et académiques, on la trouvera habituellement dans un sentier pédestre quelque part en Nouvelle-Écosse ou en train de boire un café avec son chien à ses côtés. Mylène a travaillé auparavant à la Régie de la santé de la Nouvelle-Écosse comme adjointe aux communications à l’embauche de médecins, un poste où elle a su développer son intérêt pour les communications en soins de santé. previously worked at Nova Scotia Health as a Communications Assistant in physician recruitment, through which she deepened her passion for healthcare communications. With her own lived experience with pain, Mylène has a passion for bringing healthcare communities together and advocating for pain patients. Outside of work, you can usually find her on a Nova Scotian hiking trail or drinking coffee with her dog by her side.