A School-Community-University Partnership
The core team for the UpLift Partnership is based at Dalhousie University’s Healthy Populations Institute, where the research that underpins the philosophy, need and value of UpLift was conducted.
UpLift Co-Leads
Dr. Sara Kirk
Professor of Health Promotion and Scientific Director of the Healthy Populations Institute at Dalhousie University.
Sara’s research seeks to understand how we can create supportive environments for chronic disease prevention. Her research uses a ‘socio-ecological’ approach that takes into account how individual behaviour is influenced by broader factors, such as income, education and societal norms. She has led or collaborated on several nationally funded projects that focus on the creation of supportive environments for health promotion in different settings, including in schools.
Dr. Camille Hancock Friesen
Professor of Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern and Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Children’s Medical Center Dallas.
Camille is a pediatric cardiac surgeon, Professor of Medicine at the University of Texas Southwestern and Surgical Director of the Congenital Heart Disease Program at the Children’s Medical Centre in Dallas. She was also recently appointed an Adjunct in the Faculty of Graduate Studies in Health at Dalhousie University. She began her career in Nova Scotia and maintains adjunct Professor status in the Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University and Senior Research Scholar status in the Healthy Populations Institute. Camille is an expert in cardiovascular health outcomes and has chosen to continue to focus her research efforts in Nova Scotia on culture change for the health and well-being of children and youth.
hannah mawhinney
Project Manager
Hannah joined the UpLift team in late 2021 and quickly became involved in many areas of the work. With a background in food and nutrition she has previously held various roles related to community development and education such as developing and teaching university courses and researching local food systems. Her interest has always been tied to the experience of her fellow community members, and her work is driven by the goal of supporting the opportunity for a healthy and abundant life for all Nova Scotians. Outside of work Hannah enjoys cooking for family and friends, and spending time outside exploring both her home province of Nova Scotia, and the waters of Georgian Bay.
Shivani dave
Finance Administrator
Shivani is the Financial Administrator who looks after budgeting and finance for UpLift. She has a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Commerce, as well as almost a decade of experience in financial management, accounting, and administration in the service and manufacturing industry. Shivani most recently has been working in Financial Services for Dalhousie University as a travel clerk and grant administrator. She spent nearly nine years in India working as a Financial Analyst for the Rachana Group. Shivani is involved with UpLift because she believes in supporting the health and learning of children and youth throughout Nova Scotia. She is honoured to be part of such a catalyst.
elyse quann
Evaluation & Knowledge Exchange Coordinator
Elyse is our Evaluation and Knowledge Exchange Coordinator, working to measure and communicate the impact of the UpLift Partnership. Born and raised in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Elyse still gets most of her thrills outdoors. She graduated from the BSc. Health Promotion program at Dalhousie University in 2015 and has since taken on diverse roles related to health research and policy, between contracts in forest fire fighting, fruit and vegetable farming, and mountain bike trail building. Elyse brings energy and enthusiasm to the UpLift Partnership, where she can best apply her aptitude for critical thinking, creativity, and passion for health equity (with a dynamo team)!
ERYN BURN
Administrative Assistant
Eryn started as the Administrative Assistant for UpLift in December 2020. She is passionate about supporting environments for healthy and engaged communities with a special interest in the health and well-being of children and youth. Since she moved to Halifax from Saskatoon in 2018, Eryn has been involved with coordinating the Saint Mary's University food bank and volunteering with various youth-centered organizations. Eryn is thrilled to be a part of UpLift and is very hopeful about the systems change that will come out of this partnership. In her leisure time, Eryn enjoys cooking, painting, and being outdoors.
JULIA KONTAK
Research Assistant, UpLift/Healthy Populations Institute
Julia Kontak joined the UpLift Partnership as a PhD in Health Student, Dalhousie University and Research Assistant in September 2021. Julia’s doctoral research focuses on Health Promoting Schools and youth engagement. She also helps to coordinate and assist on various UpLift projects and initiatives. Prior to pursuing her PhD, Julia completed her MA in Health Promotion at Dalhousie University in 2016 and worked at two leading health research organizations in Nova Scotia. Most recently, Julia held the position of the Knowledge Translation Coordinator at the Maritime Strategy for Patient Oriented Research (SPOR) Support Unit (collectively, MSSU) for four years. In her spare time, Julia enjoys staying active by teaching fitness and yoga classes and running throughout the city.
dr. hilary caldwell
Post-Doctoral Fellow, Healthy Populations Institute
Hilary joined the UpLift Partnership in October 2020 as a post-doctoral fellow. Hilary grew up in Toronto and then studied Kinesiology at Dalhousie University and then completed a MSc and PhD in Kinesiology at McMaster University. Hilary’s graduate research focused on physical activity, fitness, physical literacy and health in preschoolers and school-age children. From 2019-2020, Hilary completed a Health System Impact Fellowship with City of Hamilton Public Health Services. Hilary is thrilled to be back in Halifax and contributing to the UpLift Partnership and other projects about child health and well-being. Outside of work, Hilary enjoys cooking and staying active by running, cycling and swimming.
Youth Engagement Coordinators
UpLift has funded the employment of eight Youth Engagement Coordinators, who work under Nova Scotia Health and Conseil scolaire acadien provincial (CSAP) and one Provincial Youth Engagement Coordinator who works with the UpLift core team. These employees work on-the-ground with youth in CSAP schools, Chignecto Central Regional Center for Education and the South Shore Regional Centre for Education to empower youth to lead initiatives to change systems and create dialogue and action around healthy outcomes.
Alex coley
Youth Engagement Coordinator: South Shore Region
Alex is the Youth Engagement Coordinator for the South Shore Regional Centre for Education (SSRCE). As a recent Master’s graduate of Strategic Leadership Towards Sustainability, Alex has returned from studying in Sweden to work in his home province. In this role Alex hopes to work alongside youth to re-imagine our systems and find ways for our youth to thrive and our communities to prosper. Our youth are facing urgent and overwhelming challenges on all sides and Alex hopes to mobilize, empower, and support youth to find their voice and step into their role as change agents.
SHALI MANUEL
Youth Engagement Coordinator: Chignecto Central Region
Shali is a Youth Engagement Coordinator in Chignecto Central Regional Centre for Education (CCRCE). She has a BSc. and Master’s in Health Promotion from Dalhousie University and her career has included positions as a Kindergarten teacher in Taiwan, Community Educator at the Halifax Sexual Health Centre, Physical Activity Consultant with the Nova Scotia government and Health Promoter with Public Health. She firmly believes that people need to be well to do well and is passionate about enhancing environments so that they healthiest choice is the easiest choice. Outside of work, Shali enjoys all seasons of outdoor adventures with her partner and two young sons.
RENA KULCZYCKI
Provincial Youth Engagement Coordinator
Rena has worked in youth engagement in Mi’kmaki and across Turtle Island for over 15 years, focusing on Community Youth Development and systems change for the last 8. Rena’s excellence in facilitation, program development and strategic design has been honed learning and working through the Tatamagouche Centre and the HeartWood Centre for Community Youth Development. Furthermore, Rena brings an anti-oppressive and social justice approach deeply informed by their lived experience as a racialized, queer, 2nd-generation settler, alongside the generous mentorship of many of the youth they’ve worked with. The vision, tenacity, and energy of young people as critical and inspirational changemakers fuels Rena’s commitment to working with them to build the present and futures we deserve.
MacKENZIE JOBES
Youth Engagement Coordinator: Conseil scolaire acadien provincial (CSAP)
MacKenzie is an educator originally from Northern Ontario. He is fluently bilingual and studied Political Science and Sociology at the University of Ottawa before receiving his Bachelor of Education from Laurentian University. Since 2020, he has taught 4th grade at École des Beaux-Marais in Porters Lake NS before accepting his new role with the UpLift partnership. During his time in the classroom, he discovered and implemented several winning strategies that promote student well-being and success. In addition, working with the Student Youth Council, he has developed several activities that encourage and require the ongoing engagement of young learners. MacKenzie is a very active person who loves the outdoors and activities such as kayaking, hiking and camping. He recognizes the importance of living a healthy life and aims to encourage youth to be active and engaged in their daily lives.
laurie baudin
Youth Engagement Coordinator: Conseil scolaire acadien provincial (CSAP)
A graduate in social service and having worked in a context of social intervention in community centers and youth centers, Laurie specializes in prevention and awareness of addictions with adolescents. She has completed several training programs and internships on 'leadership' and 'team building'. Laurie is of Acadian origin, her mother tongue is French and she is part of the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial team. Laurie believes that empowering young people and giving them a voice to talk about the issues that matter to them is important to help build an active and informed generation in the future. She hopes to work with young people to help them develop their sense of commitment and instill in them the importance of being involved in their community to be a factor of positive and lasting change.