Dr. Dayna

Founder and Director of the Lab

Dr. Dayna Lee-Baggley has a PhD in clinical psychology with 20 years of clinical practice working with individuals, leaders, and workplaces. She is the co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of the “Impact me app”. She has extensive applied experience and research knowledge on burnout, psychological safety in the workplace, behaviour and organizational change, and wellness leadership. She is an internationally recognized expert in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. She worked for almost 15 years in multidisciplinary teams on medical, surgical and cancer care hospital units working with individual with chronic and life threatening health conditions. She brings both direct lived experiences working in health care settings as well as research, public, and private sector workplace experiences. She also conducts research at Dalhousie University and at Saint Mary’s University. She has 55 peer-reviewed publications and over 140 scholarly presentations. She is the author of the book “Healthy Habits Suck: How to get off the couch & live a healthy life…even if you don’t want to.” She has the lived experience of a female, visible minority, daughter of an immigrant to Canada. She is French/English bilingual.

Dr. Debra Gilin

Professor, Department of Psychology

Dr. Gilin is a Professor in the Psychology Department at Saint Mary’s University as well as a member of the CN Centre for Occupational Health and Safety at Saint Mary’s. She is trained as an Industrial-Organizational psychologist and has previously published results of successful workplace interventions focused on team conflict and civility in top-tier psychology journals (Journal of Applied Psychology, Psychological Science, and Journal of Occupational Health Psychology).

Ron Pizzo

Labrour and Employment Lawyer & Coach

Ronald Pizzo offers strategic guidance and coaching in conflict management within the workplace. His method, grounded in evidence-based practice, aims to help leaders strike a balance between issue resolution and the preservation of positive team dynamics. Effective conflict resolution relies on nuanced communication skills that affirm the value and voice of all parties, fostering an atmosphere of harmony and understanding in situations of discord.

With a professional background that spans over 35 years as a labour and employment lawyer, mediator, and coach, Pizzo has dedicated his career to cultivating these critical communication skills in leaders and their teams.

His approach, refined through decades of practical experience, transforms complex workplace dynamics into opportunities for individual and collective growth and cohesion. The communication skills he imparts are intended for use in all workplace interactions, transcending their utility beyond conflict resolution.

Background Summary

• Labour and Employment Lawyer and Partner with Pink Larkin Law Firm.
• Peer ranked in the Best Lawyers in Canada® – Labour and Employment Law since 2015.
• Certification in advanced Transformative Mediation – Institute of Conflict Transformation.
• Certified Coach – Coaches’ Training Institute, holding the CPCC designation.
• Certified in the Pro-Social ACT Matrix Communication Process and member of the ACT Matrix Academy
• Certified in ADR and Advanced ADR (mediation training) from Stitt Feld Handy

Cell :   902.209.6661
Email: rpizzo@dlba.ca

Dr. Tara Pride

Assistant Professor, University of Western

Dr. Tara Pride is an Assistant Professor in the school of Occupational Therapy at Western University. She is a licensed Occupational Therapist and has a PhD in Health degree from Dalhousie University. Growing up in Mi’kma’ki, she is of mixed Mi’kmaw and settler ancestry and a member of Sipekne’katik First Nation. Her research program includes working alongside Indigenous occupational therapists across the country to better understand their needs through the creation of an Indigenous Community of Practice (CoP) in the profession, as well as illuminating the need for Indigenous content and pedagogies in occupational therapy curricula. Prior to going to Western University, Tara coordinated the Atlantic Indigenous Mentorship Network housed at Dalhousie University throughout her PhD studies. Through this work, she developed a keen interest on working collaboratively with Indigenous post-secondary students to determine mentorship and training needs. Broadly, she is interested in research collaborations with Indigenous Peoples and communities to support community-led and driven research that meets their needs and goals.

Dr. Shannan M. Grant, RD, MSc, PhD, Certified Yoga Instructor. (She/Her/Hers)

Associate Professor and Registered Dietitian, Mount Saint Vincent University

Shannan M. Grant is a Scientist, Registered Dietitian (RD), Dietetic Educator and lifelong learner. The focus of her work is community-based and practice-based research, focused on applying diverse designs and methodologies to complete comprehensive needs assessments, develop and implement programs, and evaluate interventions. She has practiced as a dietitian and wellness professional in several practice settings, including ~20 years in clinical (including primary, acute care, inpatient and outpatient settings) and community nutrition (including rural, remote, and urban settings). She was a founding member of and core faculty for York University’s Health Coach Program, an internationally recognized program that trains allied healthcare professionals (including nurses, dietitians, dentists) in contemporary evidence-based counseling, conflict resolution, record keeping and modification communication techniques. This work was integral to her recognizing workplace safety as a modifiable risk factor to human health and wellness. A recipient of several awards for her contributions to patient care, communication and education (e.g. The Alumni Early Career Teaching Award [2021], Diabetes Canada Canadian Diabetes in Pregnancy Study Group Award of Excellence [2020]), Shannan is a passionate believer that the best research and practice is done when we cultivate person-focused (all persons involved) environments.

Jessica Jerome

Jessica Jerome (Two-Spirited) is Mi’kmaq, from the district of Gespegewagi. She was born in Listuguj Mi’gmaq First Nation and adopted by the Jerome family in Gesgapegiag. She is a member of the Micmacs of Gesgapegiag Band, located on the banks of the Gaspé Peninsula, Qc.

Her biological mother Linda Barnaby was a hobbyist artist who made art with only a pencil or homemade wood burning pen. Using these simple tools, Linda created the logo for Listuguj Haven House. Her example inspired Jessica to consider art. However, just three years after they met, Linda died of cervical cancer.
Jessica’s father enrolled her in an oil painting course, to help her deal with grief. Creating art became the healing tool to strengthen her resilience and mental health.

Jessica began to learn to paint landscapes, with that quickly developing into painting traditional Aboriginal imagery, but with her own contemporary vision. She now creates in oils, printmaking, wood burning, and in digital art.
Jessica’s professional art training includes study at the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design where she received her Certificate in Foundation of Visual Arts. She then received her Certificate in Applied Media and Communication Arts and a Graphic Design Diploma from the Waterfront Campus Nova Scotia Community College.

Jessica’s work has been shown in several galleries and juried shows in Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Her artwork is on permanent display at the Cancer Centre In Kingston, Ontario and in her home community. She has done graphics and logo design work for Mi’kmaq communities in Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, and First Nation community and economic development initiatives.

Artwork can be seen on Facebook Fanpage Jessica Jerome Artwork, also she can be reached by message or email Ruhkah@hotmail.com

Winta Tesfatsion

Research Assistant

Winta Tesfatsion is a recent graduate from the Mount's Applied Human Nutrition program. She is currently working as a Research Assistant with Saint Mary's University for the "Psychological Safety in the Workplace" research project. She was a Research Assistant for the FoodNOW team in 2021 and conducted interviews to learn more about the experiences of individuals providing food and nutrition programs for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and other people of colour) living with HIV or AIDS. Her research interests include food insecurity and nutrition issues among people of minorities as well as psychological safety in the workplace.

Florence Blackett (or Flo)

Flo” is one of our valued community liaisons and research assistants. She identifies as a lifelong learner, a member of Millbrook First Nation, mother, grandmother, and a co-learner. Flo has received teachings within The Academy, holding a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Human Nutrition, with a Minor in Sociology, from Mount Saint Vincent University, and several certifications from Nova Scotia Community College, in Information Systems. Her most valued education, however, has and continues to come from her community. Flo has worked and continues to work with several members of our team, developing science, technology, engineering, and math, curriculum and programming for youth, drumming for events, and forging and maintaining relationships. Currently employed at Native Counsil of Nova Scotia, Flo works to support Indigenous folks aiming to enter or re-enter the workforce, and urban youth trying to establish and maintain connection with community. Flo brings a wealth of experience in community-based research and qualitative research methods accrued during her time working with Wi’kupaltimk (Feast of Forgiveness), a film project exploring the culture of food security and food sovereignty in an Urban Aboriginal setting.

Audrey Kruisselbrink

Office Manager & Researcher

Audrey Kruisselbrink is a Senior Research Assistant and Office Manager. For the past 15 years, Audrey has worked as a research coordinator at the following organizations: Acadia University, University of Ottawa, Dalhousie University, Saint Mary’s University, and the Nova Scotia Health Authority. She has worked on the CREW project, the Leading Workplace Communities project, the Employment-Related Geographic Mobility of NS Healthcare Workers project, the EMPOWER project, the Understanding Feeding in the Early Years project and the Healthy Professional Workers Partnership.

Jessica Mannette, MA (She/Her)

Research Assistant

Jessica Mannette is a female Anthropologist who completed her educational training at Saint Mary’s University (BA) and the University of Ottawa (MA). She is a settler of Acadian French heritage and grew up in Porters Lake, Nova Scotia. Jessica has worked with non-profit service organizations working with community members experiencing food insecurity in Wellington, New Zealand, and people living with HIV in Nova Scotia, Canada. She has also collaborated on work surrounding testing for sexually-transmitted and blood-born infections in Atlantic Canada. She is currently a Research Assistant at Saint Mary's University for the Psychological Health and Safety study, and a Project Manager at the Canadian Center for Vaccinology; a collaboration of IWK Health, Nova Scotia Health Authority, and Dalhousie University. She currently resides in in Kjipuktuk (Halifax), Miꞌkmaꞌki (Nova Scotia).

Megan Manels-Murphy, MSc

PhD Candidate

Megan is a driven and analytical academic with a master’s in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from Saint Mary’s University and is currently completing her Ph.D. in the same field. Beyond her academic endeavors, Megan offers methodological expertise in the way data collection and analyses through her experience teaching graduate-level research methods lab as well as her work on several other projects such as the Burnout Recovery Program and the Nova Scotia International Student (NSIS) Project. Megan’s primary purpose is to make each workplace a more welcoming and comfortable environment for all. In line with this goal, her research interests include diversity and inclusion, employee well-being and conflict management.

Haya Bakour, MSc

PhD Candidate

Haya Bakour holds a MSc in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and is currently completing her PhD at Saint Mary’s University. She has been involved with several research projects focused on test development, technology in personnel selection, healthcare worker burnout as well as bias and conflict in the workplace. Haya has worked within in-house and external consulting capacities to support organizations in developing and implementing top tier evidence-based solutions. She strongly adopts the scientist-practitioner model in her approach to both research and engaging with industry partners. Applying her passion for human behaviour in the workplace has been extremely rewarding and she looks forward to continue learning alongside her collaborators and colleagues. Outside of work, Haya enjoys crossing off countries from her travel bucket list and spending quality time with her family and friends.

Harley Harwood, BA (Hons)

Graduate Student

Harley Harwood holds a BA (Hons) in Psychology and is currently completing his Master of Science in Industrial-Organizational Psychology at Saint Mary’s University. Harley has worked on a number of projects from reducing interview anxiety in asynchronous video interviews to the effects of ChatGPT in situational judgement tests. Through his work various projects, he has gained critical insight on experimental design, expertise in statistical analysis and applying the principles of ethical and fair selection practices. Additionally, Harley also teaches undergraduate labs entry level statistics and methodology, giving many students there first introduction to critical and evidence-based thought. Beyond Harley’s academic endeavor’s, he enjoys coaching high school football and spending time with loved ones.

Lanxi (Jo) Wang

Graduate Student

Lanxi (Jo) Wang is a PhD student in Industrial/Organizational Psychology at Saint Mary’s University. Throughout her graduate studies, she researched various topics related to occupational health and safety, such as employee mental health, burnout, motivation, job engagement, unethical work behaviours, and incivility. Her research interests focus on mental health and well-being in the workplace. Outside of work, she enjoys practicing yoga and playing ukulele.