Kandace (she/her) is the Director of Operations and Strategy at Health Commons where she works with partners and team members to bring a shared vision of a more equitable health system from ideas to action. She is responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations of the people and projects as well as guiding the organization’s strategic priorities and business development.

With a Masters from the Dalla Lana School of Public Health and specialization in epidemiology, Kandace has a background in population-based research including chronic disease, mental health and injury prevention. She also has experience working as an Epidemiologist, advising on the use of data to inform service planning and policy development. Kandace led the development of the first information system monitoring trends in overdoses across Toronto which played a key role in advocating for increased access to lifesaving harm reduction services.

Kandace first came to Health Commons in 2018 when she led a number of projects on population health assessments, health system transformation and community-led COVID-19 responses. Since stepping into the Director of Operations and Strategy role in 2020, Kandace has appreciated the opportunity to help grow Health Commons from an early start-up to a dynamic and sustainable social innovation lab.