Smashing the “black ceiling”: A Closer look at The Black Nurses Leadership Institute
Shelly Philip LaForest, RN, BN, MN, CVAA(c), PhD student, Founder, Chief Executive Officer, Ontario Black Nurses’ Network
Shelly has been a Registered Nurse for 24 years. Originally a diploma-trained nurse, she returned to school to complete a Bachelor of Nursing Degree, a Master of Nursing Degree, and is currently enrolled in a Doctoral degree program. She is a Full-Time College Nursing Professor. Shelly has worked in various clinical practice roles with expertise in paediatrics, vascular access, education, and leadership. She is a member of the CNO, RNAO, and on the Executive Committee for Epilepsy Ontario.
In 2021, Shelly founded and is the Executive Director for the Ontario Black Nurses’ Network and founder of the Black Nurses Leadership Institute. These not-for-profit initiatives have been instrumental with strengthening the voice of Black Nurses and nursing students in various healthcare forums. She has recently been recognized as one of “Canada’s Top 100 Black Women to Watch – 2023”
Dr. Saudia Jadunandan, RN, BScN, MEd, EdD, Facilitator, Black Nurses Leadership Institute, Toronto, Ontario
Saudia is a Doctoral prepared nurse with experience in a multitude of healthcare and educational areas that include critical care, cardiac surgery, simulation and educational leadership. She has advanced certification in critical care nursing, ACLS, diabetes education, blood conservation and chemotherapy. Saudia completed her Master’s degree at the University of the West Indies and her doctoral degree at Athabasca University, focusing her research on nursing education and virtual simulation best practices. Saudia is a Full-Time Nursing Professor and has also had roles as a clinical instructor, nursing lab specialist, and faculty advisor at various post-secondary institutions across Ontario. In addition, Saudia has published research about preoperative anemia, asynchronous discussion in distance education, cardiac surgery outcomes and simulation. Saudia is passionate about seeking ways to identify societal injustices and educational inequities to build stronger communities.
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