Team Member

Director of Business Development and Partnerships

jlansfie@uvic.ca

canassist@uvic.ca

Born and raised in the Yukon Territory, Jessica's life and learning has been highly influenced by the north, the beauty of nature, and the exploration of the earth's wide range of cultures, climates, and conditions. Understanding various aspects of health and the human condition has spurred both her academic and professional careers.

With undergraduate degrees in Applied Human Nutrition from the University of Guelph and Therapeutic Recreation from the University of Waterloo, along with a master's in Therapeutic Relationship from the University of Waterloo in partnership with Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto, and a doctorate degree from the University of Victoria's innovative and research-intensive Social Dimensions of Health program, Jessica's understanding of health and wellbeing has increasingly become more holistic and ecologically-based. Her transdisciplinary doctoral research filled gaps in the literature concerning the interconnections between social engagement, the social determinants of health, and a systems perspective. Over the past 16 years, Jessica has worked as a consultant for various organizations, governments, industry, and Indigenous Nations.

When not working at CanAssist, she will often be out of service in nature, walking in a forest, exploring the coast, or planning her next paddle down a remote river.