Age: 39
Birthplace: Rossland, B.C.
Company: Specialized mental health services for childhood trauma, attachment and adoption.
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Education: PhD in clinical psychology, University of Ottawa (2014)
Charitable involvement: PsychFund.org
Biggest biz achievement: Turning my passion and dream into a successful business that I love getting up to go to every morning.
Biggest biz obstacle: Starting my PhD in clinical psychology at 30 years old and completing it while starting a family (both our children were born while I was a grad student) and my husband was starting his business. In our thirties, my husband (Martin Cloake, fellow Forty Under 40 recipient) and I have managed to start two businesses, have two children and obtain one PhD.
Biggest influence: Dr. Bruce Perry, a psychiatrist and founder of the ChildTrauma Academy, for his visionary leadership in the treatment of childhood trauma. Dr. Perry’s work has brought together the fields of neuroscience and attachment to advance our understanding of the impact of abuse and neglect on the developing brain and how to work with children and families to heal these effects.
Biggest lesson learned: It’s not enough to be good at what you do if no one knows you exist. Word of mouth is powerful and will help grow your business organically, but that can be slow. I have learned that if you want to grow quickly, you need to put yourself out there and make networking a priority.
First job: Sandwich artist at Subway.
Advice I’d give the younger me: Be strategic. Keep the big picture and your long-term goals in mind; sometimes the small battles are not worth winning.
What’s left to do: My goal is to grow the Ottawa Centre for Resilience to be a regional centre of excellence in trauma-informed, evidence-based programs and services for children, youth and families. And eventually to open Centres for Resilience across the country.
Favourite pastime: Crossfit, ultimate, reading
I’m currently reading: Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi
Favourite movie: Beasts of the Southern Wild
Favourite song: Mining for Gold by Cowboy Junkies
Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa Fury FC
Favourite local summer event: CityFolk
Preferred social media platforms: Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram
