Meet Our Team

Supervisor

I'm an energetic and enthusiastic mental health professional with 18 years in the field, including 13 years specializing in youth support. My dedication extends to the community, where I've actively engaged with and co-chaired the Thunder Bay Situation Table, helping to provide crucial early intervention for high-risk individuals. I'm also currently furthering my education in Business (Management major, HR minor), driven by a strong passion for working with people and helping them shine. I thrive on positive relationship building and am genuinely young at heart. Outside of work, my love for fitness and well-being keeps me energized, and I'm definitely a dog person!

Care Navigator

As a Peer Support Worker and member of Gen Z, I bring lived experience and over six years of community involvement to my work with youth. I’m a queer advocate passionate about mental health, anti-racism, and creating spaces where young people feel seen and supported. My experience includes mentoring youth to speak on social issues at national platforms, engaging with political leaders and Indigenous communities, and contributing to advocacy through the Thunder Bay Regional Multicultural Youth Council. I also created Teenage Mechanisms, a photographic book and exhibition exploring youth mental health, supported by the City of Thunder Bay. I’m currently studying Social Work and graduated from the School of Photographic Arts Ottawa. In my free time, you can find me on long country drives with my camera listening to Mitski or Modest Mouse. Overall, my goal is to help peers feel brave enough to live their truth.

Nurse Practitioner

Hi, I’m Karis Barrett, a Nurse Practitioner born and raised in Thunder Bay. After spending five years working in the Ottawa area, I’m excited to be back home and part of the team at the Youth Wellness Hub. 

As a Nurse Practitioner, I provide primary care, which means that you can come to me for regular checkups, questions about your physical or mental health, support with ongoing health concerns, or when something just doesn’t feel right. 

I’m especially passionate about helping youth and young adults stay healthy by focusing on building healthy habits, offering early support, and working together to avoid long-term health problems. My goal is to create a safe, welcoming space where you feel heard, respected, and comfortable talking about your health.

Having grown up in Thunder Bay, I understand some of the unique challenges that youth in our community face, and I am committed to making healthcare easier to access and helping you get the support you need when you need it. 

When I’m not at work, you can usually find me hiking, biking, reading, travelling, or spending time with family and friends. I look forward to meeting you and supporting you on your health and wellness journey.

Peer Support Worker

I’m a University student specializing in Biology with a focus in Neuroscience, currently working as a peer support worker for the Youth Wellness Hub. Alongside my academic and professional pursuits, I'm actively involved in Non-Profit organizations and Committees in Northwestern Ontario, where I support community based mental health initiatives. Using my foundation in Neuroscience I strive to bridge research with real world impact to promote mental well-being in youth.

Peer Support Worker

Hi, I'm Gwen! I'm one of our awesome peer support workers at the Hub and if I'm not spending time with my cat Creamsicle I'm probably baking, reading, or at the Hub! I've been with the Hub for almost two years and counting. My pronouns are he/she/they and I am a proud member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community!