Bryanna Kelly (She, Her)
Chair
Nipissing District, North Bay
Bryanna Kelly (she/her) is a firm believer that no matter the challenge or barrier, anyone can reach their full potential if support and meaningful connections are accessible and available. Bryanna is passionate about peer support and the value it brings to individuals, groups, and the community as a whole. The concept of building connections through shared interests and lived experience is most important to the work Bryanna does in the community.
She enjoys guiding and assisting others along their unique wellness journey, encouraging growth, holding hope for others, and working from a strengths-based approach. Bryanna enjoys travelling and learning about other cultures through conversation and experience, spending time with friends and family, and listening to a variety of music. Bryanna enjoys travelling, learning about others through conversation, spending time with friends and family, listening to music and dancing.
Bryanna graduated with a Bachelor of Social Work from Carleton University and is a Level 2 Certified Peer Supporter with the PeerWorks Core Essentials Program. Bryanna currently works at Nipissing University as the Peer Support & Outreach Lead and takes pride leading and supporting students to create and offer a safe space in a peer-led environment that encourages self-directed wellness and a sense of community for all students at Nipissing University.
Lauren Anglin (She, Her)
Vice Chair
Nipissing District, North Bay
Lauren continues to be a proud Board member with Lived Experience & Recovery Network and during that time, she has learned so much! With 9+ years of experience working with diverse and international clientele in Europe, managing multiple projects at a time, she uses this experience in diversity to become a better mental health professional. Lauren incorporates a trauma informed lens and the understanding how intersectionality, colonialism, has impacted her work and the communities that surround her.
Lauren is a 2004 graduate and current student of the Indigenous Bachelor of Social Work at Laurentian University entering her final year. She is a first-time mummy (June 2023), a proud bulldog mama, military spouse, and Franco-Ontarienne. She hopes working with LERN will continue to enrich her understanding, knowledge, and experiences of living and working in the North and gain valuable skills towards being an ally.
Alanah Swietek (She, Her)
Treasurer
Nipissing District, North Bay
Alanah was born and raised in Ottawa Ontario and moved to North Bay in 2012 to attend Canadore College where she obtained a diploma in Mental Health and Additions and Social Service Work. As an advocate for peer support, she started her career in 2014 and has been an active member of the community through her various volunteer work.
Alanah brings her passion for mental health to her position as a Peer Support and Outreach Coordinator at Canadore College. In her down time, Alanah can be found on the beach of lake Nipissing, gardening, and spending time spending time with her bird and cat, Presley, and Luna.
Dakota Hamilton She/Her
Secretary
Muskoka-Parry Sound, Huntsville
Dakota is a Mental Health and Addiction Worker graduate from Canadore College. She has always had a passion for kindness and helping people, going into this field is a step in the right direction.
Dakota has worked in all kinds of places and none of them gave her the satisfaction of helping people unless she was talking to customers. Having deep and meaningful conversations with people, connecting with them, and being able to help them with whatever questions were thrown her way, is why she has this drive to assist people.
Through the roles she has had, Dakota was able to develop great interpersonal skills, organization, communication and listening. She is a dedicated and hard worker. With the skills that she has attained, Dakota plans on advocating for and supporting the people that need the most help with fighting their inner demons. The people struggling with their mental health, and their addictions.
Brenda McConnell (She, Her)
Director
Algoma District, Elliot Lake
Brenda has been an active member of LERN since it was first launched as the Northeast Ontario Consumer/Survivor Network (NEON) from the Northeast region of Ontario.
She is the Facilitator/Coordinator of the Beehive in Elliot Lake. Brenda is a beloved member of the community with a heart of gold. Using her lived experience and extensive training she provides valuable innovative programming to help fulfill the needs of her members. Brenda aims to do what she can to help reduce stigma and influence systemic change.
She also enjoys empowering people who are using mental health services through peer support, knowledge exchange, and networking.
David Stripp (He, Him)
Director
Algoma District, Elliot Lake
Ever since David was a teenager mental health struggles have been a part of his life. He was fortunate as both his parents worked in the field, so he always seemed to have a better understanding of what mental health was and the services that were available. In his last year of high school his mother passed away. Unfortunately, this led to increased depression and self-harm. However, it was the wakeup call he needed as it led him to seek help.
Since then, David has been supporting several of his friends and former partner during their own mental health struggles and suicide attempts. Throughout these experiences, he recognizes the value that peer support has on one’s wellness and recovery. As a volunteer at The Beehive, his goal is to ensure that those who need support, know they have support and are not alone.
Presently, he is attending school and is working towards his Bachelor of Social Work and feels LERN’s Board is a place that he can help make a difference by ensuring that front line workers have up to date training, information, and support so they can continue to be the fundamental peer workers that they are.
Kelly Nebreda (She/Her)
Director
Algoma District, Elliot Lake
Kelly Nebreda is a dedicated homecare worker who has recognized how much one’s mental health needs affect their overall physical health. Having lived in Elliot Lake for nearly 30 years, she has observed how key family, friend, and community support has been in maintaining one’s autonomy and dignity as they age. Caregiving has been always an integral part of Kelly’s life as well as ensuring her family members are able to have the opportunity to advocate for themselves.
Diagnosed as an adult with ADHD, Kelly is aware of how neurodivergence affects a person’s interaction with their community. With this experience, Kelly is empathetic and very keen on empowering those around her, knowing that everyone has a different baseline for what they are comfortable with.
Kelly is currently working within a dual role to provide home healthcare support as well as assisting the management of her service provider’s programs. Her commitment to her clients and being able to see the benefit of homecare support drives her to provide the best care possible.