Lisa Lachance
PhD Candidate (Health)/President, Wisdom2Action Ltd/NSNDP Candidate Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
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Lisa is a PhD candidate, mental health advocate and small business owner, whose work has focused on human rights and economic development. Over the last 30 years, she’s worked to improve the Halifax community as an active member of Bryony House, Heartwood Centre for Community Development, Phoenix Youth Programs, Stepping Stone, and her children’s schools’ PTAs and SACs.
As President of Wisdom2Action Ltd, she works in Nova Scotia and across Canada in community and youth engagement, research and evaluation, program development and more. Lisa uses her strong cultural competence and collaborative leadership skills to connect people in meaningful ways – so they can solve problems and move forward.
Lisa has worked for the Federal government on international human rights (CIDA) and Indigenous rights policy for the Privy Council in Ottawa. In 2008, Lisa brought that experience back to Halifax to work at the Nova Scotia Department of Finance. Since then, she has managed a national youth mental health network at Dalhousie, and started her own business while raising her family. She is a PhD candidate in Health looking at emergent models of mental health services. Lisa is a proud #hockeygoaliemom and loves exploring the Nova Scotia outdoors with her family.
Lisa holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Development Studies and a Masters in Public Administration, both from Dalhousie University.
In her words:
I am committed to building a better, more equitable Nova Scotia. This is the place that nurtured me as a young person, and now nurtures my family. I have been a civil servant, a stay-at-home parent, managed a national project based at Dalhousie, and I started my business here. I have lived in rural Nova Scotia and in downtown Halifax.
At the same time, as a daughter and as a parent, I have fought for my family to have access to healthcare. I have fought for basic access to inclusive education for my children. I have witnessed how a lack of services and a lack of coordination can make even strong families vulnerable.
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What are you most proud of professionally? And who or why?
I have had some great opportunities to do good work. I like to joke that I am a recovered bureaucrat but as a federal and provincial public servant, I was often in the right place at the right time to make good policy for Canadian international assistance, fund good projects, and advocate for children and human rights. In 2004, after representing Canada at the UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva for a short assignment, REAL Women of Canada highlighted me as a public servant that was too progressive and that must be ousted from the federal public service. I was very proud to have been so effective as to attract their attention. Likewise, with Wisdom2Action, I am thrilled when I have people refer to us as a different kind of organization, true to our values, "radical" even. I don't think advocating for inclusive process, deep analysis, and brave ideas should be radical but maybe it is!
What’s your vision for Atlantic Canada in 10 years? What’s our biggest opportunity now?
We need to deal with deepening inequities in the region and the impact it is having on all of us. We need better access to primary and rural health care, better access to youth mental health services, and an education system that can support all students. We know that the Covid19 pandemic has affected marginalized communities more. At the same time, we have proven that we can as a province (and country) make quick, evidence-based changes when we have to and rapidly develop policies and projects.
I work with youth across the country who note that now they know it's a question of priorities when the government doesn’t act, and question why the same effort has not been given to addressing climate change, Indigenous reconciliation and anti-Black racism. As we assess how to “build back” or “bounce forward” from the current context, we are also being handed clear analysis and opportunity of how to overcome past, systemic marginalization.
What was your greatest stage of growth? What made it a shift for you?
A few years ago, our family went through a major crisis period and it was very public. We needed access to child mental health services that we weren't getting. It is hard to be a parent in that situation. Your child and whole family are suffering; you feel like it's your fault, and that others think it's your fault; and you are jealous of other people's normal. At a certain point, after years of battling for my son's rights, I just shifted in my whole being. I showed up in every situation fully me - flawed, vulnerable, but with rights - and encouraged everyone around me to do the same. I have always lived in a way that felt aligned with my principles of justice, equality and respect, and once I settled back into that I became a more effective manager, advocate, parent, friend and partner.
What’s your favourite or most read book or podcast? Now or at each of your greatest stages of growth?
I really got into podcasts once we adopted a dog in 2019. Now if you see me out walking around the neighbourhood, I am listening to something on Libby or a podcast. Favourites include: Dear Sugars, Modern Love, Transfert (from France), This American Life, Unreserved, and Brene Brown. I have always been a bookworm, reading a lot and rereading so this list is top of mind for right this moment: all of Margaret Atwood and Margaret Lawrence, the Outsiders (which was so great to rediscover with my kids), David Sedaris, Richard Wagamese, Tanya Talaq and so.much.more.
What’s your deepest learning from this past year? How did/will you apply it?
I think I realized early on as we settled into a global pandemic )that was unlike any other world crisis in my living memory) that we as a family were well prepared for this from years of health crises. Not sure what's going to happen tomorrow. Changing all your plans from big to small. Restricted activities. Friends who saw things - and acted -differently. We were prepared for all of this and more. And so honestly - while I think it will take my children longer than others to recover from this experience - we embraced having everyone home and healthy.
Who’s inspired you, directly or indirectly? How have they inspired you?
I have worked with community leaders who dared to dream big and - while I was always along for the ride - there was a niggly voice saying "Nah, that won't happen. Don't ask for too much. Don't take too much risk." And so many times, of course, these visionaries led communities to incredible outcomes. I think of the fight for equal marriage; when a team of parents at the Ottawa Inuit Children's Centre in the early 2000's; El Jones; Gamechangers 902 and so many others. And of course it may be cheesy, but my Mom. She passed away 16 years ago and so was quite young. She lived a difficult life - learning disabilities, family abuse, marital abuse, mental illness, poverty...but she instilled early on a passion for seeking justice. Despite limited education and chances to engage, her feminist analysis was spot on. She also remained loving and trusting in a world that didn't always give that back to her.
What would you have done differently?
Now I try and BELIEVE that radical change is possible. I try and throw my support behind those who are braver than me.
What are the principles you live by?
Equality, justice and respect. Also, love.
How have you recovered from fractured professional relationships? What uncomfortable truths have you learned about yourself in those experiences?
I have been in formal and informal collaborations when the going got tough. I have been surprised in these situations how reluctant I am to speak up as I am becoming concerned...but I have learned over time that you need to be brave and - with compassion and humility - ask for help, raise difficult issues and seek understanding.
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Mama, Partner, PhD candidate, Youth Mental Health Advocate, Entrepreneur, Animal Lover, Pie maker, NSNDP candidate