Natalie received her Bachelor of Social Work Degree from the University of Regina in 1989. Originally from Estevan, Natalie moved to Yorkton to begin her career in Social Work with the Department of Social Services. In Yorkton, Natalie worked in various programs including Income Security and Child Protection. She then moved to Weyburn and worked for eight years as a Supervisor of Child Protection with Social Services. In 2006, Natalie made the decision to take a position with Sun Country Health Region (now Saskatchewan Health Authority) as Director of Therapies, Patient Counselling and the Acquired Brain Injury Program. While she manages a number of social workers, Natalie also has other professionals in her department including Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, Adult Speech and Language Therapists and the Falls Coordinator (a position she advocated for and helped to develop). This was a less traditional area for a Social Worker to manage and Natalie has excelled here while using social work principles in all of her interactions. A social work colleague in another department shared this- "I have gone to Natalie for advice regarding ethics issues and she has provided me with sound advice. She is always very approachable."
Natalie accepts new challenges and is open to hear new ideas or opportunities for improvements. Natalie played a crucial role in supporting her staff to develop new programs such as the Pulmonary Rehab and Cardiac Rehab programs which target Chronic Disease patients. Natalie is also supporting her department's involvement in a dementia initiative with the University of Saskatchewan. Called RaDAR, this program brings a team of allied professionals together in rural and remote communities for early intervention and diagnosis of people with suspected dementia.
Natalie has also been active in her community. She was a founding member and volunteer with Big Brothers and Sisters and Victim Services in Yorkton. Natalie is involved with the Habitat for Humanity Board and is on the Family Selection Committee in Weyburn. She also served on the Sun Country Regional Health Board for over four years.
In 2010, in her position as a director, Natalie missed the daily contact and interactions with a social work community and recognized that other social workers may be feeling the same way. She initiated discussions with social workers in the community and the idea of forming a branch was born. Natalie led this initiative and in 2011 the South East Branch of SASW was formed. Natalie served as the first Branch President and has been elected into this position every year since. The South East Branch has been active with regular meetings, organizing education events and celebrating Social Work Week.
Natalie has been and continues to be an inspiration to her social work colleagues and is also respected by her management co-workers and staff from the various professional groups she manages. She has forged new trails and been a role model for many.