Rosemary Gauthier joins Qaujigiartiit Health Research Centre as Executive Director in 2025. A lifelong Iqalungmiutaq, she brings strong experience in leadership, administration, and community service through her work with Inuit organizations and the Government of Nunavut. Known for her heart-centered and collaborative approach, Rosemary is deeply committed to guiding teams in ways that reflect Inuit values and community wellbeing.
Rosemary has worked with organizations including the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., Qikiqtaaluk Corporation, and the Government of Nunavut and also serves as Intern Director of the GN Translation Bureau, supporting translation and interpretation services across Nunavut.
Rosemary is passionate about contributing to Nunavut’s growth through thoughtful, culturally grounded leadership.
Amelia Spedaliere holds a B.A. (Honours) in English Literature and Art History from Queen’s University and a certificate in Book and Magazine Publishing from Centennial College. With a professional background in arts administration within the Canadian book publishing industry, Amelia brings a friendly and community-focused approach to her role as Manager of Logistics and Administration at QHRC.
Dr. Janna MacLachlan is an occupational therapist and public health scholar who has worked in clinical and research roles in Nunavut periodically since 2006. She completed her PhD in Public Health Sciences at the University of Toronto in 2022. Her research focuses on supporting Inuit knowledge to be foregrounded in the health and social services offered to Inuit.
Janna completed a two-year Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship at Qaujigiartiit in 2025 and is now an Associate Scientific Director. She engages in community-based, action-oriented research and evaluation projects at Qaujigiartiit, including work related to Integrated Youth Services, housing security and food sovereignty, supporting people affected by violence, and health equity and policy.
She is also an Adjunct Research Professor in the School of Occupational Therapy at Western University in London, Ontario. Janna is of settler ancestry and was raised in rural Mi’kma’ki. She currently lives in Iqaluit, Nunavut, with her family.
For the past 25 years, Amy has lived and worked in Nunavut, where she has supported prenatal nutrition programs, diabetes education, clinical nutrition, and public health research, focusing on country food management and environmental health. She is a Registered Dietitian with a Master’s Degree in Human Nutrition and Physiology and a PhD in Public Health. Amy is a Research Associate and Assistant Professor at the School of Public Health at the University of Alberta and a Research Associate with the Nunavut Research Institute. She is of European descent and was raised on the traditional lands of the Hautanosaurus and Anishinaabe peoples. Amy lives in Iqaluit with her family.
Andrea is passionate about health equity and ensuring that people have the knowledge, skills, and opportunities to make informed decisions about their health and well-being. She looks forward to bringing a strengths-based and relationship-focused (or people-centered) approach to her work on Integrated Youth Services.
Brad Chambers has lived in Nunavut since 1999. He is interested in the intersection of health and education, which he considers foundational life-long projects. He has a BSc in Bio-Medical Science from the University of Guelph, A Bachelor of Education from Lakehead University, and a Masters in Leadership from the University of Guelph. He has taught science, math and social studies at the high school and college level and has served as Director of Policy and Planning in the education sector. He lives in Iqaluit with his family.
Nancy Mike is originally from Panniqtuuq, Nunavut. She currently calls Apex-Iqaluit her home and lives with her four children. Nancy went to Nunavut Arctic College/Dalhousie University and completed her Bachelor of Science in Arctic Nursing degree. Her passion has always been to be able to work with other Inuit for the betterment of our well-being holistically, while utilizing our strong Inuit culture and language.
Dr. Jessica Penney is a Nunatsiavut Inuk PhD Researcher in Sociology at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Her family is from Rigolet, Labrador and Carbonear, Newfoundland, and she was raised in Iqaluit. Jessica’s research focuses on the wellbeing and social impacts of the Muskrat Falls hydroelectric project, and how these issues are linked to global structures. She has a Master’s in Global Health, is a graduate of Pearson College UWC, and a Commonwealth Scholar. Jessica is a Research Associate at Qaujigiartiit; in this role she works remotely on primary and secondary research and analysis, writing research reports, and represents Qaujigiartiit on several research-related committees.
Zoha has spent much of her life in the North, having lived in Yellowknife and across Nunavut since 2006. She now works remotely from Alberta, where she is raising her children. Zoha holds a Master’s in Public Health and is deeply passionate about research that supports and uplifts Indigenous communities.
With Qaujigiartiit, Zoha contributes her expertise in report writing, data analysis, and research through the NU SPOR Support Unit. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking, spending time outdoors with her sled dog, and being with family and friends.
Lauren Nevin spent her early life in Kimmirut, NU but has called Iqaluit home since 2005. She is one of Qaujigiartiit’s Program Evaluator & Data Analysts, in his role she works on many internal and external program evaluations and assists on a variety of research projects. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia.
Tracy Wallace is originally from Chesterfield Inlet, Nunavut. Tracy is an inspired individual with a background in marketing and business management. With a degree in Business Administration with a major in Marketing, Tracy has honed her skills in strategic leadership and team management over several years of diverse work experience in government, private, and non-profit sectors. Tracy continually looks for opportunities to expand her skill set. Aware of the importance of effective communication in all sectors of business, she took on the challenge to train as a graphic designer to round out her skill set. Tracy has enjoyed providing communications support to QHRC since 2021.
Ceporah Mearns is originally from Pangnirtung, NU, but calls Iqaluit her home with her partner and two daughters. Ceporah has a Bachelor of Arts from Carleton University, a Bachelor of Education from the University of Regina, and is a graduate of Nunavut Sivuniksavut. Ceporah’s work focuses on Early Childhood Education, curriculum development, she’s a co-instructor of the Facilitator Training workshops for the Makimautiksat Youth Wellness and Empowerment Camp. In 2020, Ceporah became the Director of the Nunavut NEIHR (Network Environment for Indigenous Health Research).
Micah Silu Inutiq is a graduate of the Environmental Technology Program in Iqaluit. She holds a certificate in pre-nursing and has experience working in health, IQ policy and research, as well as non-profit programming. In her free time, she enjoys life at the cabin, sewing for her family, and being adventurous with cooking. She comes with a passion for Inuit wellness and looks forward to working with her family communities in meaningful and impactful ways.
Joe Kayakyuak Karetak is from Arviat. Joe is an active member of the community, and an advocate of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit. He has filled many roles in the public and private sectors. He is one of the founding members and a Director of the Aqqiumavvik Society, which is dedicated to co-conducting research and delivering programs to improve the well-being of Arviatmiut.
Shirley Tagalik is a retired educator living in Arviat, Nunavut. She is an active researcher in the areas of education, child development, language development, youth engagement, youth suicide prevention, determinants of health, healing, climate change, food security, and cultural revitalization. For the past 20 years, she has been actively working with Inuit Elders to document their cultural knowledge, Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
Shirley serves as a volunteer director on the Aqqiumavvik Society, a community group dedicated to addressing concerns through community-driven research and innovative programming. She is a Research Associate with the Qaujigiartiit Health Research Centre, a director for the Nunavut Network Environment in Indigenous Health Research, and an advisory board member with the National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health.
Alesha-Elijah Tiglik was born and raised in Iqaluit and is passionate about mental health and community well-being. She graduated from Nunavut Sivuniksavut in 2023, she is currently completing her final year of the Bachelor of Social Work program at Carleton University. Alesha has built strong connections with local organizations and will be helping facilitate youth programs at Qaujigiartiit. A part-time artist, she enjoys printmaking when time allows. After graduation, she plans to work in mental health in Iqaluit before pursuing a master’s in social work, with a strong commitment to integrating Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit into her practice.
Sandi is originally from Igloolik, spent many years in Rankin Inlet, and most often calls Iqaluit home. She brings a strong commitment to community-driven work grounded in Inuit values, relationships, and lived experience. Sandi is motivated by work that strengthens wellness, intergenerational connection, and capacity, and values building respectful relationships and learning alongside communities with care.
Jodi Durdle-Awa has called Iqaluit, Nunavut home since 2001. Her children, grandchildren and, most recently, great grandchildren were all born and raised here. She has a deep respect for Inuit culture and the implementation of Inuit ways of knowing. Jodi has a Master of Arts in Anthropology from Memorial University and a Paralegal Certificate from Capilano University. She is a life long learner who is always open to new and interesting learning opportunities
April Peters is a Registered Dietitian who has lived and worked in Nunavut for over 11 years, supporting community members with nutrition therapy for diabetes, heart health, prenatal wellness, and the often tricky art of feeding children, exploring healthy food options that suit a wide range of tastes and preferences. She holds a Master of Public Health in Indigenous Health and is passionate about how integrating traditional knowledge with modern healthcare can improve outcomes for Inuit communities. April thrives in dynamic environments and is excited to contribute to the meaningful work happening at Qaujigiartiit. She lives in Iqaluit with her family, both human and furry, and continues to draw inspiration from the community she serves.
Deatra Walsh holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from Memorial University, a Master of Rural Development from Brandon University, and a B.A. in Sociology from Concordia University. She began her studies in journalism at Carleton University. Her career spans post-secondary education, government, and the non-profit sector. Deatra worked for the Government of Nunavut for four years, including roles as the manager of territorial labour market programming and Director of Poverty Reduction. She has held teaching and research positions at Mount Allison, Memorial, York, and Dalhousie Universities in Canada, as well as at UiT: The Arctic University of Norway. She is currently the Director of Advocacy and Communications with Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador and serves as the research accounts manager with QHRC, utilizing her budgeting and finance expertise to support project projections and reporting.
Maria Coates has 15 years of experience in non-profit development and fundraising across the arts, culture, technology, and social impact sectors. Since 2018, she has supported organizations in Nunavut with proposal development and capacity building. Maria is committed to collaborative, community-driven approaches that strengthen Indigenous-led initiatives and long-term organizational growth.
