Panellist Bios

Caitlin Davey, PhD, C.Psych.

Dr. Caitlin Davey is a Clinical Psychologist who completed her graduate training at Ryerson University in 2015.  Dr. Davey currently works for the Mood Disorders Clinic at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, completing comprehensive assessments for complex mental health presentations, providing cognitive behavioural therapy for mood disorders, and engaging in program evaluation tasks.. She has also worked in private practice and with Six Nations Health Services completing program evaluation activities and clinical work. She is passionate about providing culturally safe services. Dr. Davey has also collaborated on research with a variety of Indigenous communities with a focus on understanding mental health and wellbeing from Indigenous perspectives.  Dr. Davey identifies as Haudenosaunee (from the Cayuga nation), Polish and Scottish. Her family is from Caledonia and Six Nations of the Grand River, Ontario and she is a mother, wife, auntie, and sister.

Ivan Joseph, PhD

Dr. Joseph is a keynote speaker, award-winning performance coach, author and recognized educator and mentor.  He is currently Vice-Provost, Student Affairs at Dalhousie University where his responsibilities include strategic planning, fundraising, marketing, media contract negotiations, and sports facilities, among others. His professional leadership in EDI includes mentorship and coaching, with special focus on students identifying as Black, and expanding services to support Indigenous and African Nova Scotian students. Previously, he was Director of Athletics at Ryerson University and will be assuming the role as Vice-president, Student Affairs at Wilfrid Laurier University in October.  Dr. Joseph immigrated to Canada with his parents from Guyana at age 5. In high school he was awarded a soccer scholarship to attend Graceland University where he earned his BA in Physical Education and Health. From there he went on to a Master of Science in Higher Education Administration from Drake University and a PhD in Sport Psychology from Capella University.

Meera Paleja, PhD

Dr. Paleja is a scholar of South Asian descent. She is currently working as a Behavioural Scientist for the Government of Canada’s Department of Women and Gender Equality, applying behavioural science to tackling policy challenges surrounding diversity and inclusion. She received her doctorate in Psychological Science (specializing in cognitive neuroscience) in 2012 from Ryerson University. Since then, she has worked in the behavioural insights space as a management consultant at BEworks, a boutique management consultancy, and as a scientist for the Ontario government. Since 2016, she has also instructed MBA and upper-level undergraduate courses in Behavioural Economics at the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto.