Meet Our Executive Team

President 

Emily Presswood, RN, BScN, MN-LPNP (Candidate) 

Emily graduated from Western University in December 2023 and is currently pursuing her Masters of Nursing Leadership. Emily has been an active member of RNAO since her time as a BScN student. During her studies, she served as an RNAO Student Ambassador for UWO and represented nursing students through her participation in the Student Board of Directors Placement at RNAO’s 98th Annual General Meeting. Previously a member of the Middlesex-Elgin Chapter, Emily brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to nursing advocacy, professional development, and leadership.

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As the President of the Hamilton Chapter, Emily is dedicated to fostering connections between members, engaging nursing students, and building strong collaborations with local healthcare organizations and academic institutions. She strives to amplify nurses’ voices, create inclusive opportunities for engagement, and strengthen the chapter’s impact through both in-person and online initiatives.

Policy and Political Action ENO

Ashley Fry O'Rourke RN, BScN, MScN

Ashley Fry O’Rourke, RN, is an influential advocate and policy leader in Ontario’s nursing community, currently serving as the Policy and Political Action Network (PPAN) Officer for the Hamilton Chapter of the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO). In this role, she works at the intersection of healthcare policy, political advocacy, and professional nursing practice, aiming to improve health outcomes and advance the role of nurses within Ontario’s healthcare system.
Ashley plays a vital role in advocating for nursing-related issues by engaging in strategic discussions, liaising with policymakers, and organizing initiatives that amplify the voices of nurses at both local and provincial levels. She actively collaborates with RNAO leadership and members to address critical issues such as nursing shortages, healthcare system improvements, and workplace conditions that directly impact nursing practice and patient care.
Her work includes coordinating political engagement efforts, including lobbying local representatives and organizing events designed to bridge the gap between nurses and key stakeholders. Ashley’s expertise lies in driving forward actionable policy recommendations that reflect the realities of frontline nurses while ensuring alignment with broader public health goals.
In addition to her advocacy work, Ashley is a nursing Professor at Mohawk College and holds clinical appointment at McMaster University, where she teaches and mentors the next generation of nursing professionals. Through coordinating and teaching courses such as Problem-Based Learning, she guides students in applying evidence-based practices, developing leadership skills, and preparing for dynamic nursing roles. Her combined academic and professional experience allows her to inspire students while integrating real-world advocacy into nursing education.
Through her commitment to advocacy, Ashley has been instrumental in equipping nurses with the knowledge and tools necessary to influence policy, fostering a generation of nurses who are both clinicians and change-makers. Her dedication to RNAO’s vision of empowering nurses to lead transformative change is evident in her leadership and ongoing contributions to shaping healthcare policy in Ontario.

Social Media ENO

Trinity Schenk RN, BScN

Trinity graduated from McMaster University in May of 2024. She has been a member of RNAO since 2020 and took on a more active role in her final year of school when she served as the RNAO representative for the McMaster University Nursing Student Society (MUNSS). In this role, she attended the 98th Annual General Meeting with the Hamilton chapter. There, she used social media to give McMaster, Mohawk and Conestoga students the opportunity to follow along through the different events. The AGM, other social media campaigns and local McMaster events were all ways that Trinity was able to grow awareness and engagement for RNAO at McMaster University and Mohawk College.

Trinity is excited to take on the role of Social Media ENO and continue to engage in RNAO. She endeavours to increase the chapters utilization of social media as a tool for promotion, advocacy and education. She looks forward to helping the Hamilton RNAO community to grow both online and in-person alongside the other executive members.

Workplace Liaison ENO

Osato Ogiamien, RN, BScN

I have been a Registered Nurse for the past three years, acquiring extensive experience across various specialties, including adult health, maternal health, and neonatal care. Currently, I work as a NICU nurse at McMaster Children’s Hospital, where I am dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality care to critically ill newborns

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In addition to my clinical experience, I have been an active member of the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO) for the past three years. I joined RNAO to connect with my professional community, enhance nursing practice, and contribute to advancing the field.

Through my involvement with the Hamilton chapter, I intend to focus on enhancing my leadership abilities, expanding my professional network, and advocating for policies that improve nursing practice and patient outcomes. I am excited to continue growing both personally and professionally through my work with RNAO, and I look forward to helping foster a collaborative and supportive healthcare environment.

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In my free time, I volunteer in my community by organizing extracurricular activities for school-age children and managing social media marketing campaigns for local events.

Email us or message us on instagram

• Email: rnaoham@gmail.com

• Instagram: @rnao_hamilton