Good day members,
We hope everyone had a wonderful summer! With September here, BNLC is excited to kick off the 2025–2026 year with new events, fresh ideas, and an incredible team of executive members ready to lead positive change.
BNLC 2025–2026 new executive members:
It is with great excitement and pride that we re-introduce our BNLC Executive Committee for 2025/2026.
Lori Zozzolotto – Chair
Lori Zozzolotto is a passionate advocate for nurses, patients, and positive social change. With over 17 years of experience, Lori began her career as an RPN, later becoming a Registered Nurse and a Nurse Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence (NSWOC). She currently serves as a Clinical Specialist with Convatec Canada.
Lori’s leadership extends beyond her clinical role. She co-founded a local Ostomy Canada support group, serves on Convatec’s Global LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group, and actively contributes to diversity and inclusion through various nursing organizations. She is currently collaborating with RNAO on a documentary exploring the experiences of Black men in nursing.
Recognized for her impact, Lori received the RNAO Award of Merit, Carmen Moodie Recognition Award, and was named one of Canada’s 100 Black Women to Watch (2024). Her leadership inspires and strengthens BNLC’s vision for equity and empowerment.
Dania Versailles – Board Liaison
Dania Versailles is a registered nurse with over 20 years of experience spanning bedside care, education, management, research, and professional practice. She holds two master’s degrees and currently works in community mental health, improving access to care for vulnerable populations experiencing homelessness, substance use, and mental illness.
A co-founder and past co-chair of BNLC, Dania was instrumental in its 2023 RNAO Interest Group of the Year Award win. She played a key role on RNAO’s Black Nurses Task Force and successfully presented resolutions addressing systemic racism and promoting culturally safe nursing education.
As RNAO Board Liaison, Dania advocates for equitable health care and uses her expertise to guide BNLC’s advocacy efforts, ensuring Black nurses have opportunities to thrive and lead change across the health-care system.
Daria Adèle Juüdi-Hope – Finance ENO
Daria Adèle Juüdi-Hope, RN, MPH, is a nurse, educator, and social justice advocate with experience in forensics, mental health, and community health. She is dedicated to advancing public health policies that address health inequities, particularly among Indigenous and marginalized populations.
Daria recently ran as a federal election candidate, demonstrating her commitment to political advocacy and systemic change. At BNLC, she plays a key role in strengthening member engagement and supporting financial planning, helping to advance BNLC’s mission of equity and representation in nursing.
Dwight Barrett – Communications ENO
Dwight Barrett, RN, BScN, BSc MN (student), is a critical care nurse with extensive experience in ICU, ER, med-surg, and mental health at Trillium Health Partners. Currently part of the Critical Care Response Team, Dwight is recognized for his leadership as a 2025 Emerging Leader in Health Care – Health Heroes Award recipient.
As Communications ENO, Dwight uses his expertise to amplify BNLC’s voice and outreach. He also serves as a clinical instructor at Humber College, mentoring future health professionals. With a master's of nursing in progress (focused on health policy and leadership), Dwight’s work bridges bedside care with systemic change and advocacy.
Donna Lawrence – Policy ENO
Donna Lawrence, RN, MN, CHPCN(C), is BNLC’s Policy ENO, representing the group in advocating for RNAO’s provincial and federal platforms. As a regional palliative pain and symptom management consultant, she supports long-term care, community, and primary care teams in delivering exceptional end-of-life care.
Donna’s leadership has been recognized through the Dr. Joan Lesmond Bursary (2024), JCAN’s Senior Luminary Award (2024), and selection as one of Canada’s 100 Black Women to Watch (2025). Her expertise drives BNLC’s advocacy on equitable health policy.
Kaywana Malcolm – Membership ENO
Kaywana Malcolm, RN, BScN, MN (student), brings a strong health equity and patient-centered perspective to BNLC. Based in Ottawa, her nursing background spans surgical and mental health care.
As Membership ENO for a second term, Kaywana is passionate about building a vibrant, inclusive community of Black nurses. Her lived experience and leadership roles fuel her drive to advance equitable care and inspire change within the profession.
Nicole Goodfellow - Social Media ENO
Nicole Goodfellow is a registered nurse with nearly 20 years of experience in maternal-child and public health. She currently serves as a senior nurse advisor at the Public Health Agency of Canada, where she works to embed equity into national health guidance and strengthen pandemic preparedness. Nicole is deeply committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, having served on the Durham Region Anti-Black Racism Committee and as Secretary for the Black Employees Matter Network. She is passionate about using nursing leadership to address systemic inequities and support healthier, more inclusive communities.
Back-to-school free student memberships:
RNAO is offering FREE memberships to undergraduate nursing students and internationally educated nurses (IENs) for a limited time! These memberships provide access to resources, networking, advocacy initiatives, and career tools.
Undergraduate memberships will now renew automatically each year until graduation, ensuring continuous support throughout students’ academic journey.
Sign up today: joinrnao.ca
BNLC Second Annual Ottawa Mix and Mingle - A success !!
On Saturday, September 13, BNLC hosted its second annual Mix and Mingle in Ottawa. The event was a huge success, featuring inspiring talks by Shelly Philip Laforest, Founder & CEO of Ontario Black Nurses Network, and Sophia Jacob, Founder of Canadian Women of Colour Leadership Network.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for this celebration of networking and empowerment!
Upcoming webinar: Navigating Post-Graduate Applications
Planning to pursue post-graduate studies but don’t know where to start?
Join us on Tuesday, October 21 at 7 PM EST for an informative webinar with Dr. Bukola Salami, President of the Canadian Nurses Association. Learn how to navigate applications, understand requirements, and set yourself up for success. Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/adogzoqvTxGvWqnPujExaQ
Strut Your Stuff: Celebrating Member Success
This month, we celebrate Donna Lawrence, our Policy ENO, who was recently recognized as one of Canada’s 100 Black Women to Watch (2025) by Canada International Black Women Excellence (CIBWE).
Congratulations, Donna!
Have you achieved a milestone or accomplishment? Share it with us at [email protected] for a chance to be featured in our newsletter and social media.
Stay connected
Follow us for updates, events and more:
X (Twitter): @BNLC_RNAO
Instagram: @bnlc_rnao
LinkedIn: BNLC LinkedIn
For questions, collaborations, or event inquiries, email us at [email protected].
The Black Nurses Leading Change Executive Committee