Our Team

ROLE AT SANTIS

Vrinda provides essential project management support to the Federal Government Affairs Team to deliver successful client outcomes and ensure clients are informed of up-to-date insights into the federal political environment. She helps clients strategically foster relations with key stakeholders and engage in grassroots initiatives to advance their advocacy goals. Her day-to-day work in client relations includes building key messaging, identifying opportunities for federal engagement, and closely monitoring legislative and political updates. Vrinda is driven by her passion for making a positive change in the health policy world and addressing system gaps by dedicating her efforts to national-level advocacy.

EXPERIENCE

Vrinda previously worked at the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) as a junior policy analyst in the Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention Branch, where she supported the strategic coordination of Branch activities, including policy planning and reviewing budget processes. She has also spent time working with Heritage Canada, Health Canada, and as a Teaching Assistant for the Psychology Department at Carleton University.

VOLUNTEERISM AND EDUCATION

Vrinda graduated from Carleton University with an Honours degree in Public Affairs and Policy Management, with a specialization in Social Policy and a minor in Psychology. She aspires to continue learning about her combined passions in public policy and public health to drive positive impacts.

ROLE AT SANTIS

Sean brings deep public policy expertise to Santis Health where he provides guidance and support on government relations, communications, and stakeholder engagement. He draws on his strong academic and professional background in health policy as well as his extensive political and campaign experience to provide expert counsel to clients.

EXPERIENCE

Prior to joining Santis, Sean worked in the British Columbia government as a political advisor to the Minister of Health. In this role, Sean provided strategic advice to the Minister by helping to analyze complex health policy through a political lens. He also helped prepare and staff the Minister for significant health announcements, engaged stakeholders on behalf of government, and was the key liaison for MLAs engaging with the Minister’s office.

Sean previously worked with the New Democratic Party in Ontario in the lead-up to the 2022 provincial election. He also ran several outreach campaigns for organizations in the United States, including Doctors Without Borders and the American Civil Liberties Union. Sean worked on a successful campaign to get Medicaid expansion on the 2020 state ballot in Missouri and held key campaign roles with the Democratic Party in Nevada and South Carolina.

VOLUNTEERISM AND EDUCATION

Sean holds a Master of Arts in International Relations from York University, a Bachelor of Arts with Honours from York University and a Bachelor of Science from Dalhousie University. Areas of academic focus included Canadian health policy, Indigenous mental health care, and behavioural neuroscience. Sean was highly decorated as a student, graduating Summa Cum Laude and earning multiple academic awards during his education.

Role at Santis

With extensive experience in government relations, Dylan provides expert advice to build and maintain strong relationships with key political and civil service stakeholders. He supports clients with government relations plans, lobby days, and the development of advocacy materials including key messages, briefing notes and pre-budget submissions. Dylan works with a number of clients including hospital networks, associations, and organizations representing health professionals.

Experience

Prior to joining Santis, Dylan completed a Work Integrated Learning placement at the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) in the Communications and Government Affairs division. Dylan has worked on multiple election campaigns at the provincial and federal levels for Mike Schreiner, MPP for Guelph, and Gord Miller, former Environmental Commissioner of Ontario. He worked in Mike Schreiner’s office at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario and helped draft Private Members’ Public Bill 71, Paris Galt Moraine Conservation Act.

Volunteerism and Education

Dylan has a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Development and Political Science from the University of Guelph. He also holds a Post Graduate Certificate in Government Relations from Seneca College. He has previously volunteered for Vote Savvy, a non partisan team which encourages young people to become involved in the political process.

Role at Santis

Peter joined Santis to launch the company’s first regional expansion in 2017, after spending over a decade supporting five cabinet ministers, in three different governments, including supporting two Health Ministers at both the federal and provincial level. Since 2017, Peter has supported a wide range of clients across Canada including health charities, not-for-profits, think tanks, health systems and companies on a range of government affairs, communication and strategic planning approaches. This work focused on how to understand the nexus between client objectives, health system needs and government priorities to then develop and help implement impactful proposals, whitepapers, and engagement strategies to drive towards a meaningful outcome.

Experience

Prior to Santis, served as senior staff for the Hon. Jane Philpott, Minister of Health in the Government of Canada. During his time on Parliament Hill, Peter maneuvered key initiatives through the legislative process including the government’s landmark assisted dying legislation, the federal response to the acute-opioid crisis, supported a robust process to legalize cannabis safely, as well as the successful negotiation of a 10-year health accord agreement with provinces and territories – which served as the basis for numerous agreements to follow throughout and following the pandemic.

At Queens Park, Peter served as Chief of Staff to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs at a critical moment for the agricultural community when Canada was negotiating both the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement and the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement. While supporting the Minister of Health in Ontario, Peter supported efforts to successfully negotiate on a physician services agreement, implement the Health-Based Allocation Method in Ontario’s hospitals, address critical issues at Orange air ambulance service as well as the implementation of Ontario’s Action Plan to transform the health care system and deal with the demographic challenges as well as the then provincial deficit. Peter also served in several advisory capacities for the Minister of Community and Social Services,

Volunteerism and Education

Peter has brought years of political and media activism experience to his roles, leading national media discussions on Canada’s voting system, numerous senior central campaign roles on both general elections and leadership campaigns , and also has past board experience on the Northumberland United Way Board of Directors and extensive political volunteer experience.

Role at Santis

With over a decade of experience in health advocacy, policy, government relations, and business development Danielle Flieler brings deep expertise and strategic insight to Santis Health’s federal government relations team. A trusted advisor to clients across the health and life sciences sectors, Danielle Flieler supports clients with shaping policies and advancing advocacy initiatives on a national scale. Her portfolio includes working with diverse stakeholders—from rare disease advocates to long-term care associations and health research bodies—creating impactful recommendations that influence policy and improve outcomes in Canada’s health care system.

Experience

Prior to joining Santis, Danielle was the Senior Development Manager at Research Canada, an Alliance dedicated to federal advocacy on behalf of health research and health innovation in Canada. During her time at Research Canada, Danielle managed a portfolio of over 100+ members and stakeholders stemming from a variety of sectors including biopharmaceutical companies, academic health science centres, hospitals, health charities, universities and start-ups.

Danielle has held other roles in health care over the years, including Ottawa Chapter Manager at Cystic Fibrosis Canada and Officer of Program and Sponsorships at the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

Volunteerism and Education

Danielle completed her Honours B.A. at the University of Ottawa in History with a Minor in Psychology. She also recently completed her Mini-MBA at Desautels Faculty of Management at McGill University.

ROLE AT SANTIS

Mirianna is a Public Affairs Coordinator on the Ontario Government Relations Team. At Santis, Mirianna monitors for the introduction of new bills and regulations, the Legislative Assembly of Ontario’s Question Period and Hansard, announcements from the government and opposition parties, committee meetings, and other channels for political updates of interest for clients. Mirianna also provides research, communications and project management support for clients, including health professions and associations.

EXPERIENCE

Before working at Santis, Mirianna was a research assistant at the Global and Environmental Lab, where she worked on a project funded by the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR). Additionally, Mirianna has professional and academic experience working on projects with international and national health organizations such as Plan International Canada and the Public Health Agency Canada (PHAC). Mirianna has also conducted policy analysis and research on vaping products.

VOLUNTEERISM AND EDUCATION

Mirianna holds a Master of Science in Global Health from McMaster University, a Bachelor of Global Health from York University and a Bachelor of Humanities and Biology from Carleton University.

ROLE AT SANTIS

Clare helps health care organizations navigate the complexities of government and craft the right message at critical moments in the public environment. She brings extensive experience in provincial government relations and strategic communications, helping clients develop thoughtful engagement strategies and targeted public affairs campaigns that drive advocacy outcomes and align organizational goals with public priorities.

EXPERIENCE

Before joining Santis, Clare led high-stakes mandates for a Canadian crisis communications agency, where she worked with broader public sector clients, including hospitals, long-term care operators, universities and social services organizations. Her work focused on government engagement and public positioning during times of reputational risk and sector-wide transformation.

Clare also previously served as Director of Strategic Communications and Principal Writer for the Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario. In this role, she supported the Premier through hundreds of press conferences and speeches covering the government’s COVID-19 response, major infrastructure investments, and omnibus legislation. She also oversaw the intergovernmental affairs portfolio.

Earlier in her public service career, Clare was a senior communications advisor to Ontario’s Minister of Finance, where she scripted provincial budgets and fiscal updates, and supported the ministry through key economic announcements.

VOLUNTEERISM AND EDUCATION

Clare holds a Master of Global Affairs from the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy at the University of Toronto and an Honours Bachelor of Social Sciences from the University of Ottawa. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul Greater Toronto Central Council and Participation House Durham. Clare also plays an active role in political campaigns at the federal, provincial and municipal levels.

Role at Santis

With more than fifteen years of experience in political campaigns, policy, and government engagement, James Mitchell brings significant expertise and strategic insights to Santis Health’s Western Canada team. A trusted advisor to clients in the health care and life sciences sectors, James Mitchell supports clients with advancing advocacy initiatives and shaping policy in Western Canada and across the country. His experience at Santis includes working with diverse clients from regulatory colleges to pharmaceutical companies and medical device manufacturers to health care charities crafting campaigns that influence policy and improve outcomes across Canada’s health care system.

Experience

Prior to joining Santis, James worked as a consultant, regularly advising government officials and candidates across all three levels of government. In this role, James provided advocacy and public policy advice to health stakeholders, including work to support veterans and first responders dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder.

James has extensive experience working on political campaigns across Canada. Notably, he acted as Deputy Campaign Director on Ken Sim’s successful campaign to become Mayor of the City of Vancouver. James also previously advised the Leader of Canada’s Official Opposition on a number of issues including health care policy.

With over a decade of experience in politics, James has a keen sense of determining what elected officials and their staff are looking for when making key decisions. Most notably, James translated this political expertise to support the development of several campaigns that advocated for various public benefits including boosting the supply of affordable housing.

Volunteerism and Education

James is a Library Board Trustee in North Vancouver, helping to set strategic direction, develop policies and oversee the library budget. He is also a member of the Rotary Club of West Vancouver Sunrise and serves on the board of the Lighthouse Park Preservation Society.

James holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and political science from Simon Fraser University.

Role at Santis

At Santis, Patrick helps health care organizations adapt to the changing health care environment, influence government policy and improve their engagement with members and stakeholders. Patrick has expertise in strategic communications, government relations, public affairs and board governance.

Experience

Prior to joining Santis, Patrick served as the Executive Director of Public and Corporate Affairs at the Ontario Medical Association (OMA), the voice of the province’s 34,000 physicians. Over almost ten years, he led the OMA through several strategic communications campaigns, a comprehensive governance review, as well as a major rebranding of the organization. Under his tenure, member satisfaction with the OMA doubled to a record high and, over the course of a five-month advocacy campaign, the profession witnessed a remarkable 12 per cent increase in public trust.

Patrick also worked in senior communications roles in the Ontario government, as an aide to Ontario’s Minister of Health and as Director of Communications to the Minister of the Environment and to the Minister of Education.

Volunteerism and Education

Patrick served as Past-Chair of the Board of Directors at ALS Canada, following eight years on the Board of Directors and as Co-Chair of the Client Services Advisory Committee and Chair of the Governance Committee. He also serves on the Board of Directors at the Pine River Institute which helps treat adolescents with addiction and mental health challenges. He has also served for six years on the Board of Trustees at the Hincks-Dellcrest Centre, the largest children’s mental health treatment facility in Toronto. During that time, Hincks-Dellcrest presented him with an Award of Appreciation for his work in receiving additional funding from government to support mental health services for kids. Since 2014, Patrick has also served as the Executive Director of the Canadian Association of Physician Assistants.

Patrick also coaches rep baseball and basketball in West Toronto.

ROLE AT SANTIS

Nabiha focuses on Ontario’s policy landscape, helping organizations simplify challenges and develop strategies that reflect not just how government operates, but how solutions find their place in the policy conversation. With a talent for navigating competing demands and finding common ground, Nabiha brings people together through win-win storytelling that moves conversations forward and builds lasting partnerships.

EXPERIENCE

Before joining Santis, Nabiha held senior policy roles within the Ontario government, advising on health and social policy initiatives across the Ministries of Health, Finance and Labour. This work advanced long-term reforms to improve access to care, expand system capacity, and introduce workforce solutions that addressed urgent sector demands. She also contributed to a provincial budget, helping align government objectives with fiscal planning and investment decisions. Among her proudest achievements is Ontario’s naloxone-in-at-risk-workplaces policy, which provided a timely and life-saving response to a growing public health crisis.

VOLUNTEERISM AND EDUCATION

Nabiha holds a Master of Health Science from Ontario Tech University and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto. Her master’s research focused on physician behaviour, payment models, and reforms in primary care funding. She volunteers with Second Harvest and the Catholic Children’s Aid Society. Outside of work, she performs improv at Second City, strengthening her creativity and real-time problem-solving skills.

ROLE AT SANTIS

With nearly a decade of experience in the federal government providing strategic counsel to four Ministers across three key portfolios, Jill applies her extensive experience in health, social policy and government affairs to support client objectives. Jill has played a pivotal role in federal, provincial, and territorial relations on health issues and developed a profound understanding of the complex dynamics across all levels of government. She takes pride in the networks she has cultivated with key health stakeholders over the years and leverages this wealth of knowledge and trust in her role at Santis.

EXPERIENCE

Before joining Santis, she held the role of Director of Policy (Health Systems) and Legal Affairs for the Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health in the Government of Canada. In this capacity, Jill was instrumental in negotiating both the Working Together and Aging with Dignity bilateral agreements. She also played a central role in the development of the Connected Care for Canadians Act and provided advice on critical issues including the modernization of the Canada Health Act, pharmacare, sexual and reproductive health, and systemic innovation in health care.

Earlier in her career, Jill served as both Atlantic Regional Advisor and Policy Advisor to the Ministers of Families, Children and Social Development, and Employment and Workforce Development. She was responsible for managing the Canada Student Financial Assistance portfolio and played an integral advisory role in the development of pandemic income support programs. She also led the Employment Insurance file through the expansion of the EI Sickness benefit from 15 to 26 weeks. Additionally, Jill is a licensed legal practitioner in Ontario, further enhancing her ability to navigate complex policy and legal landscapes.

VOLUNTEERISM AND EDUCATION

Jill has extensive political volunteer experience, having worked on nomination campaigns and in senior roles on general election campaigns. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of New Brunswick.

Role at Santis

As an Associate, Marcel serves as an advisor to the Santis team and its clients on key health initiatives and supports them in achieving their strategic policy, health care policy and government relations objectives.

Experience

Marcel joined Santis after 30+ years of experience in the federal government focusing on strategic policy, health care policy, and intergovernmental relations. After holding several positions as a Policy Analyst, Marcel became a Policy Advisor for the Director of Policy in the Prime Minister’s Office, where he provided advice on key issues in the Health, Justice and Human Resources Development Portfolios.

Marcel has since held various leadership positions as the Director of Policy Research for the Canadian Medical Association, Director General of Policy Coordination and Director General of Health Care Strategies for Health Canada. Most notably, Marcel worked as the Executive Director, Secretariat for the Advisory Council on the Implementation of National Pharmacare for Health Canada. In this role he oversaw the work of the Advisory Council, provided leadership for the Council’s cross-country consultations, and collaborated with senior officials at Finance Canada, the Privy Council Office and Health Canada.

Prior to joining Santis, Marcel served as an Associate Assistant Deputy Minister for the Strategic Policy Branch of Health Canada. In his role he advised the Minister and Deputy Minister on health care policy and led Federal-Provincial-Territorial negotiations on bilateral agreements for mental health, home care and virtual care.

Volunteerism and Education

Marcel holds a Bachelor of Social Sciences in Economics from the University of Ottawa, along with a Master of Science in Economics from the University of Montreal. Marcel is fluently bilingual in English and French and has significant experience as a member of the Board of Directors of several pan-Canadian health organizations.

ROLE AT SANTIS

Leveraging a vast Conservative network across Canada in governments and opposition parties from Alberta to Ottawa to Atlantic Canada, Vesna supports clients with government relations, provincial affairs, project management and stakeholder relations.

EXPERIENCE

Prior to joining Santis, Vesna served in the Office of the Honourable Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta, working as the Manager of Stakeholder Relations and then continuing to lead her tour team as Manager of Tour and Scheduling. Before working in the Premier’s Office, Vesna held various roles in the office of the Honourable Tanya Fir, MLA and Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women.

Vesna also has experience in political campaign management and stakeholder relations, most recently in senior roles on the Alberta Provincial election in the spring of 2023 and a provincial leadership campaign in the fall of 2022. Vesna is active with federal Conservative Party of Canada (CPC), most recently working on MP Shuv Majumdar’s general by-election in Calgary, as well as CPC nominations in British Columbia.

VOLUNTEERISM AND EDUCATION

Vesna currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Croatian Heritage Society in Calgary, as well as her local provincial United Conservative Party constituency association. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration, with a major in International Business from Vancouver Island University, while also studying at the University of Zagreb, Shanghai Lixin University of Commerce and Qingdao University of Technology.

ROLE AT SANTIS

John brings over 20 years of experience in the healthcare sector to his role at Santis Health, and is pivotal in shaping Santis’ strategy, policy development, and public affairs engagement. John is instrumental in managing client relationships, conducting in-depth policy and environmental research, and providing valuable support in project management.

EXPERIENCE

Before joining Santis, John held various impactful roles that enriched his understanding of healthcare policy and advocacy.

With over 13 years at the Ontario Medical Association (OMA) John served in several capacities, starting as Director of Health Policy on Public Health files. He subsequently transitioned to leading the Health Promotion program and eventually became Director of Health Promotion, Research, and Emerging Issues.

As CEO of the Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors (OAND) for seven years, John led the organization through significant milestones, including ushering them through the early days of their RHPA regulation, membership and budgetary growth, and then the successful negotiation of the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic.

ADVOCACY

Before his healthcare career, John dedicated six years to advocating for environmental policies at municipal, provincial, and federal levels.